Act 16:23 | RWP | e4.org | When they had laid ( επιθεντες ). Second aorist (constative) active participle of επιτιθημ , to place upon. Many stripes ( πολλας πληγας ). The Jewish law was forty stripes save one ( ). The Roman custom depended on the caprice of the judge and was a terrible ordeal. It was the custom to inflict the stripes on the naked body (back) as Livy 2.5 says: " Missique lictores ad sumendum supplicium, nudatos virgis caedunt ." On πληγας (from πλησσω , to strike a blow) see on ; . The jailor ( τω δεσμοφυλακ ). Late word ( δεσμοσ, φυλαξ , keeper of bonds), in the N.T. only here (verses , , ). The LXX has the word αρχιδεσμοφυλαξ ( ). Chrysostom calls this jailor Stephanus, he was of Achaia ( ). To keep safely ( ασφαλως τηρειν ). Present active infinitive, to keep on keeping safely, perhaps "as dangerous political prisoners" (Rackham). He had some rank and was not a mere turnkey.

‏ Acts 16:23

When they had laid ( επιθεντες ). Second aorist (constative) active participle of επιτιθημ, to place upon.

Many stripes ( πολλας πληγας ). The Jewish law was forty stripes save one (2Co 11:24). The Roman custom depended on the caprice of the judge and was a terrible ordeal. It was the custom to inflict the stripes on the naked body (back) as Livy 2.5 says: "Missique lictores ad sumendum supplicium, nudatos virgis caedunt." On πληγας (from πλησσω, to strike a blow) see on Lu 10:30; 12:47f.

The jailor ( τω δεσμοφυλακ ). Late word ( δεσμοσ, φυλαξ, keeper of bonds), in the N.T. only here (verses 23, 27, 36). The LXX has the word αρχιδεσμοφυλαξ (Ge 39:21-23). Chrysostom calls this jailor Stephanus, he was of Achaia (1Co 16:15).

To keep safely ( ασφαλως τηρειν ). Present active infinitive, to keep on keeping safely, perhaps "as dangerous political prisoners" (Rackham). He had some rank and was not a mere turnkey.