Act 16:19-26 | KingComments | STEP | If satan cannot reach his goal with flattery, he turns into a roaring lion ( ). His instruments are the masters of the girl. Their source of income is lost by these people. They are not at all grateful for the deliverance of the girl, but extremely angry now that they see their profits evaporate. They drag Paul and Silas directly in front of the government which is represented by chief magistrates. The chief magistrates were the Roman governors, a kind of mayors. The masters of the girl delivered by Paul accuse Paul and Silas of causing riots. This is a heavy accusation, because anything that endangers the unity and peace of the Roman Empire is severely punished. In their cunning, these people make what Paul and Silas did a political theme. They know that by doing so they stand a good chance of a conviction of Paul and Silas. They also respond to the hatred against the Jews by talking about “these people, who are Jews”. Furthermore, they accuse Paul and Silas of proclaiming customs that go against Roman customs. They apparently think that Luke and Timothy are less important, so they let them go. Customs have to do with culture. They accuse them of wanting to destroy their culture with that gospel. Culture has been put in the nature of the people by God and is different for all peoples, but in the hand of satan it can become a means to oppose the gospel. When the accusations have been made, the crowd, always looking for amusement, also stands up against Paul and Silas. The chief magistrates consider further investigation unnecessary. Without any further form of trial, the clothes of both servants of God are torn from their bodies by the judges, who order them to be beaten with rods. Those who perform the beating do not take their task lightly and strike both preachers “with many blows”. God allows His servants to be beaten and it is their honor not to resist. It becomes a means by which an even more shining testimony of His Word and of His servants is given. As for the body, the world is stronger than the Christian, if God allows it; but in his heart, the Christian is above circumstances if he can realize the presence of God. His presence is greater than all circumstances and can overcome everything else ( ). One can then rejoice in suffering ( ; ). After being beaten with rods, they are thrown into prison. The jailer is ordered to guard them carefully. He leaves nothing to chance and throws them into the inner prison. You can’t go any deeper. As if that doesn’t offer enough security, he carefully fastens their feet in the stocks as well. Escape is impossible. It seems that they are completely eliminated and the enemy has won. How discouraging it would be if they thought that this was their reception in Europe, when they clearly recognized the Lord’s guidance to go here.

‏ Acts 16:19-26

Thrown Into Prison

If satan cannot reach his goal with flattery, he turns into a roaring lion (1Pet 5:8). His instruments are the masters of the girl. Their source of income is lost by these people. They are not at all grateful for the deliverance of the girl, but extremely angry now that they see their profits evaporate. They drag Paul and Silas directly in front of the government which is represented by chief magistrates. The chief magistrates were the Roman governors, a kind of mayors.

The masters of the girl delivered by Paul accuse Paul and Silas of causing riots. This is a heavy accusation, because anything that endangers the unity and peace of the Roman Empire is severely punished. In their cunning, these people make what Paul and Silas did a political theme. They know that by doing so they stand a good chance of a conviction of Paul and Silas. They also respond to the hatred against the Jews by talking about “these people, who are Jews”.

Furthermore, they accuse Paul and Silas of proclaiming customs that go against Roman customs. They apparently think that Luke and Timothy are less important, so they let them go. Customs have to do with culture. They accuse them of wanting to destroy their culture with that gospel. Culture has been put in the nature of the people by God and is different for all peoples, but in the hand of satan it can become a means to oppose the gospel. When the accusations have been made, the crowd, always looking for amusement, also stands up against Paul and Silas.

The chief magistrates consider further investigation unnecessary. Without any further form of trial, the clothes of both servants of God are torn from their bodies by the judges, who order them to be beaten with rods. Those who perform the beating do not take their task lightly and strike both preachers “with many blows”.

God allows His servants to be beaten and it is their honor not to resist. It becomes a means by which an even more shining testimony of His Word and of His servants is given. As for the body, the world is stronger than the Christian, if God allows it; but in his heart, the Christian is above circumstances if he can realize the presence of God. His presence is greater than all circumstances and can overcome everything else (1Jn 5:4). One can then rejoice in suffering (Acts 5:41; Rom 5:3).

After being beaten with rods, they are thrown into prison. The jailer is ordered to guard them carefully. He leaves nothing to chance and throws them into the inner prison. You can’t go any deeper. As if that doesn’t offer enough security, he carefully fastens their feet in the stocks as well. Escape is impossible. It seems that they are completely eliminated and the enemy has won. How discouraging it would be if they thought that this was their reception in Europe, when they clearly recognized the Lord’s guidance to go here.

Praying and Singing in Prison

But look, and above all, listen, how the evangelists reacted to all the pain and humiliation afflicted. Instead of becoming despondent or lamenting or crying out to God for vengeance over the defamation inflicted on them, they pray and sing. Prayers and singing are powerful weapons with which great victories over the enemy are achieved (2Chr 20:1-22; Acts 4:23-37). They seek their strength with God and praise Him for Who He is. They do not do this softly, but understandable to all prisoners.

The prisoners do not shout at them to keep their mouths shut, but listen to them. They have never experienced and heard anything like this. The more difficult our circumstances are, the greater will be the impression our joy makes on those who are watching us in our difficulties.

While Paul and Silas are praying and singing and the prisoners are listening, God suddenly makes Himself heard. He responds to the praying and singing of His servants by a sudden, great earthquake. It is a very special earthquake. It is limited to a building. The ground doesn’t tear open and all the walls keep standing. Only the doors open and the chains of all the prisoners are unfastened! An additional and possibly even greater wonder is that no one takes the opportunity to escape. They all stay where they are, nailed to the ground. Such special earthquakes are necessary in one’s life to make him realize the necessity of salvation.