# General Information: Here the word "they" refers to the soldiers. # the thongs These were strips of leather or animal hide. # Is it lawful for you to scourge a man who is a Roman and who has not been put on trial? Paul uses this question to make the centurion check the validity of having his soldiers whip Paul. Alternate translation: "It is not lawful for you to whip a man who is a Roman and who was not given his legal right to a trial!" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])