And when they had inflicted many blows upon them, they threw them into prison, ordering the jailer to keep them safely.
23. That he should keep them safe. Whereas the magistrates command that Paul and Silas should be kept so diligently, it was done to this end, that they might know more of the matter. For they had already beaten them with rods to appease the tumult.
This slave girl, possessed by a spirit that mimicked Apollo's oracles, spoke truth about Paul and his companions, but truth from a demon's mouth is no testimony worth having. She enriched her masters by feeding men's hunger to know the future; the devil himself maintains his dominion by pretending to reveal what lies hidden.
AI summary
Commenting on Acts 16:16-24
And when they had laid many stripes upon them,.... Even above measure, as in Co2 11:35. They cast them into prison; designing doubtless to inflict some greater punishment upon them, after they had further examined into their affairs: charging the jailer to keep them safely; suggesting, that he must be answerable for them, should they escape, either through his favour or his negligence; and they...