Why did Paul and Silas let the magistrates beat them with rods in Philippi?

[tonychanyt]

Luke first joined Paul's missionary journey in Tros (Ac 16:8-10). Luke was the official documenter traveling with Paul at this juncture. The next sequence of events would be dramatic in this continuing documentary. Luke was a personal witness.

Acts 16:

12 From there we traveled to Philippi, a Roman colony and the leading city of that district a of Macedonia.

Paul offended the owners of a fortune-telling slave girl. They got Paul and Silas arrested, but not Luke who was an observer and not a participant.

22 The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten with rods.

It was illegal to beat Roman citizens without a formal trial. Paul and Silas didn't reveal that they were Roman citizens. Why did they not claim that right?

Perhaps Paul wanted to demonstrate a lesson of willingness to suffer for Christ's sake with Silas. Later he would 'boast' in 2co 11:25 that three times he was beaten with rods.

They were unjustly beaten and then imprisoned.

25 About midnight

Paul and Silas should be resting and recovering from the beatings but no:

Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.

What was going on?

There was a revival meeting at midnight in the jailhouse. No one was sleeping. Paul and Silas were witnessing to other prisoners, and they were listening.

26 Suddenly a strong earthquake shook the foundations of the prison. At once all the doors flew open and everyone’s chains came loose.

A miracle happened but no one ran away.

Why did the other prisoners not run away?

Paul didn't. Perhaps they were following Paul's lead and stayed put, convinced by Paul.

27 When the jailer woke up and saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, presuming that the prisoners had escaped.

When Peter escaped from prison, the guards were put to death (Acts 12:19).

28 But Paul called out in a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself! We are all here!”

All prisoners were convinced by Paul.

29 Calling for lights, the jailer rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 Then he brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

Even the jailer was convinced.

Paul was beaten even though he could have claimed Roman citizenship. Why?

He demonstrated his willingness to suffer for Christ's sake. Luke witnessed it and Silas experienced it with Paul. Other prisoners heard of it from Paul and Silas' mouths. They were good witnesses for Christ.

Paul could have escaped but he stayed put in prison. Why?

He followed the Holy Spirit's leading. Silas followed his lead. Other prisoners followed their lead. They became good witnesses for Christ, and as a result, the jailor was convinced.

34 Then he brought them into his home and set a meal before them. So he and all his household rejoiced that they had come to believe in God.

Lastly, his household believed.

Why did Paul and Silas let the magistrates beat them with rods in Philippi?

To demonstrate their willingness to suffer for Christ. As a result, other prisoners, the jailor, and his household believed in God.

See also Paul played the Roman citizen card