22. the multitude rose up together against them—so Ac 19:28, 34; 21:30; Lu 23:18.
the magistrates rent off their—Paul's and Silas'
clothes—that is, ordered the lictors, or rod-bearers, to tear them off, so as to expose their naked bodies (see on Ac 16:37). The word expresses the roughness with which this was done to prisoners preparatory to whipping.
and commanded to beat them—without any trial (Ac 16:37), to appease the popular rage. Thrice, it seems, Paul endured this indignity (2Co 11:25).