Paul and Silas in Prison at Philippi
Philippi is the first city in Europe where Paul preaches. There is no synagogue, so on the sabbath he goes to a riverside place of prayer and speaks to the women there; Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from Thyatira, is baptised with her household and presses them to stay at her house.
Trouble comes from money. Paul frees a slave girl from a spirit of divination, and her owners — who have lost their income — haul him and Silas before the magistrates on a charge dressed up as public disorder. They are beaten and put in the stocks in the inner cell.
About midnight they are singing hymns when an earthquake opens the doors. The jailer, assuming escape, draws his sword on himself and is stopped by a shout. The next morning Paul declines a quiet release and points out that they are Roman citizens who were flogged without trial.
Where in scripture
[11] Setting sail therefore from Troas, we made a straight course to Samothrace, and the day following to Neapolis; [12] and from there to Philippi, which is a city of Macedonia, the foremost of the district, a Roman colony. We were staying some days in this city. [13] On the Sabbath day we went outside of the city by a riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down, and spoke to the women who had come together. [14] A certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, one who worshiped God, heard us; whose heart the Lord opened to listen to the things which were spoken by Paul. …
Acts 16:11–40 — opening verses
[3] I thank my God whenever I remember you, [4] always in every request of mine on behalf of you all, making my requests with joy, [5] for your partnership in furtherance of the Good News from the first day until now; [6] being confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ. [7] It is even right for me to think this way on behalf of all of you, because I have you in my heart, because, both in my bonds and in the defense and confirmation of the Good News, you all are partakers with me of grace. [8] For God is my witness, how I long after all of you in the tender mercies of Christ Jesus. [9] This I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and all discernment; …
Philippians 1:3–11 — opening verses
Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, a public-domain translation.
