Act 16:19-23 | KingComments | STEP | If satan cannot reach his goal with flattery, he turns into a roaring lion ( ). His instruments are the masters of the girl. Their source of income is lost by these people. They are not at all grateful for the deliverance of the girl, but extremely angry now that they see their profits evaporate. They drag Paul and Silas directly in front of the government which is represented by chief magistrates. The chief magistrates were the Roman governors, a kind of mayors. The masters of the girl delivered by Paul accuse Paul and Silas of causing riots. This is a heavy accusation, because anything that endangers the unity and peace of the Roman Empire is severely punished. In their cunning, these people make what Paul and Silas did a political theme. They know that by doing so they stand a good chance of a conviction of Paul and Silas. They also respond to the hatred against the Jews by talking about “these people, who are Jews”. Furthermore, they accuse Paul and Silas of proclaiming customs that go against Roman customs. They apparently think that Luke and Timothy are less important, so they let them go. Customs have to do with culture. They accuse them of wanting to destroy their culture with that gospel. Culture has been put in the nature of the people by God and is different for all peoples, but in the hand of satan it can become a means to oppose the gospel. When the accusations have been made, the crowd, always looking for amusement, also stands up against Paul and Silas. The chief magistrates consider further investigation unnecessary. Without any further form of trial, the clothes of both servants of God are torn from their bodies by the judges, who order them to be beaten with rods. Those who perform the beating do not take their task lightly and strike both preachers “with many blows”. God allows His servants to be beaten and it is their honor not to resist. It becomes a means by which an even more shining testimony of His Word and of His servants is given. As for the body, the world is stronger than the Christian, if God allows it; but in his heart, the Christian is above circumstances if he can realize the presence of God. His presence is greater than all circumstances and can overcome everything else ( ). One can then rejoice in suffering ( ; ). After being beaten with rods, they are thrown into prison. The jailer is ordered to guard them carefully. He leaves nothing to chance and throws them into the inner prison. You can’t go any deeper. As if that doesn’t offer enough security, he carefully fastens their feet in the stocks as well. Escape is impossible. It seems that they are completely eliminated and the enemy has won. How discouraging it would be if they thought that this was their reception in Europe, when they clearly recognized the Lord’s guidance to go here.

‏ Acts 16:19-23

Thrown Into Prison

If satan cannot reach his goal with flattery, he turns into a roaring lion (1Pet 5:8). His instruments are the masters of the girl. Their source of income is lost by these people. They are not at all grateful for the deliverance of the girl, but extremely angry now that they see their profits evaporate. They drag Paul and Silas directly in front of the government which is represented by chief magistrates. The chief magistrates were the Roman governors, a kind of mayors.

The masters of the girl delivered by Paul accuse Paul and Silas of causing riots. This is a heavy accusation, because anything that endangers the unity and peace of the Roman Empire is severely punished. In their cunning, these people make what Paul and Silas did a political theme. They know that by doing so they stand a good chance of a conviction of Paul and Silas. They also respond to the hatred against the Jews by talking about “these people, who are Jews”.

Furthermore, they accuse Paul and Silas of proclaiming customs that go against Roman customs. They apparently think that Luke and Timothy are less important, so they let them go. Customs have to do with culture. They accuse them of wanting to destroy their culture with that gospel. Culture has been put in the nature of the people by God and is different for all peoples, but in the hand of satan it can become a means to oppose the gospel. When the accusations have been made, the crowd, always looking for amusement, also stands up against Paul and Silas.

The chief magistrates consider further investigation unnecessary. Without any further form of trial, the clothes of both servants of God are torn from their bodies by the judges, who order them to be beaten with rods. Those who perform the beating do not take their task lightly and strike both preachers “with many blows”.

God allows His servants to be beaten and it is their honor not to resist. It becomes a means by which an even more shining testimony of His Word and of His servants is given. As for the body, the world is stronger than the Christian, if God allows it; but in his heart, the Christian is above circumstances if he can realize the presence of God. His presence is greater than all circumstances and can overcome everything else (1Jn 5:4). One can then rejoice in suffering (Acts 5:41; Rom 5:3).

After being beaten with rods, they are thrown into prison. The jailer is ordered to guard them carefully. He leaves nothing to chance and throws them into the inner prison. You can’t go any deeper. As if that doesn’t offer enough security, he carefully fastens their feet in the stocks as well. Escape is impossible. It seems that they are completely eliminated and the enemy has won. How discouraging it would be if they thought that this was their reception in Europe, when they clearly recognized the Lord’s guidance to go here.