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Acts 16:35

New Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Acts 16:35 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “But when it was day, the magistrates sent the sergeants, saying, Let those men go.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

But when it was day, the magistrates sent the sergeants, saying, Let those men go.
Acts 16:35 — American Standard Version

Context — Acts 16

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
32And they spake the word of the Lord unto him, with all that were in his house.
33And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, immediately.
34And he brought them up into his house, and set food before them, and rejoiced greatly, with all his house, having believed in God.
35But when it was day, the magistrates sent the sergeants, saying, Let those men go.
36And the jailor reported the words to Paul, [saying], The magistrates have sent to let you go: now therefore come forth, and go in peace.
37But 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.
38And the sergeants reported these words unto the magistrates: and they feared when they heard that they were Romans;
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And when it was day, etc.] In one copy Beza says, these words are added, “the magistrates came together in one place in the court, and remembering the earthquake that was made, they were afraid, and sent the sergeants;” but they seem to be no other than a gloss, which crept into the text; however, it seems reasonable to suppose, that in the morning the magistrates met together, to consider what was further to be done with Paul and Silas; when upon cooler thoughts, they judged it best to be content with what punishment they had inflicted on them, and dismiss them; and if they had felt anything of the earthquake, or had heard of it in the prison, and of the converts that had been made there,…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“when it was day, the magistrates sent the sergeants, saying, Let those men go--The cause of this change can only be conjectured. When the commotion ceased, reflection would soon convince them of the injustice they had done, even supposing the prisoners had been entitled to no special privileges; and if rumor reached them that the prisoners were somehow under supernatural protection, they might be the more awed into a desire to get rid of them.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“And when it was day ... - It is evident from the narrative that it was not contemplated at first to release them so soon, Acts 16:22-24. But it is not known what produced this change of purpose in the magistrates. It is probable, however, that they had been brought to reflection, somewhat as the jailor had, by the earthquake, and that their consciences had been troubled by the fact, that in order to please the multitude, they had caused strangers to be beaten and imprisoned without trial and contrary to the Roman laws. An earthquake is always suited to alarm the guilty; and among the Romans it was regarded as an omen of the anger of the gods, and was therefore adapted to produce agitation…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“The pretors sent - Being probably terrified by the earthquake; saying, Let those men go - How different from the charge given a few hours before! And how great an ease of mind to the jailer! Acts 16:37”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Act 4:21, Act 5:40; Psa 76:10; Jer 5:22 Acts 16:36”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification