King James Version

What Does Acts 16:37 Mean?

Acts 16:37 in the King James Version says “But Paul said unto them, They have beaten us openly uncondemned, being Romans , and have cast us into prison; and now do... — study this verse from Acts chapter 16 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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 · KJV


Context

35

And when it was day, the magistrates sent the serjeants, saying, Let those men go.

36

And the keeper of the prison told this saying to Paul, The magistrates have sent to let you go: now therefore depart, and go in peace.

37

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.

38

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

39

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


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
'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.' Paul insisted on public vindication, not for personal honor but to protect the Philippian church. His Roman citizenship, previously unmentioned, now served strategic purpose. Public wrong required public redress.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Roman citizenship was precious (Acts 22:28). Beating citizens without trial violated Porcian and Valerian laws. Paul's strategic use of citizenship protected both himself and the church from future persecution.

Reflection Questions

  1. When should Christians assert legal rights versus suffer injustice quietly?
  2. How can we use social privileges to advance the gospel and protect others?
  3. What's the difference between seeking personal vindication and protecting God's people?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 28 words
1 of 28
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

δὲ2 of 28

But

G1161

but, and, etc

Παῦλος3 of 28

Paul

G3972

(little; but remotely from a derivative of g3973, meaning the same); paulus, the name of a roman and of an apostle

ἔφη4 of 28

said

G5346

to show or make known one's thoughts, i.e., speak or say

πρὸς5 of 28

unto

G4314

a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,

αὐτοὶ6 of 28

them

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

Δείραντες7 of 28

They have beaten

G1194

properly, to flay, i.e., (by implication) to scourge, or (by analogy) to thrash

ἡμᾶς8 of 28

us

G2248

us

δημοσίᾳ9 of 28

openly

G1219

public; (feminine singular dative case as adverb) in public

ἀκατακρίτους10 of 28

uncondemned

G178

without (legal) trial

ἀνθρώπους11 of 28
G444

man-faced, i.e., a human being

Ῥωμαίους12 of 28

Romans

G4514

romaean, i.e., roman (as noun)

ὑπάρχοντας13 of 28

being

G5225

to begin under (quietly), i.e., come into existence (be present or at hand); expletively, to exist (as copula or subordinate to an adjective, particip

ἔβαλον14 of 28

and have cast

G906

to throw (in various applications, more or less violent or intense)

εἰς15 of 28

us into

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

φυλακήν16 of 28

prison

G5438

a guarding or (concretely, guard), the act, the person; figuratively, the place, the condition, or (specially), the time (as a division of day or nigh

καὶ17 of 28

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

νῦν18 of 28

now

G3568

"now" (as adverb of date, a transition or emphasis); also as noun or adjective present or immediate

λάθρᾳ19 of 28

privily

G2977

privately

ἡμᾶς20 of 28

us

G2248

us

ἐκβάλλουσιν21 of 28

do they thrust

G1544

to eject (literally or figuratively)

οὐ22 of 28

nay

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

γάρ23 of 28

verily

G1063

properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)

ἀλλὰ24 of 28

but

G235

properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)

ἐλθόντες25 of 28

let them come

G2064

to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

αὐτοὶ26 of 28

them

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ἡμᾶς27 of 28

us

G2248

us

ἐξαγαγέτωσαν28 of 28

and fetch

G1806

to lead forth


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Acts. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Acts 16:37 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Acts 16:37 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study