Magistrates

And you, Ezra, according to the wisdom of your God, which you possess, are to appoint magistrates and judges to judge all the people west of the Euphrates—all who know the laws of your God. And you are to teach these laws to anyone who does not know them.

Then King Nebuchadnezzar sent word to assemble the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates, and all the other officials of the provinces to attend the dedication of the statue he had set up.

So the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates, and all the rulers of the provinces assembled for the dedication of the statue that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up, and they stood before it.

They brought them to the magistrates and said, “These men are Jews and are throwing our city into turmoil

The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered that they be stripped and beaten with rods.

When daylight came, the magistrates sent their officers with the order: “Release those men.”

The jailer informed Paul: “The magistrates have sent orders to release you. Now you may go on your way in peace.”

So the officers relayed this message to the magistrates, who were alarmed to hear that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens.