Devine Scripture

Acts 16:39

What does Acts 16:39 mean?

A plain-English look at Acts 16:39 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Acts 16:39 means

The magistrates come and appeal to Paul and Silas, bringing them out and asking them to leave the city. Their request mixes contrition with concern for public order. They acknowledge wrong by their demeanor, even if not in formal decree. Paul obtains what he sought: public recognition that he and Silas are not criminals. By choosing to leave after this, the missionaries avoid needless provocation while protecting the church’s reputation. The authorities’ respectful treatment contrasts sharply with their earlier rashness, showing how God can turn hearts and circumstances for the good of His people and the advance of the gospel.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

and they came and besought them; and when they had brought them out, they asked them to go away from the city.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And they came and besought them, and brought them out, and desired them to depart out of the city.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

and they came and besought them; and when they had brought them out, they asked them to go away from the city.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Then they came and made prayers to them, requesting them, when they had taken them out, to go away from the town.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and having come, they besought them, and having brought <FI>them<Fi> forth, they were asking <FI>them<Fi> to go forth from the city;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And coming, they besought them: and bringing them out, they desired them to depart out of the city.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And they came and besought them, and having brought them out, asked them to go out of the city.

Context

This verse completes the legal resolution that began with the release order in verse 35 and Paul’s protest in verse 37. With public acknowledgment secured, the narrative will close in verse 40 with Paul and Silas visiting Lydia’s house, strengthening the believers, and departing. The church in Philippi remains, likely with Luke, to carry on the work.

v.38And the serjeants reported these words unto the magistrates: and they feared when they heard that they were Romans;

v.39This passage

v.40And they went out of the prison, and entered into the house of Lydia: and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them, and departed.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Revelation 3:9

    Behold, I give of the synagogue of Satan, of them that say they are Jews, and they are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.

  • Exodus 11:8

    And all these thy servants shall come down unto me, and bow down themselves unto me, saying, Get thee out, and all the people that follow thee: and after that I will go out. And he went out from Pharaoh in hot anger.

  • Daniel 6:23

    Then was the king exceeding glad, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he had trusted in his God.

  • Isaiah 45:14

    Thus saith Jehovah, The labor of Egypt, and the merchandise of Ethiopia, and the Sabeans, men of stature, shall come over unto thee, and they shall be thine: they shall go after thee, in chains they shall come over; and they shall fall down unto thee, they shall make supplication unto thee, saying, Surely God is in thee; and there is none else, there is no God.

  • Matthew 8:34

    And behold, all the city came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw him, they besought him that he would depart from their borders.

  • Isaiah 49:23

    And kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and their queens thy nursing mothers: they shall bow down to thee with their faces to the earth, and lick the dust of thy feet; and thou shalt know that I am Jehovah; and they that wait for me shall not be put to shame.

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