Throwing Dust

Act 22:22 — Act 22:23

And they gave him audience unto this word, and then lifted up their voices, and said, Away with such a fellow from the earth: for it is not fit that he should live.

And as they cried out, and cast off their clothes, and threw dust into the air,

The national pride leading to prejudice was indeed strong! So much so that Paul's accusers were ready to stone him. 

The action of "casting off their clothes" is not what we think of today! But really a description to get ready for labour. It was the same reason why we read of the witnesses laying their clothes at Saul's (the later apostle Paul) feet when they got ready to to stone Stephen in Acts 7:58.

But why throw dust? It was likely because Paul was cross-examines in a Roman court at that time, and they were not at the liberty to throw real stones and thus merely made the action out of indignance and anger. Paul's accusers were incensed because here was their supposed "champion" of their cause of Judaism, not only preached of the pretender Jesus and even claimed to be sent unto the Gentiles (v.21). Truly, as Paul wrote to the Corinthians in 1 Corinthians 1:23 -

"But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;"

But thanks be to God that Christ died for ALL. As Paul wrote in Galatians 3:28 -

"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus."

Let us cast away our clothes and gird up our loins, not to stone another but to prepare our minds (cf. 1Pe 1:13), to be diligent and zealous in learning and applying God's Word. To be rich in wisdom and knowledge, and in good works, that we may lay the good foundation that will see us to eternal glory.