SEV Biblia, Chapter 22:23
Y dando ellos voces, y arrojando sus ropas y echando polvo al aire,
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Acts 22:23
Verse 23. Cast off their clothes] Bishop Pearce supposes that shaking their upper garments is all that is meant here; and that it was an ancient custom for men to do so when highly pleased or greatly irritated; but it is likely that some of them were now actually throwing off their clothes, in order to prepare to stone Paul. Threw dust into the air] In sign of contempt, and by way of execration.
Shimei acted so, in order to express his contempt of David, 2 Sam. xvi. 13, where it is said, he cursed him as he went, and threw stones at him; or, as the margin, he dusted him with dust. Their throwing dust in the air was also expressive of extraordinary rage and vindictive malice. The apostle, being guarded by the Roman soldiers, was out of the power of the mob; and their throwing dust in the air not only showed their rage, but also their vexation that they could not get the apostle into their power. It is still used as a token of hostility and defiance. M. Denon, (Travels in Egypt, vol. iii. p. 98,) on coming down the Nile to Cairo, stopped at the ancient city of Antinoe, to examine its ruins. "Being desirous of obtaining a view of the whole of these ruins, we ascended a little hill, and soon perceived the inhabitants of the modern village assembling behind an opposite eminence: scarcely had we come over against them than, supposing our intentions to be hostile, they called out for assistance, and threw dust into the air, in token of defiance. The alarm spread, and they began firing upon us."
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 23. And as they cried out , etc.] In this furious manner: and cast off their clothes ; either like madmen, that knew not what they did, or in order to stone him; (see Acts 7:57,58). and threw dust into the air either with their hands, or by striking the earth, and scraping it with their feet, through indignation and wrath, like persons possessed, or mad.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 22-30 - The Jews listened to Paul's account of his conversion, but the mentio of his being sent to the Gentiles, was so contrary to all their national prejudices, that they would hear no more. Their franti conduct astonished the Roman officer, who supposed that Paul must have committed some great crime. Paul pleaded his privilege as a Roma citizen, by which he was exempted from all trials and punishments whic might force him to confess himself guilty. The manner of his speakin plainly shows what holy security and serenity of mind he enjoyed. A Paul was a Jew, in low circumstances, the Roman officer questioned ho he obtained so valuable a distinction; but the apostle told him he wa free born. Let us value that freedom to which all the children of God are born; which no sum of money, however large, can purchase for thos who remain unregenerate. This at once put a stop to his trouble. Thu many are kept from evil practices by the fear of man, who would not be held back from them by the fear of God. The apostle asks, simply, Is i lawful? He knew that the God whom he served would support him under all sufferings for his name's sake. But if it were not lawful, the apostle's religion directed him, if possible, to avoid it. He neve shrunk from a cross which his Divine Master laid upon his onward road and he never stept aside out of that road to take one up __________________________________________________________________
Greek Textus Receptus
κραυγαζοντων 2905 5723 V-PAP-GPM δε 1161 CONJ αυτων 846 P-GPM και 2532 CONJ ριπτουντων 4495 5723 V-PAP-GPM τα 3588 T-APN ιματια 2440 N-APN και 2532 CONJ κονιορτον 2868 N-ASM βαλλοντων 906 5723 V-PAP-GPM εις 1519 PREP τον 3588 T-ASM αερα 109 N-ASM
Robertson's NT Word Studies
22:23 {As they cried out} (kraugazontwn autwn). Genitive absolute with present active participle of kraugazw, a rare word in the old Greek from krauge (a cry). See on Mt 12:19. Two other genitive absolutes here, rhiptountwn (throwing off, present active participle, frequent active variation of rhiptw) and ballontwn (present active participle of ballw, flinging). These present participles give a lively picture of the uncontrolled excitement of the mob in their spasm of wild rage.
