Acts 16:38

16:37 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 privily? nay verily; but let them come themselves and fetch us out.

And the serjeants told these words unto the magistrates: and they feared, when they heard that they were Romans.

KJV

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The sergeants reported these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Romans,

And the serjeants told these words unto the magistrates: and they feared, when they heard that they were Romans.

And the sergeants told these words to the magistrates: and they feared, when they heard that they were Romans.

16:39 And they came and besought them, and brought them out, and desired them to depart out of the city.

What does Acts 16:38 mean?

Acts 16:38 is a verse in the book of Acts, in the New Testament. In the original Greek, key words include δέ (de), ῥαβδοῦχος (rhabdouchos), ἀναγγέλλω (anaggello).

Greek interlinear

Andδέde/deh/G1161a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).

the

serjeantsῥαβδοῦχοςrhabdouchos/hrab-doo'-khos/G4465from 4464 and 2192; a rod- (the Latin fasces) holder, i.e. a Roman lictor (constable or executioner):--serjeant.

toldἀναγγέλλωanaggello/an-ang-el'-lo/G312from 303 and the base of 32; to announce (in detail):--declare, rehearse, report, show, speak, tell.

theseοὗτοςtauta/tow'-tah/G5023nominative or accusative case neuter plural of 3778; these things:--+ afterward, follow, + hereafter, X him, the same, so, such, that, then, these, they, this, those, thus.

wordsῥῆμαrhema/hray'-mah/G4487from 4483; an utterance (individually, collectively or specially),; by implication, a matter or topic (especially of narration, command or dispute); with a negative naught whatever:--+ evil, + nothing, saying, word.

unto

the

magistrates:στρατηγόςstrategos/strat-ay-gos'/G4755from the base of 4756 and 71 or 2233; a general, i.e. (by implication or analogy) a (military) governor (praetor), the chief (praefect) of the (Levitical) temple-wardens:--captain, magistrate.

andκαίkai/kahee/G2532apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.

they

feared,φοβέωphobeo/fob-eh'-o/G5399from 5401; to frighten, i.e. (passively) to be alarmed; by analogy, to be in awe of, i.e. revere:--be (+ sore) afraid, fear (exceedingly), reverence.

when

they

heardἀκούωakouo/ak-oo'-o/G191a primary verb; to hear (in various senses):--give (in the) audience (of), come (to the ears), (shall) hear(-er, -ken), be noised, be reported, understand.

thatὅτιhoti/hot'-ee/G3754neuter of 3748 as conjunction; demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because:--as concerning that, as though, because (that), for (that), how (that), (in) that, though, why.

they

wereεἰμίeisi/i-see'/G15263d person plural present indicative of 1510; they are:--agree, are, be, dure, X is, were.

Romans.ῬωμαῖοςRhomaios/hro-mah'-yos/G4514from 4516; Romaean, i.e. Roman (as noun):--Roman, of Rome.

Topics

Criminals Paul Philippi Prisoners Readings, Select Roman Empire, the Silas Trial

Verses like this

Other verses that share key original-language words with Acts 16:38.

1 Corinthians 12:11

But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

Acts 16:35

And when it was day, the magistrates sent the serjeants, saying, Let those men go.

Mark 9:32

But they understood not that saying, and were afraid to ask him.

Matthew 10:28

And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

Romans 10:18

But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.

Romans 10:8

But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;

Frequently asked questions

What does Acts 16:38 say?

Acts 16:38 (King James Version) reads: "And the serjeants told these words unto the magistrates: and they feared, when they heard that they were Romans."

Is Acts 16:38 in the Old or New Testament?

Acts 16:38 is in the New Testament of the Bible, in the book of Acts.

Reflect

As you read Acts 16:38, what is one truth here you can carry into today?

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