Acts 16 35

Acts 16:35 kjv

And when it was day, the magistrates sent the serjeants, saying, Let those men go.

Acts 16:35 nkjv

And when it was day, the magistrates sent the officers, saying, "Let those men go."

Acts 16:35 niv

When it was daylight, the magistrates sent their officers to the jailer with the order: "Release those men."

Acts 16:35 esv

But when it was day, the magistrates sent the police, saying, "Let those men go."

Acts 16:35 nlt

The next morning the city officials sent the police to tell the jailer, "Let those men go!"

Acts 16 verses

Acts 16 35 Meaning

Acts 16:35 marks a pivotal moment in the narrative, signifying the immediate aftermath of the Philippian jailer's conversion and the dramatic events preceding it. The verse states that as daylight approached, the chief magistrates of Philippi, having previously ordered the unlawful beating and imprisonment of Paul and Silas, now sent their official attendants with a directive for their release. This command to "let those men go" represents a significant turnaround in the authorities' stance, signaling the beginning of the apostles' departure from Philippi.

Acts 16 35 Context

Acts 16:35 occurs within the account of Paul and Silas's missionary journey to Philippi, a Roman colony and the "foremost city of that part of Macedonia" (Acts 16:12). The preceding events are critical for understanding the verse: Paul cast out a demon from a slave girl who was bringing her owners much profit through fortune-telling (Acts 16:16-18). Enraged by the loss of their income, the owners seized Paul and Silas, dragged them before the city magistrates (Latin: duoviri, Greek: stratēgoi), accusing them of disturbing the peace and advocating unlawful customs (Acts 16:19-21). Without a proper trial, the magistrates had Paul and Silas severely beaten with rods and then thrown into the inner prison, with their feet fastened in the stocks (Acts 16:22-24). That night, while Paul and Silas prayed and sang hymns, a violent earthquake shook the prison, opening the doors and loosening everyone's chains. The jailer, assuming the prisoners had escaped, was about to kill himself but was stopped by Paul. This led to the jailer's and his household's conversion and baptism (Acts 16:25-34). Acts 16:35, set at daybreak, reveals the magistrates' response following the dramatic events of the night, marking a sudden change of heart, driven by underlying fears and unknown details to them.

Acts 16 35 Word analysis

• When it was day (ἡμέρας δὲ γενομένης - _hēmeras de genomenēs_): This phrase indicates the arrival of morning. It highlights the passage of a night filled with divine intervention (earthquake, conversions) and the subsequent return to civil order. The contrast between the dark, dramatic night and the calm, formal day is significant, emphasizing a shift from supernatural chaos to human action, even if influenced by the prior night's events.
• the magistrates (οἱ στρατηγοί - _hoi stratēgoi_): These were the chief civil and military officials of the Roman colony of Philippi, equivalent to the Latin `duoviri`. They possessed significant judicial authority, including the power to order arrest, scourging, and imprisonment. Their decision to release Paul and Silas signals a forced retreat from their previous rash and unlawful actions, which included scourging Roman citizens without trial, a grave offense under Roman law. This title highlights their authority and responsibility within the Roman system.
• sent (ἔπεμψαν - _epempsan_): A deliberate act. The sending implies a formal command from authority. Their action demonstrates an immediate official response rather than a personal visit, suggesting a desire to distance themselves from the affair.
• their officers (τοὺς ῥαβδούχους - _tous rhabdouchous_): Literally "rod-bearers" (from `rhabdos` "rod" and `echein` "to have/hold"), these were lictors, attendants to the Roman magistrates. They carried fasces (bundles of rods with an axe) as symbols of the magistrates' authority to enforce physical punishment. Sending these specific officials emphasizes the legal, albeit reluctantly issued, nature of the command and their role as enforcers of Roman law. Their presence reminds the audience of the power dynamic and the official chain of command.
• saying (λέγοντες - _legontes_): This indicates a direct instruction or command issued verbally through their representatives.
• 'Let those men go.' (Ἀπόλυσον τοὺς ἀνθρώπους ἐκείνους - _Apolyson tous anthrōpous ekeinous_): This imperative command signifies an order for release. "Those men" (τοὺς ἀνθρώπους ἐκείνους - _tous anthrōpous ekeinous_) specifically refers to Paul and Silas. The phrase implies an admission, albeit unstated, that their previous actions of imprisonment were unjust, or that there were now compelling reasons to avoid further complication, perhaps due to fear related to their illegal scourging of Roman citizens.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• When it was day, the magistrates: The timing is critical; the formal legal proceedings begin at daybreak, following the chaotic night. The officials who, the previous evening, unjustly ordered violence, are now compelled to act differently, showcasing divine influence over human authorities.
• sent their officers, saying: This is a formal legal directive. The magistrates do not go themselves but send their enforcers, signaling an attempt to manage a sensitive situation through official channels and maintain a semblance of control and dignity, rather than personal humility.
• 'Let those men go.': The terse, unambiguous command for release highlights the complete reversal of the previous evening's verdict. This turnaround, from violent incarceration to freedom, strongly implies a cause known only to God at this stage, setting up the subsequent revelation of Paul's Roman citizenship.

Acts 16 35 Bonus section

The seemingly straightforward command to "Let those men go" holds significant legal implications within the Roman context. Magistrates in Roman colonies had specific jurisdiction, and any abuse of their power, particularly against a Roman citizen, could lead to severe consequences for them, including heavy fines or even dismissal. The very act of scourging Roman citizens (Acts 16:22), confirmed by Paul later (Acts 22:25), was a serious transgression of Lex Valeria and Lex Porcia, Roman laws protecting citizens from corporal punishment without a formal trial and condemnation. While the verse doesn't yet mention Paul's citizenship, the magistrates' sudden urge for release and their desire to have Paul and Silas "depart from the city" (Acts 16:39) strongly suggest a rapidly growing awareness or fear of having violated Roman law and the potential repercussions for their careers. This incident highlights the careful interplay between divine intervention and the socio-political realities of the Roman Empire, showcasing God's ability to use human legal frameworks to protect His mission.

Acts 16 35 Commentary

Acts 16:35 succinctly records a profound shift in circumstances, reflecting divine sovereignty over human injustice. The magistrates' abrupt command for release, delivered through their lictors, directly contradicts their prior, illegal actions against Paul and Silas. While the verse doesn't explicitly state the reasons for this change of heart, it implies an unseen pressure at work. This pressure stems from the prior night's earthquake, the jailer's testimony (likely overheard by the officers), and the unstated awareness, soon to be revealed, of Paul's Roman citizenship and the grave offense the magistrates had committed by scourging Roman citizens without trial (Acts 22:25).

This passage serves as a powerful reminder of God's intervention in the lives of His servants and His ability to turn situations of intense persecution into avenues for the gospel's advancement. The legal and social embarrassment the magistrates now face underscores that while human authorities may inflict suffering, they are ultimately subject to a higher authority. God ensures His purpose prevails, even forcing reluctant officials to become instruments of His will. It highlights the divine protection of those dedicated to Christ's mission and shows how opposition can inadvertently contribute to the spread of Christianity by creating opportunities for powerful testimonies.

Practical examples:

• Perseverance in Trial: Christians facing unfair criticism or professional setbacks can draw strength, knowing God can turn situations around unexpectedly, as He did for Paul and Silas.
• Trusting God's Timing: The delay from imprisonment to morning release shows God often works on His own timeline, bringing about justice at the opportune moment.
• Divine Vindication: When facing unjust accusations, remember that God has ways to vindicate His people, sometimes through surprising turns of events involving those in authority.