Деяния 16:22

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).

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).

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.