Acts 16:31
What does Acts 16:31 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 16:31 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 16:31 means
Paul and Silas answer: “Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your house.” Salvation rests on trusting Jesus—His person, work, and authority. “Lord” affirms His divine rule; “Jesus” names the Savior. Faith, not works, is the way. The promise extends to the household, not as automatic salvation, but as an open door: the same faith that saves the jailor is offered to all under his roof. The gospel addresses families, inviting a shared joy in Christ. In a moment, the path is made plain—no ritual ladder, only a Person to receive. The Savior who opened prison doors now opens hearts.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus, and thou shalt be saved, thou and thy house.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus, and thou shalt be saved, thou and thy house.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And they said, Have faith in the Lord Jesus, and you and your family will have salvation.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and they said, `Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved--thou and thy house;'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752But they said: believe in the Lord Jesus: and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus and thou shalt be saved, thou and thy house.
Context
This verse directly answers the jailor’s question from verse 30 and sets up further explanation in verse 32. The emphasis on faith in the Lord Jesus will be fleshed out as the apostles speak the word to all in the house. The narrative will then show the tangible evidence of conversion: compassion toward wounded prisoners, immediate baptism, and a meal of rejoicing in verses 33–34.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Romans 10:9
because if thou shalt confess with thy mouth Jesus as Lord, and shalt believe in thy heart that God raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved:
- Acts 15:11
But we believe that we shall be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in like manner as they.
- 1 John 5:10
He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in him: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he hath not believed in the witness that God hath borne concerning his Son.
- John 11:25
Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth on me, though he die, yet shall he live;
- John 20:31
but these are written, that ye may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye may have life in his name.
- Acts 18:8
And Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.
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