Acts 16:22

Multitude rose up. In sympathy with the men whose profits were threatened by the damsel’s cure.

Rent off their clothes. That is, tore off the clothes of Paul and Silas, in preparation for the flogging that was to follow.

To beat. Gr. rhabdizo, “to beat with rods,” from rhabdos, “a rod,” referring to a peculiarly Roman form of punishment. The strategoi (see on v. 20) had official attendants, known as lictors, each of whom carried bundles of rods as symbols of their office. Such rods were used in flogging the missionaries. It is possible that Luke saw the cruel punishment administered. Paul endured similar suffering on two other occasions (see 2 Cor. 11:25). The question arises, Why did he not claim exemption from such degrading, painful punishment on the grounds of his Roman citizenship, as he afterward did at Jerusalem (Acts 22:25)? Some have questioned, without basis, the truthfulness of his claim of citizenship. Others have suggested that he could have secured exemption, but for himself only, leaving Silas to suffer penalties that he himself escaped. But it is probable that Silas was also a Roman citizen (see on ch. 16:37). Perhaps the violence of the mob made it impossible for his claims to be heard (see on v. 37).