Bible Strands
Acts 16:28
But Paul called out in a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself! We are all here!”
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul speaks to the Philippian jailer at the exact moment the man draws his sword, intending to kill himself after believing the prisoners have escaped. The intervention occurs immediately before the jailer calls for lights, rushes into the cell, and falls trembling before Paul and Silas.
The words — The text records Paul shouting ēphōnēsen (called out) with a megalē phōnē (loud voice) to command mēden (not) self-harm. These terms emphasize an urgent, authoritative interruption rather than a gentle suggestion.
The thread — This urgent preservation of life aligns with Jesus’ command to love enemies and do good to those who hate you (Luke 6:27) and mirrors Christ’s plea for forgiveness toward those acting in ignorance (Luke 23:34). The narrative also anticipates the apostolic instruction to never repay evil for evil but always pursue good for all people (1 Thessalonians 5:15).
Why it lands — The verse demands that readers interrupt destructive impulses in themselves and others with immediate, life-preserving intervention. It requires substituting panic with the factual declaration of presence and safety.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.
Cross-references
- 1 Thessalonians 5:15 Make sure that no one repays evil for evil. Always pursue what is good for one another and for all people.
- Luke 6:27 But to those of you who will listen, I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,
- Luke 23:34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up His garments by casting lots.
- Exodus 20:13 You shall not murder.
- Ecclesiastes 7:17 Do not be excessively wicked, and do not be a fool. Why should you die before your time?
- Matthew 5:44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
- Luke 10:32 So too, when a Levite came to that spot and saw him, he passed by on the other side.
- Leviticus 19:18 Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against any of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.
- Psalms 7:4 if I have rewarded my ally with evil, if I have plundered my foe without cause,
- Psalms 35:14 I paced about as for my friend or brother; I was bowed down with grief, like one mourning for his mother.