Clarke's Bible Commentary - Acts 16:30
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.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 30. And brought them out , etc.] 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.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 25-34 - The consolations of God to his suffering servants are neither few no small. How much more happy are true Christians than their prosperou enemies! As in the dark, so out of the depths, we may cry unto God. N place, no time is amiss for prayer, if the heart be lifted up to God No trouble, however grievous, should hinder us from praise Christianity proves itself to be of God, in that it obliges us to be just to our own lives. Paul cried aloud to make the jailer hear, and to make him heed, saying, Do thyself no harm. All the cautions of the wor of God against sin, and all appearances of it, and approaches to it have this tendency. Man, woman, do not ruin thyself; hurt not thyself and then none else can hurt thee; do not sin, for nothing but that can hurt thee. Even as to the body, we are cautioned against the sins whic do harm to that. Converting grace changes people's language of and to good people and good ministers. How serious the jailer's inquiry! Hi salvation becomes his great concern; that lies nearest his heart, whic before was furthest from his thoughts. It is his own precious soul tha he is concerned about. Those who are thoroughly convinced of sin, an truly concerned about their salvation, will give themselves up to Christ. Here is the sum of the whole gospel, the covenant of grace in few words; Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved and thy house. The Lord so blessed the word, that the jailer was a once softened and humbled. He treated them with kindness an compassion, and, professing faith in Christ, was baptized in that name with his family. The Spirit of grace worked such a strong faith in them, as did away further doubt; and Paul and Silas knew by the Spirit that a work of God was wrought in them. When sinners are thu converted, they will love and honour those whom they before despise and hated, and will seek to lessen the suffering they before desired to increase. When the fruits of faith begin to appear, terrors will be followed by confidence and joy in God.
Greek Textus Receptus
και 2532 CONJ προαγαγων 4254 5631 V-2AAP-NSM αυτους 846 P-APM εξω 1854 ADV εφη 5346 5713 V-IXI-3S κυριοι 2962 N-VPM τι 5101 I-ASN με 3165 P-1AS δει 1163 5904 V-PQI-3S ποιειν 4160 5721 V-PAN ινα 2443 CONJ σωθω 4982 5686 V-APS-1S
Robertson's NT Word Studies
16:30 {Brought them out} (progagwn autous exw). Second aorist active participle of proagw, to lead forward. He left the other prisoners inside, feeling that he had to deal with these men whom he had evidently heard preach or had heard of their message as servants of the Most High God as the slave girl called them. There may have been superstition behind his fear, but there was evident sincerity.
