Acts 16:30

30 And he brought them outside [and] said, "Sirs, what must I do so that I can be saved?"

Acts 16:30 Meaning and Commentary

Acts 16:30

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.

Acts 16:30 In-Context

28 But Paul called out with a loud voice, saying, "Do no harm to yourself, for we are all here!"

29 And demanding lights, he rushed in and, {beginning to tremble}, fell down at the feet of Paul and Silas.

30 And he brought them outside [and] said, "Sirs, what must I do so that I can be saved?"

31 And they said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, you and your household!"

32 And they spoke the message of the Lord to him, together with all those in his house.

Footnotes

• [a]. *Here "[and]" is supplied because the previous participle ("brought") has been translated as a finite verb