Acts 22:28
What does Acts 22:28 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 22:28 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 22:28 means
The commander remarks that he purchased his citizenship for a large sum, while Paul states he is a citizen by birth. This contrast highlights Paul’s significant legal standing and social privilege. For the authorities, mistreating a citizen by birth would be especially perilous. God, who chose Paul before birth for this mission, also arranged circumstances that now secure his safety and extend his reach. The gospel advances through both suffering and status, as God sees fit. Paul’s citizenship will serve the mission, not define it; his true identity remains in Christ, yet his Roman rights are providential tools for the work.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And the chief captain answered, With a great sum obtained I this citizenship. And Paul said, But I am a Roman born.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And the chief captain answered, With a great sum obtained I this freedom. And Paul said, But I was free born.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And the chief captain answered, With a great sum obtained I this citizenship. And Paul said, But I am a Roman born.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And the chief captain said, I got Roman rights for myself at a great price. And Paul said, But I had them by birth.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and the chief captain answered, `I, with a great sum, did obtain this citizenship;' but Paul said, `But I have been even born <FI>so<Fi> .'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And the tribune answered: I obtained the being free of this city with a great sum. And Paul said: But I was born so.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And the chiliarch answered, I, for a great sum, bought this citizenship. And Paul said, But I was also [free] born.
Context
Verse 28 deepens the legal conversation from verse 27, revealing the different paths to citizenship. It amplifies the commander’s concern and paves the way for the immediate cessation of the examination in verse 29. With the threat of scourging removed, the narrative can move toward a more lawful determination of the accusations by convening the Sanhedrin, as described in verse 30, setting the stage for the next chapter’s proceedings.
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