The jailer informed Paul: “The magistrates have sent orders to release you. Now you may go on your way in peace.”
The magistrates' early order to release them shows God at work: either the earthquake convinced them it was His hand, or their own consciences gave them no rest. While Paul and Silas sang in stocks, these men tossed sleepless, lashed by guilt far worse than any rod. God made the persecutors pity their prisoners.
AI summary
Commenting on Acts 16:35-40
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...
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.