Acts 16:38
What does Acts 16:38 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 16:38 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 16:38 means
The serjeants convey Paul’s words, and the magistrates become afraid upon learning that Paul and Silas are Roman citizens. Their previous actions—public beating and imprisonment without trial—could bring severe consequences. Fear moves them toward humility. Earthly power is suddenly fragile before the rights it had ignored. The gospel, in this case, gains protective space through the legal status of its servants. Officials who acted rashly must now reckon with justice. God uses even Roman law to shield His people, reminding us that His providence operates through ordinary structures as well as miracles.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And the serjeants reported these words unto the magistrates: and they feared when they heard that they were Romans;
KJV
King James Version · 1611And the serjeants told these words unto the magistrates: and they feared, when they heard that they were Romans.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And the serjeants reported these words unto the magistrates: and they feared when they heard that they were Romans;
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And the police gave an account of these words to the authorities, and they were full of fear on hearing that they were Romans;
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And the rod-bearers told to the magistrates these sayings, and they were afraid, having heard that they are Romans,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And let us out themselves. And the serjeants told these words to the magistrates. And they were afraid: hearing that they were Romans.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And the lictors reported these words to the praetors. And they were afraid when they heard they were Romans.
Context
This verse reports the magistrates’ reaction to Paul’s claim in verse 37. Their fear sets up their personal approach and apology in verse 39. The resolution will allow Paul and Silas to exit honorably, visit Lydia’s house, and encourage the brethren before departing in verse 40, leaving behind a church with improved public standing.
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.
v.38This passage
v.39and they came and besought them; and when they had brought them out, they asked them to go away from the city.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Matthew 21:46
And when they sought to lay hold on him, they feared the multitudes, because they took him for a prophet.
- Matthew 14:5
And when he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.
- Acts 22:29
They then that were about to examine him straightway departed from him: and the chief captain also was afraid when he knew that he was a Roman, and because he had bound him.
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