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Acts 16:37

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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.

But {G1161} Paul {G3972} said {G5346} unto {G4314} them {G846}, They have beaten {G1194} us {G2248} openly {G1219} uncondemned {G178}, being {G5225} Romans {G4514}{G444}, and have cast {G906} us into {G1519} prison {G5438}; and {G2532} now {G3568} do they thrust {G1544} us {G2248} out {G1544} privily {G2977}? nay {G3756} verily {G1063}; but {G235} let them come {G2064} themselves {G846} and fetch {G1806} us {G2248} out {G1806}.

But Sha’ul said to the officers, “After flogging us in public when we hadn’t been convicted of any crime and are Roman citizens, they threw us in prison. Now they want to get rid of us secretly? Oh, no! Let them come and escort us out themselves!”

But 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!”

But Paul said unto them, They have beaten us publicly, uncondemned, men that are Romans, and have cast us into prison; and do they now cast us out privily? nay verily; but let them come themselves and bring us out.

Commentary

Context

Acts 16:37 captures a pivotal moment in the ministry of Paul and Silas in Philippi. Having been unjustly beaten and imprisoned on false accusations (see Acts 16:22), despite their miraculous deliverance and the subsequent conversion of the jailer (as detailed in Acts 16:33), the city magistrates sent officers to release them quietly. This verse records Paul's firm refusal to accept a clandestine release, demanding public acknowledgment of their innocence and the officials' wrongdoing.

Key Themes

  • Assertion of Rights: Paul, a Roman citizen, understood the grave violation committed against him and Silas. Roman law strictly protected citizens from public beating and imprisonment without a trial, especially if uncondemned. His statement highlights the importance of understanding and asserting one's legal rights, even in the face of persecution. This was not merely about personal comfort but about upholding justice.
  • Demand for Public Justice: Paul's insistence that the magistrates "come themselves and fetch us out" reveals his desire for public vindication. Being thrust out "privily" (secretly) would have implicitly confirmed guilt or at least allowed the authorities to escape accountability. Paul's demand ensured that the officials acknowledged their error publicly, thus protecting the reputation of the gospel message and the Christian community in Philippi.
  • Apostolic Dignity and Witness: Paul's action demonstrates the dignity of his apostolic calling and the importance of maintaining a clear witness. Allowing a secret release might have undermined the authority of his message and the integrity of the Christian faith in the eyes of the Philippian populace. His stand served as a powerful testimony to both believers and unbelievers.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "uncondemned, being Romans" is crucial. The Greek word for "uncondemned" is akatakritous (ἀκατακρίτους), which means "without trial" or "unconvicted." This emphasizes that Paul and Silas were beaten and imprisoned without any legal process or judgment, a direct violation of their rights as Roman citizens. The term "privily" (Greek: lathra, λάθρα) highlights the magistrates' attempt to secretly and quietly dismiss the apostles, hoping to avoid public embarrassment or repercussions for their unlawful actions.

Practical Application

This verse offers several lessons for believers today:

  • Standing for Justice: While Christians are called to suffer patiently for Christ (as seen in 1 Peter 4:12), Paul's example shows that there are times when it is appropriate to assert one's legal rights and demand justice, especially when the integrity of the gospel or the well-being of the Christian community is at stake.
  • Maintaining a Clear Witness: Our actions, even in difficult circumstances, can impact how the world perceives Christ. Paul's refusal of a secret release ensured that the truth prevailed publicly, demonstrating integrity and courage.
  • Wisdom in Persecution: Paul's strategic use of his Roman citizenship (also seen in Acts 22:25 and Acts 25:11) shows that divine wisdom can guide believers to use available legal and social structures for the advancement of the gospel, even amidst injustice.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Acts 22:25 (6 votes)

    And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said unto the centurion that stood by, Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman, and uncondemned?

  • Acts 22:29 (6 votes)

    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.

  • Acts 16:20 (3 votes)

    And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city,

  • Acts 16:24 (3 votes)

    Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.

  • Daniel 3:25 (3 votes)

    He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.

  • Daniel 3:26 (3 votes)

    Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace, [and] spake, and said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, ye servants of the most high God, come forth, and come [hither]. Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, came forth of the midst of the fire.

  • Matthew 10:16 (3 votes)

    Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.