Threw off their garments for east off their clothes, A.V.; east for threw, A.V. Threw off their garments . Either "wild signs of fury, gestures by which they gave to understand that they would gladly accomplish the cry, 'Away with him from the earth!'" (Lunge), tokens of applause and consent at the sentiment of the cry , " Lucian, ' De Salt,'); or (so Meyer) signifying that they were ready to stone the culprit (see Acts 22:20 ). read more
The earthly and the heavenly citizenship. The most interesting and the most distinctively Christian truth contained in this passage is that which we gain by contrasting the citizenship of ancient Rome with that of the kingdom of Christ. But we may also let these verses remind us of— I. THE INHUMANITY OF HEATHENISM . "The chief captain … bade that he should be examined by scourging; that he might know," etc. ( Acts 22:24 ). What an inhuman and brutal procedure to extract... read more
Bidding for and bade, A.V.; for what cause for wherefore, A.V.; so shouted for cried so, A.V. The chief captain (see Acts 21:31 , note). The castle (see Acts 21:34 , note). Examined ; ἀνετάζεσθαι , only here and in Acts 22:29 . In 6:29 (Codex Alexandrinus) and in the Hist. of Susanna 14 the verb has the simple sense of "inquiring." The classical word for "examining" and especially by torture, is ἐξετάζειν . By scourging ( μάστιξιν ). The μάστιξ was in... read more
Cast off their clothes - Their outer garments. Probably they did it now intending to stone him, Acts 7:58.And threw dust into the air - As expressive of them abhorrence and indignation. This was a striking exhibition of rage and malice. Paul was guarded by Roman soldiers so that they could not injure him; and their only way of expressing their wrath was by menaces and threats, and by these tokens of furious indignation. Thus, Shimei expressed his indignation against David by cursing him,... read more
The castle - The castle of Antonia. He would be there removed entirely from the wrath of the Jews.Should be examined - ἀνετάζεσθαι anetazesthai.” The word “examine” with us commonly means “to inquire, to question, to search for, to look carefully into a subject.” The word used here is commonly applied to metals whose nature is tested, or examined by fire; and then it mean to subject to torture or torments, in order to extort a confession where persons were accused of crime. It was often... read more
Acts 22:23-24. And as they cried out In this furious manner; and cast Or tore; off their clothes In token of indignation and horror at this pretended blasphemy: or, as Dr. Whitby thinks, as in the case of Stephen, that they might be ready to stone him; and threw dust into the air Through vehemence of rage, which they knew not how to give vent to; the chief captain Not knowing the particulars of what had passed, but perceiving, by the effect, that Paul had rather exasperated than... read more
Paul’s reply to the crowd (21:37-22:29)By his command of the situation, Paul showed much physical courage and mental alertness. One minute he was snatched from a violent death, the next he was able to address a mob of wildly excited Jews who were screaming for his blood. He spoke with such power that a rioting crowd of would-be murderers listened to him in silence (37-40).Paul wanted to show that he was a zealous Jew, called by God to serve him. He told of his Jewish upbringing and education,... read more
cried out = were crying out. Greek. kraugazo. See John 18:40 . cast off . Greek. ripto . clothes = outer garments. Greek. himation. Holding them in their hands and tossing them upward. threw = were throwing. Greek. ballo. App-174 . read more
chief captain . See note on Acts 21:31 . castle . See note on Acts 21:34 . examined . Greek. anetazo . Only here and Acts 22:29 . scourging . Greek. mastix. Here and Hebrews 11:36 translated "scourging"; in the Gospels (Mark 3:10 ; Mark 5:29 , Mark 5:34 , Luke 7:21 ) Translated "plague". Compare John 19:1 . that = in order that. Greek. hina . know . Greek. epiginosko. App-132 . wherefore = on account of (Greek. dia) . what cause. cried = were shouting. Greek. epiphoneo. See note... read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 22:22-30
Rescue of the prisoner and reference of his cause to the Jewish Sanhedrim. Notice— I. THE POWER OF PREJUDICE . The very word "Gentile" exasperates Jews, yet they were separated from Gentiles, not to hate them, but to save them. II. The close connection between IGNORANCE AND VIOLENCE . Knowledge helps patience; patience promotes knowledge. III. THE CRUELTY OF POWER when it is exercised without righteousness. Torture was at once a confession of weakness and... read more