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This is a unique earthquake; there is no damage, only shaking and freedom for the prisoners.
The prisoners receive a message by song and demonstration. They know it must be the Lord
who delivers them. They hear the praises of Paul and Silas before the quake hit.

THE SALVATION OF THE PHILIPPIAN JAILER

Act 16:27 And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open,
supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself.

This jailer is a very tough man. For years, he has slept through all the moans and screams of the
prisoners. But the earthquake wakes him from his sleep and he sees the open prison doors and
the chains, which were no longer bound to the prisoners. He thinks he is too late and that
many of the prisoners have escaped. He is fearful for his own life because he knows the Roman
leaders will take his life. He wants to commit suicide and possibly make it appear as if the
prisoners had killed him in a riot. The Romans would never believe the earthquake story, and
would kill him as a traitorous or negligent. However, the power of God is so strong in the jail
cells that the prisoners do not leave even though the doors are standing wide open.

Act 16:28 But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, "Do yourself no harm, for we are all here."

The jailer runs into the halls ready to kill himself. He is not in the inner prison, but above the
cell of Paul and Silas. Paul sees him, screams out, and stops the jailer from committing suicide.

Act 16:29 Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas.

Then he called for a light (torch), and sprang in (jumped down in), and came trembling, and fell
down (prostrated himself) before Paul and Silas,

Act 16:30 And he brought them out and said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"

He is still fearing the Romans and for his own life. His desire to be saved was not spiritual but
physical. He sees no way out of death, but is willing to listen to Paul before he dies. How is he
going to explain the open doors and the loose chains? Paul is the only one who has given him
any words of hope. Now he is asking about his life being spared, and Paul will use his own
words to witness to him.

Act 16:31 So they said, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your
household."

This man is also fearful for his family. They might be killed as co-conspirators. Paul and Silas
know this because they are Roman citizens. They tell him how he as well as his family can
receive salvation.
Act 16:32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house.