The commanding officer came and asked him, “Tell me, are you a Roman?” He said, “Yes.”
Parallel translations
- KJV Then the chief captain came, and said unto him, Tell me, art thou a Roman? He said, Yea.
- BSB The commander went to Paul and asked, “Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?” “Yes,” he answered.
- NKJV Then the commander came and said to him, “Tell me, are you a Roman?” He said, “Yes.”
- NASB The commander came and said to Paul, “Tell me, are you a Roman?” And he said, “Yes.”
- NLT So the commander went over and asked Paul, “Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?” “Yes, I certainly am,” Paul replied.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The commander comes and asks Paul directly if he is a Roman, and Paul answers, 'Yes.' His simple affirmation changes everything.
Overview
Lysias must verify the claim because falsely claiming citizenship was a capital offense, lending Paul's 'Yes' great weight. The exchange halts the planned scourging. Paul's truthful, measured reply again models calm integrity, and God turns the situation to protect his witness.
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Christ at the center
Acts is the risen Christ continuing his work by the Spirit through the church, as the apostles preach that there is salvation in no other name under heaven.
How Acts 22:27 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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