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Wednesday, November 6th, 2024
the Week of Proper 26 / Ordinary 31
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The Holy Bible, Berean Study Bible

Acts 16:30

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

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Converts;   Conviction;   Criminals;   Family;   Jailer (Jailor);   Minister, Christian;   Paul;   Philippi;   Prisoners;   Readings, Select;   Salvation;   Silas;   Thompson Chain Reference - Earnest Suppliants;   Earnestness-Indifference;   Missions, World-Wide;   Prayer;   Reception-Rejection;   Salvation;   Salvation-Condemnation;   Seven;   Sinners;   Teachableness;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Philippi;   Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Faith;   Macedonia;   Paul;   Philippians, letter to the;   Salvation;   Silas;   Charles Buck Theological Dictionary - Ordination;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Philippi;   Scourging;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Paul;   Philadelphia;   Thessalonica;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Acts;   Colony;   Macedonia;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Christianity;   Conversion;   Galatians, Epistle to the;   Lydia;   Magistrate;   Philippians, Epistle to;   Regeneration;   Vision;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Eschatology;   Jailor;   Master;   Mediation Mediator;   Philippians Epistle to the;   Salvation Save Saviour;   Silas or Silyanus;   Turning;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Philippi ;   Sir;   36 Ought Must;   The Hawker's Poor Man's Concordance And Dictionary - Lydia;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Chief parables and miracles in the bible;   Lystra;   Philippi;   Philippians;   Smith Bible Dictionary - Paul;  

Encyclopedias:

- Condensed Biblical Cyclopedia - Saul of Tarsus;   International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Persecution;   Philippi;  

Parallel Translations

Easy-to-Read Version
Then he brought them outside and said, "Men, what must I do to be saved?"
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
and brought them out and sayde: Syrs what must I do to be saved?
Hebrew Names Version
and brought them out and said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"
International Standard Version
Then he took them outside and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"Luke 3:10; Acts 2:37; 9:6;">[xr]
New American Standard Bible
and after he brought them out, he said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"
New Century Version
He brought them outside and said, "Men, what must I do to be saved?"
Update Bible Version
and brought them out and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
Webster's Bible Translation
And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
English Standard Version
Then he brought them out and said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"
World English Bible
and brought them out and said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
And having brought them out he said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
Weymouth's New Testament
and, bringing them out of the prison, he exclaimed, "O sirs, what must I do to be saved?"
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
And he brouyte hem with out forth, and seide, Lordis, what bihoueth me to do, that Y be maad saaf?
English Revised Version
And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
Contemporary English Version
After he had led them out of the jail, he asked, "What must I do to be saved?"
Amplified Bible
and after he brought them out [of the inner prison], he said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"
American Standard Version
and brought them out and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
Bible in Basic English
And took them out and said, Sirs, what have I to do to get salvation?
Complete Jewish Bible
Then, leading them outside, he said, "Men, what must I do to be saved?"
Darby Translation
And leading them out said, Sirs, what must I do that I may be saved?
Etheridge Translation
and he brought them without, and said to them, My lords, what behoveth me to do that I may be saved?
Murdock Translation
And he brought them out, and said to them: My lords, what must I do, that I may have life?
King James Version (1611)
And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I doe to be saued?
New Living Translation
Then he brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"
New Life Bible
As he took them outside, he said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"
New Revised Standard
Then he brought them outside and said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"
Geneva Bible (1587)
And brought them out, and said, Syrs, what must I doe to be saued?
George Lamsa Translation
And he brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
and, leading them forth outside, said - Sirs! what must I be doing, that I may be saved?
Douay-Rheims Bible
And bringing them out, he said: Masters, what must I do, that I may be saved?
Revised Standard Version
and brought them out and said, "Men, what must I do to be saved?"
Bishop's Bible (1568)
And brought them out, & sayde: Syrs, what must I do to be saued?
Good News Translation
Then he led them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"
Christian Standard Bible®
He escorted them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
King James Version
And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
Lexham English Bible
And he brought them outside and said, "Sirs, what must I do so that I can be saved?"
Literal Translation
And leading them outside, he said, Sirs, what must I do that I may be saved?
Young's Literal Translation
and having brought them forth, said, `Sirs, what must I do -- that I may be saved?'
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
and broughte them out, and sayde: Syrs, what must I do, to be saued?
Mace New Testament (1729)
and bringing them out, he said, sirs, what must I do to be saved?
New English Translation
Then he brought them outside and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"
New King James Version
And he brought them out and said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"
Simplified Cowboy Version
He then led them out of the stinking cell and asked, "I nearly died tonight. What must I do to be saved?"
New American Standard Bible (1995)
and after he brought them out, he said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"
Legacy Standard Bible
and after he brought them out, he said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"

Contextual Overview

25About midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. 26Suddenly a strong earthquake shook the foundations of the prison. At once all the doors flew open, and everyone's chains came loose. 27When the jailer woke up and saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, presuming that the prisoners had escaped. 28But Paul called out in a loud voice, "Do not harm yourself! We are all here!" 29Calling for lights, the jailer rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. 30Then he brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"31They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, you and your household." 32Then Paul and Silas spoke the word of the Lord to him and to everyone in his house. 33At that hour of the night, the jailer took them and washed their wounds. And without delay, he and all his household were baptized. 34Then he brought them into his home and set a meal before them. So he and all his household rejoiced that they had come to believe in God.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

brought: Acts 16:24, Job 34:32, Isaiah 1:16, Isaiah 1:17, Isaiah 58:6, Isaiah 58:9, Matthew 3:8, Matthew 5:7, James 2:13

Sirs: Acts 14:15

what: Acts 16:17, Acts 2:37, Acts 9:6, Acts 22:10, Job 25:4, Luke 3:10, John 6:27-29

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 5:9 - General 2 Kings 8:8 - inquire Song of Solomon 7:9 - the best Isaiah 66:2 - trembleth Jeremiah 20:3 - Pashur Micah 6:6 - Wherewith Matthew 12:50 - do Matthew 19:16 - what Matthew 27:54 - feared Mark 10:17 - what Mark 16:16 - that believeth and Luke 10:25 - Master Luke 12:17 - What Luke 15:17 - when Luke 18:18 - what Luke 19:9 - This day John 3:15 - whosoever John 4:31 - Master John 6:28 - What John 16:8 - he will Acts 24:25 - Go Romans 9:32 - Because 1 Thessalonians 2:13 - because Hebrews 10:39 - but

Gill's Notes on the Bible

And brought them out,.... Of the inner prison, to some part of the prison that was more free and open:

and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? he treats them with great reverence now, and addresses them under a title and character of honour and respect; whom but a few hours ago he despised and abhorred, and perhaps knew no name bad enough for them; he now saw himself lost and perishing, and wanted their instructions, advice, and assistance; and as most persons under first awakenings are, so he was, upon the foot of works; thinking he must do something to procure his salvation, and desires to know what it was he must do, that he might set about it directly; and it may be he had heard what the damsel possessed with a spirit of divination had frequently said of Paul and Silas, that they were the servants of the most high God, and showed unto men the way of salvation, Acts 16:17 and therefore he desires that they would acquaint him with it: his language shows, he was in earnest, and expresses great eagerness, importunity, and haste.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

And brought them out - From the prison.

Sirs - Greek: κύριοι kurioi, lords - an address of respect; a title usually given to masters or owners of slaves.

What must I do to be saved? - Never was a more important question asked than this. It is clear that by the question he did not refer to any danger to which he might be exposed from what had happened. For:

(1) The apostles evidently understood him as referring to his eternal salvation, as is manifest from their answer, since to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ would have no effect in saving him from any danger of punishment to which he might be exposed from what had occurred.

(2) He could scarcely now consider himself as exposed to punishment by the Romans. The prisoners were all safe; none had escaped, or showed any disposition to escape; and besides, for the earthquake and its effects he could not be held responsible. It is not improbable that there was much confusion in his mind. There would be a rush of many thoughts; a state of agitation, alarm, and fear; and in view of all, he would naturally ask those whom he now saw to be men sent by God, and under his protection, what he should do to obtain the favor of that great Being under whose protection he saw that they manifestly were. Perhaps the following thoughts might have tended to produce this state of agitation and alarm:

(1) They had been designated by the Pythoness Acts 16:17 as religious teachers sent from God, and appointed to “show the way of salvation,” and in her testimony he might have been disposed to put confidence, or it might now be brought fresh to his recollection.

(2) He manifestly saw that they were under the protection of God. A remarkable interposition - an earthquake - an event which all the pagan regarded as ominous of the presence of the divinity - had showed this.

(3) The guilt of their imprisonment might rush upon his mind; and he might suppose that he, the agent of the imprisonment of the servants of God, would be exposed to his displeasure.

(4) His guilt in attempting his own life might overwhelm him with alarm.

(5) The whole scene was suited to show him the need of the protection and friendship of the God that had thus interposed. In this state of agitation and alarm, the apostles directed him to the only source of peace and safety - the blood of the atonement. The feelings of an awakened sinner are often strikingly similar to those of this jailor. He is agitated, alarmed, and fearful; he sees that he is a sinner, and trembles; the sins of his life rush over his memory, and fill him with deep anxiety, and he inquires what he must do to be saved. Often too, as here, the providence of God is the means of awakening the sinner, and of leading to this inquiry. Some alarming dispensation convinces him that God is near, and that the soul is in danger. The loss of health, or property, or of a friend, may thus alarm the soul; the ravages of the pestilence, or any fearful judgment, may arrest the attention, and lead to the inquiry, “What must I do to be saved?” Reader, have you ever made this inquiry? Have you ever, like the pagan jailor at Philippi, seen yourself to be a lost sinner, and been willing to ask the way to life?

In this narrative we see the contrast which exists in periods of distress and alarm between Christians and sinners. The guilty jailor was all agitation, fear, distress, and terror; the apostles, all peace, calmness, joy. The one was filled with thoughts of self-murder; the others, intent on saving life and doing good. This difference is to be traced to religion. It was confidence in God that gave peace to them; it was the want of what led to agitation and alarm in him It is so still. In the trying scenes of this life the same difference is seen. In bereavement, in sickness, in times of pestilence, in death, it is still so. The Christian is calm; the sinner is agitated and alarmed. The Christian can pass through such scenes with peace and joy; to the sinner, they are scenes of terror and of dread. And thus it will be beyond the grave. In the morning of the resurrection, the Christian will rise with joy and triumph; the sinner, with fear and horror. And thus at the judgment seat. Calm and serene, the saint shall witness the solemnities of that day, and triumphantly hail the Judge as his friend; fearful and trembling, the sinner shall look on these solemnities with a soul filled with horror as he listens to the sentence that consigns him to eternal woe! With what solicitude, then, should we seek, without delay, an interest in that religion which alone can give peace to the soul!

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 30. Brought them out — Of the dungeon in which they were confined.

What must I do to be saved? — Whether this regard personal or eternal safety, it is a question the most interesting to man. But it is not likely that the jailor referred here to his personal safety. He had seen, notwithstanding the prison doors had been miraculously opened, and the bonds of the prisoners all loosed, that not one of them had escaped: hence he could not feel himself in danger of losing his life on this account; and consequently it cannot be his personal safety about which he inquires. He could not but have known that these apostles had been preaching among the people what they called the doctrine of salvation; and he knew that for expelling a demon they were delivered into his custody: the Spirit of God had now convinced his heart that he was lost, and needed salvation; and therefore his earnest inquiry is how he should obtain it. The answer of the apostles to the jailor shows that his inquiry was not about his personal safety; as his believing on Jesus Christ could have had no effect upon that, in his present circumstances. Men who dispute against this sense of the word are not aware that the Spirit of God can teach any thing to a heart, which the head of a person has not previously learned. Therefore, they say it was impossible that a heathen could make such an inquiry in reference to his eternal state, because he could know nothing about it. On this ground, how impertinent would the answer of the apostles have been: Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be put in a state of PERSONAL SAFETY, and thy family! I contend that neither he nor his family were in any danger, as long as not one prisoner had escaped; he had, therefore, nothing from this quarter to fear; and, on the ground against which I contend, his own question would have been as impertinent as the apostles' answer.


 
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