19 But when her masters saw that their hope of profit was gone , they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the market place before the authorities , 20 and when they had brought them to the chief magistrates , they said , "These men are throwing our city into confusion , being Jews , 21 and are proclaiming customs which it is not lawful for us to accept or to observe , being Romans ." 22 The crowd rose up together against them, and the chief magistrates tore their robes off them and proceeded to order them to be beaten with rods . 23 When they had struck them with many blows , they threw them into prison , commanding the jailer to guard them securely ; 24 and he, having received such a command , threw them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Acts 16:19-24
Commentary on Acts 16:16-24
(Read Acts 16:16-24)
Satan, though the father of lies, will declare the most important truths, when he can thereby serve his purposes. But much mischief is done to the real servants of Christ, by unholy and false preachers of the gospel, who are confounded with them by careless observers. Those who do good by drawing men from sin, may expect to be reviled as troublers of the city. While they teach men to fear God, to believe in Christ, to forsake sin, and to live godly lives, they will be accused of teaching bad customs.