Acts 16:36 kjv
And 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.
Acts 16:36 nkjv
So the keeper of the prison reported these words to Paul, saying, "The magistrates have sent to let you go. Now therefore depart, and go in peace."
Acts 16:36 niv
The jailer told Paul, "The magistrates have ordered that you and Silas be released. Now you can leave. Go in peace."
Acts 16:36 esv
And the jailer reported these words to Paul, saying, "The magistrates have sent to let you go. Therefore come out now and go in peace."
Acts 16:36 nlt
So the jailer told Paul, "The city officials have said you and Silas are free to leave. Go in peace."
Acts 16 36 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Acts 16:36 | And the keeper of the prison told this saying to Paul, If the magistrates have sent for thee to go, go thy way, and peace be to thee. | Paul and Silas freed |
| Acts 16:37 | But Paul said unto them, They have beaten us openly uncondemned, being Romans, and have cast us into prison; and now do they thrust us out privily? nay verily; but let them come themselves, and fetch us out. | Roman citizenship respected |
| Acts 22:25 | And as he was stretched out with the irons, Paul said to the centurion that stood by, Doth it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman, and uncondemned? | Roman rights defended |
| Acts 22:26 | When the centurion heard that, he went and told the chief captain, saying, Take heed what thou doest: for this man is a Roman. | Fear of Roman law |
| Acts 23:27 | Then the chief captain took him, and brought him unto him, and commanded me to keep him. | Higher authorities notified |
| Philippians 1:1 | Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: | Letter to Philippians |
| Philippians 4:14 | Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction. | Support from Philippi |
| Romans 13:1-7 | Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. | Submission to authority |
| Matthew 10:16 | Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. | Wisdom in dealing with authorities |
| 1 Corinthians 4:5 | Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God. | Waiting for ultimate justice |
| 2 Corinthians 11:25 | Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; | Persecution endured by Paul |
| 1 Peter 2:13-14 | Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors, as to them that are sent by him for the punishment of evil doers, and for the praise of them that do well. | Submission to governing authorities |
| Galatians 5:11 | And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased. | Persecution for the Gospel |
| John 15:18 | If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. | Persecution from the world |
| Ephesians 6:5 | Servants, be obedient unto them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in simplicity of your heart, as unto Christ; | Obeying earthly masters |
| Colossians 3:22 | Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: | Obedience in daily life |
| 1 Timothy 2:1-2 | I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. | Praying for authorities |
| Titus 3:1 | Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, and to be ready to every good work. | Subjection to magistrates |
| Acts 5:40 | And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak at all in the name of Jesus, and let them go. | Previous punishment of apostles |
| Acts 4:18 | And when they had called them, they commanded that they should not speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. | Previous warning against preaching |
Acts 16 verses
Acts 16 36 Meaning
The magistrates, after learning that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens, acknowledged their wrongdoing in having beaten them without trial. They then verbally requested them to depart from the city, showing a desire to resolve the situation quietly to avoid further repercussions from Roman authorities.
Acts 16 36 Context
Following a miraculous earthquake that freed Paul and Silas from prison in Philippi, the jailer, terrified for his life, believed and was baptized with his household. The magistrates, having previously ordered Paul and Silas to be scourged and imprisoned without a fair hearing, heard that these men were Roman citizens. Fearing the legal ramifications from Roman authorities for their illegal actions against citizens, they sent their lictors (officers) to the prison to release Paul and Silas. The jailer relayed the magistrates’ request for them to leave the city, implying a desire for discretion and to avoid further entanglement. This shows a shift in the officials' demeanor, moving from harshness to cautious diplomacy due to the revelation of Roman citizenship.
Acts 16 36 Word analysis
And (καὶ, kai): A conjunctive particle used to connect phrases or clauses, here linking the jailer's statement to the previous events.
the jailer (ὁ δεσμοφύλαξ, ho desmophylax): The warden or keeper of the prison. The term emphasizes his role in guarding prisoners.
told (ἀπαγγέλλων, apaggellōn): A present participle, indicating a continuous action or a report being given. He was informing Paul.
this (ταῦτα, tauta): Refers to the message he had just received or understood from the magistrates.
saying (λέγων, legōn): Another present participle, also indicating he was speaking or reporting.
If (εἰ, ei): A conditional particle, introducing a hypothetical situation.
the magistrates (οἱ στρατηγοὶ, hoi strategou): Literally "generals" or "commanders," but in this context, referring to the chief civic magistrates or rulers of the city, equivalent to what in Rome might be consuls or in other cities duumvirs. They held significant authority.
have sent for (ἐπιτάξαντες, epitaxantes): A perfect participle, signifying that the magistrates had given an order or command.
you (σε, se): The direct object, referring to Paul.
to go (πορευθῆναι, poreuthenai): An infinitive indicating movement or departure.
go your way (πορεύου, poreuou): An imperative, urging Paul to leave.
and (καὶ, kai): Conjunction.
peace (εἰρήνη, eirene): A common Jewish and Greek greeting or wish, meaning peace, welfare, prosperity.
be (ἔστω, estō): The third person singular present imperative of εἰμί (eimi), meaning "to be." "Let there be" or "be."
to thee (σοι, soi): The dative case of "you," indicating to whom the peace should extend.
The jailer's role: He was an official bound by the orders of the magistrates.
Magistrates' action: Their "sending for" and request for departure were a direct consequence of learning Paul and Silas were Roman citizens. This highlights the power and protection afforded by Roman citizenship.
The request to depart: It was not a summons to appear but a discreet way to resolve the issue without public confrontation or admitting their unlawful actions directly to Paul and Silas at that moment.
Acts 16 36 Bonus Section
The jailer’s concern for Paul and Silas’s departure, coupled with the wish for their peace, shows a recognition of their elevated status now that their Roman citizenship was revealed. It's a far cry from his previous role of forcefully locking them in the inner prison. This transition in the jailer’s perspective, and the magistrates’ subsequent actions, demonstrates how Roman law provided a critical safeguard, even in provinces far from Rome itself. This event paved the way for Paul’s eventual release and further ministry in Philippi, leading to the establishment of one of the Apostle Paul’s most beloved churches. The entire incident highlights Paul’s steadfastness and wisdom in asserting his rights while also operating within the broader framework of the established authorities, demonstrating reliance on God’s timing and providence.
Acts 16 36 Commentary
The jailer, understanding the gravity of the magistrates' predicament, acted as a messenger. His statement reflects a cautious approach, acknowledging Paul's status and the need for compliance with the new directive. The phrase "go your way, and peace be to you" indicates a desire for an amicable separation and to prevent further complications, signifying a shift from harsh enforcement to placating sensitive authorities. This moment underscores the societal structure and the fear of repercussions for violating the rights of Roman citizens.