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Acts 16:24
Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.

Job 34:32
That which I see not teach thou me: if I have done iniquity, I will do no more.

Isaiah 1:16,17
Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; …

Sirs.

Acts 14:15
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.

Acts 16:17
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.

Acts 2:37
Now when they heardthis, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Menand brethren, what shall we do?

Acts 9:6
And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lordsaid unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

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 inJohn 3.

“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 inMatthew 19:16, "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 inRomans 10:9-10. 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 inMatthew 28:19-20. The question also reflects the universal human quest for meaning and redemption, a theme that resonates throughout the Bible.

• The Philippian jailer physically ushers Paul and Silas from the inner cell after God sends an earthquake that unlocks every chain (Acts 16:26–29).

• God’s power over prison doors echoes earlier deliverances—Peter released by an angel (Acts 12:7) and the apostles freed at night (Acts 5:19).

• The scene pictures how the Lord not only liberates bodies but sets the stage to free souls (Psalm 107:13–14).

• The jailer moves from guarding prisoners to seeking guidance. His immediate question shows conviction and urgency produced by the Spirit (John 16:8;Acts 2:37).

• True seekers don’t assume answers; they come humbly, like the disciples who said, “Rabbi, where are You staying?” (John 1:38) or the rich young ruler who “ran up and knelt before Him” (Mark 10:17).

• Addressing Paul and Silas with respectful courtesy (“κύριοι” in Greek, rendered “Sirs”) signals a change of heart.

• The jailer, once wielding authority, now honors the very men he had chained, reminiscent of Pharaoh summoning Joseph from prison with deference (Genesis 41:14) and believers urged to give an answer “with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15).

• He assumes personal responsibility—“I” must respond. Salvation is personal, never inherited (Ezekiel 18:20;Romans 14:12).

• The wording recalls crowds before John the Baptist—“What then shall we do?” (Luke 3:10–14) and those at Pentecost—“Brothers, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37).

• Scripture quickly corrects any notion of earning salvation: “This is the work of God, that you believe in the One He has sent” (John 6:29).

• The jailer’s greatest fear is not the Roman sword but eternal judgment. “Saved” means rescue from sin’s penalty and God’s wrath (Romans 5:9;1 Thessalonians 1:10).

• Paul’s answer in the next verse is clear: “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household” (Acts 16:31). Faith alone in Christ alone is God’s unchanging requirement (Ephesians 2:8–9;Acts 4:12).

• Salvation is offered instantly to anyone who calls: “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13).

Acts 16:30 captures the Spirit-wrought turning point of a hardened jailer. God shakes open prison doors to open a human heart. Respectfully addressing Paul and Silas, the man voices the most vital question any person can ask. Scripture’s consistent answer is simple yet profound: personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

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