Acts 22:23

As they cried out, and threw off their cloaks, and threw dust into the air,

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Other translations

WEBBE

As they cried out, threw off their cloaks, and threw dust into the air,

BSB

As they were shouting and throwing off their cloaks and tossing dust into the air,

KJV

And as they cried out, and cast off their clothes, and threw dust into the air,

ASV

And as they cried out, and threw off their garments, and cast dust into the air,

BBE

And while they were crying out, and pulling off their clothing, and sending dust into the air,

Original Greek

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κραυγαζόντων kraugazontōn While shouting out G2905 τε te then G5037 αὐτῶν autōn they G846 καὶ kai and G2532 ῥιπτούντων rhiptountōn casting off G4496 τὰ ta the G3588 ἱμάτια himatia garments G2440 καὶ kai and G2532 κονιορτὸν koniorton dust G2868 βαλλόντων ballontōn throwing G906 εἰς eis into G1519 τὸν ton the G3588 ἀέρα aera air G109

The early church

"And shaking out their clothes," it says, "they threw dust into the air," to make insurrection more fierce, because they wished to frighten the governor. And observe; they do not say what the charge was, as in fact they had nothing to allege, but only think to strike terror by their shouting. "The tribune commanded," etc. and yet he ought to have learnt from the accusers, "wherefore they cried so against him." Whereas both the tribune ought to have examined whether these things were so-yes, and the Jews themselves too-or, if they were not so, to have ordered him to be scourged, he "bade examine him by scourging, that he might know for what cause they so clamored against him." And yet he ought to have learnt from those clamorers, and to have asked whether they laid hold upon aught of the things spoken: instead of that, without more ado he indulges his arbitrary will and pleasure, and acts with a view to gratify them: for he did not look to this, how he should do a righteous thing, but only how he might stop their rage unrighteous as it was.

John Chrysostom · d. 407Homilies on Acts

Commentary

Matthew Henry · Verses 22–30

The Jews listened to Paul's account of his conversion, but the mention of his being sent to the Gentiles, was so contrary to all their national prejudices, that they would hear no more. Their frantic conduct astonished the Roman officer, who supposed that Paul must have committed some great crime. Paul pleaded his privilege as a Roman citizen, by which he was exempted from all trials and punishments which might force him to confess himself guilty. The manner of his speaking plainly shows what holy security and serenity of mind he enjoyed. As Paul was a Jew, in low circumstances, the Roman officer questioned how he obtained so valuable a distinction; but the apostle told him he was free born. Let us value that freedom to which all the children of God are born; which no sum of money, however large, can purchase for those who remain unregenerate. This at once put a stop to his trouble. Thus many are kept from evil practices by the fear of man, who would not be held back from them by the fear of God. The apostle asks, simply, Is it lawful? He knew that the God whom he served would support him under all sufferings for his name's sake. But if it were not lawful, the apostle's religion directed him, if possible, to avoid it. He never shrunk from a cross which his Divine Master laid upon his onward road; and he never stept aside out of that road to take one up.

Read Matthew Henry on Acts 22 →

Cross-references

Topics

Intolerance, Religious Claudius Lysius

Cross-references: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. Hebrew and Greek data from STEPBible.org (Tyndale House, Cambridge), CC BY 4.0. Library: sources.