Acts 22:24

KJV

The chief captain commanded him to be brought into the castle, and bade that he should be examined by scourging; that he might know wherefore they cried so against him.

KJV (with Strong's)

The chief captain {G5506} commanded {G2753} him {G846} to be brought {G71} into {G1519} the castle {G3925}, and bade {G2036} that he {G846} should be examined {G426} by scourging {G3148}; that {G2443} he might know {G1921} wherefore {G1223}{G3739}{G156} they cried {G2019} so {G3779} against {G2019} him {G846}.

Complete Jewish Bible

so the commander ordered him brought into the barracks and directed that he be interrogated and whipped, in order to find out why they were yelling at him like this.

Berean Standard Bible

the commander ordered that Paul be brought into the barracks. He directed that Paul be flogged and interrogated to determine the reason for this outcry against him.

American Standard Version

the chief captain commanded him to be brought into the castle, bidding that he should be examined by scourging, that he might know for what cause they so shouted against him.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 22:24 captures a critical juncture in the Apostle Paul's arrest in Jerusalem, where the Roman chief captain, Claudius Lysias, in his attempt to quell a riot and understand the fervent Jewish outcry against Paul, commands that Paul be subjected to scourging. This brutal interrogation method was intended to extract information from non-Roman citizens, revealing the captain's bewilderment at the religious complexities driving the mob's fury and his pragmatic, albeit harsh, approach to maintaining order.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows Paul's impassioned defense before the Jewish crowd from the steps of the Antonia Fortress. He had recounted his dramatic conversion and his divine commission, culminating in the controversial declaration that God had sent him "far hence unto the Gentiles" ([Acts 22:21](/acts/22-21 "Paul's Commission to the Gentiles")). This mention of Gentiles, particularly in the sacred context of the Temple, provoked an immediate and violent uproar, with the crowd crying out for Paul's death and throwing off their clothes and dust into the air ([Acts 22:22-23](/acts/22-22-23 "The Crowd's Violent Reaction to Paul's Gentile Commission")). The chief captain, having witnessed the escalating chaos and unable to comprehend the Hebrew or Aramaic spoken by Paul and the crowd, resorted to a standard Roman procedure for investigation.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The chief captain, Claudius Lysias ([Acts 23:26](/acts/23-26 "Claudius Lysias's Letter to Felix")), was the Roman military commander stationed in Jerusalem. His headquarters were in the Antonia Fortress, which overlooked the Temple courts, allowing for swift intervention in disturbances. Roman law distinguished sharply between citizens and non-citizens; while citizens had certain protections, non-citizens could be subjected to severe interrogation methods, including scourging, to extract confessions or information. Scourging (Latin: *flagellatio*) was a brutal form of corporal punishment using a whip (a *flagellum*) often embedded with bone or metal, designed to tear flesh. It was a common prelude to crucifixion and a routine investigative tool, especially when dealing with sedition or riot, as the Romans perceived the situation. The chief captain's action reflects Roman pragmatism: when faced with an incomprehensible religious dispute, he sought a quick, albeit violent, means to ascertain the "cause" or "crime" that provoked such a strong public reaction.
* **Key Themes:** Acts 22:24 contributes to several key themes within the book of Acts. Firstly, it highlights the **clash of cultures and legal systems**—Roman order attempting to impose itself upon Jewish religious fervor, often leading to profound misunderstanding. The chief captain's inability to grasp the spiritual nature of the conflict underscores this. Secondly, it emphasizes **Paul's suffering for the gospel** and the constant opposition he faced, a theme prevalent throughout his ministry, as seen in his own testimonies of hardship ([2 Corinthians 11:23-27](/2_corinthians/11-23-27 "Paul's Sufferings for Christ")). Thirdly, and perhaps most significantly, this command, though intended for harm, becomes an unexpected catalyst for **divine providence**. It directly sets the stage for Paul to assert his Roman citizenship ([Acts 22:25](/acts/22-25 "Paul Asserts His Roman Citizenship")), a pivotal moment that grants him legal protection, prevents the scourging, and ultimately shapes the trajectory of his appeals and journey to Rome, facilitating the spread of the gospel to the imperial capital.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **chief captain (Greek, _chilíarchos'_):** This term refers to a military commander of a thousand soldiers, equivalent to a colonel in modern terms. In this context, it designates Claudius Lysias, the Roman tribune in charge of the cohort stationed in Jerusalem. His authority was significant, responsible for maintaining peace and order in a volatile province. His command here underscores the full weight of Roman military and legal power brought to bear on Paul.
* **scourging (Greek, _mástix'_):** Derived from a word meaning "a whip," this noun refers to the severe punishment of flogging or beating with a lash. It was a brutal and often life-threatening form of corporal punishment, typically inflicted with a *flagellum* designed to tear the flesh. The chief captain's intention was not merely to inflict pain but to use this extreme measure as a means of interrogation, believing it would compel Paul to reveal the "truth" behind the commotion.
* **know (Greek, _epiginṓskō'_):** This verb means "to know upon some mark," "to recognize," or "to become fully acquainted with." It implies a deeper, more complete understanding than mere superficial knowledge. The chief captain's desire was not just to hear *something* from Paul, but to fully comprehend the underlying cause and nature of the intense public outcry against him, which from his Roman perspective, seemed utterly baffling.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The chief captain commanded him to be brought into the castle":** Following the riot, Paul is to be removed from the public eye and taken into the secure confines of the Antonia Fortress. This command signifies the chief captain's immediate priority: to control the volatile situation and secure the prisoner, moving him from the chaotic public space to a controlled environment for private interrogation.
* **"and bade that he should be examined by scourging":** This is the core of the chief captain's investigative strategy. Unable to understand the language or the religious nuances of the Jewish crowd's accusations, he resorts to a standard, albeit brutal, Roman method of obtaining information. The command to "examine by scourging" reveals his desperation and the harsh realities of Roman justice for non-citizens.
* **"that he might know wherefore they cried so against him":** This clause explicitly states the chief captain's motivation. He seeks to ascertain the "cause" or "reason" (Greek: *aitía*) for the intense, violent outcry against Paul. From a Roman perspective, such a public disturbance required a clear, actionable cause, and he believed that scourging would force Paul to divulge it, allowing him to restore order and understand the legal basis (or lack thereof) for the mob's fury.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs **Irony** and **Foreshadowing**. The primary irony lies in the chief captain's attempt to use a brutal, physical method (scourging) to understand a deeply spiritual and theological conflict. He seeks a legal or criminal "cause" for the uproar, completely missing the profound religious and cultural animosity ignited by Paul's mission to the Gentiles. This highlights the chasm between Roman pragmatic governance and Jewish religious zeal. Furthermore, the command to scourge serves as powerful **Foreshadowing**. While intended to break Paul, it inadvertently sets the stage for Paul's assertion of his Roman citizenship in the very next verse ([Acts 22:25](/acts/22-25 "Paul Asserts His Roman Citizenship")), a revelation that dramatically alters his circumstances, protects him from the scourging, and ultimately ensures his safe passage through subsequent trials, paving the way for his journey to Rome and the spread of the gospel to the heart of the empire.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 22:24 powerfully illustrates the sovereignty of God even amidst human injustice and suffering. The chief captain's command, born of confusion and a desire for control, seems to place Paul in extreme peril. Yet, this very act of attempted coercion becomes a divine catalyst, setting in motion a chain of events that ultimately protects Paul and advances God's redemptive purposes. It reminds us that God's plans are not thwarted by human schemes or even by severe adversity; rather, He often uses such circumstances as instruments to achieve His will, providing unexpected avenues for His servants and His message. Paul's willingness to suffer for the gospel, even to the point of potentially enduring scourging, underscores the depth of his commitment and the divine protection that often accompanied his ministry.

* [2 Corinthians 11:24-25](/2_corinthians/11-24-25 "Paul's Account of Beatings and Floggings")
* [Acts 16:22-24](/acts/16-22-24 "Paul and Silas Beaten and Imprisoned in Philippi")
* [Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "All Things Work Together for Good")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
In a world that often struggles to understand and tolerate differing beliefs, Acts 22:24 offers profound lessons. Like the chief captain, we may find ourselves bewildered by conflicts rooted in deep-seated convictions, or we may face situations where our own faith is misunderstood or even vilified. This passage encourages us to trust in God's overarching plan, even when circumstances appear dire or unjust. Paul's willingness to endure suffering for the sake of the gospel, and God's subsequent intervention, reminds us that faithfulness in adversity is never in vain. We are called to stand firm in our convictions, knowing that God can use even the most challenging and seemingly negative events to further His kingdom and protect His people. Our trials, like Paul's, can become unexpected opportunities for God to demonstrate His power and presence.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do you respond when your faith or convictions are deeply misunderstood by others, especially those in authority?**
* **Can you identify a time in your life when a seemingly negative or unjust situation unexpectedly opened a door for God's purposes?**
* **What does Paul's willingness to face scourging teach us about the cost of discipleship and commitment to the gospel?**
* **How does the chief captain's pragmatic, yet flawed, approach to justice compare with the divine justice revealed in Scripture?**

### FAQ
**Who was the chief captain mentioned in Acts 22:24?**

Answer: The chief captain was Claudius Lysias, the Roman tribune (commander of a thousand soldiers) in charge of the Roman cohort stationed in Jerusalem. His primary responsibility was to maintain peace and order in the city, especially during festivals when tensions between the Jewish population and Roman authority often ran high. He is further identified by name in [Acts 23:26](/acts/23-26 "Claudius Lysias's Letter to Felix") in a letter he writes concerning Paul.

**What exactly was "scourging" and why was it used?**

Answer: Scourging (Greek: *mástix*) was a severe form of Roman corporal punishment, involving brutal flogging with a whip (a *flagellum*). This whip often had pieces of bone or metal embedded in its leather thongs, designed to tear the flesh. It was used for two main purposes: as a preliminary punishment before crucifixion, and as a method of interrogation, particularly for non-Roman citizens, to extract confessions or information. The chief captain ordered it for Paul because he was baffled by the Jewish crowd's intense outcry and sought to discover the "cause" of the disturbance through this brutal means.

**Why didn't Paul reveal his Roman citizenship earlier to avoid the initial arrest or the riot?**

Answer: Paul's actions throughout Acts often demonstrate a strategic discernment regarding when and how to reveal his Roman citizenship. In this instance, he had just concluded a defense before the Jewish crowd, which had erupted into a riot after he mentioned his mission to the Gentiles. The chief captain intervened to rescue him from the mob, not initially to arrest him for a specific crime. Paul's immediate concern was to address the crowd. It was only when the chief captain commanded the brutal interrogation by scourging, a punishment illegal for Roman citizens, that Paul strategically revealed his citizenship ([Acts 22:25](/acts/22-25 "Paul Asserts His Roman Citizenship")). This timing was crucial, as it prevented the torture, gained him legal protection, and set the stage for his subsequent appeals to Caesar, which ultimately facilitated his journey to Rome to preach the gospel.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 22:24, though describing Paul's suffering, powerfully echoes the unjust suffering and scourging of Christ, foreshadowing the path of His followers. Just as Paul was commanded to be examined by scourging to ascertain the "cause" of the uproar against him, Jesus, the perfect Lamb of God, was delivered to be scourged by Pilate ([Matthew 27:26](/matthew/27-26 "Jesus is Scourged")) without legitimate cause, bearing the sins of the world. The chief captain's bewilderment at the Jewish outcry against Paul mirrors the world's incomprehension of the spiritual truth that led to Christ's crucifixion—a divine plan for redemption, not a criminal act. Paul's experience, though horrific, ultimately served God's sovereign purpose to advance the gospel to the Gentiles and to Rome, just as Christ's suffering and death were the ultimate means by which salvation was secured for all humanity ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "God So Loved the World")). In Paul's willingness to endure such injustice for the sake of his mission, we see a profound reflection of Christ's perfect obedience and self-sacrifice, reminding us that suffering endured for Christ's sake is never in vain but participates in His redemptive work ([Philippians 3:10](/philippians/3-10 "Sharing in Christ's Sufferings")).

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

Acts 23:10

And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should have been pulled in pieces of them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and to take him by force from among them, and to bring [him] into the castle.

John 19:1

¶ Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged [him].

Acts 21:31

And as they went about to kill him, tidings came unto the chief captain of the band, that all Jerusalem was in an uproar.

Acts 21:32

Who immediately took soldiers and centurions, and ran down unto them: and when they saw the chief captain and the soldiers, they left beating of Paul.

Acts 21:34

And some cried one thing, some another, among the multitude: and when he could not know the certainty for the tumult, he commanded him to be carried into the castle.

Hebrews 11:35

Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:

Acts 16:37

But Paul said unto them, They have beaten us openly uncondemned, being Romans, and have cast [us] into prison; and now do they thrust us out privily? nay verily; but let them come themselves and fetch us out.