16:22 {14} And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat [them].
(14) An example of evil magistrates, to obey the fury and rage of the people.
16:22 The multitude rose up together against them. Inflamed with prejudice.
The magistrates. Without inquiry, influenced by the outcries of the throng.
Rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat [them]. They ordered them at once to be scourged. The lictors, the executioners, were at hand. The Roman custom was to lay bare the body and to beat it with the rods borne by the lictors. Paul says, Thrice was I beaten with rods (2Co 11:25).
16:16-24 Satan, though the father of lies, will declare the most important truths, when he can thereby serve his purposes. But much mischief is done to the real servants of Christ, by unholy and false preachers of the gospel, who are confounded with them by careless observers. Those who do good by drawing men from sin, may expect to be reviled as troublers of the city. While they teach men to fear God, to believe in Christ, to forsake sin, and to live godly lives, they will be accused of teaching bad customs.
