Fearing that They were Romans - Acts 16:38

The beloved physician Luke shared how Paul and Silas were beaten, thrown into prison and experienced an earthquake when the sergeants came to them and said, “The magistrates have sent to let you go: now therefore depart, and go in peace. 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 secretly? no verily; but let them come themselves and fetch us out”, and in chapter sixteen and verse thirty-eight of the book of Acts Luke shared how, “the sergeants told these words unto the magistrates: and they feared” where we read:

And the sergeants told these words unto the magistrates:

and they feared, when they heard that they were Romans.

The verse begins, “And the sergeants told these words unto the magistrates:” Luke began with the words, “and the sergeants” which means “and the ones who carried the rods or fasces” “told these words” or “uttered, declared and proclaimed the speech, mandate and decree of Paul” “unto the magistrates” which means “to the chief leaders, commanders and captains”. Luke shared how the “bearers of the rods” shared “Paul's words” with the commanders and captains.

The verse goes on to say, “and they feared, when they heard that they were Romans.” Luke continued with the words, “and they feared” or “and the magistrates were afraid, startled and seized with alarm”, “when they heard” which means “at the time and moment the magistrates were endowed with the faculty of hearing, perceiving and understanding” “that they were Romans” or “that Paul and Silas existed as citizens of Rome”. Luke shared how the “magistrates” became “afraid” at the time they “heard” that “Paul and Silas” were “Roman citizens”.

When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we learn how the men who “bore the rods” brought “Paul's” message back to the “magistrates”, and when they told them “Paul and Silas” were “Roman citizens” they became afraid. “Roman citizens” were never to be punished or jailed without a trial, and the “magistrates” violated Roman law. We shall discover how they respond to “Paul's” request in our next verse, but for now let it suffice us to understand God was watching over “Paul and Silas”, and those who thought themselves to be in charge were overruled by God. Let all who read these words yield themselves to Jesus who watches over His believers regardless of where they are located in the world.

Next time Luke shares how the magistrates, “came and besought them, and brought them out”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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