Back to Acts 16

Acts 16:31-34

They said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” They spoke the word of the Lord to him, and to all who were in his house.

He took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes, and was immediately baptized, he and all his household. He brought them up into his house, and set food before them, and rejoiced greatly, with all his household, having believed in God.

World English Bible · Public Domain

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Parallel Translations

  • WEB World English Bible

    They said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.”

    They spoke the word of the Lord to him, and to all who were in his house.

    He took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes, and was immediately baptized, he and all his household.

    He brought them up into his house, and set food before them, and rejoiced greatly, with all his household, having believed in God.

  • TYNDALE Tyndale New Testament (1534)

    And they sayde: beleve on the Lorde Iesus and thou shalt be saved and thy housholde.

    And they preached vnto him the worde of the Lorde and to all that were in his housse.

    And he toke them the same houre of the nyght and wasshed their woundes and was baptised with all that belonged vnto him strayght waye.

    When he had brought them into his housse he set meate before them and ioyed that he with all his housholde beleved on God.

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  • GNV Geneva Bible (1599)

    And they saide, Beleeue in the Lord Iesus Christ, and thou shalt be saued, and thine houshold.

    And they preached vnto him the worde of the Lord, and to all that were in the house.

    Afterwarde he tooke them the same houre of the night, and washed their stripes, and was baptized with all that belonged vnto him, straigthway.

    And when he had brought them into his house, he set meate before them, and reioyced that he with all his houshold beleeued in God.

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Examined in Scripture Analysis

Contradictions (2)

Questions where the Bible appears to say two different things, with the passages on each side set together.

  • Is Salvation by faith alone?
  • If a husband believes, is his wife saved also?

Explore Contradictions →

Cross-references (74)

  • John 1:12 (v31) But as many as received him, to them he gave the right to become God’s children, to those who believe in his name:
  • John 3:36 (v31) One who believes in the Son has eternal life, but one who disobeys the Son won’t see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.”
  • Acts 2:38-39 (v31) Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you will…
  • Romans 10:9-10 (v31) that if you will confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be…
  • Acts 11:13-14 (v31) He told us how he had seen the angel standing in his house, and saying to him, ‘Send to Joppa, and get Simon, who is called Peter, who will…
Show all 73 cross-references
  • Mark 16:16 (v31) He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who disbelieves will be condemned.
  • Galatians 3:26 (v31) For you are all children of God, through faith in Christ Jesus.
  • John 11:25-26 (v31) Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will still live, even if he dies. Whoever lives and believes…
  • Isaiah 45:22 (v31) “Look to me, and be saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other.
  • Genesis 17:7 (v31) I will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to…
  • 1 John 5:10-13 (v31) He who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. He who doesn’t believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed…
  • Acts 18:8 (v31) Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord with all his house. Many of the Corinthians, when they heard, believed and were…
  • Ephesians 2:7-8 (v31) that in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus; for by grace you have been…
  • John 3:15-16 (v31) that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that…
  • Acts 4:12 (v31) There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven that is given among men, by which we must be saved!”
  • Acts 15:11 (v31) But we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they are.”
  • Jeremiah 32:39 (v31) I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear me forever, for their good, and the good of their children after them.
  • John 6:40 (v31) This is the will of the one who sent me, that everyone who sees the Son, and believes in him, should have eternal life; and I will raise…
  • John 6:47 (v31) Most certainly, I tell you, he who believes in me has eternal life.
  • John 7:37-38 (v31) Now on the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink! He who…
  • Acts 16:32 (v31) They spoke the word of the Lord to him, and to all who were in his house.
  • Galatians 3:22 (v31) But the Scripture imprisoned all things under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.
  • Genesis 18:19 (v31) For I have known him, to the end that he may command his children and his household after him, that they may keep the way of Yahweh, to do…
  • Romans 5:1-2 (v31) Being therefore justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ; through whom we also have our access by faith…
  • 1 Corinthians 1:16 (v33) (I also baptized the household of Stephanas; besides them, I don’t know whether I baptized any other.)
  • Acts 16:15 (vv31, 33) When she and her household were baptized, she begged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house and…
  • Habakkuk 2:4 (v31) Behold, his soul is puffed up. It is not upright in him, but the righteous will live by his faith.
  • John 20:31 (v31) but these are written, that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name.
  • Romans 15:13 (v34) Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope, in the power of the Holy Spirit.
  • Galatians 3:14 (v31) that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
  • Acts 13:38-39 (v31) Be it known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man is proclaimed to you remission of sins, and by him everyone who believes is…
  • Romans 11:16 (v31) If the first fruit is holy, so is the lump. If the root is holy, so are the branches.
  • Acts 2:46 (v34) Day by day, continuing steadfastly with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread at home, they took their food with gladness and…
  • Acts 8:36 (v31) As they went on the way, they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “Behold, here is water. What is keeping me from being baptized?”
  • Romans 1:16 (v32) For I am not ashamed of the Good News of Christ, because it is the power of God for salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first,…
  • Isaiah 12:1-3 (v34) In that day you will say, “I will give thanks to you, Yahweh; for though you were angry with me, your anger has turned away and you comfort…
  • Isaiah 55:12 (v34) For you shall go out with joy, and be led out with peace. The mountains and the hills will break out before you into singing; and all the…
  • Isaiah 58:7-11 (v34) Isn’t it to distribute your bread to the hungry, and that you bring the poor who are cast out to your house? When you see the naked, that…
  • Isaiah 61:10 (v34) I will greatly rejoice in Yahweh! My soul will be joyful in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation. He has covered me…
  • Luke 10:33-34 (v33) But a certain Samaritan, as he traveled, came where he was. When he saw him, he was moved with compassion, came to him, and bound up his…
  • Luke 15:32 (v34) But it was appropriate to celebrate and be glad, for this, your brother, was dead, and is alive again. He was lost, and is found.’ ”
  • Acts 8:39 (v34) When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, and the eunuch didn’t see him any more, for he went on his…
  • Acts 11:14 (v34) who will speak to you words by which you will be saved, you and all your house.’
  • Acts 16:25 (v33) But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.
  • Romans 5:11 (v34) Not only so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.
  • Colossians 1:27-28 (v32) to whom God was pleased to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope…
  • 1 Thessalonians 2:8 (v32) Even so, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you, not the Good News of God only, but also our own souls,…
  • 1 Timothy 1:13-16 (v32) although I used to be a blasphemer, a persecutor, and insolent. However, I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. The…
  • Philemon 1:7 (v34) For we have much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.
  • Proverbs 16:7 (v33) When a man’s ways please Yahweh, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
  • Isaiah 11:6-9 (v33) The wolf will live with the lamb, and the leopard will lie down with the young goat, the calf, the young lion, and the fattened calf…
  • Isaiah 57:17-18 (v34) I was angry because of the iniquity of his covetousness and struck him. I hid myself and was angry; and he went on backsliding in the way…
  • Matthew 25:35-40 (v33) for I was hungry, and you gave me food to eat. I was thirsty, and you gave me drink. I was a stranger, and you took me in. I was naked, and…
  • Mark 16:15 (v32) He said to them, “Go into all the world, and preach the Good News to the whole creation.
  • Luke 5:29 (v34) Levi made a great feast for him in his house. There was a great crowd of tax collectors and others who were reclining with them.
  • Luke 15:22-25 (v34) “But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe, and put it on him. Put a ring on his hand, and sandals on his feet. Bring…
  • Luke 19:6 (v34) He hurried, came down, and received him joyfully.
  • Luke 19:9 (v33) Jesus said to him, “Today, salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham.
  • Acts 10:33-43 (v32) Therefore I sent to you at once, and it was good of you to come. Now therefore we are all here present in the sight of God to hear all…
  • Acts 16:23 (v33) When they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, charging the jailer to keep them safely,
  • Acts 16:27-29 (v34) The jailer, being roused out of sleep and seeing the prison doors open, drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the…
  • Romans 1:14 (v32) I am debtor both to Greeks and to foreigners, both to the wise and to the foolish.
  • Romans 5:2 (v34) through whom we also have our access by faith into this grace in which we stand. We rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
  • Galatians 5:6 (v33) For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision amounts to anything, nor uncircumcision, but faith working through love.
  • Galatians 5:13 (v33) For you, brothers, were called for freedom. Only don’t use your freedom for gain to the flesh, but through love be servants to one another.
  • Galatians 5:22 (v34) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith,
  • Ephesians 3:8 (v32) To me, the very least of all saints, was this grace given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,
  • Philippians 4:4 (v34) Rejoice in the Lord always! Again I will say, “Rejoice!”
  • Philippians 4:17 (v34) Not that I seek for the gift, but I seek for the fruit that increases to your account.
  • 1 Thessalonians 4:9-10 (v34) But concerning brotherly love, you have no need that one write to you. For you yourselves are taught by God to love one another, for indeed…
  • James 2:14-17 (v34) What good is it, my brothers, if a man says he has faith, but has no works? Can faith save him? And if a brother or sister is naked and in…
  • 1 Peter 1:6-8 (v34) Wherein you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved in various trials, that the proof of your…
  • 1 John 3:18 (v34) My little children, let’s not love in word only, or with the tongue only, but in deed and truth.

73 distinct cross-references across this passage (74 total citations).

Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)

Explain this passage (23 sources)

Historical commentary, presented as a primary source — not an endorsement.

John Calvin 1540 · Public Domain On vv31, 33, 34 31. Believe in the Lord Jesus. This is but…

31. Believe in the Lord Jesus. This is but a short, and, to look to, a cold and hungry definition of salvation, and yet it is perfect to believe in Christ. For Christ alone hath all the parts of blessedness and eternal life included in him, which he offereth to us by the gospel; and by faith we receive them, as I have declared, (Acts 15:9.) And here we must note two things; first, that Christ is the mark whereat faith must aim; and, therefore, men’s minds do nothing else but wander when they turn aside from him. Therefore, no marvel if all the divinity of Popery be nothing else but an huge lump and horrible labyrinth; because, neglecting Christ, they flatter themselves in vain and frivolous speculations. Secondly, we must note, that after we have embraced Christ by faith, that alone is sufficient to salvation. But the latter member, which Luke addeth by and by, doth better express the nature of faith, Paul and Silas command the keeper of the prison to believe in the Son of God. Do they precisely stay in this voice [word] only? Yea, it followeth in Luke, in the text, [context,] that they preached the word of the Lord. Therefore, we see how the faith is not a light or dry opinion concerning unknown things, but a plain and distinct knowledge of Christ conceived out of the gospel. Again, if the preaching of the gospel be absent, there shall no faith remain any longer. To conclude, Luke coupleth faith with preaching and doctrine; and after that he hath briefly spoke of faith, he doth, by way of exposition, show the true and lawful way of believing. Therefore, instead of that invention of entangled faith, whereof the Papists babble, let us hold faith unfolded in the word of God, that it may unfold to us the power of Christ.

John Calvin's Commentaries (1540-1563) — public domain. Text from the Calvin Translation Society English edition (1840s-50s) via the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (ccel.org). Calvin's coverage is partial (roughly two-thirds of the Bible); uncommented books and verses are honest gaps, never fabricated. The 19th-century editor's footnotes and remarks are omitted so the notes are faithfully Calvin's own voice.

Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On v33 God with one selfsame hand woundeth and healeth, when…
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv31–34 31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus…
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On vv31–34 Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ; this is the…
William Burkitt 1703 · Public Domain On vv33–34 Behold how sudden and strange a change was wrought…
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv31–34 And they said, believe in the Lord Jesus Christ,....…
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain On vv31, 33, 34 Thou shalt be saved and thy household - If…
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On vv31–34 Verse 31. Believe on the Lord Jesus] Receive the…
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain On v31 Act 16:31-34. And they said, Believe on the Lord…
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain On vv31–34 Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ - This was…
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain On v33 Was baptized, being first told what he was to…
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain On vv31–34 Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt…
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On vv31–34 31. Believe—And what a mighty amount did that word…
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv31–34 31. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ] The oldest…
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On vv31–34 (31) And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus…
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv31–34 Jesus for Jesus Christ, A.V. and T.R.; thou and…
The Biblical Illustrator 1887 · Public Domain On v32 And they spake unto him the Word of the…
William B. Godbey 1900 · Public Domain On v34 34. “And leading them into his house he placed…
Alexander MacLaren 1905 · Public Domain On v32 Act 16:19 - Act 16:34.
J. W. McGarvey 1914 · Public Domain On vv31–34 31, 32. Leading the brethren into his family apartment,…
C. I. Scofield 1917 · Public Domain On v31 (See Scofield Rom 1:16).
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On v32 General Information:
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On v31 16:31-34 Paul and Silas directed the jailer to a…
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