{When they had tied him up} (hos proeteinan auton). First
aorist active indicative of protein(935c), old verb to stretch
forward, only here in the N.T. Literally, "When they stretched
him forward." {With the thongs} (	ois himasin). If the
instrumental case of himas, old word for strap or thong (for
sandals as  Mr 1:7 , or for binding criminals as here), then Paul
was bent forward and tied by the thongs to a post in front to
expose his back the better to the scourges. But 	ois himasin
may be dative case and then it would mean "for the lashes." In
either case it is a dreadful scene of terrorizing by the
chiliarch. {Unto the centurion that stood by} (pros ton hest(9374)a
hekatontarchon). He was simply carrying out the orders of the
chiliarch (cf.  Mt 27:54 ). Why had not Paul made protest before
this? {Is it lawful?} (ei exestin?). This use of ei in
indirect questions we have had before ( 1:6 ). {A Roman and
uncondemned} (Romaion kai akatakriton). Just as in  16:37 
which see. Blass says of Paul's question: _Interrogatio
subironica est confidentiae plena_.