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◄ Acts 16:38►

New International Version
The officers reported this to the magistrates, and when they heard that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens, they were alarmed.

New Living Translation
When the police reported this, the city officials were alarmed to learn that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens.

English Standard Version
The police reported these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Roman citizens.

Berean Standard Bible
So the officers relayed this message to the magistrates, who were alarmed to hear that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens.

Berean Literal Bible
And the officers reported these words to the captains, and they were afraid, having heard that they are Romans.

King James Bible
And the serjeants told these words unto the magistrates: and they feared, when they heard that they were Romans.

New King James Version
And the officers told these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Romans.

New American Standard Bible
The officers reported these words to the chief magistrates. And they became fearful when they heard that they were Romans,

NASB 1995
The policemen reported these words to the chief magistrates. They were afraid when they heard that they were Romans,

NASB 1977
And the policemen reported these words to the chief magistrates. And they were afraid when they heard that they were Romans,

Legacy Standard Bible
And the policemen reported these words to the chief magistrates. They were afraid when they heard that they were Romans,

Amplified Bible
The officers reported this message to the chief magistrates, and when they heard that the prisoners were Romans, they were frightened;

Christian Standard Bible
The police reported these words to the magistrates. They were afraid when they heard that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then the police reported these words to the magistrates. They were afraid when they heard that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens.

American Standard Version
And the serjeants reported these words unto the magistrates: and they feared when they heard that they were Romans;

Contemporary English Version
When the police told the officials that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens, the officials were afraid.

English Revised Version
And the serjeants reported these words unto the magistrates: and they feared, when they heard that they were Romans;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The guards reported to the officials what Paul had said. When the Roman officials heard that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens, they were afraid.

Good News Translation
The police officers reported these words to the Roman officials; and when they heard that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens, they were afraid.

International Standard Version
The guards reported these words to the magistrates, and they became afraid when they heard that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens.

NET Bible
The police officers reported these words to the magistrates. They were frightened when they heard Paul and Silas were Roman citizens

New Heart English Bible
The sergeants reported these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Romans,

Webster's Bible Translation
And the sergeants told these words to the magistrates: and they feared when they heard that they were Romans.

Weymouth New Testament
This answer the lictors took back to the praetors, who were alarmed when they were told that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens.

Majority Text Translations

Majority Standard Bible
So the officers relayed this message to the magistrates, who were alarmed to hear that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens.

World English Bible
The sergeants reported these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Romans,

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And the rod-bearers told these sayings to the magistrates, and they were afraid, having heard that they are Romans,

Berean Literal Bible
And the officers reported these words to the captains, and they were afraid, having heard that they are Romans.

Young's Literal Translation
And the rod-bearers told to the magistrates these sayings, and they were afraid, having heard that they are Romans,

Smith's Literal Translation
And the bearer of the rod announced these words to the generals: and they were afraid, having heard that they are Romans.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And let us out themselves. And the serjeants told these words to the magistrates. And they were afraid, hearing that they were Romans.

Catholic Public Domain Version
and let us drive them away.” Then the attendants reported these words to the magistrates. And upon hearing that they were Romans, they were afraid.

New American Bible
The lictors reported these words to the magistrates, and they became alarmed when they heard that they were Roman citizens.

New Revised Standard Version
The police reported these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Roman citizens;

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And the lictors went and told the soliers these words which were told to them: and when they heard that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens, they were afraid.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And the Rod Bearers went and they told the Magistrates these words that were spoken to them, and when they heard that they were Romans, they were afraid.

NT Translations

Anderson New Testament
And the lictors told these words to the magistrates: and they were alarmed when they heard that they were Romans;

Godbey New Testament
And the lictors proclaimed these words to the magistrates. And hearing that they are Romans, they were alarmed;

Haweis New Testament
Then the lictors reported all these words to the magistrates: and they were terrified, when they heard they were Roman citizens.

Mace New Testament
the serjeants having reported what he said, to their officers, they began to be apprehensive upon hearing they were Romans.

Weymouth New Testament
This answer the lictors took back to the praetors, who were alarmed when they were told that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens.

Worrell New Testament
And the serjeants reported these words to the magistrates; and they were afraid, when they heard that they were Romans;

Worsley New Testament
And the serjeants reported these words to the governors: and they were afraid when they heard that they were Romans.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

An Official Apology
…37But Paul said to the officers, “They beat us publicly without a trial and threw us into prison, even though we are Roman citizens. And now do they want to send us away secretly? Absolutely not! Let them come themselves and escort us out!”38So the officers relayed this message to the magistrates,who were alarmed to hear that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens.39They came to appease them and led them out, requesting that they leave the city.…

Berean Standard Bible ·Download

Cross References

Acts 22:25-29
But as they stretched him out to strap him down, Paul said to the centurion standing there, “Is it lawful for you to flog a Roman citizen without a trial?” / On hearing this, the centurion went and reported it to the commander. “What are you going to do?” he said. “This man is a Roman citizen.” / The commander went to Paul and asked, “Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?” “Yes,” he answered. ...

Acts 25:10-12
Paul replied, “I am standing before the judgment seat of Caesar, where I ought to be tried. I have done nothing wrong to the Jews, as you yourself know very well. / If, however, I am guilty of anything worthy of death, I do not refuse to die. But if there is no truth to their accusations against me, no one has the right to hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar!” / Then Festus conferred with his council and replied, “You have appealed to Caesar. To Caesar you will go!”

Philippians 1:7
It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart. For in my chains and in my defense and confirmation of the gospel, you are all partners in grace with me.

2 Corinthians 11:25
Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked. I spent a night and a day in the open sea.

Matthew 10:18
On My account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles.

John 19:12
From then on, Pilate tried to release Him, but the Jews kept shouting, “If you release this man, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who declares himself a king is defying Caesar.”

Luke 23:4
Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no basis for a charge against this man.”

Mark 15:15
And wishing to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed Him over to be crucified.

Romans 13:3-4
For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the one in authority? Then do what is right, and you will have his approval. / For he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not carry the sword in vain. He is God’s servant, an agent of retribution to the wrongdoer.

1 Peter 2:13-14
Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to the king as the supreme authority, / or to governors as those sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do right.

Daniel 6:14-16
As soon as the king heard this, he was deeply distressed and set his mind on delivering Daniel, and he labored until sundown to rescue him. / Then the men approached the king together and said to him, “Remember, O king, that by the law of the Medes and Persians no decree or ordinance established by the king can be changed.” / So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the den of lions. The king said to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, deliver you!”

Esther 8:8
Now you may write in the king’s name as you please regarding the Jews, and seal it with the royal signet ring. For a decree that is written in the name of the king and sealed with the royal signet ring cannot be revoked.”

Jeremiah 26:16
Then the officials and all the people told the priests and prophets, “This man is not worthy of death, for he has spoken to us in the name of the LORD our God!”

Isaiah 54:17
No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their vindication is from Me,” declares the LORD.

Psalm 105:14-15
He let no man oppress them; He rebuked kings on their behalf: / “Do not touch My anointed ones! Do no harm to My prophets!”

Treasury of Scripture

And the sergeants told these words to the magistrates: and they feared, when they heard that they were Romans.

and they.

Acts 22:29
Then straightway they departed from him which should have examined him: and the chief captain also was afraid, after he knew that he was a Roman, and because he had bound him.

Matthew 14:5
And when he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.

Matthew 21:46
But when they sought to lay hands on him, they feared the multitude, because they took him for a prophet.

Jump to Previous

Account Afraid Alarmed Authorities Chief Citizens Fear Feared Full Heard Lictors Magistrates Officers Paul Police Policemen Praetors Reported Rod-Bearers Roman Romans Sayings Sergeants Serjeants Silas Words

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Acts 16

1.Paul and Silas are Joined by Timothy,
7.and being called by the Spirit from one country to another,
14.convert Lydia,
16.and cast out a spirit of divination;
19.for which cause they are whipped and imprisoned.
25.The prison doors are opened.
31.The jailor is converted,
35.and they are delivered.

Study Bible

Book ◦ Chapter

So the officers relayed this message to the magistrates
In the Roman colony of Philippi, the officers, likely lictors or attendants, served as intermediaries between the magistrates and the public. The magistrates, known as duumviri, were the chief officials responsible for maintaining order. The message being relayed was significant because it involved the legal status of Paul and Silas, who had been unjustly beaten and imprisoned without trial. This reflects the Roman legal system's emphasis on due process, especially for Roman citizens.

who were alarmed to hear that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens
Roman citizenship was a privileged status that afforded individuals certain legal protections, including the right to a fair trial and exemption from degrading punishments like flogging. The magistrates' alarm indicates their awareness of the severe consequences for violating these rights, which could include penalties or loss of office. This incident underscores the strategic use of Roman citizenship by Paul, who, as a Jew and a Roman citizen, navigated both cultural and legal landscapes effectively. The situation also highlights the broader theme of justice and divine providence in the spread of the Gospel, as seen in other parts of Acts where God intervenes to protect His messengers.

Persons / Places / Events

1.Paul
A key apostle in the early Christian church, known for his missionary journeys and epistles. In this context, he is imprisoned in Philippi.

2.Silas
A leader in the early church and companion of Paul on his missionary journeys. He is also imprisoned with Paul in Philippi.

3.Magistrates
Roman officials in Philippi responsible for maintaining law and order. They had ordered the beating and imprisonment of Paul and Silas.

4.Philippi
A Roman colony in Macedonia, significant for its strategic location and Roman citizenship privileges.

5.Roman Citizenship
A privileged status in the Roman Empire that afforded certain legal protections and rights, which Paul and Silas invoked.

Teaching Points

Understanding Legal Rights
Paul and Silas's invocation of their Roman citizenship teaches the importance of understanding and wisely using legal rights to further the Gospel.

God's Sovereignty in Persecution
Despite unjust treatment, God used the situation in Philippi to advance His kingdom, demonstrating His sovereignty even in persecution.

Courage in Adversity
Paul and Silas's boldness in the face of injustice encourages believers to stand firm in their faith, trusting God to work through difficult circumstances.

Witness through Suffering
Their experience in Philippi shows how suffering can be a powerful witness to others, as seen in the conversion of the jailer and his household.

The Power of Prayer and Praise
Earlier inActs 16, Paul and Silas pray and sing hymns in prison, illustrating the power of worship to transform dire situations.

Bible Study Questions and Answers

1.What is the meaning of Acts 16:38?

2.How does Acts 16:38 demonstrate the importance of knowing your legal rights?

3.What can we learn about God's justice from Acts 16:38?

4.How does Acts 16:38 connect with Romans 13:1-7 on authority?

5.How should Christians respond when authorities act unjustly, as seen in Acts 16:38?

6.How can Acts 16:38 encourage believers facing persecution today?

7.Why did the magistrates fear upon learning Paul and Silas were Roman citizens in Acts 16:38?

8.How does Acts 16:38 reflect on the treatment of Christians in the Roman Empire?

9.What legal rights did Roman citizenship confer in Acts 16:38?

10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Acts 16?

11.What did Roman citizenship mean for Paul?

12.What are the key events in Silas's biblical life?

13.Acts 22:27-29 - Did Roman citizenship function as described here, or is this portrayal inconsistent with known Roman law?

14.Who is authorized to perform a baptism?

What Does Acts 16:38 Mean

So the officers relayed this message to the magistrates

The scene picks up after Paul has sent word of his citizenship through the jailer (Acts 16:35-37). The “officers” (lit., lictors or police) carry Paul’s protest to their superiors. God is already reversing the injustice:

• Earlier these same officials had stripped, beaten, and imprisoned Paul and Silas without due process (Acts 16:22-24).

• Now they must become messengers for the very men they mistreated, showing how the Lord turns tables in His timing (Genesis 50:20;Psalm 76:10).

• The chain of communication underscores accountability. Civil authorities are never autonomous; they answer to higher authorities, and ultimately to God (Romans 13:1-4).

Who were alarmed to hear

The magistrates react with sudden fear. Why?

• Roman law made it a serious offense to flog or imprison a Roman citizen without a formal trial (Acts 22:25-29). Such abuse could bring severe penalties—even removal from office.

• Their alarm is heightened by the miraculous events of the night: the earthquake, open prison doors, and a suicidal jailer saved by grace (Acts 16:26-34). These wonders already hinted that God was backing His servants, intensifying the magistrates’ dread (Joshua 2:9-11;Daniel 6:24).

• Fear is an appropriate response when human authority discovers it has opposed both legal statute and divine purpose (John 19:8-11).

That Paul and Silas were Roman citizens

Citizenship in the Roman world carried concrete rights: exemption from degrading punishment, the right to appeal to Caesar, and formal trials. By revealing their status only after enduring suffering, Paul and Silas:

• Demonstrate willingness to share in Christ’s afflictions (Philippians 3:10;1 Peter 2:21-23).

• Protect the fledgling Philippian church. A public acknowledgment of wrongful treatment gives believers social legitimacy and deters future persecution (Acts 18:14-17).

• Highlight that God’s servants may lawfully use civil rights for the advance of the gospel (Acts 25:10-12), yet they never trust those rights more than God Himself (2 Corinthians 1:9).

• Model wisdom: sometimes silence furthers the mission (Acts 16:3), and at other times a firm stand exposes injustice (Proverbs 31:8-9).

summary

Acts 16:38 shows the swift shift from injustice to accountability. The officers become reluctant heralds; the magistrates, once bold in oppression, are shaken by their own illegal act against Roman citizens who are also God’s missionaries. The verse teaches that the Lord vindicates His people, that earthly authority is bound to both human law and divine oversight, and that believers may rightly invoke civic protections to defend the gospel while trusting God’s sovereign timing in every trial.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(38)They feared, when they heard that they were Romans.--It is clear that thestrategi did not consider their ignorance of St. Paul's citizenship a sufficient defence. They had acted illegally, and the consequence of that illegality went further than they counted on; but they could not, therefore, shake off their responsibility. They were liable to a prosecution, such as that which Cicero, for like offences, instituted against Verres. The tables were turned; the accused had become a possible accuser, and they, instead of hushing the matter up, were compelled to make something like a formal apology. We may well believe that St. Paul's motive in insisting on this, was less the satisfaction of his own honour, than a desire to impress upon thestrategi that they were not to over-ride or strain the law to gratify the passions of a mob.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 38.- Reported fortold, A.V.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Greek

[So]
δὲ(de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161:A primary particle; but, and, etc.

the
οἱ(hoi)
Article - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

officers
ῥαβδοῦχοι(rhabdouchoi)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 4465:A holder of the rods, a lictor, Roman officer, judge. From rhabdos and echo; a rod- holder, i.e. A Roman lictor.

relayed
Ἀπήγγειλαν(Apēngeilan)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 518:To report (from one place to another), bring a report, announce, declare. From apo and the base of aggelos; to announce.

this
ταῦτα(tauta)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3778:This; he, she, it.

message
ῥήματα(rhēmata)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 4487:From rheo; an utterance, ; by implication, a matter or topic; with a negative naught whatever.

to the
τοῖς(tois)
Article - Dative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

magistrates,
στρατηγοῖς(stratēgois)
Noun - Dative Masculine Plural
Strong's 4755:From the base of stratia and ago or hegeomai; a general, i.e. a governor, the chief of the temple-wardens.

[who]
δὲ(de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161:A primary particle; but, and, etc.

were alarmed
ἐφοβήθησαν(ephobēthēsan)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 5399:From phobos; to frighten, i.e. to be alarmed; by analogy, to be in awe of, i.e. Revere.

to hear
ἀκούσαντες(akousantes)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 191:To hear, listen, comprehend by hearing; pass: is heard, reported. A primary verb; to hear.

that
ὅτι(hoti)
Conjunction
Strong's 3754:Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.

[Paul and Silas] were
εἰσιν(eisin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1510:I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

Roman citizens.
Ῥωμαῖοί(Rhōmaioi)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 4514:Roman; subst: a Roman citizen. From Rhome; Romaean, i.e. Roman.

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NT Apostles: Acts 16:38 The sergeants reported these words to (Acts of the Apostles Ac)