Acts 16:39

39 so they came and apologized to them. And they took them out and asked them to leave the city.

Acts 16:39 Meaning and Commentary

Acts 16:39

And they came
To the prison in person, as Paul had insisted on they should:

and besought them;
that they would put up the injury that had been done them, and quietly depart out of prison:

and brought them out;
that is, out of prison; took them by the arms, and led them out, as they had put them in, which was what the apostle required:

and desired them to depart out of the city;
lest there should be any further disturbance about them: in Beza's most ancient copy, and in another manuscript copy, this verse is read thus, and which more clearly explains the passage;

``and they came with many friends unto the prison, and desired them to go out, saying, we are not ignorant of your case, that you are righteous men; and bringing them out they besought them, saying, go out of this city, lest they (the people) should turn again upon you, crying against you;''

which looks as if they took along with them some persons, who were friends to the apostles as well as to them, to prevail upon them to depart quietly; and they excuse themselves by attributing what had passed to popular rage and fury, and pretend they consulted the safety of the apostles, by desiring them to go out of the city.

Acts 16:39 In-Context

37 But Paul replied, "They have beaten us in public, uncondemned, men who are Roman citizens, and have thrown us into prison; and now are they going to discharge us in secret? Certainly not! Let them come and take us out themselves."
38 The police reported these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Roman citizens;
39 so they came and apologized to them. And they took them out and asked them to leave the city.
40 After leaving the prison they went to Lydia's home; and when they had seen and encouraged the brothers and sisters there, they departed.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.