Bible Strands
Acts 16:32
Then Paul and Silas spoke the word of the Lord to him and to everyone in his house.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul and Silas address the Philippian jailer and his entire household immediately after announcing that belief in Jesus brings salvation. This occurs at night, directly between the jailer's question about salvation and his subsequent household baptism.
The words — The verb ἐλάλησαν (elalēsan) means "they spoke," and the phrase τὸν λόγον τοῦ κυρίου (ton logon tou kuriou) literally translates to "the word of the Lord." These terms establish that the messengers delivered a divine message rather than a personal recommendation.
The thread — The proclamation of the gospel to households continues in Acts and aligns with Paul's practice of sharing the gospel alongside his own life (1 Thessalonians 2:8). The message functions as God's power for salvation to everyone who believes (Romans 1:16) and reveals the mystery of Christ dwelling in believers (Colossians 1:27).
Why it lands — The text requires the reader to accept that the gospel proclamation extends to entire households, not isolated individuals. It demands immediate response to that message through faith and baptism.
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
And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.
Cross-references
- Romans 1:16 I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, then to the Greek.
- Colossians 1:27 To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:8 We cared so deeply that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God, but our own lives as well. That is how beloved you have become to us.
- 1 Timothy 1:13 I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a violent man; yet because I had acted in ignorance and unbelief, I was shown mercy.
- Mark 16:15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.
- Acts 10:33 So I sent for you immediately, and you were kind enough to come. Now then, we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has instructed you to tell us.”
- Romans 1:14 I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish.
- Ephesians 3:8 Though I am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,