Word Pictures in the New Testament - David Cox

Word Pictures in the NT [Acts: Chapter 16]
Jews. This appeal to race prejudice would be especially pertinent
then because of the recent decree of Claudius expelling Jews from
Rome (18:2). It was about A.D. 49 or 50 that Paul is in
Philippi. The hatred of the Jews by the Romans is known otherwise
(Cicero, _Pro Flacco_, XXVIII; Juvenal, XIV. 96-106). {Do
exceedingly trouble} (\ektarassousin\). Late compound (effective
use of \ek\ in composition) and only here in the N.T.
16:21 {Customs which it is not lawful for us to receive, or to
observe, being Romans} (\eth• ha ouk estin h•min paradechesthai
oude poiein R•maiois ousin\). Note the sharp contrast between
"being Jews" in verse 20 and "being Romans" here. This pose of
patriotism is all sound and fury. It is love of money that moves
these "masters" far more than zeal for Rome. As Roman citizens in
a colony they make full use of all their rights of protest.
Judaism was a _religio licita_ in the Roman empire, only they
were not allowed to make proselytes of the Romans themselves. No
Roman magistrate would pass on abstract theological questions
(18:15), but only if a breach of the peace was made
(\ektarassousin h•m•n t•n polin\) or the formation of secret
sects and organizations. Evidently both of these last points are
involved by the charges of "unlawful customs" by the masters who
are silent about their real ground of grievance against Paul and
Silas. \Ethos\ (kin to \•thos\, 1Co 15:33) is from \eth•\, to
be accustomed or used to a thing. The Romans granted toleration
to conquered nations to follow their religious customs provided
they did not try to win the Romans. But the Jews had made great
headway to favour (the God-fearers) with increasing hatred also.
Emperor worship had in store grave peril for both Jews and
Christians. The Romans will care more for this than for the old
gods and goddesses. It will combine patriotism and piety.
16:22 {Rose up together} (\sunepest•\). Second aorist
(ingressive) active of the double compound \sunephist•mi\,
intransitive, old verb, but only here in the N.T. (cf.
\katepest•san\ in 18:12). There was no actual attack of the mob
as Paul and Silas were in the hands of the officers, but a sudden
and violent uprising of the people, the appeal to race and
national prejudice having raised a ferment. {Rent their garments
off them} (\perir•xantes aut•n ta himatia\). First aorist active
participle of \perir•gnumi\, old verb, to break off all around,
to strip or rend all round. Here only in the N.T. The duumvirs
probably gave orders for Paul and Silas to be stripped of their
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