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Act 16:37 But Paul said to them, "They have beaten us openly, uncondemned Romans, and
have thrown us into prison. And now do they put us out secretly? No indeed! Let them come
themselves and get us out."

But Paul said unto them, They have beaten us openly (before many witnesses) uncondemned,
being (huparcho: existing as) 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 speaks right past the jailer to the representatives of the Roman magistrates. Paul and Silas
have been beaten in the sight of many in the city. Their beating did not take place in a back
alley but in an open area of the city. The people of the city also witnessed that Paul and Silas
were beaten without a trial. Added to all this is the fact that they are Roman citizens. This
frightens the representatives. They realize this could mean havoc with the Roman government.
To beat a Roman citizen is illegal. Not to give a fair hearing is also illegal. Nor can Roman
citizens be beaten, put in chains, or crucified. In addition, they can be jailed only if they commit
a capital crime, cannot be tortured in any way, and if execution is in order, the convicted are
decapitated. (History tells us Paul was killed in this way at the end of his life).

These Roman magistrates have believed a report without giving Paul and Silas a fair trial. They
thought of Paul and Silas only as Jews and not Roman citizens. It is possible for their treatment
of Paul and Silas to reach all the way to Caesar!
Act 16:38 And the officers told these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they
heard that they were Romans.

The magistrates fear Paul and the citizens; they fear from their jobs and their relations with
Rome. They also feared for their own lives and for the future of their own city, Philippi.

Act 16:39 Then they came and pleaded with them and brought them out, and asked them to
depart from the city.

Act 16:40 So they went out of the prison and entered the house of Lydia; and when they had
seen the brethren, they encouraged them and departed.

Paul and Silas encourage the others after being beaten. They come to Lydia and a house full of
people. Apparently the people gathered were afraid and discouraged for Paul and Silas.

When Paul and Silas depart, they leave Timothy and Luke in Philippi. Timothy does not rejoin
Paul until Berea (Acts 17:14). Luke does not rejoin Paul until the third missionary journey (Acts
20:5-6).