Hidden Heroes: The Philippian Jailer, The Most Important Question Ever Asked

by David Chadwick

Stories are filled with heroes and villains. Every good story has to have bad guys who resist the plotline and good guys who carry out the author’s intent for victory. The Philippian jailer is our hidden hero.

Paul and Silas were put in prison for sharing the gospel and delivering a slave girl from a demonic spirit (Acts 16:25-40). The owners of the girl were irate that she would no longer be able to act as their fortune teller. So they grabbed Paul and Silas and brought them before the rulers with charges of disturbance.

The crowd beat and bludgeoned them before being thrown into the inner prison, fastening their feet with chains.

The Philippian jailer’s job was to oversee Paul and Silas and make sure they didn’t escape. Some believe that he may have been a retired Roman soldier.

Around midnight, Paul and Silas began to pray and sing praises to God in the midst of their suffering. All of a sudden, an earthquake shook the prison cell. God intervened and set them free from their chains and opened the doors to the cell.

The Phililppian jailer, knowing that the prisoners had probably escaped and that he had failed at his duty, drew his sword to take his own life. Paul spoke up and said, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here” (Acts 16:28). The jailer then responded by asking the most important question anyone could ask, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” Paul led him to faith in Jesus.

The jailer took Paul and Silas to his house, where all of his household came to faith in Jesus too.

Have you asked the question, “What must I do to be saved?” Do you know that Jesus is the only answer to that question? His death on the cross is the only thing that grants forgiveness and extends the gift of eternal life. The story of the Philippian jailer is a wonderful reminder of the unending grace of Jesus that abounds to everyone who yields to him.