Then the tribune came up and arrested him and ordered him to be bound with two chains. He inquired who he was and what he had done.
We have here Paul brought into a captivity which we are not likely to see the end of; for after this he is either hurried from one bar to another, or lies neglected, first in one prison and then in another, and can neither be tried nor bailed. When we see the beginning of a trouble, we know not either how long it will last or how it will issue.
Commenting on Acts 21:27-40
Then the chief captain came near,.... To the place where the Jews were beating Paul: and took him the Arabic version adds, "from them"; he rescued him out of their hands, as he himself says, Act 23:27. And commanded him to be bound with two chains: partly to appease the people, and partly to secure Paul; who, he supposed, had been guilty of some misdemeanour...
Verse 33. To be bound with two chains. To show to the enraged multitude that he did not intend to rescue any one from justice, but to keep the peace. Paul's being thus bound would convince them of his determination that justice should be done in the case.