Acts 22:28 Parallel Translations

The officer replied, "I paid a lot of money to become a Roman citizen." Paul replied, "But I was born a Roman citizen."(GOD'S WORD®)

KJV:

And the chief captain answered, With a great sum obtained I this freedom. And Paul said, But I was free born.

ASV:

And the chief captain answered, With a great sum obtained I this citizenship. And Paul said, But I am a Roman born.

BBE:

And the chief captain said, I got Roman rights for myself at a great price. And Paul said, But I had them by birth.

DBY:

And the chiliarch answered, I, for a great sum, bought this citizenship. And Paul said, But I was also free born.

ERV:

And the chief captain answered, With a great sum obtained I this citizenship. And Paul said, But I am a Roman born.

WEY:

"I paid a large sum for my citizenship," said the Tribune. "But I was born free," said Paul.

WBS:

And the chief captain answered, With a great sum I obtained this freedom. And Paul said, But I was free born.

WEB:

The commanding officer answered, "I bought my citizenship for a great price." Paul said, "But I was born a Roman."

YLT:

and the chief captain answered, 'I, with a great sum, did obtain this citizenship;' but Paul said, 'But I have been even born so.'

Acts 22:28 Cross References

XREF:

Acts 22:27 The commander came and said to him, "Tell me, are you a Roman?" And he said, "Yes."

Acts 22:29 Therefore those who were about to examine him immediately let go of him; and the commander also was afraid when he found out that he was a Roman, and because he had put him in chains. (NASB ©1995)

Commentaries and Concordances

PNT:

22:28 With a great sum I obtained this freedom. The officer states that he had bought citizenship himself. He was not of Roman birth, an alien, but by a heavy bribe had obtained Roman rights. This was not uncommon in the corrupt period of Roman government that had come.
But I was [free] born. His father before had been a Roman citizen. Whether he inherited it also, or had in some way secured the right, is unknown. If any wonder how a Jew could be a Roman, let them look around and see Jews, Germans, Irish, etc. who are American citizens.

WES:

22:28 But I was free born - Not barely as being born at Tarsus; for this was not Roman colony. But probably either his father, or some of his ancestors, had been made free of Rome, for some military service. We learn hence, that we are under no obligation as Christians to give up our civil privileges (which we are to receive and prize as the gift of God) to every insolent invader. In a thousand circumstances, gratitude to God, and duty to men, will oblige us to insist upon them; and engage us to strive to transmit them improved, rather than impaired to posterity.

MHC:

22:22-30 The Jews listened to Paul's account of his conversion, but the mention of his being sent to the Gentiles, was so contrary to all their national prejudices, that they would hear no more. Their frantic conduct astonished the Roman officer, who supposed that Paul must have committed some great crime. Paul pleaded his privilege as a Roman citizen, by which he was exempted from all trials and punishments which might force him to confess himself guilty. The manner of his speaking plainly shows what holy security and serenity of mind he enjoyed. As Paul was a Jew, in low circumstances, the Roman officer questioned how he obtained so valuable a distinction; but the apostle told him he was free born. Let us value that freedom to which all the children of God are born; which no sum of money, however large, can purchase for those who remain unregenerate. This at once put a stop to his trouble. Thus many are kept from evil practices by the fear of man, who would not be held back from them by the fear of God. The apostle asks, simply, Is it lawful? He knew that the God whom he served would support him under all sufferings for his name's sake. But if it were not lawful, the apostle's religion directed him, if possible, to avoid it. He never shrunk from a cross which his Divine Master laid upon his onward road; and he never stept aside out of that road to take one up.

CONC:

Acquired Actually Big Birth Born Bought Captain Chief Chiliarch Citizen Citizenship Commander Commanding Free Freedom Got Large Money Myself Obtain Obtained Officer Paid Paul Pay Price Replied Rights Roman Sum Tribune

Acquired Actually Big Birth Born Bought Captain Chief Chiliarch Citizen Citizen Citizenship Commander Commanding Free Freedom Great Large Money Obtain Obtained Officer Paid Paul Pay Price Rights Roman Sum Tribune

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GOD'S WORD® is a copyrighted work of God's Word to the Nations. Quotations are used by permission. Copyright 1995 by God's Word to the Nations. All rights reserved.

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