Acts 16 30

Acts 16:30 kjv

And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?

Acts 16:30 nkjv

And he brought them out and said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"

Acts 16:30 niv

He then brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"

Acts 16:30 esv

Then he brought them out and said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"

Acts 16:30 nlt

Then he brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"

Acts 16 verses

Acts 16 30 Meaning

The Philippian jailer, witnessing the miraculous liberation of himself and the prisoners by an earthquake and unbound chains, cries out in terror and existential dread, asking Paul and Silas, the instruments of this event, how he can find salvation. This signifies a profound realization of his sin and perilous spiritual state, leading him to seek redemption through those he previously oppressed.

Acts 16 30 Context

This verse occurs in the midst of Paul and Silas's ministry in Philippi, a Roman colony in Macedonia. They were unjustly imprisoned, beaten, and thrown into the inner prison with their feet fastened in stocks. Despite these hardships, they were praying and singing hymns at midnight. A sudden, powerful earthquake shook the foundations of the prison, opening all the doors and loosening everyone's chains. The jailer, assuming the prisoners had escaped, drew his sword to kill himself, as the penalty for such negligence was death. Paul's urgent intervention prevented his suicide and led to this life-changing question. This event marks a significant turning point in the establishment of the church in Philippi, with the jailer and his household becoming the first converts in that city.

Acts 16 30 Word analysis

• And (kai - και): A coordinating conjunction used here to connect the jailer's statement to the preceding events and his state of mind.
• striking (ektenoulas - ἐκτείνας): From ekteino (ἐκτείνω), meaning to stretch out, extend, or reach forth. Here, it signifies an intense, immediate action of pulling out his sword.
• himself (heautou - ἑαυτοῦ): Reflexive pronoun, indicating the jailer intended to harm himself.
• he (autos - αὐτός): Personal pronoun, referring back to the jailer.
• cried out (ekrazōn - ἐκράζων): From krazō (κράζω), meaning to cry out, scream, or shout. It expresses a loud, desperate vocalization, conveying intense fear and urgency.
• with a (en - ἐν): Preposition indicating the manner or means.
• loud (fōnē - φωνῇ): From phōnē (φωνή), meaning voice, sound, or cry. It emphasizes the volume and intensity of his outcry.
• voice (this is a single Greek word as 'loud voice' is fōnē megalē, but here it refers to a single entity, which means the yell.)
• trembling (entromos - ἔντρομος): An adjective meaning struck with fear, terrified, or trembling. It describes his physical and emotional state.
• And (kai - καὶ): Conjunction connecting the cry to the question.
• falling (piptōn - πίπτων): From piptō (πίπτω), meaning to fall. It suggests an action of falling down, possibly to his knees, in a gesture of supplication or deep humility.
• down (this word is not explicit in the greek but implied by 'falling' as fallen at their feet)
• before (enōpion - ενώπιον): Preposition meaning before, in the presence of, or in the sight of.
• Paul (Paulos - Παῦλος): The Apostle Paul.
• and (kai - καὶ): Conjunction.
• Silas (Silas - Σίλας): Silas, Paul's companion.
• he (autos - αὐτός): Referring to the jailer.
• drew (ēgage - ἤγαγεν): From ago (ἄγω), meaning to lead, bring, or draw forth.
• them (autous - αὐτούς): Direct object pronoun, referring to Paul and Silas.
• out (this is implied in the verb 'drew')
• and (kai - καὶ): Conjunction.
• bringing (echagōn - ἐξάγων): From exago (ἐξάγω), meaning to lead out or bring forth.
• them (autous - αὐτούς): Referring to Paul and Silas.
• out (implied in the verb)
• asked (erōta - ἐρωτᾷ): From erōtaō (ἐρωτάω), meaning to ask, inquire, or request. It conveys a question seeking information or direction.
• sirs (kurioi - κύριοι): Plural of kyrios (κύριος), meaning lord, master, sir. An address of respect.
• what (tis - τίς): Interrogative pronoun.
• must (dei - δεῖ): Impersonal verb from deō (δέω), meaning it is necessary, it is needed.
• I (ego - ἐγώ): First-person pronoun.
• do (poiein - ποιεῖν): From poieō (ποιέω), meaning to do, make, or perform.
• to (hina - ἵνα): Subordinating conjunction, introducing a clause of purpose or result.
• be (sōthō - σωθῶ): From sōzō (σῴζω), meaning to save, rescue, or make whole. This is in the passive subjunctive mood, indicating "to be saved" or "to become saved."
• saved (this is covered by the verb 'sōthō')

Word-group Analysis:

• "Striking himself he cried out with a loud voice, trembling...": This phrase captures the jailer's immediate reaction of suicidal terror fueled by the earthquake and the presumed escape of the prisoners. The intensity of "loud voice" and "trembling" shows his extreme fear and desperation.
• "and falling down before Paul and Silas, he drew them out and bringing them out asked...": The action of falling before Paul and Silas signifies a recognition of their authority and power, which is far beyond his understanding. This act of submission, coupled with drawing them out, displays a readiness to follow their lead.
• "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?": This is the climax. It is a profound cry for salvation, revealing his awakening to a spiritual need beyond his earthly responsibilities. The question "what must I do" indicates a willingness to take action, to comply with whatever is required. The term "sirs" (kurioi) is crucial, as it is used to address those he perceives as having divine authority or a connection to the divine.

Acts 16 30 Bonus Section

The jailer's "loud voice" and "trembling" highlight the magnitude of the spiritual crisis he is experiencing. It echoes the experience of those under the Law who recognized their sinfulness and the immensity of their need for a redeemer, as seen in passages like Isaiah's "Woe is me!" (Isaiah 6:5). His immediate move to kill himself stems from a common ancient near-eastern cultural context where failure in duty could bring severe punishment, including the loss of one's life. However, Paul's intervention—addressing the jailer not with judgment but with the gospel of grace—is characteristic of his ministry. The term "saved" (sōthō) in its Greek context encompasses not only eternal salvation but also deliverance from immediate peril and a holistic sense of well-being. This event also mirrors the opening of Lydia's heart in Acts 16:14, showing the pattern of God's work in opening hearts to receive the Gospel.

Acts 16 30 Commentary

The jailer's question, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" is a powerful testament to the transformative impact of God's power displayed through Paul and Silas. His intended suicide was born from the fear of earthly consequences, but the divine intervention opened his eyes to a far greater peril—spiritual separation from God. His humble fall before the apostles and his earnest inquiry reveal a profound spiritual awakening. This is not a mere intellectual question but a desperate plea from a soul confronted with its sin and helplessness. His readiness to "do" reflects an active faith, seeking the specific steps ordained by God for salvation, which Paul immediately provides: believing in the Lord Jesus Christ. This moment underscores the accessibility of salvation to all, regardless of their past actions or social standing.