Acts 22 27

Acts 22:27 kjv

Then the chief captain came, and said unto him, Tell me, art thou a Roman? He said, Yea.

Acts 22:27 nkjv

Then the commander came and said to him, "Tell me, are you a Roman?" He said, "Yes."

Acts 22:27 niv

The commander went to Paul and asked, "Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?" "Yes, I am," he answered.

Acts 22:27 esv

So the tribune came and said to him, "Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?" And he said, "Yes."

Acts 22:27 nlt

So the commander went over and asked Paul, "Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?" "Yes, I certainly am," Paul replied.

Acts 22 verses

Acts 22 27 Meaning

Acts 22:27 describes a pivotal moment during Paul's arrest in Jerusalem. Following a prior notification from a centurion, the Roman commander (or tribune) directly confronts Paul, questioning his claimed status as a Roman citizen. This inquiry holds immense significance, as Roman citizenship granted crucial legal protections that would dramatically alter Paul's treatment under Roman law, preventing his immediate scourging and demanding a formal legal process. It highlights the clash of authority: Paul, an arrested individual, invokes a higher legal standing than his immediate captors, challenging their actions.

Acts 22 27 Context

Acts 22:27 is situated within a tumultuous narrative where Paul faces arrest and persecution in Jerusalem. Paul has just been seized by a Roman tribune and his soldiers after a riot in the Temple, where Jewish crowds wrongly accused him of defiling the Temple and preaching against the Law (Acts 21). Paul was being led to the barracks to be interrogated by scourging when he invoked his Roman citizenship (Acts 22:25), specifically questioning the legality of flogging an unconvicted Roman citizen. The centurion, realizing the gravity of the claim, reported it to the commander, Claudius Lysias. This verse details the commander's immediate response: to personally verify this critical legal declaration. Historically, Roman citizenship was a highly esteemed status, affording significant legal protections throughout the empire, including the right to a fair trial, immunity from summary execution, and freedom from flogging before a conviction. This claim by Paul forces the Roman authorities to shift from a coercive interrogation tactic to a more formal, lawful inquiry.

Acts 22 27 Word analysis

• Then the commander (ὁ δὲ χιλίαρχος, ho de chiliarchos):

  • Then: Indicates a sequential and immediate action, a direct consequence of the centurion's report.
  • the commander: Refers to Claudius Lysias, the tribune, a high-ranking Roman military officer (typically commanding a thousand men). This highlights his authority and responsibility for maintaining order and upholding Roman law in the province. His personal intervention underscores the serious nature of Paul's claim.

• came and said to him (προσελθὼν εἶπεν αὐτῷ, proselthōn eipen autō):

  • came: Emphasizes the commander's direct movement and personal engagement, reflecting the urgency and the need for his direct assessment.
  • said to him: A direct address to Paul, shifting the power dynamic and indicating the commander's immediate intention to interrogate.

• 'Tell me (Εἰπέ μοι, Eipe moi)':

  • Tell me: An imperative command, indicating the commander's authority and demanding a direct answer. It reflects a shift from a casual inquiry to an official interrogation. This phrasing implies the gravity and potential consequences of Paul's answer.

• 'Are you a Roman citizen (σὺ Ῥωμαῖος εἶ; su Rhōmaios ei?)?':

  • Are you: The Greek pronoun su (you) is explicit, stressing the direct personal nature of the question.
  • a Roman citizen: The core of the question. Rōmaios (Roman) signifies an individual possessing full Roman citizenship rights. This status was crucial, guaranteeing legal protection against arbitrary punishment (like scourging without trial) and granting rights to legal due process, including appeal to Caesar. This question is not merely informational but foundational to the Roman legal framework concerning Paul's case.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Then the commander came and said to him": This phrase shows a critical pivot point. The superior Roman authority, Lysias, personally involves himself due to the information received. It transitions from a physical apprehension and preparation for torture to a legal, verbal confrontation, reflecting the respect Roman law demanded for its citizens.

• "'Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?'": This two-part query combines a direct command with a vital question about identity and legal status. The imperative "Tell me" conveys the urgency and the weight of the moment. The "Roman citizen" aspect is paramount, immediately putting into question all previous actions against Paul and influencing the entire subsequent narrative of Paul's journey through the legal system. It activates Roman protections and signals an abrupt halt to the mistreatment Paul was about to endure.

Acts 22 27 Bonus section

• The Roman penalty for falsely claiming citizenship was severe, often leading to death. Thus, the commander's direct question to Paul was also a test of Paul's credibility and willingness to face such a penalty if his claim was false.
• Roman citizens enjoyed the ius provocationis (right of appeal) to the people or emperor against the sentence of a magistrate, especially concerning capital punishment or severe corporal punishment. They were also immune to certain degrading punishments like flogging, crucifixion, and public burning unless convicted of treason.
• There were different categories of Roman citizenship (e.g., full rights, Latin rights), but Paul's claim, as demonstrated by the commander's reaction, indicates he possessed full cives Romani rights. This protected him from physical torture (like fustigatio or scourging) before a legal condemnation.

Acts 22 27 Commentary

Acts 22:27 captures the climactic moment where Paul's strategic declaration of Roman citizenship (v. 25) effectively halts his impending torture and dramatically reconfigures the course of his imprisonment. The commander, upon hearing this claim, is legally compelled to investigate its veracity. The question, "Are you a Roman citizen?" is therefore not rhetorical but an inquiry into Paul's legal standing which dictates his fundamental human rights under Roman law. For Paul, using his citizenship was not about earthly pride but a divinely guided pragmatism, a means to advance the gospel and ensure due process rather than succumb to summary injustice. This interaction highlights the intersection of God's sovereignty, human legal systems, and Paul's mission.