Acts 16 37

Acts 16:37 kjv

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.

Acts 16:37 nkjv

But Paul said to them, "They have beaten us openly, uncondemned Romans, and have thrown us into prison. And now do they put us out secretly? No indeed! Let them come themselves and get us out."

Acts 16:37 niv

But Paul said to the officers: "They beat us publicly without a trial, even though we are Roman citizens, and threw us into prison. And now do they want to get rid of us quietly? No! Let them come themselves and escort us out."

Acts 16:37 esv

But Paul said to them, "They have beaten us publicly, uncondemned, men who are Roman citizens, and have thrown us into prison; and do they now throw us out secretly? No! Let them come themselves and take us out."

Acts 16:37 nlt

But Paul replied, "They have publicly beaten us without a trial and put us in prison ? and we are Roman citizens. So now they want us to leave secretly? Certainly not! Let them come themselves to release us!"

Acts 16 verses

Acts 16 37 Meaning

Acts 16:37 details Paul's sharp and strategic response to the Philippian magistrates' attempt to secretly release him and Silas after an illegal beating and imprisonment. Having been publicly scourged without trial, despite being Roman citizens, Paul insists that the magistrates themselves must come to release them publicly. This demand serves not only to assert their legal rights but more importantly, to ensure the public vindication of the gospel messengers and their message, setting a clear boundary against unlawful treatment by authorities.

Acts 16 37 Context

Acts 16:37 immediately follows the miraculous events in Philippi where Paul and Silas were arrested, scourged, and imprisoned after Paul cast a demon out of a slave girl. The owners, enraged by the loss of their revenue, stirred up the crowd, accusing Paul and Silas of disturbing the city and advocating unlawful customs (Acts 16:19-21). Despite their Roman citizenship, they were unjustly beaten with rods, or scourged, publicly, without a trial, and then thrown into the innermost cell (Acts 16:22-24). That night, an earthquake opened the prison doors and loosened their bonds, leading to the conversion of the jailer and his household (Acts 16:25-34). The next morning, the magistrates, now aware of the earthquake and perhaps of the unlawful nature of their actions, sent officers to release Paul and Silas quietly (Acts 16:35-36). This verse captures Paul's firm refusal of a secret dismissal, demanding public rectification. Philippi was a Roman colony, enjoying special legal privileges, making the magistrates' violation of Roman citizen rights particularly severe and consequential.

Acts 16 37 Word analysis

• But Paul said: Indicating a firm, intentional declaration by Paul, rooted in his understanding of justice and mission.
• to them: Directed towards the lictors (rodsmen/officers) who were delivering the magistrates' message, but implicitly a challenge to the magistrates themselves.
• They have beaten us publicly:
  • δείραντες (deirantes): From δέρμα (derma, "skin"), meaning to flay, whip, or severely beat, often causing skin damage. It implies a brutal flogging.
  • ἡμᾶς (hēmas): "Us," referring to both Paul and Silas.
  • δημοσίᾳ (dēmosia): "Publicly, in public view." This emphasizes the open nature of the offense and the ensuing public shame and humiliation intended by the accusers and magistrates. It highlights the gravity of the legal violation, as Roman citizens were entitled to public trials.
• uncondemned:
  • ἀκατακρίτους (akatakritous): "Uncondemned, unjudged, without trial." This is the core of the legal violation. Roman law strictly prohibited the beating, particularly flogging, of a Roman citizen without a proper judicial hearing and conviction. This refers to the Porcian Law and Sempronian Law.
• men who are Roman citizens:
  • ἀνθρώπους Ῥωμαίους (anthrōpous Rhōmaious): "Men, Romans." The term Rhōmaious directly states their citizenship. This status bestowed extensive legal protections and prestige throughout the Roman Empire. Its late disclosure highlights Paul's strategic approach, choosing when to use his rights.
• and have thrown us into prison: Another layer of illegal action, taken without proper charge or trial, though secondary in severity to the scourging of Roman citizens.
• And now do they secretly send us away?:
  • καὶ νῦν (kai nyn): "And now," signaling a shift in the narrative and an ironic challenge.
  • λάθρᾳ (lathra): "Secretly, privately, stealthily." This emphasizes the magistrates' desire to cover up their error and avoid further public scandal or legal repercussions from Rome.
  • ἐκβάλλουσιν; (ekballousin?): "Do they cast us out, drive us away?" The interrogative indicates Paul's strong disapproval and refusal of such a clandestine release.
• No indeed! A decisive and emphatic refusal, often rendered οὐ γάρ or similar in Greek, though here context suggests a strong negation.
• Let them come themselves: αὐτοὶ ἐλθόντες (autoi elthontes): "They themselves having come." A direct demand that the magistrates, not their officers, perform the release.
• and take us out: Indicating a desire for public escort and vindication, counteracting the public shame inflicted upon them.

Acts 16 37 Bonus section

• Roman Law Violation: The magistrates violated ius provocationis (the right to appeal) and lex Porcia / lex Sempronia which prohibited flogging a Roman citizen without trial. The punishment for such an offense against a Roman citizen was severe, often a heavy fine or even death. Paul’s revelation struck fear (ἐφοβήθησαν, Acts 16:38) into the magistrates because their careers, or worse, could be on the line if the matter was reported to higher Roman authority.
• Strategic Timing: Paul did not use his citizenship before the beating, allowing God to work supernaturally (the earthquake). This demonstrated that God can work through unjust suffering. However, he invoked it after for the sake of the church's reputation and legal protection, showing wisdom in choosing the moment. This established a critical precedent for Christians in a Roman colony, deterring similar abuses in the future and carving out space for gospel proclamation.
• Beyond Personal Rights: Paul's demand was not for personal revenge or convenience, but for public justice that would remove the stigma from the gospel message itself. If Paul and Silas had slipped away quietly, it might have lent credence to the accusation that they were lawbreakers. By forcing the magistrates' public apology and escort, they were formally cleared of any wrongdoing by the very authorities who had condemned them.

Acts 16 37 Commentary

Acts 16:37 showcases Paul's principled stand for justice and the integrity of the gospel. His initial willingness to endure an unjust beating, without revealing his Roman citizenship, facilitated the dramatic prison earthquake and the jailer's conversion, displaying God's power through suffering. However, when the authorities sought a quiet cover-up, Paul strategically invoked his rights. This wasn't merely personal indignation; it was a demand for public vindication of ministers of the gospel. The illegal scourging and imprisonment of Roman citizens uncondemned (akatakritous) was a grave offense, threatening the public perception of Christianity as a seditious cult. Paul's refusal of a secret (lathra) release compelled the magistrates to acknowledge their error publicly (δημοσίᾳ), which protected the early church in Philippi, secured the missionaries' dignity, and provided a safer foundation for future evangelism by showing the authorities could not arbitrarily oppress them. His actions exemplified wisdom in being wise as serpents and innocent as doves (Mt 10:16), navigating a hostile legal system not to avoid all suffering but to strategically use his legal standing to advance the Kingdom and shield the message of Christ.