16:19-21
We are told nothing about the effect that this had upon the girl, but whose owners were deeply upset as their little earner was no longer effective. So they seized Paul and SIlas and dragged them to face the authorities, the magistrates. The charge was they were Jews and had thrown the city into uproar. They claimed that the way of life Paul and Silas were advocating was “unlawful for us Romans to accept or practice”.
16:22-24
The crowd joined in with the attack, perhaps because they saw their way of life being threatened. It is very foolish to ever entrust ourselves to “crowds”. The magistrates seem to have had only a very tenuous commitment to the law and justice, as they ordered Paul and Silas to be stripped and beaten. After they had been severely flogged they were thrown into prison. The jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. Paul’s actions in getting rid of the demon may have put them on their guard. The jailer fastened their feet to the stocks. Luke is making sure that we appreciate that there was no natural way in which Paul and Silas could gain their freedom, it also explains the jailer’s later reaction.
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