In the context of the Bible, the term "jailer" refers to an individual responsible for the custody and supervision of prisoners. The role of a jailer is most prominently featured in the New Testament, particularly in the Book of Acts. The account of the Philippian jailer is a significant narrative that highlights themes of faith, salvation, and divine intervention.

Philippian Jailer

The most notable mention of a jailer in the Bible is found in Acts 16:23-34. Paul and Silas, early Christian missionaries, were imprisoned in Philippi after casting out a spirit from a slave girl, which led to a loss of profit for her owners. The magistrates ordered them to be beaten and thrown into prison, instructing the jailer to guard them securely.

The jailer, adhering to his orders, placed Paul and Silas in the inner cell and fastened their feet in stocks. Despite their dire circumstances, Paul and Silas prayed and sang hymns to God, and the other prisoners listened to them. This act of faith and worship amidst suffering is a testament to their unwavering trust in God.

Divine Intervention

The narrative takes a dramatic turn when a violent earthquake shakes the foundations of the prison, opening the doors and unfastening the chains of all the prisoners. The jailer, waking to find the prison doors open, prepares to take his own life, fearing the escape of the prisoners would lead to his execution. However, Paul intervenes, assuring him that all the prisoners are still present.

Acts 16:29-30 records the jailer's response: "Calling for lights, the jailer rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. Then he brought them out and asked, 'Sirs, what must I do to be saved?'" This question reflects the jailer's recognition of a higher power at work and his desire for spiritual salvation.

Conversion and Baptism

Paul and Silas respond to the jailer's inquiry with the message of the Gospel: "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household" (Acts 16:31). The jailer takes them to his home, where they share the word of the Lord with him and his family. In an act of faith and obedience, the jailer and his entire household are baptized, signifying their acceptance of Christ and entry into the Christian community.

The jailer's transformation is further evidenced by his actions. He washes the wounds of Paul and Silas, demonstrating repentance and compassion. He also provides them with a meal, rejoicing in his newfound faith and the salvation of his household.

Symbolism and Themes

The account of the Philippian jailer is rich with symbolism and themes relevant to the Christian faith. It illustrates the power of God to intervene in human affairs, the importance of faith and repentance, and the transformative impact of the Gospel. The jailer's conversion serves as a reminder of the inclusivity of salvation, extending beyond cultural and social boundaries to all who believe in Jesus Christ.

Historical Context

In the Roman world, jailers were often retired soldiers or individuals of lower social standing tasked with maintaining order and security within prisons. Their responsibilities included ensuring that prisoners did not escape and that they were kept in accordance with the legal and punitive standards of the time. The account of the Philippian jailer provides insight into the challenges and responsibilities faced by those in such positions, as well as the potential for personal transformation through encounters with the divine.

The account of the jailer in Acts 16 remains a powerful testament to the reach of God's grace and the profound changes that can occur when individuals encounter the truth of the Gospel.(of Philippi), Acts 16:23. The conversion of the Roman jailer, a man belonging to a class "insensible as a rule and hardened by habit, and also disposed to despise the Jews, who were the bearers of the message of the gospel," is one of those cases which illustrate its universality and power. (n.) The keeper of a jail or prison.1200. desmophulax -- a prison keeper
... of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: desmophulax Phonetic Spelling:
(des-mof-oo'-lax) Short Definition: a keeper of a prison, a jailer Definition: a ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1200.htm - 6k5470. sohar -- perhaps roundness
... Definition: jail. Word Origin from the same as sahar Definition perhaps roundness
NASB Word Usage jail* (5), jailer* (3). prison. From ...
/hebrew/5470.htm - 6k

1004. bayith -- a house
... was inside (1), households (73), houses (101), houses while house (1), inner (2),
inside* (13), inward (5), inward* (1), jail* (6), jailer* (3), large enough ...
/hebrew/1004.htm - 7k

The Philippian Jailer.
... THE PHILIPPIAN JAILER. Paul and Silas were in prison. They had done no wrong,
but wicked men had taken them before the magistrates ...
/.../anonymous/mother stories from the new testament/the philippian jailer.htm

The Trembling Jailer. Acts 16:29,30
... ACTS Hymn 123 The trembling jailer. Acts 16:29,30. John Newton 7,7,7,7. The
trembling jailer. Acts 16:29,30. A Believer, free from care,. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/olney hymns/hymn 123 the trembling jailer.htm

Paul and Silas in Macedonia
... with rods. After beating them severely, they threw them in prison and ordered
the jailer to be sure to keep them safely. On receiving ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/paul and silas in macedonia.htm

In the Regions Beyond
... "And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging
the jailer to keep them safely: who, having received such a charge, thrust ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 21 in the regions.htm

The Idols Crumble
... Though he grew to expect these visits, each time the bar rattled down he
trembled with the hope that the jailer brought him freedom. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xxviii the idols crumble.htm

Herod Has Thoughts of Killing Himself with his Own Hand; and a ...
... immediately and entirely released from his bonds, and to take the kingdom into his
hands without any more ado; so he discoursed with the jailer about letting ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 7 herod has thoughts.htm

Goodness in a Dungeon
... heaven. Joseph's relations to jailer and fellow-prisoners are beautiful
and instructive. The ... The jailer does as he likes. So it ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/goodness in a dungeon.htm

The Petition
... Some time later the bar rattled down again, and the jailer stood without, a scribe
at his side. ... "The jailer spoke of thee as petitioning the Pharaoh. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xxiv the petition.htm

The Riot at Philippi
... them.23. And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into
prison, charging the jailer to keep them safely: 24. Who ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/the riot at philippi.htm

The Introduction of the Gospel into Europe, and the Ministry of ...
... and commanded them to be scourged; the lictors "laid many stripes upon them;" they
wore ordered to be kept in close confinement; and the jailer exceeded the ...
/.../killen/the ancient church/chapter vi the introduction of.htm

Jailer (8 Occurrences)
... The conversion of the Roman jailer, a man belonging to a class "insensible as a
rule and hardened by habit, and also disposed to despise the Jews, who were the ...
/j/jailer.htm - 9k

Jail (15 Occurrences)
... Acts 16:23 When they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison,
charging the jailer to keep them safely, (Root in WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT ...
/j/jail.htm - 10k

Stephanas (3 Occurrences)
... He has been supposed by some to have been the "jailer of Philippi" (Comp.
Acts 16:33). The First Epistle to the Corinthians was ...
/s/stephanas.htm - 10k

Philippi (8 Occurrences)
... The jailer, who was on the point of taking his own life, reassured by Paul regarding
the safety of the prisoners, brought Paul and Silas into his house where ...
/p/philippi.htm - 36k

Nonimmersionist
... Palestinian houses and of oriental jails are taken into account, it is difficult
to conceive that at the baptisms of Cornelius and of the jailer, the ceremony ...
/n/nonimmersionist.htm - 38k

Non-immersionist
... Palestinian houses and of oriental jails are taken into account, it is difficult
to conceive that at the baptisms of Cornelius and of the jailer, the ceremony ...
/n/non-immersionist.htm - 38k

View (86 Occurrences)
... Palestinian houses and of oriental jails are taken into account, it is difficult
to conceive that at the baptisms of Cornelius and of the jailer, the ceremony ...
/v/view.htm - 81k

Killing (41 Occurrences)
... Acts 16:27 Starting up from sleep and seeing the doors of the jail wide open, the
jailer drew his sword and was on the point of killing himself, supposing that ...
/k/killing.htm - 19k

Jailers (1 Occurrence)

/j/jailers.htm - 6k

Wide (206 Occurrences)
... Acts 16:27 Starting up from sleep and seeing the doors of the jail wide open, the
jailer drew his sword and was on the point of killing himself, supposing that ...
/w/wide.htm - 37k

Who was Silas in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about how to get baptized / how to baptize? | GotQuestions.org

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Jailer: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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