25 Moses saw that the people were running wild and that Aaron had let them get out of control and so become a laughingstock to their enemies.
25 And when Moses saw that the people were naked; (for Aaron had made them naked unto their shame among their enemies: #1#
25 And when Moses saw that the people had broken loose (for Aaron had let them break loose, to the derision of their enemies),
25 Moses saw that the people were simply running wild - Aaron had let them run wild, disgracing themselves before their enemies.
25 Now when Moses saw that the people were unrestrained (for Aaron had not restrained them, to their shame among their enemies),
25 Moses saw that Aaron had let the people get completely out of control, much to the amusement of their enemies.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Exodus 32:25
Commentary on Exodus 32:21-29
(Read Exodus 32:21-29)
Never did any wise man make a more frivolous and foolish excuse than that of Aaron. We must never be drawn into sin by any thing man can say or do to us; for men can but tempt us to sin, they cannot force us. The approach of Moses turned the dancing into trembling. They were exposed to shame by their sin. The course Moses took to roll away this reproach, was, not by concealing the sin, or putting any false colour upon it, but by punishing it. The Levites were to slay the ringleaders in this wickedness; yet none were executed but those who openly stood forth. Those are marked for ruin who persist in sin: those who in the morning were shouting and dancing, before night were dying. Such sudden changes do the judgments of the Lord sometimes make with sinners that are secure and jovial in their sin.