Acts 16:15-34 NIV

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Acts 16:19-20

Acts 16:19-20. Unto the rulers,— The word στρατηγοι, made use of in the 20th verse, denotes with the Greeks Roman praetors; and if it was applied to the Duumviri, who were the governors of colonies, it was by way of compliment. At the first appearance of the Christian religion, some of the Gentiles considered the Christians as no other than a particular set of Jews, because at that time those who professed it, were descended from the same stock, born in the same country, and received the same... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Acts 16:21

Acts 16:21. And teach customs which are not lawful, &c.— Tertullian and Eusebius assert, that the Romans had an ancient law, which forbad the worship of new deities without the permission of the senate; and it is plain from Livy, that, as often as it was violated, it was publicly vindicated by the authority of the state. It is remarkable, that Tully, in his "Book of Laws," gives us the very law in question: The sense of it is to this effect: "No man shall worship the gods clandestinely, or... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Acts 16:22

Acts 16:22. The magistrates rent off their clothes,— This was the Roman method of proceeding in such cases, and it was also practised among the Jews. The latter part of this verse might be rendered more clearly thus: And the officers tearing off their garments, that is, of Paul and Silas, commanded them to be beaten with rods, by the hands of the lictors, or public beadles, to whom that office belonged. read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Acts 16:24

Acts 16:24. Made their feet fast in the stocks,— It is generally supposed that these were the cippi, or large pieces of wood used among the Romans, which not only loaded the legs of prisoner's, but sometimes distended them in a very painful manner. So that the situation of Paul and Silas must have been very affecting, especially if they lay with their bare backs, so lately scourged, on the ground, as it is very probable they did. This circumstance renders their songs of praise the more... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Acts 16:25-26

Acts 16:25-26. And at midnight Paul and Silas, &c.— These blessed apostles were as little daunted at suffering, as elevated when they were caressed and about to be adored for their miraculous cures. This was true fortitude; a composure and firmness of mind arising, through divine grace, from a sense of having done their duty, and being accepted by their great Lord and Master. From this consciousness of their integrity, and this sense of the divine favour, Paul and Silas, at midnight, when... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Acts 16:27

Acts 16:27. He drew out his sword, &c.— By the Roman law, if a prisoner escaped, the gaoler was to suffer what the prisoner was to have suffered. When therefore this man apprehended that all the prisoners were fled, and remembered what strict orders he had received the day before concerning Paul and Silas, he was afraid of the most rigorous treatment from the magistrates, for having executed their orders no better; and, on this account, in his hurry and consternation, was about to have... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Acts 16:28

Acts 16:28. But Paul cried with a loud voice,— St. Paul, like a true Christian, a benevolent and brave man through the grace of God, was tender and solicitous about the life of one, who, but a few hours before, had treated him with such rigour. As they were all at present in the dark, it is not easy to say how St. Paul knew of the gaoler's purpose, unless it were by hearing some desperate words that declared it, or by some immediate suggestion from God; which, amid such a scene of wonders, is... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Acts 16:29-30

Acts 16:29-30. Then he called for a light,— As φωτα, lights, is plural, it seems to imply, that, on this alarm, several of his attendants came with torches, and were present at the inquiry which immediately followed; nor did he in the least scruple to throw himself down before his domestics at the feet of these his holy prisoners, who had been so evidently honoured by the God of nature. Grotius thinks, that in his inquiry what he should do to be saved, the gaoler went upon the natural... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Acts 16:31-32

Acts 16:31-32. And they said, Believe, &c.— "Humbly trust in, and fully commit thyself to the protection of that great and only Saviour whom we preach, and thou and thine house will be brought into the sure way to eternal salvation." The meaning cannot be, that the eternal salvation of his family could be secured by his faith, but that his believing in Christ would be the best securityof his family from present danger; and that if they also themselves believed, they would be entitled to the... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Acts 16:33

Acts 16:33. And he took them the same hour, &c.— It appears from this circumstance of the gaoler's washing their stripes, that the apostles had not a power of working miraculous cures whenever they pleased, either on their own bodies, or those of their dearest friends. Had they possessed such a power, it would have been their duty to have used it, unless they had a discovery of the divine will, that in such and such instances the use of it should be waved. The continual use of such a power... read more

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Acts 16:19-20

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Acts 16:21

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Acts 16:22

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Acts 16:24

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Acts 16:25-26

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Acts 16:27

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Acts 16:28

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Acts 16:29-30

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Acts 16:31-32

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Acts 16:33

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