Acts 22:25
What does Acts 22:25 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 22:25 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 22:25 means
As they stretch Paul out with thongs to scourge him, he quietly asks the nearby centurion whether it is lawful to flog a Roman citizen who has not been condemned. This is not evasion but rightful appeal to the protections of Roman law. Paul is wise as well as brave; he will suffer for the gospel but not unnecessarily or unlawfully. His question forces the authorities to recognize his status and to uphold justice. The scene underscores that Christians may use legitimate legal means for protection while trusting God’s sovereignty. Paul’s calm assertion of rights immediately changes the power dynamic in the room.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And when they had tied him up with the thongs, Paul said unto the centurion that stood by, Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman, and uncondemned?
KJV
King James Version · 1611And 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?
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And when they had tied him up with the thongs, Paul said unto the centurion that stood by, Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman, and uncondemned?
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And when they had put leather bands round him, Paul said to the captain who was present, Is it the law for you to give blows to a man who is a Roman and has not been judged?
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And as he was stretching him with the thongs, Paul said unto the centurion who was standing by, `A man, a Roman, uncondemned--is it lawful to you to scourge;'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And when they had bound him with thongs, Paul saith to the centurion that stood by him: Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman and uncondemned?
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But as they stretched him forward with the thongs, Paul said to the centurion who stood [by], Is it lawful for you to scourge a man [who is] a Roman and uncondemned?
Context
This verse interrupts the planned interrogation, turning the focus from mob violence to legal constraint. The centurion’s response will be swift; in verse 26 he reports Paul’s claim to the commander, prompting a formal inquiry in verse 27. The unfolding exchange will reveal that Paul is a citizen by birth, increasing the gravity of the officials’ near-violation and causing them to withdraw from further unlawful treatment.
v.24the chief captain commanded him to be brought into the castle, bidding that he should be examined by scourging, that he might know for what cause they so shouted against him.
v.25This passage
v.26And when the centurion heard it, he went to the chief captain and told him, saying, What art thou about to do? for this man is a Roman.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Matthew 27:54
Now the centurion, and they that were with him watching Jesus, when they saw the earthquake, and the things that were done, feared exceedingly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.
- Acts 22:27
And the chief captain came and said unto him, Tell me, art thou a Roman? And he said, Yea.
- Acts 27:1
And when it was determined that we should sail for Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners to a centurion named Julius, of the Augustan band.
- Matthew 8:8
And the centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof; but only say the word, and my servant shall be healed.
- Acts 23:17
And Paul called unto him one of the centurions, and said, Bring this young man unto the chief captain; for he hath something to tell him.
- Acts 25:16
To whom I answered, that it is not the custom of the Romans to give up any man, before that the accused have the accusers face to face, and have had opportunity to make his defence concerning the matter laid against him.
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