Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Acts 16:30

"and brought them out and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" — Acts 16:30 (ASV)

Since it was midnight, the jailer called for torches to dispel the darkness of the prison. Rushing in, he fell trembling before Paul and Silas, doubtless taking them to be some kind of divine messengers. If he had not heard the shouts of the demon-possessed slave girl (v.17), he undoubtedly had heard from others what she was saying. And now what had happened confirmed her words about Paul and Silas. So he cried out, “Lords [kyrioi; GK 3261; NIV “sirs”; a word that certainly carries a note of adoration here], what must I do to be saved?” His question showed recognition of his spiritual need and opened the way for Paul and Silas to give him the Good News about Jesus Christ.