Act 16:22 | NET2full | STEP | The crowd joined the attack against them , and the magistrates tore the clothes off Paul and Silas and ordered them to be beaten with rods .

‏ Acts 16:22

22 The crowd joined the attack ^{▼▼tn L&N 39.50 has “the crowd joined the attack against them” for συνεπέστη (sunepestē) in this verse.} against them, and the magistrates tore the clothes ^{▼▼tn Grk “tearing the clothes off them, the magistrates ordered.” The participle περιρήξαντες (perirēxantes) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style. Although it may be possible to understand the aorist active participle περιρήξαντες in a causative sense (“the magistrates caused the clothes to be torn off Paul and Silas”) in the mob scene that was taking place, it is also possible that the magistrates themselves actively participated. This act was done to prepare them for a public flogging (2 Cor 11:25; 1 Thess 2:2).} off Paul and Silas ^{▼▼tn Grk “off them”; the referents (Paul and Silas) have been specified in the translation for clarity.} and ordered them to be beaten with rods. ^{▼▼tn The infinitive ῥαβδίζειν (rhabdizein) means “to beat with rods or sticks” (as opposed to fists, BDAG 902 s.v. ῥαβδίζω).}