Acts 16:22

KJV

And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat [them].

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} the multitude {G3793} rose up together {G4911} against {G2596} them {G846}: and {G2532} the magistrates {G4755} rent off {G4048} their {G846} clothes {G2440}, and commanded {G2753} to beat {G4463} them.

Complete Jewish Bible

The mob joined in the attack against them, and the judges tore their clothes off them and ordered that they be flogged.

Berean Standard Bible

The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered that they be stripped and beaten with rods.

American Standard Version

And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent their garments off them, and commanded to beat them with rods.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 16:22 powerfully depicts the immediate and visceral public outcry against Paul and Silas in Philippi, culminating in swift and brutal official action. Following accusations by the former masters of a demon-possessed girl, an incited crowd turns violently against the apostles, prompting the city magistrates to dramatically strip them of their clothes and command a severe beating, all without due process. This verse marks a pivotal moment in their mission, underscoring the intense opposition faced by early Christian evangelists in a Roman colonial setting.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the climax of the immediate conflict initiated by Paul's exorcism of a spirit of divination from a slave girl in [Philippi](/acts/16-16-18 "Acts 16:16-18 - Paul Casts Out a Spirit of Divination"). Her masters, enraged at the loss of their lucrative income, seized Paul and Silas and dragged them before the city magistrates, leveling charges that exploited Roman civic pride and legal sensitivities. The preceding verses detail these accusations, specifically that Paul and Silas were "troubling our city" and "teaching customs which are not lawful for us to receive or observe, being Romans" ([Acts 16:20-21](/acts/16-20-21 "Acts 16:20-21 - The Accusations Against Paul and Silas")). Acts 16:22 describes the immediate, unjust, and violent response of both the populace and the authorities, setting the stage for their subsequent imprisonment and the miraculous events that follow, including the conversion of the jailer and his household in [Acts 16:25-34](/acts/16-25-34 "Acts 16:25-34 - The Philippian Jailer's Conversion").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Philippi was a significant Roman colony in Macedonia, established by Augustus as a settlement for Roman veterans. As a *colonia*, it enjoyed special privileges and its citizens were fiercely proud of their Roman identity and adherence to Roman law and customs. Roman law was highly suspicious of new, unauthorized religions, particularly those that seemed to challenge public order, Roman traditions, or the imperial cult. The accusation of introducing "unlawful customs" was therefore a grave charge, designed to inflame public sentiment and provoke official action. The "magistrates" (Greek: *strategoi*, Latin: *duumviri*) were the chief civil and judicial officials in a Roman colony, responsible for maintaining order. Their act of "renting off their clothes" was a dramatic public gesture of indignation and resolve, signaling their intention to take immediate and severe action, often a precursor to physical punishment. The command "to beat [them]" refers to flogging with rods (*virgae*), a common and brutal punishment for non-Roman citizens, administered summarily without trial, which was a clear violation of Roman legal procedure, especially given Paul's Roman citizenship (though this was unknown at the time).
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Acts and the broader New Testament. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Persecution and Opposition** that inevitably accompanies the spread of the Gospel, demonstrating that hostility can arise from economic interests, popular sentiment, and civil authorities alike. Secondly, it underscores the theme of **Injustice and Mob Mentality**, revealing how easily public officials can succumb to popular pressure, leading to gross miscarriages of justice where due process is abandoned. Thirdly, it exemplifies the **Suffering for the Gospel** that early believers willingly endured, echoing Jesus' warnings to His disciples about the cost of following Him, as seen in passages like [John 15:20](/john/15-20 "John 15:20 - Jesus Warns of Persecution") where He states, "If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you." The willingness of Paul and Silas to suffer unjustly for their faith serves as a profound testament to their unwavering commitment to Christ and His mission.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **multitude (Greek, _óchlos'_):** This term refers to a throng or crowd, often implying the general populace or even a rabble. In this context, it denotes the easily swayed public of Philippi, whose collective anger and prejudice were ignited by the accusations of the slave girl's masters. Their "rising up together" indicates a unified, aggressive movement against Paul and Silas, driven by emotion rather than reason.
* **magistrates (Greek, _stratēgós'_):** Literally meaning "a general," this term refers to the chief civil and military officials in a Roman colony, equivalent to the Latin *duumviri*. These were powerful figures responsible for maintaining Roman order and law. Their immediate and severe reaction, without proper investigation, demonstrates their desire to appease the agitated crowd and uphold perceived Roman authority, even at the expense of justice.
* **beat (Greek, _rhabdízō'_):** Derived from *rhabdos* (a stick or rod), this verb specifically means "to strike with a stick" or "to bastinado," referring to a severe flogging with rods. This was a common form of corporal punishment in the Roman world, typically administered to non-citizens. The command to "beat them" signifies a brutal and humiliating physical assault, intended to inflict pain and publicly disgrace the accused.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the multitude rose up together against them:"** This clause describes the spontaneous and collective uprising of the general populace. Incited by the slave girl's masters and their inflammatory accusations, the crowd's sentiment quickly turned hostile, demonstrating the volatile nature of public opinion and the dangers of mob rule. Their unified action indicates a widespread condemnation of Paul and Silas, fueled by a mixture of prejudice, fear of foreign customs, and a desire to uphold Roman identity.
* **"and the magistrates rent off their clothes,"** This action by the magistrates was a dramatic and symbolic gesture. Tearing their own official robes was a public display of extreme indignation, outrage, or grief, signifying their strong disapproval and their resolve to take immediate, decisive, and severe action against Paul and Silas. It served to visually communicate their alignment with the agitated crowd and their determination to restore order by punishing the accused.
* **"and commanded to beat [them]."** This final clause details the magistrates' official decree. Without a formal trial or investigation into the charges, they summarily ordered the physical punishment of Paul and Silas. The command to "beat" them with rods was a brutal form of scourging, a public humiliation and a severe physical torment, highlighting the profound injustice and abuse of power inherent in this situation.

#### Literary Devices
Acts 16:22 employs several **literary devices** to heighten the drama and underscore the injustice. The rapid succession of events—the crowd's uprising, the magistrates' dramatic gesture, and the immediate command to beat—creates a sense of **escalation** and **urgency**, emphasizing the swift and unthinking nature of the persecution. The magistrates' act of "renting off their clothes" serves as powerful **symbolism**, representing their feigned outrage and their public commitment to a severe, albeit unjust, course of action. There is also a strong element of **irony** and **dramatic irony** present: the Roman officials, representatives of law and order, abandon due process and inflict unlawful punishment, especially significant given Paul's Roman citizenship, which they were unaware of. This scene also functions as **foreshadowing**, hinting at the continued persecution and suffering that Paul and other apostles would endure throughout their ministry, as well as the divine intervention that often accompanied such trials.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 16:22 is a stark reminder of the cost of discipleship and the reality of suffering for the sake of the Gospel. Theologically, it demonstrates that God's kingdom advances not only through miraculous signs and conversions but also through the faithful endurance of His servants in the face of profound injustice and violence. The willingness of Paul and Silas to suffer without retaliation reflects a deep trust in God's sovereignty and a commitment to Christ's example. This episode underscores the tension between human authority and divine purpose, revealing how human systems, even those purporting to uphold justice, can become instruments of unrighteousness. Yet, God often uses such suffering as a catalyst for greater spiritual breakthroughs, as seen in the subsequent conversion of the Philippian jailer. The unjust treatment of Paul and Silas also highlights the pervasive presence of evil in the world, manifesting through mob mentality, economic greed, and the abuse of power, all of which stand in opposition to the truth and love of Christ.
* [Matthew 5:10-12](/matthew/5-10-12 "Matthew 5:10-12 - Blessed are the Persecuted")
* [2 Corinthians 11:25](/2_corinthians/11-25 "2 Corinthians 11:25 - Paul's Sufferings")
* [1 Peter 4:12-16](/1_peter/4-12-16 "1 Peter 4:12-16 - Suffering for Christ")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 16:22 challenges believers to confront the reality of opposition and injustice in a fallen world, particularly when advocating for truth and righteousness. It calls us to examine our own responses when faced with unfair treatment or hostility due to our faith or our commitment to biblical principles. Paul and Silas's subsequent actions—singing hymns in prison after their beating—exemplify a profound steadfastness and unwavering trust in God, even in the midst of severe suffering. This passage also serves as a potent warning against the dangers of mob mentality and the ease with which public opinion can be swayed by misinformation or self-interest, leading to the abandonment of justice. It compels us to cultivate discernment, to stand for what is right even when unpopular, and to resist the urge to join in condemnation without due process. Ultimately, this narrative reminds us that God's sovereign purposes are not thwarted by human wickedness; instead, He often uses trials and suffering as powerful means to advance His kingdom, transform lives, and display His glory, even in the darkest of circumstances.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I typically react when faced with injustice or false accusations, especially when they stem from my faith?**
* **In what ways might I be susceptible to mob mentality or popular opinion, and how can I cultivate a more discerning and principled stance?**
* **How does the example of Paul and Silas's endurance in suffering deepen my understanding of God's sovereignty and His ability to work through difficult circumstances?**

### FAQ
**What does it mean that the magistrates "rent off their clothes"?**

Answer: The act of the magistrates "renting off their clothes" (Greek: *perirrhḗgnymi*) was a highly symbolic and dramatic gesture in the ancient world. It was a public display of extreme indignation, outrage, or grief. In this context, it signified their strong disapproval of Paul and Silas and their determination to take immediate, severe action against them. It was a visual communication to the agitated crowd that the authorities were aligned with their anger and were prepared to exact punishment, signaling the end of any pretense of judicial process and the onset of summary judgment. This dramatic tearing of garments was often a precursor to physical violence or public humiliation.

**Why were Paul and Silas beaten without a trial, especially if Paul was a Roman citizen?**

Answer: Paul and Silas were beaten without a trial due to a combination of factors: the magistrates' desire to appease the incited "multitude" (Greek: *ochlos*), the inflammatory nature of the accusations (disturbing the peace and introducing unlawful customs in a Roman colony), and the magistrates' probable haste to restore order. Roman law strictly forbade the beating of Roman citizens without a proper trial, and even then, only for specific offenses. The fact that Paul was a Roman citizen (as revealed later in [Acts 16:37-39](/acts/16-37-39 "Acts 16:37-39 - Paul Reveals His Roman Citizenship")) makes this beating a clear and serious violation of his rights. The magistrates were likely unaware of Paul's citizenship at the time, or they simply disregarded due process in the face of public pressure and their own prejudices against the new, unauthorized religion. This incident highlights the corruption and injustice that could occur even within the vaunted Roman legal system.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 16:22, with its vivid portrayal of unjust suffering, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in several ways. The experience of Paul and Silas directly mirrors the unrighteous condemnation and physical abuse suffered by Jesus Himself. Just as the Jewish leaders and the Roman authorities conspired to condemn Jesus without cause, swayed by the cries of a manipulated crowd, so too were Paul and Silas subjected to a mob's fury and the magistrates' arbitrary decree. Jesus, the ultimate innocent Lamb, was stripped, beaten, and crucified, enduring the ultimate injustice for the sins of humanity ([Isaiah 53:5](/isaiah/53-5 "Isaiah 53:5 - By His Wounds We Are Healed")). The apostles' willingness to endure such suffering for the sake of the Gospel reflects their identification with Christ's passion and their commitment to follow in His footsteps, knowing that "the servant is not greater than his master" ([John 15:20](/john/15-20 "John 15:20 - Jesus Warns of Persecution")). Their endurance in Philippi, despite the brutal beating, becomes a powerful testimony to the resurrection power of Christ working through them, transforming a moment of profound injustice into an opportunity for divine intervention and the expansion of God's kingdom, ultimately leading to the conversion of the jailer and his household ([Acts 16:31-34](/acts/16-31-34 "Acts 16:31-34 - The Philippian Jailer's Conversion")). Thus, their suffering is not merely a historical event but a participation in the ongoing redemptive work of Christ, demonstrating that His victory is often made manifest through the weakness and suffering of His faithful witnesses ([2 Corinthians 12:9-10](/2_corinthians/12-9-10 "2 Corinthians 12:9-10 - God's Grace is Sufficient")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Thessalonians 2:2

But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.

2 Corinthians 6:5

In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;

2 Corinthians 11:23

Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I [am] more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.

2 Corinthians 11:25

Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;

Hebrews 11:36

And others had trial of [cruel] mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:

Acts 22:22

¶ And they gave him audience unto this word, and [then] lifted up their voices, and said, Away with such a [fellow] from the earth: for it is not fit that he should live.

Acts 22:26

When the centurion heard [that], he went and told the chief captain, saying, Take heed what thou doest: for this man is a Roman.