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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Acts 16:30 Then he brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/acts/16-30.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/11/44_Act_16_30.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Acts 16:30 - The Conversion of the Jailer" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Then he brought them out and asked, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/acts/16-30.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/acts/16-30.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/acts/">Acts</a> > <a href="/acts/16.htm">Chapter 16</a> > Verse 30</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad10.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/acts/16-29.htm" title="Acts 16:29">◄</a> Acts 16:30 <a href="/acts/16-31.htm" title="Acts 16:31">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/acts/16.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/acts/16.htm">New International Version</a> He then brought them out and asked, &#8220Sirs, what must I do to be saved?&#8221 <a href="/nlt/acts/16.htm">New Living Translation</a> Then he brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” <a href="/esv/acts/16.htm">English Standard Version</a> Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” <a href="/bsb/acts/16.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Then he brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” <a href="/blb/acts/16.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And having brought them out, he was saying, "Sirs, what is necessary of me to do, that I may be saved?" <a href="/kjv/acts/16.htm">King James Bible</a> And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? <a href="/nkjv/acts/16.htm">New King James Version</a> And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” <a href="/nasb_/acts/16.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> and after he brought them out, he said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” <a href="/nasb/acts/16.htm">NASB 1995</a> and after he brought them out, he said, &#8220Sirs, what must I do to be saved?&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/acts/16.htm">NASB 1977 </a> and after he brought them out, he said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” <a href="/lsb/acts/16.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> and after he brought them out, he said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” <a href="/amp/acts/16.htm">Amplified Bible</a> and after he brought them out [of the inner prison], he said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” <a href="/csb/acts/16.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> He escorted them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved? ” <a href="/hcsb/acts/16.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Then he escorted them out and said, &#8220Sirs, what must I do to be saved?&#8221 <a href="/asv/acts/16.htm">American Standard Version</a> and brought them out and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? <a href="/cev/acts/16.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> After he had led them out of the jail, he asked, "What must I do to be saved?" <a href="/erv/acts/16.htm">English Revised Version</a> And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? <a href="/gwt/acts/16.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Then he took Paul and Silas outside and asked, "Sirs, what do I have to do to be saved?" <a href="/gnt/acts/16.htm">Good News Translation</a> Then he led them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" <a href="/isv/acts/16.htm">International Standard Version</a> he took them outside and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" <a href="/msb/acts/16.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Then he brought them out and asked, ?Sirs, what must I do to be saved?? <a href="/net/acts/16.htm">NET Bible</a> Then he brought them outside and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" <a href="/nheb/acts/16.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> and brought them out and said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" <a href="/wbt/acts/16.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? <a href="/wey/acts/16.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> and, bringing them out of the prison, he exclaimed, "O sirs, what must I do to be saved?" <a href="/web/acts/16.htm">World English Bible</a> brought them out, and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/acts/16.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and having brought them forth, said, “Lords, what must I do that I may be saved?” <a href="/blb/acts/16.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And having brought them out, he was saying, "Sirs, what is necessary of me to do, that I may be saved?" <a href="/ylt/acts/16.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and having brought them forth, said, 'Sirs, what must I do -- that I may be saved?' <a href="/slt/acts/16.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And bringing them out, he said, Lords, what must I do that I might be saved.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/acts/16.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And bringing them out, he said: Masters, what must I do, that I may be saved? <a href="/cpdv/acts/16.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And bringing them outside, he said, “Sirs, what must I do, so that I may be saved?” <a href="/nabre/acts/16.htm">New American Bible</a> Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” <a href="/nrsvce/acts/16.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Then he brought them outside and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/acts/16.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And he brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/acts/16.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> And he brought them outside and he said to them, “Sirs, what must I do so that I may live?”<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/acts/16.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> and, having brought them out, he said: Sirs, what must I do to be saved? <a href="/godbey/acts/16.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> and leading them out said, Sirs, what does it behoove me to do in order that I may be saved? <a href="/haweis/acts/16.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> and having first brought them out, said, Sirs! what must I do to be saved? <a href="/mace/acts/16.htm">Mace New Testament</a> and bringing them out, he said, sirs, what must I do to be saved? <a href="/wey/acts/16.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> and, bringing them out of the prison, he exclaimed, "O sirs, what must I do to be saved?" <a href="/worrell/acts/16.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> and, having brought them out, he said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" <a href="/worsley/acts/16.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> and bringing them out, he said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? <a href="/parallel/acts/16-30.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/in5WTRQ9BSQ?start=5456" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/acts/16.htm">The Conversion of the Jailer</a> …29Calling for lights, the jailer rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. 30<a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">Then</a> <a href="/greek/4254.htm" title="4254: proagagōn (V-APA-NMS) -- From pro and ago; to lead forward; intransitively, to precede (participle, previous).">he brought</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autous (PPro-AM3P) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">them</a> <a href="/greek/1854.htm" title="1854: exō (Adv) -- Without, outside. Adverb from ek; out(-side, of doors), literally or figuratively.">out</a> <a href="/greek/5346.htm" title="5346: ephē (V-IIA-3S) -- To say, declare. Properly, the same as the base of phos and phaino; to show or make known one's thoughts, i.e. Speak or say.">and asked,</a> <a href="/greek/2962.htm" title="2962: Kyrioi (N-VMP) -- Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master.">“Sirs,</a> <a href="/greek/5101.htm" title="5101: ti (IPro-ANS) -- Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.">what</a> <a href="/greek/1163.htm" title="1163: dei (V-PIA-3S) -- Third person singular active present of deo; also deon deh-on'; neuter active participle of the same; both used impersonally; it is Necessary.">must</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: me (PPro-A1S) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">I</a> <a href="/greek/4160.htm" title="4160: poiein (V-PNA) -- (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.">do</a> <a href="/greek/2443.htm" title="2443: hina (Conj) -- In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that.">to</a> <a href="/greek/4982.htm" title="4982: sōthō (V-ASP-1S) -- To save, heal, preserve, rescue. From a primary sos; to save, i.e. Deliver or protect.">be saved?”</a> 31They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, you and your household.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/john/3-16.htm">John 3:16</a> For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. <a href="/romans/10-9.htm">Romans 10:9-10</a> that if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. / For with your heart you believe and are justified, and with your mouth you confess and are saved. <a href="/ephesians/2-8.htm">Ephesians 2:8-9</a> For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, / not by works, so that no one can boast. <a href="/john/6-28.htm">John 6:28-29</a> Then they inquired, “What must we do to perform the works of God?” / Jesus replied, “The work of God is this: to believe in the One He has sent.” <a href="/romans/1-16.htm">Romans 1:16</a> I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, then to the Greek. <a href="/mark/16-16.htm">Mark 16:16</a> Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. <a href="/john/14-6.htm">John 14:6</a> Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. <a href="/titus/3-5.htm">Titus 3:5</a> He saved us, not by the righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. <a href="/1_john/5-11.htm">1 John 5:11-13</a> And this is that testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. / Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. / I have written these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life. <a href="/matthew/19-16.htm">Matthew 19:16-17</a> Just then a man came up to Jesus and inquired, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to obtain eternal life?” / “Why do you ask Me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.” <a href="/luke/18-18.htm">Luke 18:18-23</a> Then a certain ruler asked Him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” / “Why do you call Me good?” Jesus replied. “No one is good except God alone. / You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not bear false witness, honor your father and mother.’” ... <a href="/hebrews/11-6.htm">Hebrews 11:6</a> And without faith it is impossible to please God. For anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him. <a href="/isaiah/45-22.htm">Isaiah 45:22</a> Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other. <a href="/joel/2-32.htm">Joel 2:32</a> And everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved; for on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be deliverance, as the LORD has promised, among the remnant called by the LORD. <a href="/isaiah/55-6.htm">Isaiah 55:6-7</a> Seek the LORD while He may be found; call on Him while He is near. / Let the wicked man forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that He may have compassion, and to our God, for He will freely pardon.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?brought.<a href="/acts/16-24.htm">Acts 16:24</a> Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.<a href="/job/34-32.htm">Job 34:32</a> That which I see not teach thou me: if I have done iniquity, I will do no more.<a href="/isaiah/1-16.htm">Isaiah 1:16,17</a> Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; … Sirs.<a href="/acts/14-15.htm">Acts 14:15</a> And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein:what.<a href="/acts/16-17.htm">Acts 16:17</a> The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation.<a href="/acts/2-37.htm">Acts 2:37</a> Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?<a href="/acts/9-6.htm">Acts 9:6</a> And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/acts/12-14.htm">Exclaimed</a> <a href="/acts/16-21.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/acts/13-50.htm">Leading</a> <a href="/acts/16-27.htm">Prison</a> <a href="/acts/16-17.htm">Salvation</a> <a href="/acts/15-11.htm">Saved</a> <a href="/acts/15-1.htm">Saved</a> <a href="/acts/14-15.htm">Sirs</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/acts/23-3.htm">Exclaimed</a> <a href="/acts/16-36.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/acts/25-2.htm">Leading</a> <a href="/acts/16-36.htm">Prison</a> <a href="/acts/16-31.htm">Salvation</a> <a href="/acts/16-31.htm">Saved</a> <a href="/acts/27-31.htm">Saved</a> <a href="/acts/19-25.htm">Sirs</a><div class="vheading2">Acts 16</div>1. <a href="/acts/16-1.htm">Paul and Silas are Joined by Timothy,</a> 7. <a href="/acts/16-7.htm">and being called by the Spirit from one country to another,</a> 14. <a href="/acts/16-14.htm">convert Lydia,</a> 16. <a href="/acts/16-16.htm">and cast out a spirit of divination;</a> 19. <a href="/acts/16-19.htm">for which cause they are whipped and imprisoned.</a> 25. <a href="/acts/16-25.htm">The prison doors are opened.</a> 31. <a href="/acts/16-31.htm">The jailor is converted,</a> 35. <a href="/acts/16-35.htm">and they are delivered.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/acts/16.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/acts/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/acts/16.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>Then he brought them out This phrase refers to the jailer who was responsible for Paul and Silas in the prison at Philippi. The context is a miraculous event where an earthquake opened the prison doors and loosened the chains of the prisoners. The jailer, fearing the prisoners had escaped, was about to take his own life, but Paul intervened. The act of bringing them out signifies a shift from physical imprisonment to spiritual inquiry. Philippi was a Roman colony, and the jailer would have been a Roman citizen, highlighting the spread of the Gospel beyond Jewish communities.and asked, The act of asking indicates a moment of desperation and realization. The jailer, having witnessed the power of God through the earthquake and the integrity of Paul and Silas, is moved to seek answers. This reflects a common biblical theme where individuals, after witnessing divine intervention, seek understanding and salvation. It parallels other instances in Scripture where people inquire about spiritual matters after witnessing miracles, such as Nicodemus approaching Jesus in <a href="/john/3.htm">John 3</a>.“Sirs, The term "Sirs" is a respectful address, acknowledging the authority and wisdom of Paul and Silas. In the cultural context of the Roman world, respect for authority and hierarchy was significant. The jailer’s use of this term indicates his recognition of something extraordinary in Paul and Silas, despite their status as prisoners. This respect is a precursor to his openness to their message.what must I do This question reflects a personal responsibility and desire for action. It echoes the rich young ruler's question to Jesus in <a href="/matthew/19-16.htm">Matthew 19:16</a>, "What good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?" It underscores the human inclination to seek a formula or action for salvation, which is a common theme throughout Scripture. The question implies a readiness to change and a recognition of personal inadequacy.to be saved?” The concept of salvation is central to Christian theology, encompassing deliverance from sin and its consequences. In the New Testament, salvation is often linked to faith in Jesus Christ, as seen in <a href="/romans/10-9.htm">Romans 10:9-10</a>. The jailer’s question indicates an awareness of his need for spiritual rescue, not just physical safety. This moment is pivotal, as it leads to the proclamation of the Gospel to him and his household, fulfilling the Great Commission in <a href="/matthew/28-19.htm">Matthew 28:19-20</a>. The question also reflects the universal human quest for meaning and redemption, a theme that resonates throughout the Bible.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/p/paul_and_silas.htm">Paul and Silas</a> Two apostles of Jesus Christ who were imprisoned in Philippi for casting out a spirit from a slave girl. They were known for their missionary journeys and spreading the Gospel. 2. <a href="/topical/p/philippian_jailer.htm">Philippian Jailer</a> The jailer responsible for guarding Paul and Silas. After witnessing a miraculous earthquake that opened the prison doors, he sought salvation. 3. <a href="/topical/p/philippi.htm">Philippi</a> A Roman colony in Macedonia where Paul and Silas were imprisoned. It was a significant location for early Christian evangelism. 4. <a href="/topical/e/earthquake.htm">Earthquake</a> A miraculous event that shook the prison, opened the doors, and loosened the chains of the prisoners, leading to the jailer's question about salvation. 5. <a href="/topical/s/salvation_inquiry.htm">Salvation Inquiry</a> The jailer's question, "What must I do to be saved?" signifies a pivotal moment of seeking spiritual truth and redemption.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_urgency_of_salvation.htm">The Urgency of Salvation</a> The jailer's immediate question reflects the urgency and importance of understanding and receiving salvation. We should approach our spiritual lives with the same urgency. <a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_salvation.htm">God's Sovereignty in Salvation</a> The miraculous earthquake demonstrates God's power and sovereignty in orchestrating events that lead individuals to seek Him. Trust in God's ability to reach others through unexpected means. <a href="/topical/t/the_simplicity_of_the_gospel.htm">The Simplicity of the Gospel</a> The jailer's question and the subsequent answer from Paul and Silas highlight the simplicity of the Gospel message: believe in Jesus Christ. Salvation is accessible to all who believe. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_witnessing.htm">The Role of Witnessing</a> Paul and Silas's conduct in prison, including their prayers and hymns, served as a powerful witness to the jailer. Our actions and attitudes can lead others to Christ. <a href="/topical/t/transformation_through_faith.htm">Transformation through Faith</a> The jailer's transformation from a keeper of prisoners to a seeker of salvation illustrates the profound change that faith in Christ can bring. Embrace and share the transformative power of the Gospel.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_acts_16.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Acts 16</a> <a href="/q/what_is_life's_most_crucial_question.htm">What is life's most crucial question?</a> <a href="/q/what_is_household_salvation_in_the_bible.htm">What does the Bible say about household salvation?</a> <a href="/q/is_baptism_needed_for_salvation.htm">Is baptism essential for achieving salvation?</a> <a href="/q/how_did_the_quake_free_prisoners_unharmed.htm">In Acts 16:22-26, how could an earthquake open all the prison doors and unfasten everyone's chains without inflicting any apparent damage or injury?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/acts/16.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(30) Sirs, what must I do to be saved?--The use of "Sirs" differs from that of <a href="/acts/7-26.htm" title="And the next day he showed himself to them as they strove, and would have set them at one again, saying, Sirs, you are brothers; why do you wrong one to another?">Acts 7:26</a> in having a Greek word, expressive of respect (that used in <a href="/john/20-15.htm" title="Jesus said to her, Woman, why weep you? whom seek you? She, supposing him to be the gardener, said to him, Sir, if you have borne him hence, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.">John 20:15</a>), corresponding to it. We ask what the gaoler meant by the question. Was he thinking of temporal safety from the earthquake, or from punishment; or had there come upon him, in that suicidal agony, the sense of an inward misery and shame, a "horror of great darkness" from which he sought deliverance? The latter seems every way most probable. It must be remembered that the very circumstances which had brought St. Paul to the prison had pointed him out as "proclaiming the way of salvation" (<a href="/acts/16-17.htm" title="The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which show to us the way of salvation.">Acts 16:17</a>). The witness of the demoniac girl was thus not altogether fruitless. <a href="/commentaries/acts/16-30.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>Then καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. he brought προαγαγὼν (proagagōn) Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4254.htm">Strong's 4254: </a> From pro and ago; to lead forward; intransitively, to precede (participle, previous). them αὐτοὺς (autous) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. out ἔξω (exō) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_1854.htm">Strong's 1854: </a> Without, outside. Adverb from ek; out(-side, of doors), literally or figuratively. [and] asked, ἔφη (ephē) Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5346.htm">Strong's 5346: </a> To say, declare. Properly, the same as the base of phos and phaino; to show or make known one's thoughts, i.e. Speak or say. “Sirs, Κύριοι (Kyrioi) Noun - Vocative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2962.htm">Strong's 2962: </a> Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master. what τί (ti) Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5101.htm">Strong's 5101: </a> Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what. must δεῖ (dei) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1163.htm">Strong's 1163: </a> Third person singular active present of deo; also deon deh-on'; neuter active participle of the same; both used impersonally; it is Necessary. I με (me) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. do ποιεῖν (poiein) Verb - Present Infinitive Active <a href="/greek/strongs_4160.htm">Strong's 4160: </a> (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do. to ἵνα (hina) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2443.htm">Strong's 2443: </a> In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that. be saved?” σωθῶ (sōthō) Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Passive - 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4982.htm">Strong's 4982: </a> To save, heal, preserve, rescue. From a primary sos; to save, i.e. Deliver or protect. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/acts/16-30.htm">Acts 16:30 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/acts/16-30.htm">Acts 16:30 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/acts/16-30.htm">Acts 16:30 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/acts/16-30.htm">Acts 16:30 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/acts/16-30.htm">Acts 16:30 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/acts/16-30.htm">Acts 16:30 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/acts/16-30.htm">Acts 16:30 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/acts/16-30.htm">Acts 16:30 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/acts/16-30.htm">Acts 16:30 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/acts/16-30.htm">Acts 16:30 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/acts/16-30.htm">NT Apostles: Acts 16:30 And brought them out and said Sirs (Acts of the Apostles Ac) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/acts/16-29.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Acts 16:29"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Acts 16:29" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/acts/16-31.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Acts 16:31"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Acts 16:31" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>