Acts 16:30
What does Acts 16:30 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 16:30 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 16:30 means
Bringing them out, the jailor asks, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” The question captures the heart of human need—deliverance from sin and judgment, not merely from earthly peril. The events have pierced his conscience and revealed his spiritual bankruptcy. He now seeks guidance from those he once guarded. His inquiry is urgent and personal; he wants to know the path to life. God uses crisis to expose the illusion of control. The stage is set for the plain gospel: not self-effort, but faith in the Lord Jesus. A night of terror will become the dawn of grace for him and his household.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000and brought them out and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
KJV
King James Version · 1611And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901and brought them out and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And took them out and said, Sirs, what have I to do to get salvation?
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and having brought them forth, said, `Sirs, what must I do--that I may be saved?'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And bringing them out, he said: Masters, what must I do, that I may be saved?
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And leading them out said, Sirs, what must I do that I may be saved?
Context
Following his trembling approach in verse 29, the jailor voices the pivotal question of salvation in verse 30. Verses 31–32 will supply the answer and instruction—faith in the Lord Jesus and the word addressed to the whole household. Immediately afterward, verses 33–34 will demonstrate genuine response in acts of mercy, baptism, and rejoicing, completing the conversion narrative that began with the earthquake.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 2:37
Now when they heardthis, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and the rest of the apostles, Brethren, what shall we do?
- John 6:27
Work not for the food which perisheth, but for the food which abideth unto eternal life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him the Father, even God, hath sealed.
- Acts 22:10
And I said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do.
- Isaiah 58:9
Then shalt thou call, and Jehovah will answer; thou shalt cry, and he will say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking wickedly;
- Luke 3:10
And the multitudes asked him, saying, What then must we do?
- Acts 16:24
who, having received such a charge, cast them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.
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