The Meaning of Acts 16:37 Explained

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.

YLT: and Paul said to them, 'Having beaten us publicly uncondemned -- men, Romans being -- they did cast us to prison, and now privately do they cast us forth! why no! but having come themselves, let them bring us forth.'

Darby: But Paul said to them, Having beaten us publicly uncondemned, us who are Romans, they have cast us into prison, and now they thrust us out secretly? no, indeed, but let them come themselves and bring us out.

ASV: 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.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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. 

What does Acts 16:37 Mean?

Verse Meaning

The Roman government guaranteed its citizens a public trial and freedom from degrading punishment such as beatings. [1] Paul was now able to use his citizenship to advantage. He may have tried unsuccessfully to communicate his citizenship earlier during his arrest, or he may have waited for the right moment to do so. Apparently the magistrates did not challenge Paul"s claim (cf. Acts 22:27).
"How would one be able to demonstrate that he or she was a Roman citizen? Though Acts does not mention it, it is possible that Paul carried a testatio, a certified private copy of evidence of his birth and citizenship inscribed on the waxed surface of a wooden diptych, in a stereotypical five-part form ..." [2]
People who made a false claim to having Roman citizenship suffered death. [3] Paul"s claim here resulted not only in his own protection from mistreatment but in the authorities looking on his fellow believers with favor rather than abusing them. Paul undoubtedly demanded what he did for the progress of the gospel, not for personal glory or revenge (cf. Philippians 1:18).

Context Summary

Acts 16:25-40 - Salvation In The Jail
Some, as we have seen, are converted by the gentle opening of the heart; others amid the convulsions of the storm. The first knowledge of salvation may have reached the heart of the jailer through the saving of the possessed girl, Acts 16:17. If only the heart is right with Christ, it can sing in the darkest night; and the impression of those holy songs must have wrought still further upon the conscience of this rough Roman official, who had treated his prisoners with uncommon severity, Acts 16:24. The inner prison! Perhaps some of our readers have been in it! They have come to an end of themselves and their feet are fastened!
But God has His own way of deliverance and never forsakes His own. Art thou in the stocks today? Then pray and sing praises! Choose, for instance, Psalms 103:1-22. God will be thy very present help. Thou shalt win thy jailer, and become a monument of God's saving mercy. There is no course for the convicted sinner but to trust in the salvation wrought upon the Cross; or still better, in Him who wrought it.
Paul was perfectly justified in insisting upon his civil rights when he had the opportunity, Acts 16:37. It made the way easier for his new converts. [source]

Chapter Summary: 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

Greek Commentary for Acts 16:37

Unto them [προς αυτους]
The lictors by the jailor. The reply of Paul is a marvel of brevity and energy, almost every word has a separate indictment showing the utter illegality of the whole proceeding. [source]
They have beaten us [δειραντες ημας]
First aorist active participle of δερω — derō old verb to flay, to skin, to smite. The Lex Valeria b.c. 509 and the Lex Poscia b.c. 248 made it a crime to inflict blows on a Roman citizen. Cicero says, “To fetter a Roman citizen was a crime, to scourge him a scandal, to slay him--parricide.” Claudius had “deprived the city of Rhodes of its freedom for having crucified some citizen of Rome” (Rackham). Publicly (δημοσιαι — dēmosiāi). This added insult to injury. Common adverb (οδωι — hodōi) supplied with adjective, associative instrumental case, opposed to ιδιαι — idiāi or κατ οικους — kat' oikous Acts 20:20) Uncondemned This same verbal adjective from κατακρινω — katȧkrinō with α — a privative is used by Paul in Acts 22:25 and nowhere else in the N.T. Rare in late Greek like ακαταγνωστος — akatagnōstos but in late Koiné (papyri, inscriptions). The meaning is clearly “without being tried.” Paul and Silas were not given a chance to make a defence. They were sentenced unheard (Acts 25:16). Even slaves in Roman law had a right to be heard. Men that are Romans (αντρωπους ομαιους υπαρχοντας — anthrōpous Romaious huparchontas). The praetors did not know, of course, that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens any more than Lysias knew it in Acts 22:27. Paul‘s claim is not challenged in either instance. It was a capital offence to make a false claim to Roman citizenship. Have cast us into prison Second aorist active indicative of βαλλω — ballō old verb, with first aorist ending as often in the Koiné This was the climax, treating them as criminals. And now privily (και νυν λατραι — kai nun lathrāi). Paul balances their recent conduct with the former. Nay verily, but No indeed! It is the use of γεαρα — gar so common in answers As a public acknowledgment that they had wronged and mistreated Paul and Silas. Let them come themselves and lead us out (εχαγω — exagagetōsan third person plural second aorist active imperative of exagō). It was a bitter pill to the proud praetors. [source]
Publicly [δημοσιαι]
This added insult to injury. Common adverb (οδωι — hodōi) supplied with adjective, associative instrumental case, opposed to ιδιαι — idiāi or κατ οικους — kat' oikous Acts 20:20) [source]
Uncondemned [ακατακριτους]
This same verbal adjective from κατακρινω — katȧkrinō with α — a privative is used by Paul in Acts 22:25 and nowhere else in the N.T. Rare in late Greek like ακαταγνωστος — akatagnōstos but in late Koiné (papyri, inscriptions). The meaning is clearly “without being tried.” Paul and Silas were not given a chance to make a defence. They were sentenced unheard (Acts 25:16). Even slaves in Roman law had a right to be heard. Men that are Romans (αντρωπους ομαιους υπαρχοντας — anthrōpous Romaious huparchontas). The praetors did not know, of course, that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens any more than Lysias knew it in Acts 22:27. Paul‘s claim is not challenged in either instance. It was a capital offence to make a false claim to Roman citizenship. Have cast us into prison Second aorist active indicative of βαλλω — ballō old verb, with first aorist ending as often in the Koiné This was the climax, treating them as criminals. And now privily (και νυν λατραι — kai nun lathrāi). Paul balances their recent conduct with the former. Nay verily, but No indeed! It is the use of γεαρα — gar so common in answers As a public acknowledgment that they had wronged and mistreated Paul and Silas. Let them come themselves and lead us out (εχαγω — exagagetōsan third person plural second aorist active imperative of exagō). It was a bitter pill to the proud praetors. [source]
Men that are Romans [αντρωπους ομαιους υπαρχοντας]
The praetors did not know, of course, that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens any more than Lysias knew it in Acts 22:27. Paul‘s claim is not challenged in either instance. It was a capital offence to make a false claim to Roman citizenship. [source]
Have cast us into prison [εβαλαν εις πυλακην]
Second aorist active indicative of βαλλω — ballō old verb, with first aorist ending as often in the Koiné This was the climax, treating them as criminals. And now privily (και νυν λατραι — kai nun lathrāi). Paul balances their recent conduct with the former. Nay verily, but No indeed! It is the use of γεαρα — gar so common in answers As a public acknowledgment that they had wronged and mistreated Paul and Silas. Let them come themselves and lead us out (εχαγω — exagagetōsan third person plural second aorist active imperative of exagō). It was a bitter pill to the proud praetors. [source]
And now privily [και νυν λατραι]
Paul balances their recent conduct with the former. [source]
Nay verily, but [ου γαρ αλλα]
No indeed! It is the use of γεαρα — gar so common in answers As a public acknowledgment that they had wronged and mistreated Paul and Silas. Let them come themselves and lead us out (εχαγω — exagagetōsan third person plural second aorist active imperative of exagō). It was a bitter pill to the proud praetors. [source]
Themselves [εχαγαγετωσαν]
As a public acknowledgment that they had wronged and mistreated Paul and Silas. Let them come themselves and lead us out It was a bitter pill to the proud praetors. [source]
They have beaten us publicly, uncondemned, men that are Romans []
Hackett remarks that “almost every word in this reply contains a distinct allegation. It would be difficult to find or frame a sentence superior to it in point of energetic brevity.” Cicero in his oration against Verres relates that there was a Roman citizen scourged at Messina; and that in the midst of the noise of the rods, nothing was heard from him but the words, “I am a Roman citizen.” He says: “It is a dreadful deed to bind a Roman citizen; it is a crime to scourge him; it is almost parricide to put him to death. ” [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Acts 16:37

Acts 22:25 Roman []
See on Acts 16:37. [source]
Acts 15:40 Commended [παραδοτεις]
First aorist passive of παραδιδωμι — paradidōmi the same verb employed about Paul and Barnabas (Acts 14:26) on their return from the first tour. It is clear now that the sympathy of the church at Antioch is with Paul rather than with Barnabas in the cleavage that has come. The church probably recalled how in the pinch Barnabas flickered and went to the side of Peter and that it was Paul who for the moment stood Paulus contra mundum for Gentile liberty in Christ against the threat of the Judaizers from Jerusalem. Silas had influence in the church in Jerusalem (Acts 15:22) and was apparently a Roman citizen (Acts 16:37) also. He is the Silas or Silvanus of the epistles (1 Thessalonians 1:1; 2 Thessalonians 1:1; 2 Corinthians 1:19; 1 Peter 5:12). It is remarkable that Peter mentions both Mark and Silas as with him (1 Peter 5:12.) at the same time. [source]
Acts 16:22 Rent their garments off them [περιρηχαντες αυτων τα ιματια]
First aorist active participle of περιρηγνυμι — perirēgnumi old verb, to break off all around, to strip or rend all round. Here only in the N.T. The duumvirs probably gave orders for Paul and Silas to be stripped of their outer garments As a Roman citizen this was unlawful, but the duumvirs looked on Paul and Silas as vagabond and seditious Jews and “acted with the highhandedness characteristic of the fussy provincial authorities” (Knowling). Commanded (εκελευον — ekeleuon). Imperfect active, repeatedly ordered. The usual formula of command was: “Go, lictors; strip off their garments; let them be scourged.” To beat them with rods Present active infinitive of ραβδιζω — rhabdizō old verb, but in the N.T.=virgis caedere only here and 2 Corinthians 11:25 where Paul alludes to this incident and two others not given by Luke He came near getting another in Jerusalem (Acts 22:25). Why did not Paul say here that he was a Roman citizen as he does later (Acts 16:37) and in Jerusalem (Acts 22:26.)? It might have done no good in this hubbub and no opportunity was allowed for defence of any kind. [source]
Acts 16:22 To beat them with rods [ραβδιζειν]
Present active infinitive of ραβδιζω — rhabdizō old verb, but in the N.T.=virgis caedere only here and 2 Corinthians 11:25 where Paul alludes to this incident and two others not given by Luke He came near getting another in Jerusalem (Acts 22:25). Why did not Paul say here that he was a Roman citizen as he does later (Acts 16:37) and in Jerusalem (Acts 22:26.)? It might have done no good in this hubbub and no opportunity was allowed for defence of any kind. [source]
Acts 18:28 Publicly [δημοσιαι]
See note on Acts 5:18; and note on Acts 16:37. In open meeting where all could see the victory of Apollos. [source]
Acts 22:25 Is it lawful? [ει εχεστιν]
This use of ει — ei in indirect questions we have had before (Acts 1:6). A Roman and uncondemned (ομαιον και ακατακριτον — Romaion kai akatakriton). Just as in Acts 16:37 which see. Blass says of Paul‘s question: Interrogatio subironica esto4 confidentiae plena. [source]
Acts 22:25 A Roman and uncondemned [ομαιον και ακατακριτον]
Just as in Acts 16:37 which see. Blass says of Paul‘s question: Interrogatio subironica esto4 confidentiae plena. [source]
Acts 18:28 Confuted [διακατηλεγχετο]
Imperfect middle of the double compound verb διακατελεγχομαι — diȧkaṫelegchomai to confute with rivalry in a contest, here alone. The old Greek has διελεγχω — dielegchō to convict of falsehood, but not this double compound which means to argue down to a finish. It is the imperfect tense and does not mean that Apollos convinced these rabbis, but he had the last word. Publicly (δημοσιαι — dēmosiāi). See note on Acts 5:18; and note on Acts 16:37. In open meeting where all could see the victory of Apollos. Shewing Present active participle of επιδεικνυμι — epideiknumi old verb to set forth so that all see. By the Scriptures (δια των γραπων — dia tōn graphōn). In which Apollos was so “mighty” (Acts 18:24) and the rabbis so weak for they knew the oral law better than the written (Mark 7:8-12). That Jesus was the Christ Infinitive and the accusative in indirect assertion. Apollos proclaims the same message that Paul did everywhere (Acts 17:3). He had not yet met Paul, but he had been instructed by Priscilla and Aquila. He is in Corinth building on the foundation laid so well by Paul (1 Corinthians 3:4-17). Luke has here made a brief digression from the story of Paul, but it helps us understand Paul better There are those who think that Apollos wrote Hebrews, a guess that may be correct. [source]
Acts 22:25 With the thongs [τοις ιμασιν]
If the instrumental case of ιμας — himas old word for strap or thong (for sandals as Mark 1:7, or for binding criminals as here), then Paul was bent forward and tied by the thongs to a post in front to expose his back the better to the scourges. But τοις ιμασιν — tois himasin may be dative case and then it would mean “for the lashes.” In either case it is a dreadful scene of terrorizing by the chiliarch. Unto the centurion that stood by (προς τον εστωτα εκατονταρχον — pros ton hestōta hekatontarchon). He was simply carrying out the orders of the chiliarch (cf. Matthew 27:54). Why had not Paul made protest before this? Is it lawful? This use of ει — ei in indirect questions we have had before (Acts 1:6). A Roman and uncondemned (ομαιον και ακατακριτον — Romaion kai akatakriton). Just as in Acts 16:37 which see. Blass says of Paul‘s question: Interrogatio subironica esto4 confidentiae plena. [source]
2 Corinthians 11:23 Stripes above measure [ὑπερβαλλόντως]
This peculiar form of suffering is emphasized by details. He specifies three Roman scourgings, and five at the hands of the Jews. Of the former, only one is recorded, that at Philippi (Acts 16:22, Acts 16:23. See on Acts 22:25), and none of the latter. The Jewish scourge consisted of two thongs made of calf's or ass's skin, passing through a hole in a handle. Thirteen blows were inflicted on the breast, thirteen on the right, and thirteen on the left shoulder. The law in Deuteronomy 25:3permitted forty blows, but only thirty-nine were given, in order to avoid a possible miscount. During the punishment the chief judge read aloud Deuteronomy 28:58, Deuteronomy 28:59; Deuteronomy 29:9; Acts href="/desk/?q=ac+16:37&sr=1">Acts 16:37), and from well-known instances of the scourging of even senators under the Empire. [source]
2 Corinthians 11:25 Thrice was I beaten with rods [τρις ερραβδιστην]
Roman (Gentile) punishment. It was forbidden to Roman citizens by the Lex Porcia, but Paul endured it in Philippi (Acts 16:23, Acts 16:37), the only one of the three named in Acts. First aorist passive of ραβδιζω — rabdizō from ραβδος — rabdos rod, Koiné{[28928]}š word, in N.T. only here and Acts 16:22 which see. [source]
1 Thessalonians 1:1 Silvanus []
The Silas of the Acts, where alone the form Σίλας occurs. By Paul always Σιλουανός , of which Σίλας is a contraction, as Λουκᾶς from Λουκανός . Similar contractions occur in Class., as Ἁλεξᾶς for Ἁλέξανδρος for Ἁλέξανδρος , and that for Ἁρτεμίδωρος . Silas first appears in Acts 15:22, as one of the bearers of the letter to the Gentile Christians at Antioch. He accompanied Paul on his second missionary tour, and was left behind with Timothy when Paul departed from Macedonia after his first visit. He was probably a Jewish Christian (see Acts 16:20), and was, like Paul, a Roman citizen (Acts 16:37, Acts 16:38). Hence his Roman name. He cannot with any certainty be identified with the Silvanus of 1 Peter 5:12. [source]
James 2:25 Sent them out [ἐκβαλοῦσα]
Better, thrust them forth, implying haste and fear. Compare Mark 1:12; Luke 4:29; Acts 16:37. [source]

What do the individual words in Acts 16:37 mean?

- But Paul was saying to them Having beaten us publicly uncondemned men Romans being they cast [us] into prison and now secretly do they throw out No indeed Instead having come themselves let them bring out
δὲ Παῦλος ἔφη πρὸς αὐτούς Δείραντες ἡμᾶς δημοσίᾳ ἀκατακρίτους ἀνθρώπους Ῥωμαίους ὑπάρχοντας ἔβαλαν εἰς φυλακήν καὶ νῦν λάθρᾳ ἐκβάλλουσιν οὐ γάρ ἀλλὰ ἐλθόντες αὐτοὶ ἐξαγαγέτωσαν

  - 
Parse: Article, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
Παῦλος  Paul 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: Παῦλος  
Sense: Paul was the most famous of the apostles and wrote a good part of the NT, the 4 Pauline epistles.
ἔφη  was  saying 
Parse: Verb, Imperfect Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: φημί  
Sense: to make known one’s thoughts, to declare.
Δείραντες  Having  beaten 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Participle Active, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: δέρω  
Sense: to flay, skin.
ἡμᾶς  us 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Accusative 1st Person Plural
Root: ἐγώ  
Sense: I, me, my.
δημοσίᾳ  publicly 
Parse: Adjective, Dative Feminine Singular
Root: δημόσιος  
Sense: belonging to the people or state, public.
ἀκατακρίτους  uncondemned 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Masculine Plural
Root: ἀκατάκριτος  
Sense: uncondemned, punished without being tried.
ἀνθρώπους  men 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Plural
Root: ἄνθρωπος  
Sense: a human being, whether male or female.
Ῥωμαίους  Romans 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Masculine Plural
Root: Ῥωμαῖος  
Sense: a resident of the city of Rome, a Roman citizen.
ὑπάρχοντας  being 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Active, Accusative Masculine Plural
Root: ὑπάρχω  
Sense: to begin below, to make a beginning.
ἔβαλαν  they  cast  [us] 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Plural
Root: βάλλω 
Sense: to throw or let go of a thing without caring where it falls.
εἰς  into 
Parse: Preposition
Root: εἰς  
Sense: into, unto, to, towards, for, among.
φυλακήν  prison 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: φυλακή  
Sense: guard, watch.
νῦν  now 
Parse: Adverb
Root: νῦν  
Sense: at this time, the present, now.
λάθρᾳ  secretly 
Parse: Adverb
Root: λάθρᾳ 
Sense: secretly.
ἐκβάλλουσιν  do  they  throw  out 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 3rd Person Plural
Root: ἐκβάλλω  
Sense: to cast out, drive out, to send out.
οὐ  No 
Parse: Adverb
Root: οὐ  
Sense: no, not; in direct questions expecting an affirmative answer.
γάρ  indeed 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: γάρ  
Sense: for.
ἀλλὰ  Instead 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: ἀλλά  
Sense: but.
ἐλθόντες  having  come 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Participle Active, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: ἔρχομαι  
Sense: to come.
αὐτοὶ  themselves 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Nominative Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Root: αὐτός  
Sense: himself, herself, themselves, itself.
ἐξαγαγέτωσαν  let  them  bring  out 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Imperative Active, 3rd Person Plural
Root: ἐξάγω  
Sense: to lead out.