PrevActs 16:30Next

Acts 16

Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek:

Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium.

Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek.

And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem.

And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.

Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia,

After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not.

And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas.

And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.

And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavored to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.

Therefore loosing from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, and the next day to Neapolis;

And from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we were in that city abiding certain days.

And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither.

And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.

And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.

And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying:

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.

And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.

And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers,

And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city,

And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans.

And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them.

And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely:

Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.

And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.

And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed.

And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.

But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.

Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas,

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

And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.

And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.

And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.

And when it was day, the magistrates sent the serjeants, saying, Let those men go.

And the keeper of the prison told this saying to Paul, The magistrates have sent to let you go: now therefore depart, and go in peace.

But Paul said unto them, They have beaten us openly uncondemned, being Romans, and have cast us into prison; and now do they thrust us out privily? nay verily; but let them come themselves and fetch us out.

And the serjeants told these words unto the magistrates: and they feared, when they heard that they were Romans.

And they came and besought them, and brought them out, and desired them to depart out of the city.

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.

What does Acts 16:30 mean?

Explanation

Acts 16:30 features a significant moment where a Philippian jailer addresses Paul and Silas after a miraculous event in prison.

The context of this scripture unfolds as Paul and Silas had been imprisoned for casting out a spirit from a girl who was being used for financial gain through fortune-telling.

An earthquake had occurred, opening the prison doors and unfastening the chains of the prisoners.

The jailer, assuming the prisoners had fled, was about to kill himself when Paul assured him that all were still present.

Overwhelmed by the miraculous events and the integrity of Paul and Silas, the jailer brings them out of the cell and poses the existential question, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"

The verse captures the jailer's moment of crisis which leads to a quest for spiritual salvation.

The question is sincere and urgent, suggesting that he was seeking not only a physical or legal answer about how to save his own life but also a deeper spiritual transformation and understanding of how one attains eternal life or righteousness before God.

Top Rated Acts Books

Historical Context

The event takes place in Philippi, a Roman colony in Macedonia, during the apostolic missions of Paul in the first century A.D.

During this time, the city of Philippi was a melting pot of Roman, Greek, and local cultures, with a strong Roman influence.

The presence of a jailer implies a legal system of punishment in line with the Roman Empire's polices.

Paul's ministry usually involved preaching to both Jews and Gentiles, and in Philippi, he seems to have focused more on the latter, as there is no mention of a synagogue in Acts 16.

The jailer, presumably a Gentile employed by the Roman authorities, would have been familiar with Roman religions and possibly aware of the growing Christian movement.

Theological Insights

There is broad theological consensus that this verse illustrates themes of grace, salvation, and the transformative power of faith in Jesus Christ.

From an Evangelical Christian perspective, the jailer's question is seen as the essential question of personal salvation, to which Paul responds in verse 31 with, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house."

Catholic and Orthodox interpretations would place this verse within a larger context of the Christian life, including belief, repentance, baptism, and the ongoing practice of the faith within a community.

Some Reformation-based theological views emphasize "sola fide" (by faith alone), indicating that the jailer's salvation was contingent upon his faith in Jesus Christ alone, not by any works he could perform.

Practical Applications

The scripture can be taken as an invitation for individuals to ponder the spiritual state of their lives and to seek salvation. It underscores the importance of asking sincere questions about faith and one's relationship with the divine.

Additionally, it can be interpreted as a call to respond to those who are seeking guidance with a clear and supportive message that emphasizes compassion and quick action, just as Paul did with the jailer.

Cross-References

Acts 16:31 - "And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house."
Romans 10:9 - "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved."
Ephesians 2:8-9 - "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."
John 3:16 - "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

Language Study

The word "saved" in the original Greek text is "σῴζω" (sōzō), which means to save, keep safe and sound, or rescue from danger or destruction.

It carries connotations of both physical and spiritual deliverance.

In the context of the New Testament, it often refers to the spiritual salvation offered through Jesus Christ.

The term "must" translates from the Greek "δεῖ" (dei), which conveys a sense of necessity or something that is required. The urgency is implicit in the jailer's use of this word.

The word "do" comes from the Greek "ποιέω" (poieō), which means to make or to perform.

It suggests a sense of action or a deed that should be undertaken.

In the context of the Greek language, the jailer's question clearly expresses an immediate need for an action that would lead to his salvation.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In Greco-Roman culture, salvation could be associated with escaping physical harm or receiving favor from the gods. The idea of personal salvation in a spiritual sense was also present in various mystery religions and in the philosophical quests for truth and enlightenment.

In contrast, the Judeo-Christian understanding of salvation is deeply tied to the relationship with God, sin, and redemption.

This notion of salvation is universal and personal, and importantly, it is not based on a polytheistic or philosophical worldview but instead is rooted in the history and prophecies of the Jewish people and the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Scientific Perspectives

The concept of salvation in Acts 16:30 does not directly intersect with scientific perspectives, as salvation is inherently a theological and spiritual concept.

However, modern psychology might offer insights into the human condition that leads one to seek meaning, purpose, or transformation, which are elements present in this verse.

Commentaries

Various biblical scholars and commentators provide different perspectives on this verse.

Matthew Henry's commentary emphasizes the necessity of faith in Christ and repentance from sin.

John Wesley notes the simplicity of the way to salvation presented by Paul.

Adam Clarke focuses on the need for instruction in righteousness that the jailer and his family would need after believing in Jesus.

Contemporary evangelical commentaries highlight the immediate assurance of salvation the jailer receives following his belief, consistent with the doctrine of 'once saved, always saved' upheld by some denominations.

Catholic commentaries may stress the subsequent steps of the jailer's conversion, which include baptism and joining the Christian community as outlined in the verses that follow Acts 16:30.

Acts 16

Acts 16

What does Acts 16:30 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Acts Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Acts 16:30 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Acts Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?