And they went out of the prison, and entered into the house of Lydia: and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them, and departed.
40. When they saw, etc. They were desired to part presently; yet it became them to regard the brethren, lest the tender seed of the gospel should perish, and undoubtedly they would have tarried longer if they had been suffered, but the prayers and requests of the magistrates were imperious and armed, which they are enforced to obey.
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 they went out of the prison,.... In a public manner, with great honour and reputation, at the request of the magistrates that put them there: and entered into the house of Lydia; whom Paul had baptized, Act 16:14. The word "house" is rightly supplied, for the sense is not, that they went into the country of Lydia, as some have been tempted to think...