‏ Acts 16:22

22. the multitude rose up together against them--so Ac 19:28, 34; 21:30; Lu 23:18.

the magistrates rent off their--Paul's and Silas'

clothes--that is, ordered the lictors, or rod-bearers, to tear them off, so as to expose their naked bodies (see on Ac 16:37). The word expresses the roughness with which this was done to prisoners preparatory to whipping.

and commanded to beat them--without any trial (Ac 16:37), to appease the popular rage. Thrice, it seems, Paul endured this indignity (2Co 11:25).

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