Acts 22 26

Acts 22:26 kjv

When the centurion heard that, he went and told the chief captain, saying, Take heed what thou doest: for this man is a Roman.

Acts 22:26 nkjv

When the centurion heard that, he went and told the commander, saying, "Take care what you do, for this man is a Roman."

Acts 22:26 niv

When the centurion heard this, he went to the commander and reported it. "What are you going to do?" he asked. "This man is a Roman citizen."

Acts 22:26 esv

When the centurion heard this, he went to the tribune and said to him, "What are you about to do? For this man is a Roman citizen."

Acts 22:26 nlt

When the officer heard this, he went to the commander and asked, "What are you doing? This man is a Roman citizen!"

Acts 22 verses

Acts 22 26 Meaning

Acts 22:26 records the urgent warning given by the centurion to the chief captain upon learning that Paul was a Roman citizen. The verse signifies a pivotal moment where the arbitrary intent to scourge Paul without trial, ordered by the chief captain to extract information, is abruptly halted due to the immense legal implications of violating a Roman citizen's rights. The centurion, aware of the severe penalties for such an act, immediately alerts his superior, cautioning him to reconsider his actions because Paul possesses the highly protected status of a Roman. This incident highlights the protection afforded by Roman law and demonstrates God's sovereign hand in using secular authority to preserve His servant for His purposes.

Acts 22 26 Context

Acts chapter 22 recounts Paul's defense before the Jewish crowd in Jerusalem, following his dramatic rescue by Roman soldiers from a mob in the Temple courts. After a heated sermon (Acts 22:1-21), during which Paul shared his conversion and his God-given mission to the Gentiles, the Jewish crowd erupted in rage (Acts 22:22-23), crying out for his death. In response to the unrest and unsure of the precise reason for the tumult, the chief captain, Claudius Lysias, ordered Paul to be taken into the barracks and scourged (flogged) to force a confession about his supposed misdeeds (Acts 22:24). This was a common Roman interrogation technique. However, as the soldiers prepared for the scourging, Paul calmly stated to the centurion (the commander overseeing the process) in Acts 22:25, "Is it lawful for you to scourge a man who is a Roman, and uncondemned?" This direct question of his legal rights as a Roman citizen leads immediately to the centurion's urgent reaction and warning to the chief captain in Acts 22:26.

Acts 22 26 Word analysis

• When the centurion heard that:

  • This phrase indicates the immediate impact of Paul's assertion of Roman citizenship on the centurion. He grasps the grave implications of proceeding.
  • Centurion: Greek hekatontarchēs (ἑκατοντάρχης). A Roman military officer in charge of a centuria, typically comprising 100 soldiers. Centurions were career soldiers, often highly skilled and practical, responsible for maintaining discipline and overseeing military tasks. His action reflects adherence to Roman law and duty.

• he went and told:

  • This highlights the urgency and decisiveness of the centurion's response. He understood the seriousness of the situation required immediate consultation with his superior. The direct, swift communication prevented a grave legal error.

• the chief captain:

  • Chief captain: Greek chiliarchos (χιλίαρχος). A military tribune, typically in command of a cohort (approximately 1,000 men), hence the English rendering "chief captain" or "commander." This was a significant Roman military and administrative authority. His name was Claudius Lysias (Acts 23:26).

• saying, "Take heed what thou doest":

  • Take heed: Greek Horas (Ὅρα), an imperative from horao, meaning "to see" or "to observe," used here in a metaphorical sense as "be careful," "consider carefully," or "watch out." It conveys a strong warning of impending danger or serious error.
  • What thou doest: Greek ti poieis (τί ποιεῖς), literally "what you are doing."
  • Combined, the phrase Horas ti poieis serves as a direct, blunt caution about the legality and potential personal consequences of the chief captain's intended action. It implies "you are about to commit a serious blunder with legal repercussions." Roman law severely penalized officials who mistreated citizens without proper due process.

• "for this man is a Roman.":

  • Roman: Greek Rhōmaios (Ῥωμαῖος). This term refers to a Roman citizen. Roman citizenship was a highly prized and protected legal status, conferring numerous rights and privileges throughout the Roman Empire. These rights included freedom from arbitrary scourging, the right to a fair trial before punishment (protected by laws such as Lex Porcia and Lex Valeria), and the right of appeal to Caesar (provocatio).
  • This simple statement is the core revelation that instantly changed Paul's immediate fate. It communicated Paul's untouchable legal status against arbitrary violence by Roman officials. To scourge a Roman citizen without a proper condemnation following a formal trial was a major offense for the official responsible, punishable by severe penalties including dismissal, heavy fines, or even death, particularly if the citizen died as a result.

Acts 22 26 Bonus section

• Lex Porcia and Lex Valeria: These were Roman laws specifically protecting citizens from scourging. Lex Porcia de provocatione (2nd century BC) prevented magistrates from beating or executing a Roman citizen who had appealed for judgment to a higher authority (ultimately the people/assemblies, and later the Emperor). Lex Valeria (several laws, most notably from Valerius Publicola, 6th century BC) specifically stipulated that no Roman citizen should be scourged or put to death without the right of appeal. These laws formed the bedrock of Paul's defense.
• Significance of Paul's Birth Citizenship: In Acts 22:28, the chief captain states he bought his citizenship at a high price, implying it was very valuable. Paul declares he was "born a citizen." This implies his family either had ancestors granted citizenship for loyal service or who came from a place (like Tarsus) that had received collective citizenship. Being a born citizen generally conveyed a higher legal standing than one obtained through purchase or manumission.
• Foreknowledge of Roman Laws: It's plausible that Paul, educated in Tarsus (a prominent Roman city) and under Gamaliel in Jerusalem, would have had an acute awareness of his Roman rights and their significance, ready to invoke them at a crucial moment. This demonstrates not just passive protection but strategic application of civil liberties for Gospel work.

Acts 22 26 Commentary

Acts 22:26 provides a succinct yet powerful insight into the clash between Roman authority, Jewish religious fervor, and God's sovereign protection over His chosen servant. The chief captain, initially perplexed by the Jewish riot and operating under the common Roman interrogation practice, was poised to inflict a grave injustice on Paul. The centurion's timely warning underscores the inviolability of Roman citizenship, a privilege Paul strategically utilized.

This verse reveals the integrity, or at least the pragmatism, of the Roman legal system, which even a lower-ranking officer understood well enough to risk an immediate challenge to his superior. The sudden change of approach by the chief captain illustrates the real fear and respect for Roman law among its officials, highlighting the principle that even earthly rulers are bound by a legal framework. For Paul, his Roman citizenship was not merely a matter of social standing but a God-given protective shield, instrumental in preserving his life and ministry, enabling him to continue proclaiming the Gospel. This incident sets the stage for his subsequent appeals and trials, ultimately leading him to Rome, fulfilling prophetic words about his mission. It is a testament to God's providence, orchestrating seemingly secular protections to further His divine plan, ensuring that His witness reaches even to Caesar himself.