Acts 22:25

“And as they bound him with thongs, etc.] To a pillar, in order to be scourged, according to the Roman manner f1132. Nor was the Jewish form of scourging much unlike, and perhaps might be now used, which was this; when they scourge anyone they bind both his hands to a pillar, here and there — and they do not strike him standing nor sitting, but inclining f1133 ; for the pillar to which he was bound was fixed in the ground, and so high as for a man to lean upon f1134; and some say it was two cubits, and others a cubit and a half high f1135: and the word here used signifies an extension, or distension; perhaps the stretching out of the arms to the pillar, and a bending forward of the whole…”

“Paul said to the centurion that stood by--to superintend the torture and receive the confession expected to be wrung from him. Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman, &c.--See on Act 16:37.”

“Bound him with thongs - With cords, preparatory to scourging. Is it lawful ... - It was directly contrary to the Roman law to bind and scourge a Roman citizen. See the notes on Acts 16:36-37. return to 'Top of Page'”

“And as they - The soldiers ordered by the tribune, were binding him with thongs - A freeman of Rome might be bound with a chain and beaten with a staff: but he might not be bound with thongs, neither scourged, or beaten with rods: Paul said to the centurion - The captain, who stood by to see the orders of the tribune executed. Acts 22:26”

“22:25-29 Paul claimed his status as a Roman citizen at this critical time when he was about to be tortured to make him confess his supposed crime. Roman citizenship was a valuable asset, and claiming it falsely was a capital offense. Its principal benefits were the prohibition of scourging and the right to appeal to the emperor (25:11). The commander was frightened at having nearly violated Roman law (cp. 16:35-39).”

“the centurion: Act 10:1, Act 23:17, Act 27:1, Act 27:3, Act 27:43; Mat 8:8, Mat 27:54 Is it: By the Roman law, no magistrate was allowed to punish a Roman citizen capitally, or by inflicting stripes, or even binding him; and the single expression, I am a Roman citizen, arrested their severest decrees, and obtained, if not an escape, at least a delay of his punishment. Act 22:27, Act 22:28, Act 16:37, Act 25:16 Acts 22:26”