Acts 22:22-29

Modern English Version

Paul and the Roman Commander

²² They listened to him up to this word, and then they lifted up their voices and said, “Away with such a man from the earth, for he is not fit to live!”

²³ As they shouted and threw off their garments and threw dust into the air, ²⁴ the commander ordered him to be brought into the barracks and examined with scourging, so that he might learn what crime they were alleging against him. ²⁵ As they stretched him forward with straps, Paul said to the centurion standing by, “Is it legal for you to flog an uncondemned Roman citizen?”

²⁶ On hearing this, the centurion reported to the commander, saying, “What are you doing? This man is a Roman citizen.”

²⁷ The commander came and said to him, “Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?”

He said, “Yes.”

²⁸ The commander answered, “I bought my citizenship for a large sum.”

So Paul said, “But I was born a citizen.”

²⁹ Therefore those who were about to examine Paul immediately backed away from him. And the commander feared, knowing that he was a Roman citizen and because he had bound him.