Acts 16:36
What does Acts 16:36 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 16:36 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 16:36 means
The jailor relays the message: the magistrates have sent to let you go; therefore come out and go in peace. He serves as messenger and advocate, eager for their welfare. “Go in peace” expresses relief and goodwill from a man now their brother. The authorities seek a smooth exit, but the issue of public injustice remains. The jailor’s role shifts from keeper to helper, reflecting the gospel’s social fruit. He thinks the ordeal is over; Paul sees a larger principle at stake. Grace has reconciled enemies; now truth must instruct rulers. The stage is set for a bold appeal to lawful rights.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And the jailor reported the words to Paul, saying, The magistrates have sent to let you go: now therefore come forth, and go in peace.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And the keeper of the prison told this saying to Paul, The magistrates have sent to let you go: now therefore depart, and go in peace.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And the jailor reported the words to Paul, saying, The magistrates have sent to let you go: now therefore come forth, and go in peace.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And the keeper said to Paul, The authorities have given orders to let you go: come out now, and go in peace.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and the jailor told these words unto Paul--`The magistrates have sent, that ye may be let go; now, therefore, having gone forth go on in peace;'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And the keeper of the prison told these words to Paul: The magistrates have sent to let you go. Now therefore depart. And go in peace.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And the jailor reported these words to Paul: The praetors have sent that ye may be let go. Now therefore go out and depart in peace.
Context
This verse follows the magistrates’ release order in verse 35. Paul’s response in verse 37 will resist a quiet departure, insisting on public acknowledgment of wrongful treatment, especially significant in a Roman colony. That insistence will cause fear among the magistrates in verse 38 and lead to a formal, respectful release and request to depart in verse 39.
v.35But when it was day, the magistrates sent the serjeants, saying, Let those men go.
v.36This passage
v.37But Paul said unto them, They have beaten us publicly, uncondemned, men that are Romans, and have cast us into prison; and do they now cast us out privily? nay verily; but let them come themselves and bring us out.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- John 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful.
- Acts 15:33
And after they had spent some time there, they were dismissed in peace from the brethren unto those that had sent them forth.
- 1 Samuel 1:17
Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace; and the God of Israel grant thy petition that thou hast asked of him.
- Judges 18:6
And the priest said unto them, Go in peace: before Jehovah is your way wherein ye go.
- 1 Samuel 20:42
And Jonathan said to David, Go in peace, forasmuch as we have sworn both of us in the name of Jehovah, saying, Jehovah shall be between me and thee, and between my seed and thy seed, for ever. And he arose and departed: and Jonathan went into the city.
- Acts 16:27
And the jailor, being roused out of sleep and seeing the prison doors open, drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped.
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