stretch someone out = tie someone down

[sitifan]

https://www.bibleref.com/Acts/22/Acts-22-25.html
Acts 22:25, NIV: As they stretched him out to flog him, Paul said to the centurion standing there, 'Is it legal for you to flog a Roman citizen who hasn't even been found guilty?'

Acts 22:25, ESV: But when they had stretched him out for the whips, Paul said to the centurion who was standing by, “Is it lawful for you to flog a man who is a Roman citizen and uncondemned?”

Acts 22:25, KJV: And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said unto the centurion that stood by, Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman, and uncondemned?

Acts 22:25, NASB: But when they stretched him out with straps, Paul said to the centurion who was standing by, 'Is it lawful for you to flog a man who is a Roman and uncondemned?'

Acts 22:25, NLT: When they tied Paul down to lash him, Paul said to the officer standing there, 'Is it legal for you to whip a Roman citizen who hasn't even been tried?'

Acts 22:25, CSB: As they stretched him out for the lash, Paul said to the centurion standing by, "Is it legal for you to scourge a man who is a Roman citizen and is uncondemned? "

Can "stretch someone out" mean "tie someone down"?

 

[emsr2d2]

On its own, "stretch someone out" doesn't mean that. It simply means that his body was elongated in some way, even if it's just by someone holding his head and someone else pulling on his legs.

 

[Skrej]

It's only connected to tying in this context because someone isn't going to naturally stay stretched out while being whipped. Your natural instinct is to curl up (or run away).

Logically, it's much easier and more effective to whip someone if they're splayed out versus curled up into a tight defensive ball.