Acts 16:36

Act 16:36 . νῦν οὖν , Lucan, cf. Act 10:33 , Act 15:10 , Act 23:15 . ἐν εἰρήνῃ (omitted by ): the jailor may well have used the words in a deeper sense after the instruction of Paul, and his own admission to citizenship in a kingdom which was “righteousness, peace, joy in the Holy Ghost”.

The Expositor's Greek Testament, edited by W. Robertson Nicoll (1897–1910) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

the keeper--overjoyed to have such orders to execute.

told this . . . to Paul . . . now therefore . . . go in peace--Very differently did Paul receive such orders.

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

(36) Go in peace.—The few hours which the gaoler had spent with his new teacher had probably taught him to use the phrase in the fulness of its meaning (see Notes on Luk_7:50; Luk_8:48), and not as a mere conventional formula. He naturally looks on the offer—securing, as it did, safety for his new friend—as one that should be accepted.

A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

36. the keeper of the prison] As before, in Act_16:27, the jailor.

told this saying] The Greek text best supported has no pronoun. Better “reported the words.” (So R. V.) No doubt he came with great joy, and it is evident that Paul and Silas had gone back to their prison after the events at midnight. To make the sentence run smoothly it will be needful to insert the word saying before the next sentence, now that the pronoun is removed.

now therefore depart] Better, “come forth,” as R. V. The verb in the original gives clear indication that they were still in confinement.

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

And the keeper of the prison told this, saying to Paul,.... The Ethiopic version adds, "and to Silas"; this was the same person with the jailer, whom Paul had baptized; and indeed, the same word is here used, though a little differently rendered, who no doubt reported this message to Paul with great joy:

the magistrates have sent to let you go; they have sent an order to let you out of prison:

now therefore depart, and go in peace; which expresses the jailer's pleasure of mind, and joy of heart, in executing his orders; and his sincere and hearty wishes for peace and prosperity to go along with them wherever they went, who had been instrumental of so much good to him and his family.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

36 And the keeper of the prison told this saying to Paul, The magistrates have sent to let you go: now therefore depart, and go in peace.

Ver. 36. And the keeper of the prison] As glad to be the messenger of such good tidings; for he knew well the misery of captivity; by which term, therefore, all that Job suffered is summarily set forth, Job 42:10.

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Told this saying to Paul; being glad that he might release them. Neither does he bid them go, as desirous to be rid of them; but, not requiring any fees, he lets them go to preach the gospel, and fulfill their ministry, with his prayers and good wishes.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

36. Keeper… told this—While the keeper reports the message to Paul the lictors are waiting the reply. They afterward told (Act_16:38) Paul’s words (reported to them by the jailer) to the magistrates.

Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Jailor for keeper of the prison, A.V., as ver. 27; reported the words saying for told this saying, A.V. and T.R.; come forth for depart, A.V.

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

See notes on verse 35

J. W. McGarvey (with Philip Y. Pendleton), Commentaries on the New Testament (The Fourfold Gospel, 1914; Acts; and the epistles) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

36. ἀπήγγειλεν δὲ … τοὺς λόγους τούτους, and he reported these words. No doubt he came with great joy, and it is evident that Paul and Silas had gone back to their prison after the events at midnight.

ἐξελθόντες πορεύεσθε, come forth and go, i.e. out of the prison, in which they were still remaining to abide what should befall.

Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges (Cambridge University Press, 1896; 21 vols, various authors incl. Carr, Maclear, Plummer, Farrar, Lumby, Moule, M. R. James, Simcox) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

36.] Paul and Silas had returned to the prison: whither the jailor goes, accompanied by the lictors (ὁ δὲ Π. ἔφη πρ. αὐτούς, ver. 37), to announce the order.

Henry Alford, The Greek Testament (1849–1861) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.