Acts 16:24 - Exposition

Cast for thrust, A.V. In the stocks ; Greek τὸ ξύλον , sometimes called ξυλοπέδη . The ξύλον was of different forms, and used as a punishment. Sometimes it was a kind of heavy wooden collar put on the neck of a prisoner, whence the phrase, ξύλῳ φιμοῦν τὴν αὐχένα ," To make fast his neck in the pillory." Sometimes it was what Aristophanes calls πεντεσύριγγον ξύλον , "stocks with five holes," two for the feet, two for the hands, and one for the neck. Here, as in Job 13:27 (where the LXX . word is ἐν κυλύματι , Hebrew דסֵ , a stake, or log), it is simply" the stocks." Thus Paul and Silas, first stripped and 1,catch, then put in the inner prison, and further made fast in the stocks, were treated with the utmost possible rigour and severity. See St. Paul's vivid reminiscence of the outrage ( 1 Thessalonians 2:2 , ὑβρισθέντες ).