Acts 16:25

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Acts 16:25 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.

King James Version KJV

¶ And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.

American Standard Version ASV

But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns unto God, and the prisoners were listening to them;

Bible in Basic English BBE

But about the middle of the night, Paul and Silas were making prayers and songs to God in the hearing of the prisoners;

Free Bible Version FBV

Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing praises to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

Nowe at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sung Psalmes vnto God: and the prisoners heard them.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

And at midnight Paul and Silas praying, were singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were hearing them,

World English Bible WEB

But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises to God: and the prisoners heard them.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

And at midnight, Paul and Silas praying, praised God. And they that were in prison, heard them.

Translation for Translators T4T

About midnight, Paul and Silas were praying aloud and praising God by singing hymns. The other prisoners were listening attentively to them.

Plain English Version PEV

Later, in the middle of the night, Paul and Silas were praying out loud to God and saying that he is really good, and they were singing songs to God. The other prisoners were listening to them.

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Berean Amplified Bible — Acts 16:25

BAB

Word Study

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Acts 16:25 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

GRK κατα δε το μεσονυκτιον παυλος και σιλας προσευχομενοι υμνουν τον θεον επηκροωντο δε αυτων οι δεσμιοι

κατα kata G2596 according to Prep

δε de G1161 then Conj

το ho G3588 the/this/who Art-ASN

μεσονυκτιον mesonuktios G3317 midnight Noun-ASN

παυλος Paulos G3972 Paul Noun-NSM

και kai G2532 and Conj

σιλας Silas G4609 Silas Noun-NSM

προσευχομενοι proseuchomai G4336 to pray Verb-PNP-NPM

υμνουν humneō G5214 to praise Verb-IAI-3P

τον ho G3588 the/this/who Art-ASM

θεον theos G2316 God Noun-ASM

επηκροωντο epakroaomai G1874 to listen ro Verb-INI-3P

δε de G1161 then Conj

αυτων autos G846 it/s/he Pron-GPM

οι ho G3588 the/this/who Art-NPM

δεσμιοι desmios G1198 prisoner Noun-NPM

Greek Word Study

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Greek Word Reference — Acts 16:25

κατα kata G2596 "according to" Prep

According to means following or matching something. In the Bible, it's used to talk about things happening in line with God's plan or will, like in Matthew 8:32 and Mark 5:13.

Definition: κατά (bef. a vowel κατ᾽, καθ᾽; on the frequently neglect of elision, see Tdf., Pr., 95; WH, App., 146a), prep. with genitive, accusative, down, downwards. __I. C. genitive (WM, §47, k; Bl., §42, 2). __1. C. genitive of thing(s), in local sense; __(a) down, down from: Mat.8:32, Mrk.5:13, Luk.8:33, 1Co.11:4; __(b) throughout (late usage; Bl, l.with): κ. ὅλης κ.τ.λ., Luk.4:14 23:5, Act.9:31 10:37; __(with) in a peculiar adjectival phrase: ἡ κ. βάθους, deep or extreme poverty, 2Co.8:2. __ __2. C. genitive of person(s), usually in hostile sense; __(a) against (in cl. only after verbs of speaking, witnessing, etc.): opposite to ὑπέρ, Mrk.9:40; μετά, Mat.12:30; after ἐπιθυμεῖν, Gal.5:17; λαλεῖν, Act.6:13; διδάσκειν, Act.21:28; ψεύδεσθαι, Jas.3:14; after verbs of accusing, etc., Mat.5:23, Luk.23:14, Rom.8:33, al.; verbs of fighting, prevailing, etc., Mat.10:35, Act.14:2, 1Co.4:6, al.; __(b) of swearing, by: όμνυμι κ. (BL, §34, 1), He 6:13,16, cf. Mat.26:63. __II. C. accusative (WM, §49d; BL, §42, 2). __1. Of motion or direction; __(a) through, throughout: Luk.8:39 9:6 10:4, Act.8:1, 36 al.; __(b) to, towards, over against: Luk.10:32 (Field, Notes, 62), Act.2:1o 16:7, Gal.2:11, Php.3:14, al.; __ __(with) in adverbial phrases, at, in, by, of: κατ᾽ οἶκον, at home, Act.2:46; κατ᾽ ἰδίαν (see: ἴδιος); καθ᾽ ἑαυτόν, Act.28:16, Rom.14:22, Jas.2:17; with pron. of person(s), Act.17:28 18:15, Rom.1:15, Eph.1:15, al. __2. Of time, at, during, about: Act.8:26 12:1 19:23, Rom.9:9 Heb.1:10, al. __3. Distributive; __(a) of place: κ. τόποὐς, Mat.24:7, al.; κ. πόλιν, Luk.8:1, 4 al.; κ. ἐκκλησίαν, Act.14:23. __(b) of time: κ. ἔτος, Luk.2:41; ἑορτήν, Mat.27:15, al.; __(with) of numbers, etc.: καθ᾽ ἕνα πάντες, 1Co.14:31 (on καθ᾽ εἷς, see: εἷς); κ. ἑκατόν, Mrk.6:40; κ. μέρος, Heb.9:5; κ. ὄνομα, Jhn.10:3. __4. Of fitness, reference, conformity, etc.; __(a) in relation to, concerning: Rom.1:3, 4 7:22 9:3, 5, 1Co.12:6 10:18, Php.1:12; κ. πάντα, Act.17:22, Col.3:20, 22 Heb.2:17 4:15; __(b) according to, after, like: Mrk.7:5, Luk.2:27, 29 Jhn.7:24 Rom.8:4 14:15, Eph.2:2, Col.2:8, Jas.2:8, al. __III. In composition, κ. denotes, __1. down, down from (καταβαίνω), etc.), hence, metaphorically; __(a) victory or rule over (καταδουλόω, -κυριεύω, etc.); __(b) "perfective" action (M, Pr., 111ff.). __2. under (κατακαλύπτω), etc.). __3. in succession (καθεξῆς). __4. after, behind (καταλείπω). __5. Hostility, against (καταλαλέω). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 435 NT verses. KJV: about, according as (to), after, against, (when they were) X alone, among, and, X apart, (even, like) as (concerning, pertaining to touching), X aside, at, before, beyond, by, to the charge of, (charita-)bly, concerning, + covered, (dai-)ly, down, every, (+ far more) exceeding, X more excellent, for, from … to, godly, in(-asmuch, divers, every, -to, respect of), … by, after the manner of, + by any means, beyond (out of) measure, X mightily, more, X natural, of (up-)on (X part), out (of every), over against, (+ your) X own, + particularly, so, through(-oughout, -oughout every), thus, (un-)to(-gether, -ward), X uttermost, where(-by), with See also: 1 Corinthians 1:26; Acts 10:37; 1 Peter 1:2.

δε de G1161 "then" Conj

This is a conjunction that means and, but, or then, used to connect ideas like in Matthew 1:2 and 2 Corinthians 6:15.

Definition: δέ (before vowels δ᾽; on the general neglect of the elision in NT, see WH, App., 146; Tdf., Pr., 96), post-positive conjunctive particle; __1. copulative, but, in the next place, and, now (Abbott, JG, 104): Mat.1:2ff., 2Co.6:15, 16, 2Pe.1:5-7; in repetition for emphasis, Rom.3:21, 22, 9:30, 1Co.2:6, Gal.2:2, Php.2:8; in transition to something new, Mat.1:18, 2:19, Luk.13:1, Jhn.7:14, Act.6:1, Rom.8:28, 1Co.7:1 8:1, al.; in explanatory parenthesis or addition, Jhn.3:19, Rom.5:8, 1Co.1:12, Eph.2:4, 5:32, al.; ὡς δέ, Jhn.2:9; καὶ . . . δέ, but also, Mat.10:18, Luk.1:76, Jhn.6:51, Rom.11:23, al.; καὶ ἐὰν δέ, yea even if, Jhn.8:16. __2. Adversative, but, on the other hand, prop., answering to a foregoing μέν (which see), and distinguishing a word or clause from one preceding (in NT most frequently without μέν; Bl., §77, 12): ἐὰν δέ, Mat.6:14, 23, al.; ἐγὼ (σὺ, etc.) δέ, Mat.5:22, 6:6, Mrk.8:29, al.; ὁ δέ, αὐτὸς δέ, Mrk.1:45, Luk.4:40, al.; after a negation, Mat.6:19, 20, Rom.3:4, 1Th.5:21, al. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 2552 NT verses. KJV: also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English) See also: 1 Corinthians 1:10; 1 Corinthians 12:9; 1 Peter 1:7.

το ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-ASN

The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.

Definition: ὁ, ἡ, τό, the prepositive article (ἄρθρον προτακτικόν), originally a demonstr. pron. (so usually in Hom.), in general corresponding to the Eng. definite article. __I. As demonstr. pron. __1. As frequently in Hom., absol., he (she, it), his (etc.): Act.17:28 (quoted from the poet Aratus). __2. Distributive, ὁ μὲν . . . ὁ δέ, the one . . . the other: 1Co.7:7, Gal.4:22; pl., Act.14:4, 17:32, Php.1:16, al.; οἱ μὲν . . . ἄλλοι δέ, Mat.16:14, Jhn.7:12; οἱ μεν̀ . . . ὁδέ, Heb.7:21, 23. __3. In narration (without ὁ μὲν preceding), ὁ δέ, but he: Mat.2:14, Mrk.1:45, Luk.8:21, Jhn.9:38, al. mult. __II. As prepositive article, the, prefixed, __1. to nouns unmodified: ὁ θεός, τὸ φῶς, etc.; to abstract nouns, ἡ σοφία, etc., to pl. nouns which indicate a class, οἱ ἀλώπεκες, foxes, Mat.8:20, al.; to an individual as representing a class, ὁ ἐργάτης, Luk.10:7; with nom. = voc. in addresses, Mat.11:26, Jhn.19:3, Jas.5:1, al.; to things which pertain to one, ἡ χεῖρ, his hand, Mrk.3:1; to names of persons well known or already mentioned; usually to names of countries (originally adjectives), ἡ Ἰουδαία, etc. __2. To modified nouns: with of person(s) pron. genitive, μοῦ, σοῦ, etc.; with poss. pron., ἐμός, σός, etc.; with adj. between the art. and the noun, ὁ ἀγαθὸς ἄνθρωπος, Mat.12:35; the noun foll, by adj., both with art., ὁ ποιμὴν ὁ καλός, Jhn.10:11 (on ὁ ὄχλος πολύς, Jhn.12:9, see M, Pr., 84); before adjectival phrases, ἡ κατ᾽ ἐκλογὴν πρόθεσις, Rom.9:11. __3. To Other parts of speech used as substantives; __(a) neuter adjectives: τ. ἀγαθόν, etc.; __(b) cardinal numerals: ὁ εἶς, οἷ δύο, etc.; __(with) participles: ὁ βαπτίζων (= ὁ Βαπτιστής, Mat.14:2), Mrk.6:14; πᾶς ὁ, with ptcp., every one who, etc.; __(d) adverbs: τὸ πέραν, τὰ νῦν, ὁ ἔσω ἄνθρωπος; __(e) infinitives: nom., τὸ θέλειν, Rom.7:18, al.; genitive, τοῦ, after adjectives, ἄξιον τοῦ πορεύεσθαι, 1Co.16:4; verbs, ἐλαχεν τοῦ θυμιᾶσαι, Luk.1:9; and frequently in a final sense, ἐξῆλθεν ὁ σπείρειν, Mat.13:3 (on the artic. inf., see Bl., §71). __4. In the neut. to sentences, phrases or single words treated as a quotation: τὸ Ἐι δύνῃ, Mrk.9:23; τὸ ἔτι ἅπαξ, Heb.12:27; τὸ ἀνέβη, Eph.4:9, al. __5. To prepositional phrases: οἱ ἀπὸ Ἰταλίας, Heb.13:24; οἱ ἐκ νόμου, Rom.4:14; neut. accusative absol., in adverbial phrases, τὸ καθ᾽ ἡμέραν, daily, Luk.11:3; τὸ κατὰ σάρκα, as regards the flesh, Rom.9:5. __6. To nouns in the genitive, denoting kinship, association, etc.: ὁ τοῦ, the son of (unless context indicates a different relationship), Mat.10:2, al.; τὰ τοῦ θεοῦ, the things that pertain to God, Mat.16:23; τὰ τῆς εἰρήνης, Rom.14:19 (cf. M, Pr., 81ff.; Bl, §§46, 47). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.

μεσονυκτιον mesonuktios G3317 "midnight" Noun-ASN

Midnight, a time of day, appears in Luke 11:5 and Acts 20:7, often referring to a watch or a specific moment.

Definition: μεσο-νύκτιος (on seel, μεσα-, see Bl., § 6, 2), -ον (μέσος, νύξ), [in LXX chiefly for לַיִל חֵצִי ;] of or at midnight; as subst., neut., τὸ μ., midnight (Arist. and late writers) : genitive, Luk.11:5; μέχρι μ., Act.20:7; κατὰ τὸ μ., Act.16:25; accusative (Rec., genitive; see Bl., § 34, 8), Mrk.13:35.† μεσανύκτιον, see. μεσονύκτιος (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 4 NT verses. KJV: midnight See also: Acts 16:25; Luke 11:5; Mark 13:35.

παυλος Paulos G3972 "Paul" Noun-NSM

Paul, originally named Saul, was a Roman apostle who wrote many letters in the New Testament, including Romans and 1 Corinthians. He is a key figure in the early Christian church.

Definition: Παῦλος, -ου, ὁ (Lat. Paulus), __1. Sergius Paulus: Act.13:7. __2. the Apostle Paul (cf. Σαῦλος): Act.13:9, and frequently throughout Ac., Rom.1:1, 1Co.1:1, al., 2Pe.3:15. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 159 NT verses. KJV: Paul, Paulus See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; Acts 20:37; Romans 1:1.

και kai G2532 "and" Conj

And or also, a connecting word used to join ideas or words, like in Matthew 2:18 and Hebrews 1:1.

Definition: καί, conj., and __I. Copulative. __1. Connecting single words; __(a) in general: Mat.2:18, 16:1, Mrk.2:15, Luk.8:15, Heb.1:1, al. mult.; repeated before each of the terms in a series, Mat.23:23, Luk.14:21, Rom.7:12, 9:4, al. __(b) connecting numerals (WM, §37, 4): Jhn.2:20, Act.13:20; __(with) joining terms which are not mutually exclusive, as the part with the whole: Mat.8:33, 26:59, Mrk.16:17, Act.5:29, al. __2. Connecting clauses and sentences: Mat.3:12, Act.5:21, al. mult.; esp. __(a) where, after the simplicity of the popular language, sentences are paratactically joined (WM, §60, 3; M, Pr., 12; Deiss., LAE, 128ff.): Mat.1:21, 7:25, Mrk.9:5, Jhn.10:3, al.; __(b) joining affirmative to negative sentences: Luk.3:14, Jhn.4:11, IIIJhn.10; __(with) consecutive, and so: Mat.5:1, 23:32, Heb.3:19, al.; after imperatives, Mat.4:19, Luk.7:7, al.; __(d) = καίτοι, and yet: Mat.3:14, 6:26, Mrk.12:12, Luk.18:7 (Field, Notes, 72), 1Co.5:2, al.; __(e) beginning an apodosis (= Heb. וְ; so sometimes δέ in cl.), then: Luk.2:21, 7:12, Act.1:10; beginning a question (WM, §53, 3a): Mrk.10:26, Luk.10:29, Jhn.9:36. __3. Epexegetic, and, and indeed, namely (WM, §53, 3c): Luk.3:18, Jhn.1:16, Act.23:6, Rom.1:5, 1Co.3:5, al. __4. In transition: Mat.4:23, Mrk.5:1, 21, Jhn.1:19, al.; so, Hebraistically, καὶ ἐγένετο (וַי:הִי; also ἐγένετο δέ), Mrk.1:9 (cf. Luk.5:1; V. Burton, §§357-60; M, Pr., 14, 16). __5. καὶ . . . καί, both . . . and (for τε . . . καί, see: τε); __(a) connecting single words: Mat.10:28, Mrk.4:41, Rom.11:33, al.; __(b) clauses and sentences: Mrk.9:13, Jhn.7:28, 1Co.1:22, al. __II. Adjunctive, also, even, still: Mat.5:39, 40; Mrk.2:28, al. mult.; esp. with pron., adv., etc., Mat.20:4, Jhn.7:47, al; ὡς κ., Act.11:17; καθὼς κ., Rom.15:7; οὑτω κ., Rom.6:11; διὸ κ., Luk.1:35; ὁ κ. (Deiss., BS, 313ff.), Act.13:9; pleonastically, μετὰ κ.. (Bl., §77, 7; Deiss., BS, 265f,), Php.4:3; τί κ., 1 Co 15:29; ἀλλὰ κ., Luk.14:22, Jhn.5:18, al.; καίγε (M, Pr., 230; Burton, §437), Act.17:27; καίπερ, Heb.5:8; κ. ἐάν, see: ἐάν. ἐάν, contr. fr. εἰ ἄν, conditional particle, representing something as "under certain circumstances actual or liable to happen," but not so definitely expected as in the case of εἰ with ind. (Bl., §65, 4; cf. Jhn.13:17, 1Co.7:36), if haply, if; __1. with subjc. (cl.); __(a) pres.: Mat.6:22, Luk.10:6, Jhn.7:17, Rom.2:25, 26 al.; { __(b) aor. (= Lat. fut. pf.): Mat.4:9 16:26 (cf. ptcp. in Luk.9:25; M, Pr., 230), Mrk.3:24, Luk.14:34, Jhn.5:43, Rom.7:2, al.; = cl. εἰ, with opt., Jhn.9:22 11:57, Act.9:2; as Heb. אִם = ὅταν, Jhn.12:32 14:3, I Jhn.2:28 3:2, Heb.3:7" (LXX) . __2. C. indic, (as in late writers, fr. Arist. on; see WH, App., 171; VD, MGr. 2, App., §77; Deiss., BS, 201f., LAE, 155, 254; M, Pr., 168, 187; Bl., §65, 4); __(a) fut.: Mat.18:19 T, Luk.19:40, Act.7:7; __(b) pres.: 1Th.3:8 (see Milligan, in l.). __3. With other particles: ἐ. καί (Bl., §65, 6), Gal.6:1; ἐ. μή (M, Pr., 185, 187; Bl., l.with), with subjc. pres., Mat.10:13, 1Co.8:8, Jas.2:17, 1Jn.3:21; aor., Mat.6:15, Mrk.3:27, Jhn.3:3, Rom.10:15, Gal.1:8 2:16 (see Lft., Ellic., in ll.); ἐ. τε . . . ἐ. τε, [in LXX for אִם . . . אִם, Est.19:13, al.,] Rom.14:8. __4. = cl. ἄν (which see) after relat. pronouns and adverbs (Tdf., Pr., 96; WH, App., 173; M, Pr., 42f.; Bl., §26, 4; Mayser, 152f.; Deiss., BS, 202ff.): ὃς ἐ., Mat.5:19, Mrk.6:22, 23 Luk.17:32, 1Co.6:18, al.; ὅπου ἐ., Mat.8:19; ὁσάκις ἐ., Rev.11:6; οὗ ἐ., 1Co.16:6; καθὸ ἐ., 2Co.8:12; ὅστις ἐ., Gal.5:10. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 5212 NT verses. KJV: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 10:4; 1 Corinthians 16:1.

σιλας Silas G4609 "Silas" Noun-NSM

Silas was a Christian who worked with Paul, appearing in Acts 15 and 16, and was also known as Silvanus in 2 Corinthians and 1 Thessalonians. He was a key figure in the early church. Silas helped spread Jesus' teachings.

Definition: Σίλας, -α (accusative to BL, § 29, W-Schm., 74, -ᾶς, -ᾶ), ὁ (Aram. שׁאִילָא; see Dalman, Gr., 157.5), Silas (called also Σιλουανός, which see): Act.15:22, 27 15:32, 34 15:40 16:19, 25 16:29 17:4, 10 17:14-15 18:5 † (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 12 NT verses. KJV: Silas See also: Acts 15:22; Acts 16:29; Acts 18:5.

προσευχομενοι proseuchomai G4336 "to pray" Verb-PNP-NPM

To pray to God, as Jesus did in Matthew 6:5-7 and Luke 1:10, or to worship Him

Definition: προσ-εύχομαι [in LXX chiefly for פָּלַל hith. ;] to pray (always of prayer to God, or in cl., to gods): absol., Mat.6:5-7, 9 14:23 19:13 26:36, 39 26:41, 44, Mrk.1:35 6:46 11:24-25 13:33 (WH, E, txt., om.) Mrk.14:32, 38-39 Luk.1:10 3:21 5:16 6:12 9:18, 28-29 11:1-2 18:1, 10 22:44 (WH, E, mg., om.), Act.1:24 6:6 9:11 10:9, 30 11:5 12:12 13:3 14:23 16:25 20:36 21:5 22:17 28:8, 1Co.11:4-5 14:14, 1Th.5:17, 1Ti.2:8, Jas.5:13, 18; before λέγων, Mat.26:39, 42, Luk.22:41; with dative instr., 1Co.11:5 14:14-15; μακρά, Mat.23:14 (WH, R, txt., om.), Mrk.12:40, Luk.20:47; ἐν πνεύματι (ἁγίῳ), Eph.6:18, Ju 20; προσευχῇ π. (a Hebraism, see: προσευχή), Jas.5:17; with accusative of thing(s), Luk.18:11, Rom.8:26; before ἐπί, with accusative of person(s), Jas.5:14; with dative of person(s), Mat.6:6, 1Co.11:13; before περί, with genitive, Act.8:15, Col.1:3 4:3, 1Th.5:25, 2Th.1:11 3:1, Heb.13:18; ὑπέρ, Mat.5:44 Luk.6:28, Col.1:9, Jas.5:16; before ἵνα, Mat.24:20, Mrk.13:18 14:35, Luk.22:46, 1Co.14:13; τοῦτο ἵνα, Php.1:9; with inf., Luk.22:46; before τοῦ, with inf. (Bl., § 71, 3), Jas.5:17.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 82 NT verses. KJV: pray (X earnestly, for), make prayer See also: 1 Corinthians 11:4; Luke 6:28; Hebrews 13:18.

υμνουν humneō G5214 "to praise" Verb-IAI-3P

To praise or sing a hymn means to worship God through music and song. In the Bible, people sing hymns to celebrate God's power and love. This is seen in Acts 16:25 and Hebrews 2:12, where singing is a way to express faith.

Definition: ὑμνέω, -ῶ (ὕμνος) [in LXX for הָלַל pi., שִׁיר, יָדָה hi., etc. ;] __1. trans., with accusative of person(s) (in cl. also with accusative of thing(s)), to sing to, laud, sing to the praise of: Act.16:25, Heb.2:12. __2. Intrans., to sing: in LXX and NT, of singing hymns and praises to God (Psa.65:13, al.), Mat.26:30, Mrk.14:26 (see Swete, in l).† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 4 NT verses. KJV: sing a hymn (praise unto) See also: Acts 16:25; Mark 14:26; Hebrews 2:12.

τον ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-ASM

The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.

Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.

θεον theos G2316 "God" Noun-ASM

This word simply means God, referring to the one true deity. It is used throughout the New Testament, including in Matthew 27:46 and Acts 14:11, to describe the supreme being and creator of the universe.

Definition: θεός, -οῦ, ὁ, ἡ (Act.19:37 only; see M, Pr., 60, 244), late voc., θεέ (Mat.27:46; cf. Deu.3:24, al.), [in LXX chiefly for אֱלֹהִים, also for אֵל and other cognate forms, יהוה, etc. ;] a god or deity, God. __1. In polytheistic sense, a god or deity: Act.28:6, 1Co.8:4, 2Th.2:4, al.; pl., Ac. 14:11 19:26, Gal.4:8, al. __2. Of the one true God; __(a) anarthrous: Mat.6:24, Luk.20:38, al.; esp. with prep. (Kühner 3, iii, 605), ἀπὸ θ., Jhn.3:2; ἐκ, Act.5:39, 2Co.5:1, Php.3:9; ὑπό, Rom.13:1; παρὰ θεοῦ, Jhn.1:6; παρὰ θεῷ, 2Th.1:6, 1Pe.2:4; κατὰ θεόν, Rom.8:27, 2Co.7:9, 10; also when in genitive dependent on an anarth. noun (Bl., §46, 6), Mat.27:43, Luk.3:2, Rom.1:17, 1Th.2:13; as pred., Lk 20:38, Jhn.1:1, and when the nature and character rather than the person of God is meant, Act.5:29, Gal.2:6, al. (M, Th., 14); __(b) more freq., with art.: Mat.1:23, Mrk.2:7, al. mult.; with prep., ἀπὸ τ. θ., Luk.1:26; ἐκ, Jhn.8:42, al.; παρὰ τοῦ θ., Jhn.8:40; π. τῷ θ., Rom.9:14; ἐν, Col.3:3; ἐπὶ τῷ θ., Luk.1:47; ἐπὶ τὸν θ., Act.15:19; εἰς τ. θ., Act.24:15; πρὸς τ. θ., Jhn.1:2; with genitive of person(s), Mat.22:32, Mrk.12:26, 27, Luk.20:37, Jhn.20:17, al.; ὁ θ. μου, Rom.1:8, Php 1:3, al.; ὁ θ. καὶ πατήρ κ. τ. λ., Rom.15:6, Eph.1:3, Phi 4:20, al.; with genitive of thing(s), Rom.15:5, 13, 33, 2Co.1:3, 1Th.5:23; τὰ τ. θεοῦ, Mat.16:23, Mrk.12:17, 1Co.2:11; τὰ πρὸς τὸν θ., Rom.15:17, Heb.2:17 5:1; τ. θεῷ, as a superl. (LXX, Jos.3:3), Act.7:20, 2Co.10:4; Hebraistically, of judges (Psa.81(82):6), Jhn.10:34" (LXX), 35. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 1170 NT verses. KJV: X exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward) See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 John 4:2; 1 Peter 1:2.

επηκροωντο epakroaomai G1874 "to listen ro" Verb-INI-3P

To listen intently to someone or something, like giving your full attention. In Acts 16:25, Paul and Silas are listening carefully to God's message. It's about focusing on what's being said.

Definition: ἐπ-ακροάομαι, -ῶμαι to listen attentively: Act.16:25 (cf. Page, in l).† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 1 NT verses. KJV: hear See also: Acts 16:25.

δε de G1161 "then" Conj

This is a conjunction that means and, but, or then, used to connect ideas like in Matthew 1:2 and 2 Corinthians 6:15.

Usage: Occurs in 2552 NT verses. KJV: also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English) See also: 1 Corinthians 1:10; 1 Corinthians 12:9; 1 Peter 1:7.

αυτων autos G846 "it/s/he" Pron-GPM

This pronoun refers to a person or thing, like 'he', 'she', or 'it'. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a person or thing, like in John 2:25 where it says 'he himself knew'.

Definition: αὐτός, -ή, -ό, determinative pron., in late Gk. much more frequently than in cl. (WM, 178f.; Jannaris, HGG, §1399). __1. Emphatic (so always in nom. exc. when preceded by the art., see infr., iii); __(1) self (ipse), expressing opposition, distinction, exclusion, etc., αὐ. ἐκχυθήσεται, Luk.5:37; αὐ. ἐγινώσκεν, Jhn.2:25; αὐ.ὑμεῖς, Jhn.3:28; καὶ αὐ. ἐγώ, Rom.15:14; αὐ. Ἰησοῦς, Jhn.2:24; αὐ. καὶ οἱ μετ᾽ αὐτοῦ, Mrk.2:25; ὑμεῖς αὐ., Mrk.6:31; esp. (as freq in cl.) αὐ. ὁ, Mat.3:4, Mrk.6:17, Jhn.16:27, 1Th.3:11, al.; in late Gk., sometimes weakened, ἐν αὐτῇ τ. ὥρᾳ, in that hour, Luk.10:21 (M, Pr., 91; MM, see word); __(2) emphatic, he, she, it (M, Pr., 86; Bl., §48, 1, 2, 7), Mat.1:21, 12:50, Luk.6:35, al.; pointing to some one as master (cl.), Mat.8:24, Mrk.4:38, al.; αὐ., καὶ αὐ. = οὗτος, ὁ δε (BL, §48, 1), Mat.14:2, Mrk.14:15, 44, Luk.1:22, 2:28, al. __2. In oblique cases (cl.), for the simple pron. of 3rd of person(s), he, she, it, Mat.7:9, 10:12, 26:44, al.; with ptcp. in genitive absol., Mat.9:18, Mrk.13:1, al. (for irreg. constructions, V. Bl., §74, 5); pleonastically after the relative (cf. Heb. אֲשֶׁר לוֹ; WM, 184ff.; Bl., §50, 4; MM, see word), Mrk.7:25, Rev.3:8, 7:2, al.; in constr. ad sensum, without proper subject expressly indicated, Mat.4:23, Act.8:5, 2Co.2:13, al.; genitive αὐτοῦ = ἐκείνου, Rom.11:11, 1Th.2:19, Tit.3:5, Heb.2:4. __3. ὁ, ἡ, τὸ αὐ., the same: Heb.1:12, 13:8; τὸ αὐ., ποιεῖν, Mat.5:46, 47, al.; φρονεῖν, Rom.12:16, 15:5, Php.2:2, al.; τὰ αὐ., Act.15:27, Rom.2:1, al.; κατὰ τὸ (τὰ) αὐ. (MM, see word), Act.14:1, Luk.6:23, al.; ἐπὶ τὸ αὐ., together (MM, see word), Mat.22:34, Act.1:15, al.; ἓν κ. τὸ αὐ., 1Co.11:5, 12:11; with dative (cl.), 1Co.11:5; with a noun, λόγος, Mrk.14:39; μέτρος, Php.1:30; πνεῦμα, 1Co.12:4. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 3773 NT verses. KJV: her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which See also: 1 Corinthians 1:2; 1 John 3:10; 1 Peter 1:3.

οι ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-NPM

The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.

Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.

δεσμιοι desmios G1198 "prisoner" Noun-NPM

A prisoner is someone held captive, often in chains or bonds, like those mentioned in Matthew 27:15 and Acts 16:25. This term is used to describe people being held against their will.

Definition: δέσμιος, -ον (also -α, -ον; δεσμός), [in LXX for אסר;] __1. binding. __2. bound, captive; ὁ δ., as subst., a prisoner: Mat.27:15, 16, Mrk.15:6, Act.16:25, 27 23:18 25:14, 27 28:16 (Rec.) 17, Heb.10:34 13:3; ὁ δ. τοῦ Χριστοῦ, Eph.3:1, 2Ti.1:8, Phm 1, 9; ὁ δ. ἐν κυρίῳ, Eph.4:1.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 16 NT verses. KJV: in bonds, prisoner See also: 2 Timothy 1:8; Ephesians 3:1; Hebrews 13:3.

Study Notes — Acts 16:25

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Acts 16:25 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Acts 16:25
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Acts 16:25
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Acts 16:25
Trapp's Commentary on Acts 16:25
Ellicott's Commentary on Acts 16:25
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Acts 16:25
Cambridge Bible on Acts 16:25
Barnes' Notes on Acts 16:25
Whedon's Commentary on Acts 16:25
Sermons on Acts 16:25

Context — The Conversion of the Jailer

23And after striking them with many blows, they threw them into prison and ordered the jailer to guard them securely. 24On receiving this order, he placed them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.

25About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.

26Suddenly a strong earthquake shook the foundations of the prison. At once all the doors flew open and everyone’s chains came loose. 27When the jailer woke up and saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, presuming that the prisoners had escaped.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	1 Thessalonians 5:16–18	Rejoice at all times. Pray without ceasing. Give thanks in every circumstance, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
2	Psalms 119:62	At midnight I rise to give You thanks for Your righteous judgments.
3	James 1:2	Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds,
4	1 Peter 1:6–8	In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in various trials so that the proven character of your faith—more precious than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and rejoice with an inexpressible and glorious joy,
5	Romans 5:3	Not only that, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;
6	Philippians 4:4–7	Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be apparent to all. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
7	Psalms 77:6	At night I remembered my song; in my heart I mused, and my spirit pondered:
8	Matthew 5:10–11	Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.
9	Colossians 3:15–17	Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, for to this you were called as members of one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
10	Hebrews 5:7	During the days of Jesus’ earthly life, He offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the One who could save Him from death, and He was heard because of His reverence.

Acts 16:25 Summary

[About midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, even though they were in a difficult situation, because they trusted in God's presence and power, as seen in Matthew 28:20. They were able to worship God in the midst of hardship, and this was a powerful witness to the other prisoners, as seen in Acts 16:25-26. This shows us that we can trust in God and worship Him, no matter what circumstances we are in, and that this can be a powerful witness to those around us, as seen in Psalms 100:1-5. We can learn from Paul and Silas' example to trust in God and worship Him, even in difficult times, and to be a good witness to those around us, as seen in Habakkuk 3:17-19.]

Frequently Asked Questions

Why were Paul and Silas praying and singing hymns in prison?

Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns in prison because they had a deep trust in God, as seen in Psalms 42:8, and they knew that God was with them even in difficult circumstances, as promised in Matthew 28:20.

What kind of hymns were Paul and Silas singing?

The Bible doesn't specify the exact hymns, but it's likely they were singing psalms or other songs of praise and worship, similar to those found in the book of Psalms, such as Psalms 100:1-5.

How could the other prisoners hear Paul and Silas singing?

The other prisoners could hear Paul and Silas singing because they were likely in close proximity to them, and the sound of their voices would have carried through the prison, as seen in Acts 16:24 where it's mentioned that Paul and Silas were placed in the inner cell.

What can we learn from Paul and Silas' example in this verse?

We can learn from Paul and Silas' example that even in difficult circumstances, we can choose to trust in God and worship Him, as seen in Habakkuk 3:17-19, and that this can be a powerful witness to those around us, as seen in Acts 16:25-26.

Reflection Questions

What are some ways that I can worship God in the midst of difficult circumstances, like Paul and Silas did?
How can I trust in God's presence and power, even when things seem impossible, like they did for Paul and Silas in prison?
What are some things that I can do to be a good witness to those around me, like Paul and Silas were to the other prisoners?
How can I cultivate a heart of praise and worship, like Paul and Silas had, so that I can worship God in all circumstances?

Gill's Exposition on Acts 16:25

And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, When others were asleep, and all things were still and quiet; [See comments on Psalms 119:62], and they prayed doubtless for themselves, for their deliverance

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Acts 16:25

And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Acts 16:25

No time or place where prayer is not acceptable unto God, and prevalent with him; nay, it sounds the sweeter when on the waters of affliction a good man pours it forth unto God. Sang praises unto God, that they were counted worthy to suffer for Christ: and being all things are overruled for the good, and conduce to the advantage, of them that love God, , they owe unto God thanks for all things through Jesus Christ, which is also required of them, .

Trapp's Commentary on Acts 16:25

25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. Ver. 25. Sang praises unto God] His presence turns a prison into a palace, into a paradise. "From the delectable orchard of the Leonine prison;" so the Italian martyr Algerius dated his letter to a friend. "I was carried to the coalhouse," saith Mr Philpot, "where I with my fellows do rouse together in the straw as cheerfully, we thank God, as others do in their beds of down." Philip, Landgrave of Hesse, being a long time prisoner under Charles V, was demanded what upheld him at that time? He answered, that he felt the divine consolations of the martyrs.

Ellicott's Commentary on Acts 16:25

(25) And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises.—Better, praying, they Were singing hymns, the Greek expressing one act rather than two. The act was, we may believe, habitual, and they would not intermit it even in the dungeon, and fastened as they were, so that they could not kneel. The hymn may have been one of the prayer-psalms of David, or possibly one of those, of which Pliny speaks in his letters, and which may well have been in use half a century earlier, in which men offered adoration to Christ as God (Epist. x. 96). The words of Tertullian to the martyrs of his time may well be quoted: Nihil crus sentit in nervo quum animus in cælo est; Etsi corpus detinetur, omnia spiritui patent—“The leg feels not the stocks when the mind is in heaven. Though the body is held fast, all things lie open in the spirit” (ad Mart. c. 2). And the prisoners heard them.—Better, were listening eagerly, the kind of listening which men give to a musical performance. Never before, we may be sure, had those outcasts and criminals heard such sounds in such a place. For the most part those vaults echoed only with wild curses and foul jests.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Acts 16:25

Verse 25. At midnight Paul and Silas - sang praises] Though these holy men felt much, and had reason to fear more, yet they are undismayed, and even happy in their sufferings: they were so fully satisfied that they were right, and had done their duty, that there was no room for regret or self-reproach. At the same times they had such consolations from God as could render any circumstances not only tolerable, but delightful. They prayed, first, for grace to support them, and for pardon and salvation for their persecutors; and then, secondly, sang praises to God, who had called them to such a state of salvation, and had accounted them worthy to suffer shame for the testimony of Jesus. And, although they were in the inner prison, they sang so loud and so heartily that the prisoners heard them.

Cambridge Bible on Acts 16:25

25. And at midnight] Sleep being out of the question, they passed the night in devotions. The imperfect tenses of the verbs in this verse imply that the prayers and singing were continued. But it is unnecessary to render (as R. V.) “Paul and Silas were praying … and the prisoners were listening, &c.”unto God] Whose bondservants the damsel had called them (Acts 16:17). Now they are in bonds for His name, and He gives them His comfort and refreshing in a manner strange to those who are not His servants.and the prisoners heard them] The inner prison appears to have held more than Paul and Silas, or it may be that bars in the inner walls allowed the sound to pass into other cells. The verb is not the common one for “hearing,” and is rarely found anywhere. It indicates attentive hearkening.

Barnes' Notes on Acts 16:25

And at midnight - Probably their painful posture, and the sufferings of their recent scourging, prevented their. sleeping. Yet, though they had no repose, they had a quiet conscience, and the supports of religion.

Whedon's Commentary on Acts 16:25

25. Midnight—When perfect exhaustion from scourge and stocks might have been expected. Praises unto God—For the high privilege of suffering for Christ.

Sermons on Acts 16:25

	Sermon	Description
	Brother Yun - Heavenly Man by Brother Yun	In this sermon, the speaker shares his personal experience of losing his first love for God while being caught up in the busyness of ministry. He emphasizes that past obedience is
	Available to God by Major Ian Thomas	In this sermon, the preacher shares a story about a boy named Abraham who had no home, friends, family, money, or food. The preacher gave Abraham a German Testament and explained t
	Assurance of Salvation by Oswald J. Smith	In this sermon, the minister discusses the importance of trust and commitment in relationships, using the example of a marriage ceremony. He emphasizes the significance of a young
	Revival Series 3 by Leonard Ravenhill	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes that there is no reason to be intimidated by the darkness and chaos of the world. He refers to a verse in the Bible that talks about a messen
	Don't Lose Your Song by David Wilkerson	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of not losing one's song, referring to the joy and praise that comes from having a strong faith in God. The speaker reads from
	The Cost of Discipleship by Art Katz	In this sermon, the preacher starts by expressing his feelings of being unprepared and tired, and the concerns about the audience's expectations. However, he is urged to preach on
	Gethsemane - the Last Battle by Alan Redpath	In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the events leading up to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. He begins by emphasizing the loneliness and anguish that Jesus experienced in the