And when Moses saw that the people had broken loose (for Aaron had let them break loose, to the derision of their enemies),
25. And when Moses saw that the people were naked The vengeance is here recorded which Moses employed to expiate the sin; not that this punishment was satisfactory, as they call it, before God; but because it was useful to efface the memory of their guilt; or at any rate was profitable, as an example.
Moses begins with Aaron, not ordering his death like the ringleaders, because there is a world of difference between those who rush headlong into sin and those surprised by infirmity into it. Aaron deserved to be cut off, and would have been, except Moses interceded for him; now he calls him to repentance, showing him he hardened their hearts and strengthened their hands in idolatry.
AI summary
Commenting on Exodus 32:21-29
Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp,.... In one of the gates of it; for it doubtless had more than one to go in and out of, as is clear from Exo 32:27 it being probably entrenched all around; here Moses set himself, it being the usual place, as in cities, where the people were summoned together on important occasions, and justice and...