And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates tore off their clothes, and commanded to beat them.
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John Chrysostom
AD 407
that they may be the means of a greater miracle. (c) The stricter the custody, the greater the miracle. It was probably from the wish to cut short the disturbance, that the magistrates did these things; because they saw the crowd urgent, and wished to stay their passion at the instant, therefore they inflicted the stripes: at the same time it was their wish to hear the matter, and that was why they cast them into prison and gave charge to keep them safely. And, it says, he made them fast in the stocks
O the irrational conduct! They did not examine, did not allow them to speak. And yet, such a miracle having taken place, you ought to have worshipped them, ought to have held them as saviors and benefactors. For if money was what ye wished, why, having found so great wealth, did ye not run to it? This makes you more famous, the having power to cast out demons than the obeying them. Lo, even miracles, and yet love of money was mightier. (f) And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison.— great was their wrath— charging the jailer to keep them safely
