Acts 16:39

39 They came to appease them and escorted them from the prison, requesting them to leave the city.

Acts 16:39 in Other Translations

KJV
39 And they came and besought them, and brought them out, and desired them to depart out of the city.
ESV
39 So they came and apologized to them. And they took them out and asked them to leave the city.
NLT
39 So they came to the jail and apologized to them. Then they brought them out and begged them to leave the city.
MSG
39 They hurried over and apologized, personally escorted them from the jail, and then asked them if they wouldn't please leave the city.
CSB
39 So they came and apologized to them, and escorting them out, they urged them to leave town.

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 said to the officers: “They beat us publicly without a trial, even though we are Roman citizens, and threw us into prison. And now do they want to get rid of us quietly? No! Let them come themselves and escort us out.”
38 The officers reported this to the magistrates, and when they heard that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens, they were alarmed.
39 They came to appease them and escorted them from the prison, requesting them to leave the city.
40 After Paul and Silas came out of the prison, they went to Lydia’s house, where they met with the brothers and sisters and encouraged them. Then they left.

Cross References 1

  • 1. Matthew 8:34; Luke 8:37
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