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 nkjv
And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said to the centurion who stood by, "Is it lawful for you to scourge a man who is a Roman, and uncondemned?"
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 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 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Acts 22:26 | When the centurion heard that, he went and told the chiliarch... | Acts 22:26 (Continuation) |
| Acts 22:29 | Then the men who were about to torment him withdrew from him... | Acts 22:29 (Immediate effect) |
| Acts 16:37 | But Paul said to them, "They have beaten us publicly, though we are Roman citizens, and have thrown us into prison; and now do they threaten to do us to death directly? No, most certainly not!" | Acts 16:37 (Prior example) |
| Acts 16:38 | The commanding officers heard this and were afraid when they heard that he was a Roman citizen. | Acts 16:38 (Commanders' reaction) |
| Romans 13:1 | Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. | Romans 13:1 (Authority of rulers) |
| 1 Corinthians 9:15 | Nevertheless, I have used none of these things, nor do I write these things to show that they should be done so by me; for it is better for me to die than that anyone should make my boasting void. | 1 Corinthians 9:15 (Paul's stance on rights) |
| Galatians 5:13 | For you have been called to liberty, but not to liberty as an excuse for the flesh; rather, serve one another in love. | Galatians 5:13 (Liberty in Christ) |
| Philippians 1:7 | Just as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace. | Philippians 1:7 (Partnership in gospel) |
| Exodus 22:28 | You shall not revile God, nor curse a ruler of your people. | Exodus 22:28 (Respect for rulers) |
| Deuteronomy 19:17 | Then both men who have the dispute shall stand before the LORD, before the priests and the judges who will be in those days. | Deuteronomy 19:17 (Justice system) |
| Isaiah 5:23 | Who justify the wicked for a bribe, And take away justice from the righteous man! | Isaiah 5:23 (Injustice condemned) |
| John 18:31 | Pilate therefore said to them, "Take Him yourselves, and judge Him according to your law." The Jews said to him, "It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death." | John 18:31 (Roman jurisdiction) |
| Acts 25:10 | For if I am an offender, or have committed anything worthy of death, I do not refuse to die; but if there is nothing of the charges of which these men accuse me, no one may deliver me to them. I appeal to Caesar!" | Acts 25:10 (Appealing to Caesar) |
| 1 Corinthians 7:21 | Were you called as a slave? Do not worry about it. But even if you can become free, rather use it. | 1 Corinthians 7:21 (Freedom's use) |
| Nehemiah 5:12 | When they had rested, I brought up my tithes and my surplus; and the Levites and the porters had done as I commanded them. | Nehemiah 5:12 (Order in administration) |
| Joshua 22:10 | Now when they came to the region of the Jordan that lies in the land of Canaan, the sons of Reuben, the sons of Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh built an altar there by the Jordan, a great altar in appearance. | Joshua 22:10 (Following prescribed places) |
| Matthew 5:25 | "Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge deliver you to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. | Matthew 5:25 (Consequences of dispute) |
| 2 Timothy 4:16 | At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not be charged against them. | 2 Timothy 4:16 (Abandonment in trial) |
| Ephesians 6:9 | And you, masters, do the same things to them, giving up threatening, knowing that your own Master also is in heaven, and with Him there is no partiality. | Ephesians 6:9 (Masters' responsibility) |
| Colossians 4:1 | Masters, grant your slaves justice and fairness, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven. | Colossians 4:1 (Fairness to subordinates) |
Acts 22 verses
Acts 22 25 Meaning
This verse describes an event where Roman soldiers, intending to flog Paul, discover he is a Roman citizen. This citizenship grants him legal protections and prevents the illegal use of corporal punishment without due process. The phrase "loosed him" signifies their immediate cessation of the intended action.
Acts 22 25 Context
In Acts chapter 22, Paul is in Jerusalem. Following his arrest at the temple and a riot, he is brought before the Jewish council. As he is about to be examined, the commander rescues him from potential violence. The following day, the commander, Lycias, fearing further trouble, decides to interrogate Paul using scourging (Acts 22:24). This is when Paul, about to be flogged, asserts his Roman citizenship. This chapter serves as a key moment in Paul's defense, highlighting his legal status and the unfair treatment he received, echoing similar incidents like the one in Philippi (Acts 16). His Roman citizenship provided him a critical legal shield against arbitrary punishment from Roman authorities and also protection from mob violence orchestrated by Jewish leaders.
Acts 22 25 Word Analysis
- But (δὲ - de): A conjunctive particle, here indicating contrast with the previous action of being bound and the imminent action of flogging.
- Paul said (ὁ Παῦλος εἶπεν - ho Paulos eipen): Paul, the speaker, and the verb "said," indicating an utterance.
- unto (πρὸς - pros): A preposition indicating direction toward.
- the (τὸν - ton): Definite article.
- centurion (ἑκατόνταρχον - hekatontarchon): The captain in charge of a hundred soldiers.
- If (εἰ - ei): A conditional particle.
- ye (ὑμῖν - hymin): Pronoun, plural you.
- suffer (μάστιξαι - mastixai): To scourge or whip.
- a (ἄνθρωπον - anthropon): A man.
- Roman (Ῥωμαῖον - Rhōmaion): Belonging to Rome.
- to be beaten (με - me): Direct object pronoun, "me."
- , (καί - kai): And.
- uncondemned (ἀκατάκριτον - akatakriton): Without being judged or condemned.
- . ( 。 - 。): Punctuation.
Word Group Analysis
- "If ye have Roman to beat a man": This phrase encapsulates the soldier's intent. The imperfect tense implies an ongoing or contemplated action. The soldiers were poised to administer a beating.
- "and to a Roman an uncondemned": This clarifies the critical aspect: beating a Roman citizen without prior legal judgment. This was a grave violation of Roman law and practice. The participle "uncondemned" modifies "man" (Paul), highlighting that no legal finding of guilt preceded the intended punishment.
Acts 22 25 Bonus Section
The historical context of Roman citizenship is crucial. It was not a birthright for all inhabitants of the empire; rather, it was often earned or granted. Acquiring it conferred significant legal protections and status. The commander’s reaction (and that of the centurion he reported to) underscores the strict legal framework and the potential consequences for Roman officials who violated the rights of citizens. Paul’s status as a Roman citizen was a recurring theme, used multiple times to protect him from unjust persecution and advance the gospel (Acts 16:35-40, Acts 22:25-29, Acts 25:10-12). This demonstrated God’s providential care, using worldly legal systems to safeguard His servant and the spread of His Word.
Acts 22 25 Commentary
Paul's declaration of his Roman citizenship immediately halted the soldiers’ action. Roman law afforded specific privileges, including immunity from summary corporal punishment and the right to a fair trial before being condemned. The soldiers' intent to scourge him before any judgment was illegal. Their respect for the law and fear of repercussions demonstrate the authority and weight of Roman citizenship during that era. It highlights the irony that despite being unjustly arrested and facing accusations, Paul's legal status ultimately shielded him from immediate, unlawful mistreatment. This incident also sets the stage for his subsequent appeals, ultimately leading him to Rome itself.