Acts 22:28

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 22:28

Naturally and spiritually free born. Rights of citizenship were obtained in various ways and on various grounds. Some men had it by birth, others by gift, others by purchase, others as the public recognition of heroic deeds. These may be illustrated in connection with the citizenship of London, Glasgow, Edinburgh, and other large cities. Roman citizenship was once sold at a very high rate, but in later times its value was lowered, and it was bartered for a trifle. It is not known how St.... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Acts 22:28

With a great sum obtained I this freedom - The freedom or privilege of Roman citizenship. From this it would seem that the privilege of being a Roman citizen might be purchased, unless perhaps he refers to the expenses which were necessarily attendant in passing through the proper forms of becoming a Roman citizen. The argument of the tribune in this case is this: “I obtained this privilege at a great price. Whence did you, Paul, thus poor and persecuted, obtain the means of becoming a Roman... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Acts 22:25-29

Acts 22:25-29. And as they The soldiers ordered by the tribune; were binding him with thongs In order to their scourging him; Paul said unto the centurion that stood by To see the tribune’s orders executed; Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman, and uncondemned? A freeman of Rome might be bound with a chain, and beaten with a staff; but he might not be bound with thongs, neither scourged nor beaten with rods. The centurion told the chief captain, saying, Take heed... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Acts 22:1-29

Paul’s reply to the crowd (21:37-22:29)By his command of the situation, Paul showed much physical courage and mental alertness. One minute he was snatched from a violent death, the next he was able to address a mob of wildly excited Jews who were screaming for his blood. He spoke with such power that a rioting crowd of would-be murderers listened to him in silence (37-40).Paul wanted to show that he was a zealous Jew, called by God to serve him. He told of his Jewish upbringing and education,... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Acts 22:28

sum . Greek. kephalaion. Only here and Hebrews 8:1 . In Septuagint Leviticus 6:4 .Numbers 4:2 ; Numbers 5:7 (principal), &c. obtained . Greek. ktaomai. See note on Acts 1:18 . freedom . Greek. politeia = citizenship. Here and Ephesians 2:12 . born = "even born so. " read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Acts 22:28

And the chief captain answered, With a great sum obtained I this citizenship. And Paul said, But I am Roman born.With a great sum ... As Dummelow said, "It is evident that the chief captain had not bought his citizenship under Claudius (41-54 A.D.), who sold it for a merely nominal sum."[26] This fact has an affirmative bearing on the early date of events in this chapter, for Claudius Lysias had received his citizenship at a time prior to Claudius.I am a Roman born ... From this, it appears... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Acts 22:28

Acts 22:28. But I was free born.— This is thought, by some, to have been in consequence of his being a native of Tarsus; but Dr. Lardner has produced many strong arguments against admitting that city to have been a colony, or what the Romans call municipium, that is, a place where all the natives were free of Rome by birth. It seems therefore much more probable, that St. Paul's father, or some other of his ancestors, might have been rewarded with the freedom of the city for his fidelity and... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Acts 22:28

28. With a great sum obtained I this freedom—Roman citizenship was bought and sold in the reign of Claudius, we know, at a high price: at a subsequent date, for next to nothing. But to put in a false claim to this privilege was a capital crime. I was free born—born to it, by purchase, or in reward of services, on the part of his father or some ancestor. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Acts 22:23-29

Paul’s defense before Claudius Lysias 22:23-29 read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Acts 22:26-28

During the reign of Emperor Claudius (A.D. 41-54) it was possible to obtain Roman citizenship for a high price. Claudius Lysias’ name probably has some connection with the emperor Claudius since the commander had evidently purchased his citizenship under the reign of this emperor. This had not always been possible in the empire. Earlier the government conferred citizenship for rendering valuable service to a Roman general or high official. [Note: Bruce, Commentary on . . ., p. 446.] This is... read more

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