## the thongs ##

These were strips of leather or animal hide.

## "Is it lawful for you to scourge a man who is a Roman and uncondemned?" ##

This rhetorical question is used to make the centurion question himself about whipping Paul. Alternate translation: "It is not lawful for you to whip a man who is a Roman and uncondemned!"(See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

## "What are you about to do?" ##

This rhetorical question is used to make the commander think about if he should whip Paul. "You should not do this!"