So the officers relayed this message to the magistrates, who were alarmed to hear that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens.
Parallel translations
- WEB The sergeants reported these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Romans,
- KJV And the serjeants told these words unto the magistrates: and they feared, when they heard that they were Romans.
- NKJV And the officers told these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Romans.
- NASB The officers reported these words to the chief magistrates. And they became fearful when they heard that they were Romans,
- NLT When the police reported this, the city officials were alarmed to learn that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
When the magistrates heard the men were Romans, they were afraid.
Overview
Their fear shows the gravity of their illegal action against citizens; they could face severe penalties. The accusers' tactic had backfired, and the authorities were now the ones in jeopardy. God thus vindicated His servants and the gospel before the very officials who had condemned them.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 3
- Acts 22:29Then those who were about to interrogate Paul stepped back, and the commander himself was alarmed when he realized that he had put a Roman citizen in chains.
- Matt 14:5Although Herod wanted to kill John, he was afraid of the people, because they regarded John as a prophet.
- Matt 21:46Although they wanted to arrest Him, they were afraid of the crowds, because the people regarded Him as a prophet.
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Christ at the center
Acts is the risen Christ continuing his work by the Spirit through the church, as the apostles preach that there is salvation in no other name under heaven.
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Original language
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