The Roman Commander Questions Paul

22:22 The crowd73 was listening to him until he said this.74 Then75 they raised their voices and shouted,76 “Away with this man77 from the earth! For he should not be allowed to live!”78 22:23 While they were screaming79 and throwing off their cloaks80 and tossing dust81 in the air, 22:24 the commanding officer82 ordered Paul83 to be brought back into the barracks.84 He told them85 to interrogate Paul86 by beating him with a lash87 so that he could find out the reason the crowd88 was shouting at Paul89 in this way. 22:25 When they had stretched him out for the lash,90 Paul said to the centurion91 standing nearby, “Is it legal for you to lash a man who is a Roman citizen92 without a proper trial?”93 22:26 When the centurion94 heard this,95 he went to the commanding officer96 and reported it,97 saying, “What are you about to do?98 For this man is a Roman citizen.”99 22:27 So the commanding officer100 came and asked101 Paul,102 “Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?”103 He replied,104 “Yes.” 22:28 The commanding officer105 answered, “I acquired this citizenship with a large sum of money.”106 “But I was even107 born a citizen,”108 Paul replied.109 22:29 Then those who were about to interrogate him stayed away110 from him, and the commanding officer111 was frightened when he realized that Paul112 was113 a Roman citizen114 and that he had had him tied up.115