Acts 16:20 They brought them to the magistrates and said, "These men are Jews and are throwing our city into turmoil

◄ 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.”…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

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? …

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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.

Berean Study Bible

They brought them to the magistrates
In the context of Acts 16:20, the phrase "They brought them to the magistrates" refers to Paul and Silas being forcibly taken before the local Roman authorities in Philippi. The Greek word for "magistrates" is "στρατηγοί" (stratēgoi), which can be translated as "leaders" or "rulers." In Roman colonies like Philippi, magistrates were officials responsible for maintaining law and order. This highlights the legal and political structure of Roman society, where local governance was often in the hands of appointed officials who wielded significant power. The act of bringing Paul and Silas before these authorities underscores the gravity of the accusations against them and the potential consequences they faced. Historically, this reflects the tension between the early Christian movement and the established Roman order, as the message of the Gospel often challenged existing social and religious norms.

and said
The phrase "and said" introduces the formal accusation against Paul and Silas. In the Greek, "εἶπαν" (eipan) is used, which is a common verb for speaking or saying. This moment is significant as it marks the transition from action to verbal confrontation. The accusers are about to articulate their grievances, which is a pivotal moment in the narrative. In the broader scriptural context, speech acts often carry weight and consequence, reflecting the power of words to influence and direct events. This aligns with the biblical theme that words can be instruments of both truth and deception, justice and injustice.

These men
The phrase "These men" is a direct reference to Paul and Silas. The Greek "οὗτοι οἱ ἄνθρωποι" (houtoi hoi anthrōpoi) emphasizes their identity as outsiders or foreigners in Philippi. This distinction is crucial as it sets the stage for the accusations that follow, which are rooted in cultural and religious differences. Historically, Philippi was a Roman colony with a strong sense of Roman identity and pride. The identification of Paul and Silas as "these men" underscores their status as Jews and, by implication, as disruptors of the local social order. This reflects the broader theme in Acts of the early Christians often being perceived as a threat to established norms and traditions.

are Jews
The phrase "are Jews" is a critical component of the accusation. In Greek, "Ἰουδαῖοι ὑπάρχουσιν" (Ioudaioi hyparchousin) identifies Paul and Silas by their ethnic and religious background. This identification is not merely descriptive but carries a pejorative connotation in the context of Roman society, where Jews were often viewed with suspicion and prejudice. The emphasis on their Jewish identity highlights the cultural and religious tensions present in the early Christian mission. It reflects the historical reality of Jewish communities living under Roman rule, often facing discrimination and hostility. In the scriptural narrative, this accusation serves to illustrate the challenges faced by the early church in spreading the Gospel across diverse and often hostile cultural landscapes.

and are throwing our city into turmoil
The accusation that Paul and Silas "are throwing our city into turmoil" is a serious charge. The Greek phrase "ἐκταράσσουσιν ἡμῶν τὴν πόλιν" (ektarassousin hēmōn tēn polin) suggests causing disturbance or disorder. This reflects the fear of social upheaval that the message of the Gospel could incite. In the Roman world, maintaining public order was paramount, and any perceived threat to the peace was met with swift action. The charge of causing turmoil is not just about physical disruption but also about challenging the established religious and social norms. This accusation highlights the transformative and sometimes disruptive nature of the Christian message, which called people to a new way of life that often conflicted with existing societal values. In the broader biblical context, this reflects the theme of the Gospel as a catalyst for change, calling individuals and communities to repentance and new life in Christ.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(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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NT Apostles: Acts 16:20 When they had brought them to (Acts of the Apostles Ac)