Acts 16:39

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} they came {G2064} and besought {G3870} them {G846}, and {G2532} brought them out {G1806}, and desired {G2065} them to depart out {G1831} of the city {G4172}.

Complete Jewish Bible

They came and apologized to them; then, after escorting them out, requested them to leave the city.

Berean Standard Bible

They came to appease them and led them out, requesting that they leave the city.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 16:39 records the remarkable reversal of fortune for Paul and Silas in Philippi, as the very magistrates who had unjustly beaten and imprisoned them now humble themselves, coming to beseech the apostles, bring them out of the prison, and earnestly request their departure from the city. This verse powerfully underscores divine vindication, the consequences of injustice, and the strategic wisdom of God's servants in the face of persecution.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Acts 16:39 is the climactic resolution to a dramatic sequence of events in Philippi. The narrative begins with Paul and Silas's ministry, including the deliverance of a slave girl from a spirit of divination, which in turn incited her masters to stir up a mob against the missionaries. This led to their unlawful arrest, a severe public beating without trial, and imprisonment in the inner cell with their feet in stocks ([Acts 16:16-24](/acts/16-16-24 "Acts 16:16-24 - Paul and Silas in Philippi")). A miraculous earthquake, however, opened the prison doors and led to the conversion of the jailer and his household ([Acts 16:25-34](/acts/16-25-34 "Acts 16:25-34 - The Philippian Jailer's Conversion")). The following morning, when the magistrates sent word for their release, Paul asserted his Roman citizenship, demanding a public apology and release, as they had been unlawfully treated ([Acts 16:35-37](/acts/16-35-37 "Acts 16:35-37 - Paul's Assertion of Roman Citizenship")). Verse 39 details the magistrates' immediate and fearful response to this revelation, bringing the narrative arc of injustice and divine vindication to a powerful conclusion.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Philippi was a Roman colony, a city granted special privileges and governed by Roman law, often proud of its Roman identity. Roman citizens, like Paul, possessed specific legal rights, including protection from arbitrary arrest, public beating, and imprisonment without a proper trial. The magistrates (Latin: *duoviri* or *praetors*) were high-ranking officials responsible for maintaining order and administering justice. Violating the rights of a Roman citizen was a grave offense, potentially leading to severe penalties for the magistrates themselves, including fines, demotion, or even capital punishment. This fear explains their sudden change in demeanor from arrogant authority to humble supplication. Their public act of "bringing them out" and "beseeching them" was not merely a courtesy but a desperate attempt to mitigate their legal exposure and prevent further trouble from higher Roman authorities.
* **Key Themes:** Acts 16:39 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Acts and broader biblical theology. It highlights **Divine Vindication**, demonstrating God's active protection and defense of His persecuted servants against human injustice, turning a situation of suffering into one of triumph, as seen throughout the early church's history ([Acts 5:17-20](/acts/5-17-20 "Acts 5:17-20 - Peter and the Apostles Freed from Prison")). The verse also showcases a dramatic **Reversal of Fortune**, where the powerful oppressors are humbled before their victims, echoing the principle that "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble" ([James 4:6](/james/4-6 "James 4:6 - God Opposes the Proud")). Furthermore, it underscores the **Importance of Legal Rights** and strategic wisdom in ministry, as Paul's assertion of his Roman citizenship not only secured their release but also established a precedent for the nascent Christian community in Philippi, ensuring their public innocence and potentially deterring future abuses of power ([Acts 22:25-29](/acts/22-25-29 "Acts 22:25-29 - Paul's Roman Citizenship Protects Him")). Finally, it subtly illustrates **Missionary Prudence**, as Paul and Silas, despite their victory, wisely choose to depart, prioritizing the long-term growth and stability of the Philippian church over personal gratification or further confrontation ([Acts 16:40](/acts/16-40 "Acts 16:40 - Paul and Silas Depart Philippi")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **besought (Greek, _parakaléō_):** From G3870, meaning "to call near, i.e. invite, invoke (by imploration, hortation or consolation)." This word conveys a sense of earnest entreaty, urging, or appealing, far beyond a casual request. It indicates the magistrates' desperate plea, reflecting their fear and urgent desire to rectify their unlawful actions and avoid severe consequences.
* **brought them out (Greek, _exágō_):** From G1806, meaning "to lead forth, bring forth (out), fetch (lead) out." This term highlights the physical action of the magistrates personally escorting Paul and Silas out of the prison. This was a public act, demonstrating their submission and the official nature of the apostles' release, serving as a public acknowledgment of their innocence.
* **desired them to depart (Greek, _erōtáō_ G2065, _exérchomai_ G1831):** G2065 (_erōtáō_) means "to interrogate; by implication, to request, ask, beseech, desire, intreat, pray." G1831 (_exérchomai_) means "to issue (literally or figuratively); to come (forth, out), depart (out of), escape, get out, go (abroad, away, forth, out, thence), proceed (forth), spread abroad." The combination of these words emphasizes the magistrates' strong, urgent request for Paul and Silas to leave the city. This was not a polite suggestion but a desperate plea to remove the source of their legal peril and restore civic order, from their perspective.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they came and besought them":** This phrase marks a dramatic shift in the power dynamic. The magistrates, who had previously wielded their authority with arrogance and injustice, now approach Paul and Silas with humility and earnest supplication. Their "coming" to the prison and "beseeching" the prisoners underscores their fear and desperation to appease those they had wronged, recognizing the gravity of their unlawful actions against Roman citizens.
* **"and brought [them] out":** This action signifies the official and public nature of the release. It was not a quiet, private dismissal but a public escort by the very officials who had ordered their imprisonment. This act served as a public vindication for Paul and Silas, demonstrating that their release was not an escape but an official acknowledgment of the magistrates' error and the apostles' innocence.
* **"and desired [them] to depart out of the city":** The final clause reveals the magistrates' primary motivation: to remove the perceived threat and avoid further legal repercussions. Their "desire" for Paul and Silas to "depart" was an urgent request, born out of fear for their own positions and safety under Roman law. It highlights the profound impact Paul's assertion of citizenship had, transforming the officials' initial contempt into a desperate plea for the apostles' absence.

#### Literary Devices
Acts 16:39 is rich with **Irony** and **Dramatic Reversal**. The very individuals who held the power to inflict suffering and imprisonment are now reduced to humble supplication before their former prisoners. This complete turnaround from authority to subservience is a powerful instance of **Poetic Justice**, where the perpetrators of injustice are forced to acknowledge their wrongdoing and suffer the consequences of their actions. The narrative employs **Contrast** between the magistrates' initial arrogance and their subsequent fear, highlighting the vulnerability of human authority when confronted by divine protection and legal righteousness. The scene also functions as a form of **Divine Vindication**, where God orchestrates events to publicly clear the names of His servants and demonstrate His sovereignty over worldly powers.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 16:39 profoundly illustrates the principle of divine vindication and God's sovereign control over human authorities. It testifies that even in the face of grave injustice and suffering, God is at work to protect His people and advance His kingdom. The magistrates' forced humility serves as a powerful reminder that no human power can ultimately thwart God's purposes or escape His justice. This episode not only secured Paul and Silas's freedom but also publicly affirmed the legitimacy of their mission and the new Christian community in Philippi, laying a foundation for its future growth. It demonstrates that God uses various means, including legal rights and strategic wisdom, to ensure the Gospel's unhindered spread.

* [Psalm 34:19](/psalms/34-19 "Psalm 34:19 - Many are the afflictions of the righteous")
* [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride goes before destruction")
* [Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "Romans 8:28 - God works all things for good")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 16:39 offers profound lessons for believers navigating a world that often opposes the Gospel. It encourages us to trust in God's ultimate justice and vindication, even when circumstances seem overwhelmingly against us. Paul and Silas's experience reminds us that God can turn even the most dire situations into opportunities for His glory and the advancement of His kingdom. We are called to exercise wisdom and discernment, utilizing available legal and civil rights not for personal gain or revenge, but strategically for the sake of the Gospel and the protection of the church. Furthermore, the magistrates' humbling serves as a cautionary tale against the abuse of power and a testament to the transformative power of humility, even if born out of fear. Finally, Paul and Silas's decision to depart highlights the importance of strategic retreat in ministry, knowing when to move on to allow new spiritual seeds to take root and flourish without unnecessary confrontation, demonstrating a focus on the mission rather than personal triumph.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the magistrates' change of heart encourage you to trust in God's justice, even when you face injustice?**
* **In what ways can believers today wisely and ethically use their legal rights or societal structures to advance the Gospel or protect the church?**
* **What does this passage teach us about the consequences of abusing authority, and how might this apply to positions of influence we hold?**
* **When might it be prudent to "depart out of the city" after a spiritual victory, and how can we discern God's timing for such strategic moves?**

### FAQ

**Why were the magistrates so afraid of Paul and Silas after learning they were Roman citizens?**

Answer: The magistrates were terrified because they had committed a grave legal offense under Roman law. Roman citizens were protected from arbitrary arrest, public beating, and imprisonment without a proper trial. By ordering Paul and Silas to be severely beaten with rods and then imprisoned without due process ([Acts 16:22-23](/acts/16-22-23 "Acts 16:22-23 - Paul and Silas Beaten and Imprisoned")), the magistrates had violated fundamental Roman citizenship rights. Such an offense could lead to severe penalties for the magistrates themselves, including fines, demotion, or even capital punishment, especially if the matter was reported to higher Roman authorities. Their fear was not of Paul and Silas personally, but of the legal repercussions from Rome.

**Did Paul and Silas forgive the magistrates, or were they just using their citizenship for leverage?**

Answer: The text doesn't explicitly state whether Paul and Silas offered personal forgiveness to the magistrates, but their actions suggest a focus on strategic vindication for the sake of the Gospel rather than personal revenge. Paul's assertion of his Roman citizenship ([Acts 16:37](/acts/16-37 "Acts 16:37 - Paul's Assertion of Roman Citizenship")) was a strategic move to secure a public acknowledgment of their innocence, protect the nascent Christian community in Philippi, and establish a precedent against future abuses. Their subsequent departure ([Acts 16:40](/acts/16-40 "Acts 16:40 - Paul and Silas Depart Philippi")) indicates a wise decision to avoid further conflict and allow the church to grow. While personal forgiveness is a Christian virtue, Paul's immediate concern here was the integrity of the Gospel message and the safety of the believers.

**What was the broader significance of Paul's Roman citizenship in his ministry?**

Answer: Paul's Roman citizenship proved to be a crucial asset throughout his missionary journeys, often providing him with legal protection and strategic advantages. In Acts 16:39, it secured his and Silas's release and publicly vindicated them. Later, it protected him from scourging in Jerusalem ([Acts 22:25-29](/acts/22-25-29 "Acts 22:25-29 - Paul's Roman Citizenship Protects Him")) and allowed him to appeal to Caesar, ensuring his safe passage to Rome to preach the Gospel in the imperial capital ([Acts 25:10-12](/acts/25-10-12 "Acts 25:10-12 - Paul Appeals to Caesar")). His citizenship allowed him to navigate the Roman legal system, often turning potential obstacles into opportunities for spreading the Christian message to new audiences and places.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 16:39, while detailing Paul and Silas's personal vindication, powerfully foreshadows and reflects the ultimate triumph of Christ over all earthly powers and injustice. Just as Paul and Silas, though innocent, suffered unjustly before being publicly vindicated and released, so too was Jesus, the perfectly innocent Son of God, subjected to unjust trial, beating, and crucifixion. Yet, His suffering was not the end; God raised Him from the dead, vindicating Him supremely and establishing His eternal reign ([Philippians 2:8-11](/philippians/2-8-11 "Philippians 2:8-11 - Christ's Humiliation and Exaltation")). The magistrates' fear and humble plea in Acts 16:39 echo the future reality where "every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord" ([Philippians 2:10-11](/philippians/2-10-11 "Philippians 2:10-11 - Every Knee Bows to Jesus")). The episode in Philippi demonstrates that earthly authorities, no matter how powerful, are ultimately subject to God's sovereign will and the authority of His Christ. The "departing out of the city" by Paul and Silas, after their victory, can be seen as a microcosm of the church's mission, which, empowered by the resurrected Christ, continues to advance despite opposition, moving from place to place to proclaim the Good News, knowing that the ultimate victory has already been secured by the Lamb of God ([Revelation 5:12-13](/revelation/5-12-13 "Revelation 5:12-13 - Worthy is the Lamb")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Matthew 8:34

And, behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw him, they besought [him] that he would depart out of their coasts.

Mark 5:17

And they began to pray him to depart out of their coasts.

Isaiah 49:23

And kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and their queens thy nursing mothers: they shall bow down to thee with [their] face toward the earth, and lick up the dust of thy feet; and thou shalt know that I [am] the LORD: for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me.

Isaiah 45:14

Thus saith the LORD, The labour of Egypt, and merchandise of Ethiopia and of the Sabeans, men of stature, shall come over unto thee, and they shall be thine: they shall come 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.

Micah 7:9

I will bear the indignation of the LORD, because I have sinned against him, until he plead my cause, and execute judgment for me: he will bring me forth to the light, [and] I shall behold his righteousness.

Micah 7:10

Then [she that is] mine enemy shall see [it], and shame shall cover her which said unto me, Where is the LORD thy God? mine eyes shall behold her: now shall she be trodden down as the mire of the streets.

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 a great anger.