Then straightway they departed from him which should have examined him: and the chief captain also was afraid, after he knew that he was a Roman, and because he had bound him.
My Notes
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
Barnes' Notes
Then straightway - Immediately. They saw that by scourging him they would have Violated the Roman law, and exposed themselves to its penalty. Which should have examined him - Who were about to torture…
Adam Clarke
After he knew that he was a Roman - He who was going to scourge him durst not proceed to the torture when Paul declared himself to be a Roman. A passage from Cicero, Orat. pro Verr. Act. ii. lib. v.…
Paul was going on with this account of himself, had shown them his commission to preach among the Gentiles without any peevish reflections upon the Jews, and we may suppose designed next to show how…
Cambridge Bible
which should have examined him This is old English for "which were about to examine him" which the Rev. Ver.gives. The verb is euphemistically employed for the scourging which it was proposed to…