Acts 16:22
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The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered that they be stripped and beaten with rods.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
the multitude rose up together against them--so Act 19:28, Act 19:34; Act 21:30; Luk 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 Act 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 (Act 16:37), to appease the popular rage. Thrice, it seems, Paul endured this indignity (Co2 11:25).
Open source ↗It is some rebuke to Barnabas that after he left Paul we hear no more of him, of what he did or suffered for Christ. But Paul, as he was recommended by the brethren to the grace of God, so his services for Christ after this are largely recorded; we are to attend him in this chapter from place to place, wherever he came doing good, either watering or planting, beginning new work or improving what was done. Here is, I. The beginning of his acquaintance with Timothy, and taking him to be his assistant (Act 16:1-3). II. The visit he made to the churches for their establishment (Act 16:4, Act 16:5). III. His call to Macedonia (after a restraint he had been under from going to some other places), and his coming to Philippi, the chief city of Macedonia, with his entertainment there (Act 16:6-13). IV. The conversion of Lydia there (Act 16:14, Act 16:15). V. The casing of an evil spirit out of a damsel (Act 16:16-18). VI. The accusing and abusing of Paul and Silas for it, their imprisonment, and the indignities done them (Act 16:19-24). VII. The miraculous conversion of the jailer to the faith of Christ (Act 16:25-34). VIII. The honourable discharge of Paul and Silas by the magistrates (Act 16:35-40).
Open source ↗16:22-24 All reasonable security measures were taken to ensure that Paul and Silas didn’t escape after they had been stripped and beaten with wooden rods (see 22:24-26; 2 Cor 6:5; 11:23-25). As at Christ’s tomb (Matt 27:65), however, human effort did not prevent divine intervention.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
Cross-references
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As you are aware, we had already endured suffering and shameful treatment in Philippi. But in the face of strong opposition, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God.
in beatings, imprisonments, and riots; in labor, sleepless nights, and hunger;
Still others endured mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment.
So Pilate released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed Him over to be crucified.
He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. “By His stripes you are healed.”
The Jews, however, became jealous. So they brought in some troublemakers from the marketplace, formed a mob, and sent the city into an uproar. They raided Jason’s house in search of Paul and Silas, hoping to bring them out to the people.
But beware of men; for they will hand you over to their councils and flog you in their synagogues.
But Paul said to the officers, “They beat us publicly without a trial and threw us into prison, even though we are Roman citizens. And now do they want to send us away secretly? Absolutely not! Let them come themselves and escort us out!”
At this, they yielded to Gamaliel. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and released them.
While Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews coordinated an attack on Paul and brought him before the judgment seat.