acts-16:35,-acts-16:36-niv

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Acts 16:35-36

The policemen (Roman lictors) returned to the jailer the next morning with orders to release Paul and Silas. Lictors carried bundles of rods with axes attached to symbolize their authority. Evidently the magistrates only intended to teach them a lesson for disturbing the peace, not incarcerate them and bring them to trial. read more

John Darby

Darby's Synopsis of the New Testament - Acts 16:35

16:35 praetors (a-7) The magistrates of colonies. so vers. 36, 38. lictors, (b-10) Attendants on the praetors. read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 16:1-40

St. Paul in Europe1. Timotheus] was probably of Lystra, not Derbe. His mother Eunice was perhaps a widow, and she, together with his grandmother Lois, educated the lad in the religion of Israel, though he was not circumcised (see 2 Timothy 1:6). The whole family had been converted at St. Paul’s first visit. 3. See Preface to Acts 15. 4, 5. Here we have evidence that the decrees of the Council were actually promulgated in the Galatian Churches, and that they were well received.6-40. Journey into... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Acts 16:35

(35) The magistrates sent the serjeants.—Literally, the rod-bearers, or lictors. They would probably be the very officers who had inflicted the stripes. We are not told what led to this sudden change of action. Possibly, as has been suggested, the earthquake had alarmed the strategi; more probably they felt that they had acted hastily in ordering the accused to be punished with no regular trial, and without even any inquiry as to their antecedents. They had an uneasy sense of having done wrong,... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Acts 16:1-40

The Baffling of the Spirit Acts 16:7 Paul was on his second missionary journey when he was hindered thus by the Spirit of his Lord. He had made up his mind to go northward to Bithynia, when somehow he was Divinely checked. How the door was thus shut on him we are not told: it is one of the wise reticences of Scripture. Perhaps he was warned by some prophetic voice, or visited by irresistible conviction. On the other hand, if one prefer it so, we may think of the pressure of circumstance or... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Acts 16:1-40

CHAPTER 16 1. In Derbe and Lystra again. Timotheus (Acts 16:1-5 ). 2. The Preaching forbidden in Asia (Acts 16:6-8 ). 3. The Vision of the Man from Macedonia (Acts 16:9-12 ). 4. The Gospel in Europe (Acts 16:13-40 ). Read in connection with the first verses of this chapter 1 Timothy 1:18 ; 1Ti 4:14 ; 2 Timothy 1:5-6 ; 2 Timothy 3:15 . The circumcision of Timothy, the offspring of a mixed marriage, was not demanded by the law. Paul in circumcising Timothy manifested his liberty; he acted... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Acts 16:35

16:35 {19} And when it was day, the magistrates sent the serjeants, saying, Let those men go.(19) Shame and confusion is in due time the reward of wicked and unjust magistrates. read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 16:1-40

Coming to Derbe and Lystra, where he and Barnabas had been persecuted before, Paul was favorably impressed with the young man, Timothy, who had evidently been converted through Paul on his first visit (Cf. 1 Timothy 1:2). Though of a timid nature (2 Timothy 1:6-8), he was evidently considered by Paul as a dependable worker, having a good report of the brethren. This is always an important matter if one is concerned about doing the work of the Lord. But Paul also considered the consciences of... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Acts 16:1-40

SECOND JOURNEY Though the text of this lesson is long, it will be interesting to read it through at a single sitting, and get the whole journey at one view. The events are clear cut, easily remembered and apparent in their spiritual teaching. STARTING FORTH It begins with the contention between Paul and Barnabas men “of like passions” with ourselves, which was providentially overruled so that two missionary journeys grew out of it instead of one (Acts 15:36-41 ). Note that there were... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - Acts 16:33-40

Chapter 58 Prayer Almighty God, our mouth is full of hymns and psalms and spiritual songs, for thou hast done great things for us, whereof we are glad. Thou hast done all these things in Christ Jesus thy Son. He is the Head over all, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End, without whom there is nothing that is good and beautiful and strong. Bring us all into Christ as the branches are in the vine. May we know that we have no life in ourselves, but only in Christ the Living One! He... read more