John Chrysostom

But Paul said unto them, they have beaten us openly uncondemned, being Romans, and have cast us into prison; and now do they thrust us out privily? nay verily; but let them come themselves and fetch us out. Even upon the declaration of the magistrates Paul does not go out, but for the sake both of Lydia and the rest he puts them in fear: that they may not be supposed to have come out upon their own request, that they may set the rest in a posture of boldness. …

Homily on Acts 36 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

And after the magistrates gave the order, Paul does not leave the prison, but, for the edification of Lydia, the seller of purple, and others, he frightens the magistrates, so that they would not think that they had been released at someone's request. He even accuses the magistrates of having publicly beaten them — them, who had been convicted of nothing and were moreover Roman citizens. You see: they often acted in a manner characteristic of ordinary people. …

Commentary on Acts ↗

Oecumenius

Knowing also that it is right to be subject to princes and powers, he called himself a Roman. For perhaps the emperor of the Romans held all the land, even Judea. For they themselves paid tribute to Caesar: not adding to the Roman principality and dominion, as other Jews, misleading themselves, who said that God alone was the true King and not a man; yet in fact as offshoots they were subject and paid tribute: denying the name indeed, but in fact subject; whom even Vespasian attacked as if not subject. [AMMONIUS]

Commentary on Acts ↗