Paul and Silas in Prison

BIBLE STORY

Paul and Silas in Prison

Acts 16 tells how Paul and Silas are beaten and imprisoned in Philippi, sing hymns at midnight, experience an earthquake, and remain when the prison doors open.

THE STORY

Paul and Silas in Prison

In Philippi, Paul and Silas encounter an enslaved girl whose owners profit from her ability to tell fortunes. After Paul commands the spirit troubling her to leave, the owners realize that their source of income is gone.

They seize Paul and Silas and drag them before the authorities. The missionaries are accused of disturbing the city. A crowd joins the attack, and the magistrates order them beaten with rods and thrown into prison.

The jailer receives orders to guard them carefully. He places them in the inner prison and fastens their feet in stocks.

Around midnight Paul and Silas are praying and singing hymns to God while the other prisoners listen. Suddenly a severe earthquake shakes the foundations of the prison. Doors open and chains come loose.

The jailer wakes and sees the doors open. Assuming the prisoners have escaped, he prepares to kill himself. Paul shouts for him to stop because everyone is still there.

Trembling, the jailer comes in and brings Paul and Silas out. He asks what he must do to be saved. They tell him to believe in the Lord Jesus and then speak the word of the Lord to him and his household.

The jailer washes their wounds. He and his household are baptized, and he brings Paul and Silas into his home and gives them food.

The next day the magistrates send word that the men can be released. Paul reveals that they are Roman citizens who were beaten publicly without trial. The officials become alarmed, come personally, and ask them to leave the city. Paul and Silas visit the believers at Lydia’s house before departing.

READ IT IN THE BIBLE

Read the Original Account

This retelling is an original BibleVerses.com narrative. Read the primary biblical passages for the source account and full context.

Acts 16:16–40

Paul and Silas are imprisoned in Philippi; an earthquake opens the prison and the jailer asks how to be saved.

CONTINUE THE STORY

Related Bible Stories

PRIMARY SOURCES

Key Bible Passages

Acts 16:16–40

Paul and Silas are imprisoned in Philippi; an earthquake opens the prison and the jailer asks how to be saved.

STORY OVERVIEW

What Happens in Paul and Silas in Prison?

Acts 16 tells how Paul and Silas are beaten and imprisoned in Philippi, sing hymns at midnight, experience an earthquake, and remain when the prison doors open.

PEOPLE

People in This Story

Paul

Missionary beaten and imprisoned in Philippi

Silas

Paul’s ministry companion and fellow prisoner

Philippian Jailer

Responds to the opened prison and hears the Christian message

PLACES

Where the Story Happens

Philippi

Macedonian city where Paul and Silas are imprisoned.

THEMES

Topics in This Story

FaithWorshipSalvation
WHY IT MATTERS

Why This Story Matters

The prison episode combines unjust treatment, worship under suffering, a dramatic deliverance, concern for the jailer’s life, and the establishment of a household of believers in Philippi.

CONTEXT

Historical and Literary Context

Paul and his companions have crossed into Macedonia. Earlier in Acts 16 Lydia responds to their message; later conflict develops after Paul drives a spirit from an enslaved girl whose owners profit from her fortune-telling.

KEEP READING

Related Bible Stories

CITE THIS PAGE

Citing This BibleVerses.com Research Guide

Citation styles vary by instructor and institution. These are convenient starting points; students should follow their assigned style guide.

MLA-style starting point
“Paul and Silas in Prison.” BibleVerses.com, https://www.bibleverses.com/bible/stories/paul-and-silas-in-prison/. Accessed October 2, 2026.
Chicago-style starting point
BibleVerses.com. “Paul and Silas in Prison.” Accessed October 2, 2026. https://www.bibleverses.com/bible/stories/paul-and-silas-in-prison/.