Acts 22:24-29 The chief captain commanded him to be brought into the castle, and bade that he should be examined by scourging… I. FEAR OF THE PEOPLE MADE THE CHIEF CAPTAIN CRUEL TOWARDS PAUL. Why did the Roman tribune command Paul to be brought into the castle to be scourged? Not because he could have been in any way convinced of his guilt, but because he wished to conciliate the raging mob. Here is base cowardice. The love of right should make the ruler superior to the fear of man. II. FEAR OF THE ROMAN POWER FORCED HIM TO DESIST. While the indignities were being inflicted, Paul, with the heroism of a great man, said, "Is it lawful," etc. From the conversation that took place, three things are observable — 1. Paul's self-command. He speaks without rage or excitement to the bold Roman himself: "Is it lawful," etc. 2. The apostle's civic superiority. Paul was a "freeborn" citizen of Rome, the chief captain a citizen only by purchase. 3. The force of the Roman name. As soon as they heard that Paul was a Roman, the officer and the soldiers recoiled. Conclusion; This incident accords with Roman history. Cicero, against Verres, says, "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?" (D. Thomas, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: The chief captain commanded him to be brought into the castle, and bade that he should be examined by scourging; that he might know wherefore they cried so against him. |
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