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NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Act_16:25-34
25But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them; 26and suddenly there came a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison house were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone's chains were unfastened. 27When the jailer awoke and saw the prison doors opened, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. 28But Paul cried out with a loud voice, saying, "Do not harm yourself, for we are all here!" 29And he called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas, 30and after he brought them out, he said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" 31They said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household." 32And they spoke the word of the Lord to him together with all who were in his house. 33And he took them that very hour of the night and washed their wounds, and immediately he was baptized, he and all his household. 34And he brought them into his house and set food before them, and rejoiced greatly, having believed in God with his whole household.
Act_16:25 "about midnight" They probably could not sleep because of the pain of the beating and the stocks.
▣ "praying and singing hymns of praise to God" It is possible that the theological content of these prayers and hymns caused the prisoners to trust Christ (i.e., "the prisoners were listening to them") because none of the prisoners escaped when the earthquake opened the doors (cf. Act_16:26; Act_16:28, "we are all here").
▣ "the prisoners were listening" This is an imperfect middle (deponent) indicative, implying they listened continually to Paul and Silas. The verb epakroaomai is a rare word in the NT and the Septuagint. Its use in 1Sa_15:22 denotes an intense listening with joyfulness. These down-and-out prisoners eagerly heard and responded to a message of God's love, care, and acceptance!
Act_16:26 "earthquake" This was a natural event, but with supernatural purpose, timing, and effect (cf. Mat_27:51; Mat_27:54; Mat_28:2). God had delivered Peter from prison by means of an angel (cf. Act_4:31), but here an event was chosen that gave Paul a chance to preach the gospel to both the prisoners and the guards.
Act_16:27 "sword" This was the small, two-edged sword worn in the belt, which was shaped like a tongue. This was the instrument of capital punishment for Roman citizens. If a jailor lost prisoners, he suffered their fate (cf. Act_12:19).
Act_16:28 Paul and Silas' faith and the content of their prayers and songs made a powerful impact on the other prisoners (I think they, too, were saved)!
Act_16:29 "called for lights" Notice the plural. There were other jailers.
Act_16:30 "Sirs, what must I do to be saved" This reflects mankind's (1) fear of the supernatural and (2) search for peace with God! He wanted the peace and joy that Paul and Silas had exhibited, even in these unfair and painful circumstances. Notice this man, as so many, knew there must be some kind of human response (cf. Luk_3:10; Luk_3:12; Luk_3:14; Act_2:37; Act_22:10).
Act_16:31 "'Believe in the Lord Jesus'" The verb (aorist active imperative) pisteuô can be translated "believe," "faith," or "trust." See Special Topics at Act_2:40; Act_3:16; Act_6:5. It is primarily a volitional trusting response (cf. Act_10:43). Also notice that it is trust in a person, not a doctrine or a theological system. This man had no Jewish background (i.e., Ninevites in Jonah). Yet the requirements for complete salvation are very simple and just the same! This is the most succinct summary of the gospel in the NT (cf. Act_10:43). His repentance (cf. Mar_1:15; Act_3:16; Act_3:19; Act_20:21) was shown by his actions.
▣ "you will be saved, you and your household" In the ancient world the religion of the head of the house was the religion of all its members (cf. Act_10:2; Act_11:14; Act_16:15; Act_18:8). How this worked out on an individual level is uncertain, but apparently it involved some level of personal faith on each individual's part. Paul subsequently preached the full gospel message to the jailer and his household (cf. Act_16:32).
In this instance, not only his household but his prison also!
Act_16:32 "the word of the Lord" There is a variant involving this phrase.
1. "The word of the Lord" is in MSS P45,74, à i2, A, C, D, E. The UBS4 gives it a "B" rating (almost certain).
2. "The word of God" is in MSS à *, B
In context the issue is to whom does "Lord" refer?
1. Jesus, Act_16:31
2. YHWH (cf. Act_16:25; Act_16:34; Act_13:44; Act_13:48; it is an OT phrase cf. Gen_15:14; 1Sa_15:10; Isa_1:10; Jon_1:1)
Act_16:33 "and immediately he was baptized, he and all his household" This shows the importance of baptism. Acts mentions it over and over. See hyperlink at Act_2:38. Jesus did it (cf. Luk_3:21) and commanded it (cf. Mat_28:19) and that settles it (cf. Act_2:38). It also is consistent with other examples in Acts that baptism occurred immediately after their profession of faith (cf. Act_10:47-48). In a sense it was their visible and verbal public profession of faith in Christ (i.e., Rom_10:9-13).
Act_16:34 "and rejoiced greatly having believed in God with his whole household" The two verbs are singular referring to the jailor. However, the adverbial phrase implies the inclusion of the man's extended family and servants.
The verb, "believed" is a perfect active participle, implying a settled state. Notice the change in tense from Act_16:31.