Acts 16:38

The police officers reported these words to the magistrates. They were frightened when they heard Paul and Silas ¹  were Roman citizens ² 

The officers reported this to the magistrates, and when they heard that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens, they were alarmed.

The policemen reported these words to the chief magistrates. They were afraid when they heard that they were Romans,

When the police made their report, the city officials were alarmed to learn that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens.

When the officers reported this, the judges panicked. They had no idea that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens.

And the police gave an account of these words to the authorities, and they were full of fear on hearing that they were Romans;

The police reported these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Roman citizens;

And the officers told these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Romans.

The police officers reported these words to the magistrates. They were frightened when they heard Paul and Silas ¹  were Roman citizens ² 

¹ tn Grk “heard they”; the referents (Paul and Silas) have been specified in the translation for clarity.

² sn Roman citizens. This fact was disturbing to the officials because due process was a right for a Roman citizen, well established in Roman law. To flog a Roman citizen was considered an abomination. Such punishment was reserved for noncitizens.