Acts 22:23

Verse

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version (1901)

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

Bible in Basic English

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

Douay-Rheims 1899

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

Free Bible Version

They screamed and tore off their coats and threw dust into the air.

Geneva Bible 1599

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

King James (Authorized) Version

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

Plain English Version

The mob kept on shouting, “Kill him.” And they took off their coats, and they threw dirt into the air, to show that they were very angry.

Translation for Translators

While they continued shouting, “Kill him!” they took off their cloaks and threw dust into the air, which showed how angry they were.

Unlocked Literal Bible

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

Noah Webster Bible

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

World English Bible

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

Young's Literal Translation

And they crying out and casting up their garments, and throwing dust into the air,

Context

Paul the Roman Citizen

²²The crowd listened to Paul until he made this statement. Then they lifted up their voices and shouted, “Rid the earth of him! He is not fit to live!”²³As they were shouting and throwing off their cloaks and tossing dust into the air,²⁴the 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.

Summary

This verse depicts the intense conflict and division among the people when Paul, a devout follower of Christ, was speaking about his faith. The uproar and shouting reflect the strong opposition and hostility faced by early Christians as they proclaimed the Gospel. Despite the chaos, Paul's unwavering commitment to sharing the message of Jesus Christ is evident, showing his courage and dedication to fulfilling his mission. The verse serves as a reminder of the challenges and persecution that believers may encounter when spreading the Word of God. It also highlights the importance of standing firm in faith, even in the face of adversity.

Commentary

Adam Clarke
John Gill
Tyndale

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

Cast off their clothes - Bishop Pearce supposes that shaking their upper garments is all that is meant here; and that it was an ancient custom for men to do so when highly pleased or greatly irritated; but it is likely that some of them were now actually throwing off their clothes, in order to prepare to stone Paul. Threw dust into the air - In sign of contempt, and by way of execration. Shimei acted so, in order to express his contempt of David, Sa2 16:13, where it is said, he cursed him as he went, and threw stones at him; or, as the margin, he dusted him with dust. Their throwing dust in the air was also expressive of extraordinary rage and vindictive malice. The apostle, being guarded by the Roman soldiers, was out of the power of the mob; and their throwing dust in the air not only showed their rage, but also their vexation that they could not get the apostle into their power. It is still used as a token of hostility and defiance. M. Denon, (Travels in Egypt, vol. iii. p. 98), on coming down the Nile to Cairo, stopped at the ancient city of Antinoe, to examine its ruins. "Being desirous of obtaining a view of the whole of these ruins, we ascended a little hill, and soon perceived the inhabitants of the modern village assembling behind an opposite eminence: scarcely had we come over against them than, supposing our intentions to be hostile, they called out for assistance, and threw dust into the air, in token of defiance. The alarm spread, and they began firing upon us."

John Gill Bible Commentary

And as they bound him with thongs,.... To a pillar, in order to be scourged, according to the Roman manner (d). 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 (e); for the pillar to which he was bound was fixed in the ground, and so high as for a man to lean upon (f); and some say it was two cubits, and others a cubit and a half high (g): 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 body, which fitly expresses the stooping inclining posture of the person scourged, and was a very proper one for such a punishment: now as they were thus fastening him with thongs to the pillar, and putting him in this position, Paul said unto the centurion that stood by; to see the soldiers execute the orders received from the chief captain: is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman, and uncondemned? Though the apostle puts this by way of question, yet he knew full well what the Roman laws were in such cases; he did not put this through ignorance, or for information, but to let them know who he was, and to put them in mind of these laws, and of their duty; for, according to the Porcian law, Roman citizens were not to be beaten (h). Hence, says (i) Cicero, "it is a heinous sin to bind a Roman citizen, it is wickedness to beat him, it is next to parricide to kill him, and what shall I say to crucify him?'' And, according to the Valerian law, it was not lawful for magistrates to condemn a Roman without hearing the cause, and pleading in it; and such condemned persons might appeal to the populace (k). (d) Lipsius de Cruce, l. 2. c. 4. (e) Misna Maccot, c. 3. sect. 12, 13. (f) Bartenora in ib. (g) Yom Tob in ib. (h) Cicero pro Rabirio Orat. 18. (i) In Verrem Orat. 10. (k) Pompon. Laetus de Legibus, p. 157.