Acts 16:36

"And the jailor reported the words to Paul, saying, The magistrates have sent to let you go: now therefore come forth, and go in peace". But Paul said unto them, They have beaten us publicly, uncondemned, men that are Romans, and have cast us into prison; and do they now cast us out privily? Nay verily; but let them come themselves and bring us out"Men that are Romans" Indicating that both Paul and Silas were Roman citizens. Various laws had been passed since the founding of the Roman empire that exempted all Roman citizens from degrading forms of punishment. "It was. crime under Roman law to scourge. Roman citizen" (McGarvey p. 107). As to why this very important piece of information had not come out the day before, Bruce notes, "It may be that they did protest, but that no one paid attention to them in the excitement of the moment" (p. 340). Paul is upset that this rulers want to whitewash this situation and get rid of Paul and Silas in an underhanded way. "But let them come themselves and bring us out" "The acquittal should be as public as the condemnation" (Reese p. 595)."Paul must have had the Philippian church in mind. The public disgrace to which they had been subjected could have. serious effect on the congregation, and on other's willingness to accept the Gospel. It might even start. persecution against the Philippian converts. To insure that no dishonor was reflected on the Gospel, Paul demands that the magistrates themselves come and publicly declare them innocent by escorting them out of prison personally" (Reese p. 595). "Paul was not standing on his dignity for his own sake but for the sake of the Christians he was leaving behind in Philippi. He wanted it to be seen that they were not without influential friends" (Barclay p. 137). This example of Paul is helpful in interpreting Jesus' admonition to turn to other cheek (Matthew 5:39). Paul did not take that verse as meaning you let people walk all over you. Paul is not taking revenge, but he is insisting that people own up to what they have done.