Charges at Philippi
Acts
16:12-40
The owners of the slave girl who was healed brought Paul and Silas to the forum area. There they denounced Paul and Silas to the city's magistrates, who had the two men beaten.
Context: The agora or market was the main public area at Philippi. Shopkeepers did business here and the open spaces were used for public gatherings. The city's magistrates also had a place in the agora to hear legal cases. The owners of the slave-girl who was angry when Paul cured her of spirit possession because she no longer could tell fortunes for a fee. They charged Paul and Silas with being threats to the Roman social order. Although Paul and Silas did not receive a trial, the magistrates had power to have prisoners beaten in order to discipline or interrogate them. They used this power against Paul and Silas before placing them in prison.