Verse 38. They feared, when they heard, etc. They were apprehensive of punishment for having imprisoned them in violation of the laws of the empire. To punish unjustly a Roman citizen was deemed an offence to the majesty of the Roman people, and was severely punished by the laws. Dionysius Hall. (Ant. Rom.2) says, that |the punishment appointed for those who abrogated or transgressed the Valerian law was death, and the confiscation of his property.| The emperor Claudius deprived the inhabitants of Rhodes of freedom for having crucified some Roman citizens. Dio. Cuss. lib.60. (See Kuinoel and Grotius.)
{*} |serjeants| |officers|