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NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Act_16:35-40
35Now when day came, the chief magistrates sent their policemen, saying, "Release those men." 36And the jailer reported these words to Paul, saying, "The chief magistrates have sent to release you. Therefore come out now and go in peace." 37But Paul said to them, "They have beaten us in public without trial, men who are Romans, and have thrown us into prison; and now are they sending us away secretly? No indeed! But let them come themselves and bring us out." 38The policemen reported these words to the chief magistrates. They were afraid when they heard that they were Romans, 39and they came and appealed to them, and when they had brought them out, they kept begging them to leave the city. 40They went out of the prison and entered the house of Lydia, and when they saw the brethren, they encouraged them and departed.
Act_16:35 "policemen" This is literally "rod-bearer" (hrabdouchosta lictor). This refers to those involved in official discipline (cf. Act_16:20). The Italian "fascist" party got their name from this term. A bundle of these rods (from Latin fasces) was the symbol of political authority.
Act_16:37 "men who are Romans" Philippi was a Roman colony with many extra legal privileges which could be in jeopardy from Rome if this unfair treatment of Roman citizens was reported. Beating Roman citizens was a serious violation of their colonial legal status (cf. Act_16:39; see Livy, "History" 10.9.4 or Cicero, "Pro Rabirio 4.12-13).
Act_16:39 The purpose of Paul's protest was possibly to protect the fledgling church at Philippi and to achieve a certain recognized status for them. The leaders, by their actions, imply that gospel preaching was not illegal! The door was open for future evangelistic efforts in Philippi.
Act_16:40 "and departed" Luke apparently stayed behind. We find him still here in Act_20:5-6.
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