Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia SERJEANTS sar'-jents, -jants (rhabdouchoi): In Acts 16:35, 38 the word (literally, "holders of rods," corresponding to Roman "lictors," thus the Revised Version margin) is used of the officers in attendance on the Philippian magistrates, whose duty it was to execute orders in scourging, etc., in this case in setting prisoners free. Paul and Silas, however, as Romans, refused thus to be "privily" dismissed.

Multi-Version Concordance Serjeants (2 Occurrences) Acts 16:35 And when it was day, the magistrates sent the serjeants, saying, Let those men go. (KJV) Acts 16:38 And the serjeants told these words unto the magistrates: and they feared, when they heard that they were Romans. (KJV)