Acts 16:20
New International Version
They brought them before the magistrates and said, “These men are Jews, and are throwing our city into an uproar

New Living Translation
“The whole city is in an uproar because of these Jews!” they shouted to the city officials.

English Standard Version
And when they had brought them to the magistrates, they said, “These men are Jews, and they are disturbing our city.

Berean Standard Bible
They brought them to the magistrates and said, “These men are Jews and are throwing our city into turmoil

Berean Literal Bible
And having brought them up to the magistrates, they said, "These men, being Jews, exceedingly trouble our city

King James Bible
And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city,

New King James Version
And they brought them to the magistrates, and said, “These men, being Jews, exceedingly trouble our city;

New American Standard Bible
and when they had brought them to the chief magistrates, they said, “These men, Jews as they are, are causing our city trouble,

NASB 1995
and when they had brought them to the chief magistrates, they said, “These men are throwing our city into confusion, being Jews,

NASB 1977
and when they had brought them to the chief magistrates, they said, “These men are throwing our city into confusion, being Jews,

Legacy Standard Bible
and when they had brought them to the chief magistrates, they said, “These men are throwing our city into confusion, being Jews,

Amplified Bible
and when they had brought them before the chief magistrates, they said, “These men, who are Jews, are throwing our city into confusion and causing trouble.

Christian Standard Bible
Bringing them before the chief magistrates, they said, “These men are seriously disturbing our city. They are Jews

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Bringing them before the chief magistrates, they said, “These men are seriously disturbing our city. They are Jews

American Standard Version
and when they had brought them unto the magistrates, they said, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city,

Contemporary English Version
They told the officials, "These Jews are upsetting our city!

English Revised Version
and when they had brought them unto the magistrates, they said, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city,

GOD'S WORD® Translation
In front of the Roman officials, they said, "These men are stirring up a lot of trouble in our city. They're Jews,

Good News Translation
They brought them before the Roman officials and said, "These men are Jews, and they are causing trouble in our city.

International Standard Version
They brought them before the magistrates and said, "These men are stirring up a lot of trouble in our city. They are Jews

Majority Standard Bible
They brought them to the magistrates and said, ?These men are Jews and are throwing our city into turmoil

NET Bible
When they had brought them before the magistrates, they said, "These men are throwing our city into confusion. They are Jews

New Heart English Bible
When they had brought them to the magistrates, they said, "These men, being Jews, are agitating our city,

Webster's Bible Translation
And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city,

Weymouth New Testament
Then they brought them before the praetors. "These men," they said, "are creating a great disturbance in our city.

World English Bible
When they had brought them to the magistrates, they said, “These men, being Jews, are agitating our city
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and having brought them to the magistrates, they said, “These men being Jews exceedingly trouble our city;

Berean Literal Bible
And having brought them up to the magistrates, they said, "These men, being Jews, exceedingly trouble our city

Young's Literal Translation
and having brought them to the magistrates, they said, 'These men do exceedingly trouble our city, being Jews;

Smith's Literal Translation
And having brought them to the generals, they said, These the men who cause disturbance to our city, being Jews,
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And presenting them to the magistrates, they said: These men disturb our city, being Jews;

Catholic Public Domain Version
And presenting them to the magistrates, they said: “These men are disturbing our city, since they are Jews.

New American Bible
They brought them before the magistrates and said, “These people are Jews and are disturbing our city

New Revised Standard Version
When they had brought them before the magistrates, they said, “These men are disturbing our city; they are Jews
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And they brought them before the soldiers and the city magistrates and said, These men are Jews, and they create disturbances in our city,

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And they presented them to the Magistrate and to the Leaders of the city and they were saying, “These men are troubling our city because they are Jews.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And having brought them to the magistrates, they said: These men, who are Jews, do greatly trouble our city;

Godbey New Testament
and leading them to the magistrates, said, These men do exceedingly trouble our city, being Jews,

Haweis New Testament
and presenting them to the magistrates, they said, These are the men that exceedingly disturb the peace of our city, being Jews,

Mace New Testament
having presented them to the Officers, they said, these men, who are Jews, raise great disorders in our city, and preach such maxims,

Weymouth New Testament
Then they brought them before the praetors. "These men," they said, "are creating a great disturbance in our city.

Worrell New Testament
and, leading them forward to the magistrates, they said, "These men, being Jews, are greatly disturbing our city;

Worsley New Testament
And when they brought them to the governors, they said, These men cause great disturbance in our city, for they are Jews, and teach customs,

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Paul and Silas Imprisoned
19When the girl’s owners saw that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them before the authorities in the marketplace. 20 They brought them to the magistrates and said, “These men are Jews and are throwing our city into turmoil 21by promoting customs that are unlawful for us Romans to adopt or practice.”…

Cross References
Acts 17:6-7
But when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some other brothers before the city officials, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have now come here, / and Jason has welcomed them into his home. They are all defying Caesar’s decrees, saying that there is another king, named Jesus!”

Acts 19:25-27
Demetrius assembled the craftsmen, along with the workmen in related trades. “Men,” he said, “you know that this business is our source of prosperity. / And you can see and hear that not only in Ephesus, but in nearly the whole province of Asia, this Paul has persuaded a great number of people to turn away. He says that man-made gods are no gods at all. / There is danger not only that our business will fall into disrepute, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be discredited and her majesty deposed—she who is worshiped by all the province of Asia and the whole world.”

Luke 23:2
And they began to accuse Him, saying, “We found this man subverting our nation, forbidding payment of taxes to Caesar, and proclaiming Himself to be Christ, a King.”

Matthew 27:12
And when He was accused by the chief priests and elders, He gave no answer.

John 19:12
From then on, Pilate tried to release Him, but the Jews kept shouting, “If you release this man, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who declares himself a king is defying Caesar.”

Acts 24:5-6
We have found this man to be a pestilence, stirring up dissension among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes, / and he even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized him.

Acts 6:13-14
where they presented false witnesses who said, “This man never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law. / For we have heard him say that Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs that Moses handed down to us.”

Acts 21:28
crying out, “Men of Israel, help us! This is the man who teaches everyone everywhere against our people and against our law and against this place. Furthermore, he has brought Greeks into the temple and defiled this holy place.”

1 Peter 2:12
Conduct yourselves with such honor among the Gentiles that, though they slander you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits us.

Romans 13:1-2
Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God. / Consequently, whoever resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.

Daniel 6:12-13
So they approached the king and asked about his royal decree: “Did you not sign a decree that for thirty days any man who petitions any god or man except you, O king, will be thrown into the den of lions?” The king replied, “According to the law of the Medes and Persians the order stands, and it cannot be repealed.” / Then they told the king, “Daniel, one of the exiles from Judah, shows no regard for you, O king, or for the decree that you have signed. He still makes his petition three times a day.”

Jeremiah 38:4
Then the officials said to the king, “This man ought to die, for he is discouraging the warriors who remain in this city, as well as all the people, by speaking such words to them; this man is not seeking the well-being of these people, but their ruin.”

Esther 3:8
Then Haman informed King Xerxes, “There is a certain people scattered and dispersed among the peoples of every province of your kingdom. Their laws are different from everyone else’s, and they do not obey the king’s laws. So it is not in the king’s best interest to tolerate them.

Nehemiah 6:6-7
that read: “It is reported among the nations—and Geshem agrees—that you and the Jews are plotting to revolt, and this is why you are building the wall. According to these reports, you are to become their king, / and you have even appointed prophets in Jerusalem to proclaim on your behalf: ‘There is a king in Judah.’ Soon these rumors will reach the ears of the king. So come, let us confer together.”

1 Kings 18:17-18
When Ahab saw Elijah, he said to him, “Is that you, O troubler of Israel?” / “I have not troubled Israel,” Elijah replied, “but you and your father’s house have, for you have forsaken the commandments of the LORD and have followed the Baals.


Treasury of Scripture

And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city,

being.

Acts 18:2
And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them.

Acts 19:34
But when they knew that he was a Jew, all with one voice about the space of two hours cried out, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.

Ezra 4:12-15
Be it known unto the king, that the Jews which came up from thee to us are come unto Jerusalem, building the rebellious and the bad city, and have set up the walls thereof, and joined the foundations…

do.

Acts 17:6-8
And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also; …

Acts 28:22
But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, we know that every where it is spoken against.

1 Kings 18:17,18
And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, Art thou he that troubleth Israel? …

Jump to Previous
Agitating Authorities Chief City Confusion Creating Disturbance Disturbing Exceedingly Great Greatly Jews Magistrates Praetors Throwing Trouble Troubling Uproar Utterly
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Agitating Authorities Chief City Confusion Creating Disturbance Disturbing Exceedingly Great Greatly Jews Magistrates Praetors Throwing Trouble Troubling Uproar Utterly
Acts 16
1. Paul and Silas are Joined by Timothy,
7. and being called by the Spirit from one country to another,
14. convert Lydia,
16. and cast out a spirit of divination;
19. for which cause they are whipped and imprisoned.
25. The prison doors are opened.
31. The jailor is converted,
35. and they are delivered.














They brought them to the magistrates
In the Roman colony of Philippi, magistrates were local officials responsible for maintaining law and order. The term "magistrates" refers to the duumviri, the two chief officials in a Roman colony. This reflects the Roman influence and governance in Philippi, a city that was a Roman colony and thus had a significant Roman presence and legal system. The act of bringing Paul and Silas to the magistrates indicates a formal accusation, highlighting the seriousness of the charges against them.

and said,
This phrase introduces the formal accusation against Paul and Silas. In the context of Roman law, public accusations were a common practice, and the accusers would present their case before the magistrates. This setting underscores the legal and public nature of the proceedings, which were intended to maintain public order and Roman law.

“These men are Jews
The identification of Paul and Silas as Jews is significant in the context of the Roman Empire, where Jews were often viewed with suspicion and prejudice. Anti-Semitic sentiments were not uncommon, and this identification could have been intended to incite bias against them. The emphasis on their Jewish identity also highlights the ethnic and religious tensions present in the diverse population of Philippi.

and are throwing our city into turmoil
The accusation of causing turmoil suggests that Paul and Silas were perceived as a threat to the social and civic order of Philippi. This charge echoes accusations made against early Christians elsewhere in the New Testament, such as in Acts 17:6-7, where Christians are accused of turning the world upside down. The claim of causing turmoil could be linked to the economic impact of their ministry, as seen earlier in Acts 16 when the owners of a slave girl lost their source of income due to her deliverance. This reflects the broader theme of the disruptive nature of the Gospel, which challenges existing social, economic, and religious structures.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Paul and Silas
Two key figures in the early Christian church, missionaries spreading the Gospel. They were known for their boldness in preaching and their miraculous works.

2. Magistrates
Roman officials responsible for maintaining law and order in the city. They held judicial authority and were approached by the accusers of Paul and Silas.

3. Philippi
A Roman colony in Macedonia where this event took place. It was a significant city for trade and military presence, and it had a diverse population including Jews and Gentiles.

4. Accusers
Local businessmen who were upset because Paul and Silas had cast a spirit out of a slave girl, which affected their income. They accused Paul and Silas of causing unrest.

5. Slave Girl
A young woman possessed by a spirit of divination, whose deliverance by Paul led to the accusations against him and Silas.
Teaching Points
Courage in the Face of Opposition
Paul and Silas demonstrate unwavering courage when faced with false accusations and hostility. Believers today are called to stand firm in their faith, even when it leads to personal cost.

The Cost of Discipleship
Following Christ may lead to conflict with societal norms and economic interests. Christians should be prepared for the challenges that come with living out their faith authentically.

Spiritual Warfare
The incident with the slave girl highlights the reality of spiritual warfare. Believers must be aware of the spiritual battles that accompany the proclamation of the Gospel.

God's Sovereignty in Trials
Despite the unjust treatment, God uses the situation in Philippi to further His purposes, including the conversion of the jailer and his family. Trusting in God's sovereignty can bring peace amidst trials.

Community Impact
The Gospel has the power to transform communities, but it may also disrupt established systems. Christians should seek to be agents of positive change while being prepared for resistance.(20) The magistrates.--The Greek word used (Strategi, literally, generals--the name survived in 1750 in the Italian Stradigo, used of the prefect of Messina) is used with St. Luke's usual accuracy, for the praetors, or duumviri, who formed the executive of the Roman colonia.

These men, being Jews.--We must remember that the decree of Claudius (see Note on Acts 18:2), banishing the Jews from Rome on account of their disturbing that city, would be known, and probably acted on, at Philippi (see Notes on Acts 16:12-13), and would give a special force to the accusation. Here, also, there is something specially characteristic of the nature of many of the early persecutions. Christians were exposed, on the one hand, to the relentless enmity of the Jews, and, on the other, they were identified by heathen rulers and mobs with the Jews, and so came in, where the latter were the objects of popular antipathy, for a two-fold measure of suffering.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
They brought them
προσαγαγόντες (prosagagontes)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 4317: From pros and ago; to lead towards, i.e. to conduct near, or to approach.

to the
τοῖς (tois)
Article - Dative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

magistrates
στρατηγοῖς (stratēgois)
Noun - Dative Masculine Plural
Strong's 4755: From the base of stratia and ago or hegeomai; a general, i.e. a governor, the chief of the temple-wardens.

[and] said,
εἶπαν (eipan)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 2036: Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.

“These
Οὗτοι (Houtoi)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it.

men
ἄνθρωποι (anthrōpoi)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 444: A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being.

are
ὑπάρχοντες (hyparchontes)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 5225: To begin, am, exist, be in possession. From hupo and archomai; to begin under, i.e. Come into existence; expletively, to exist (verb).

Jews
Ἰουδαῖοι (Ioudaioi)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 2453: Jewish. From Iouda; Judaean, i.e. Belonging to Jehudah.

[and] are throwing
ἐκταράσσουσιν (ektarassousin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1613: To disturb (trouble) greatly (exceedingly). From ek and tarasso; to disturb wholly.

our
ἡμῶν (hēmōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

city {into turmoil}
πόλιν (polin)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4172: A city, the inhabitants of a city. Probably from the same as polemos, or perhaps from polus; a town.


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