39 And they came and besought them, and brought them out, and desired them to depart out of the city.
39 They came to appease them and escorted them from the prison, requesting them to leave the city.
39 So they came and apologized to them. And they took them out and asked them to leave the city.
39 They hurried over and apologized, personally escorted them from the jail, and then asked them if they wouldn't please leave the city.
39 Then they came and pleaded with them and brought them out, and asked them to depart from the city.
39 So they came to the jail and apologized to them. Then they brought them out and begged them to leave the city.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Acts 16:39
Commentary on Acts 16:35-40
(Read Acts 16:35-40)
Paul, though willing to suffer for the cause of Christ, and without any desire to avenge himself, did not choose to depart under the charge of having deserved wrongful punishment, and therefore required to be dismissed in an honourable manner. It was not a mere point of honour that the apostle stood upon, but justice, and not to himself so much as to his cause. And when proper apology is made, Christians should never express personal anger, nor insist too strictly upon personal amends. The Lord will make them more than conquerors in every conflict; instead of being cast down by their sufferings, they will become comforters of their brethren.