Acts 22:27

KJV

Then the chief captain came, and said unto him, Tell me, art thou a Roman? He said, Yea.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then {G1161} the chief captain {G5506} came {G4334}, and said {G2036} unto him {G846}, Tell {G3004} me {G3427},{G1487} art {G1488} thou {G4771} a Roman {G4514}?{G1161} He said {G5346}, Yea {G3483}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The commander came and said to Sha’ul, “Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?” “Yes,” he said.

Berean Standard Bible

The commander went to Paul and asked, “Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?” “Yes,” he answered.

American Standard Version

And the chief captain came and said unto him, Tell me, art thou a Roman? And he said, Yea.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 22:27 records the pivotal moment when the Roman chief captain, Claudius Lysias, directly confronts the Apostle Paul regarding his claim of Roman citizenship. Having just rescued Paul from a violent mob in Jerusalem and intending to scourge him for answers, the chief captain's urgent inquiry, "Tell me, art thou a Roman?", is met with Paul's simple, yet profoundly impactful, affirmation, "Yea." This brief exchange immediately halts the brutal interrogation, underscoring the immense legal protections afforded by Roman citizenship and dramatically altering Paul's precarious situation, setting the stage for his subsequent appeals and missionary journey to Rome.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Acts 22:27 is situated within a dramatic sequence of events following Paul's return to Jerusalem. He had been falsely accused by zealous Jews, leading to a violent uproar in the temple courts where he was nearly lynched ([Acts 21:27-32](/acts/21-27-32 "Acts 21:27-32 - Paul's Arrest in Jerusalem")). The Roman chief captain, Claudius Lysias, intervened to save Paul, initially believing him to be an Egyptian terrorist ([Acts 21:38](/acts/21-38 "Acts 21:38 - Paul Identified")). After Paul requested and was granted permission to speak, he addressed the Jewish crowd from the temple steps, recounting his Jewish heritage, his persecution of Christians, his Damascus Road conversion, and his divine commission to preach to the Gentiles ([Acts 22:1-21](/acts/22-1-21 "Acts 22:1-21 - Paul's Defense Before the Crowd")). The mention of his mission to the Gentiles ignited a fresh wave of fury, prompting the crowd to demand his death ([Acts 22:22-23](/acts/22-22-23 "Acts 22:22-23 - The Crowd's Fury")). To ascertain the reason for such intense hatred, Lysias ordered Paul to be brought into the barracks and scourged ([Acts 22:24](/acts/22-24 "Acts 22:24 - Order to Scourge Paul")). It is at this critical juncture, as Paul is being bound for scourging, that he asserts his Roman citizenship to a centurion ([Acts 22:25](/acts/22-25 "Acts 22:25 - Paul's Assertion of Citizenship")), leading directly to the chief captain's urgent inquiry in verse 27.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Roman citizenship was a highly prized and protected status within the Roman Empire, offering significant legal privileges and immunities. Citizens were generally exempt from scourging (flogging) without a trial, and they possessed the right to appeal to Caesar in cases of capital punishment or severe injustice. The act of scourging a Roman citizen without a proper legal process was a grave offense, punishable by severe penalties for the Roman official who ordered it. Roman law, particularly the Lex Porcia and Lex Sempronia, explicitly forbade such treatment. The chief captain's immediate concern and direct questioning upon hearing of Paul's claim highlight the serious legal ramifications for him if he had indeed violated the rights of a Roman citizen. Roman citizenship could be acquired by birth (if one's parents were citizens), by military service, by manumission (release from slavery), or by purchase, as the chief captain himself admits to having done ([Acts 22:28](/acts/22-28 "Acts 22:28 - Lysias's Citizenship")). Paul's claim, therefore, was not a minor detail but a declaration that instantly shifted the legal landscape of his arrest.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully illustrates several key themes. Firstly, it underscores the immense **privilege and legal protection** afforded by Roman citizenship, which served as a vital shield for Paul against arbitrary violence and injustice. This status guaranteed him due process under Roman law, preventing immediate scourging and setting the stage for his subsequent appeals and defenses. Secondly, it highlights **divine providence** in Paul's life and ministry. Paul's Roman citizenship was not a mere accident of birth but a strategic provision by God, repeatedly used to protect him and facilitate his mission to spread the gospel, ultimately leading him to Rome itself as prophesied ([Acts 23:11](/acts/23-11 "Acts 23:11 - The Lord's Assurance to Paul")). Finally, the passage exemplifies Paul's **strategic use of his rights for the advancement of the gospel**. Paul was not a passive victim; he judiciously employed his civil rights when it served God's purposes, demonstrating wisdom and discernment in navigating hostile environments while remaining committed to his divine calling. His assertion of citizenship here was not for personal comfort alone but to preserve his ability to continue proclaiming the message of Christ.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **chief captain (Greek, _chilíarchos'_):** From *chílioi* (a thousand) and *árchō* (to rule), this term literally means "commander of a thousand soldiers" or "colonel." In the Roman military structure, a chiliarch was a high-ranking officer responsible for a cohort, typically comprising around 600 men. This indicates Claudius Lysias's significant authority and responsibility in Jerusalem, making his immediate concern about Paul's citizenship understandable given the severe penalties for violating a Roman citizen's rights.
* **Roman (Greek, _Rhōmaîos'_):** This term refers to a citizen of Rome or the Roman Empire. Roman citizenship was a highly valued legal status that conferred specific rights and protections, including immunity from certain forms of punishment (like scourging without trial) and the right to appeal legal decisions to the emperor. Paul's simple declaration that he was a *Rhōmaîos* instantly changed the entire legal dynamic of his situation.
* **Yea (Greek, _naí'_):** A primary particle of strong affirmation, meaning "yes," "surely," "truth," or "verily." Paul's use of this single word is a concise, unequivocal, and powerful declaration. It is not an equivocation or a hesitant admission, but a firm and direct confirmation of his Roman status, leaving no room for doubt and immediately compelling the chief captain to cease the intended scourging.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then the chief captain came,"**: This phrase indicates the immediate and urgent response of Claudius Lysias upon being informed by the centurion of Paul's claim of Roman citizenship. His personal presence underscores the gravity of the situation and his direct involvement in verifying such a critical legal assertion.
* **"and said unto him,"**: This highlights the directness of the chief captain's inquiry. He doesn't send a subordinate but confronts Paul himself, reflecting the high stakes involved for a Roman official who might inadvertently violate a citizen's rights.
* **"Tell me, art thou a Roman?"**: This is the core question, revealing the chief captain's disbelief, urgency, and perhaps a touch of apprehension. The question is posed as a direct challenge, demanding a clear answer that would determine Paul's immediate fate and the chief captain's future actions. The implied "if" (from G1487 *ei*) in the Greek structure emphasizes the conditional nature of the inquiry: "If you are a Roman, tell me."
* **"He said, Yea."**: Paul's one-word response is a concise and definitive affirmation. It is a powerful declaration of fact that immediately validates his earlier claim and brings the intended scourging to an abrupt halt. This simple "Yea" carries immense legal weight and authority, demonstrating Paul's composure and understanding of Roman law.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several effective literary devices. **Dialogue** is central, with the terse exchange between the chief captain and Paul driving the narrative forward and highlighting the immediate shift in power dynamics. The chief captain's urgent question, "Tell me, art thou a Roman?", followed by Paul's simple, declarative **Affirmation**, "Yea," creates a moment of high **Dramatic Irony**. The Roman official, intending to brutalize Paul for information, is suddenly put on the defensive by the very man he sought to punish, revealing Paul's unexpected legal leverage. There is also an element of **Suspense**, as the reader, like the chief captain, awaits Paul's answer, knowing the profound implications it holds for his safety and future. Furthermore, the scene serves as **Foreshadowing**, as Paul's Roman citizenship will continue to play a crucial role in his subsequent trials, appeals, and ultimate journey to Rome, fulfilling God's plan for him to bear witness before kings.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 22:27 profoundly illustrates God's sovereign hand at work, even through secular systems and human laws, to advance His divine purposes. Paul's Roman citizenship was not a mere coincidence but a providential provision, strategically employed by God to protect His chosen instrument and ensure the spread of the gospel to the Gentile world, ultimately to Rome itself. This passage reminds us that God's plan is comprehensive, utilizing every aspect of a believer's life—their background, nationality, and even their civil rights—to achieve His kingdom objectives. It also teaches us the wisdom of discerning when to endure suffering for Christ and when to judiciously assert our legal or civil rights, not for selfish gain, but for the greater good of the gospel and the protection of our ability to serve God.

* [Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "Romans 8:28 - All Things Work Together for Good")
* [Philippians 1:12](/philippians/1-12 "Philippians 1:12 - Paul's Imprisonment Advances the Gospel")
* [Matthew 10:16](/matthew/10-16 "Matthew 10:16 - Jesus' Instruction on Wisdom")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 22:27 serves as a powerful reminder for believers today that God is sovereign over all circumstances, even those that seem chaotic or threatening. Just as Paul's Roman citizenship was a divinely ordained tool for his protection and the advancement of the gospel, so too does God equip and position us within our own societies and legal frameworks for His purposes. We are called to live wisely, discerning when to humbly submit to authority and when to righteously assert our God-given rights, always with the ultimate goal of honoring Christ and furthering His kingdom. This passage encourages us to trust in God's perfect timing and provision, even when facing opposition or injustice, knowing that He can turn seemingly dire situations into opportunities for His glory. It also challenges us to be courageous and clear in our identity as followers of Christ, ready to affirm the truth of our faith and our standing in Him, even when it means standing against the tide.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might God be using your unique background, nationality, or civil status to advance His kingdom today?**
* **How can you discern when it is appropriate to assert your rights versus when it is better to suffer patiently for Christ's sake?**
* **What does Paul's calm affirmation in a threatening situation teach you about courage and confidence in your own faith?**
* **How does trusting in God's sovereignty over all circumstances, including legal and political ones, impact your daily life and anxieties?**

### FAQ
**Why was Paul's Roman citizenship so significant in this situation?**

Answer: Paul's Roman citizenship was profoundly significant because it granted him specific legal protections under Roman law that were denied to non-citizens. Chief among these was immunity from scourging (flogging) without a proper trial, and the right to appeal to Caesar. The chief captain's intention was to scourge Paul to extract information about the uproar, a practice strictly forbidden for Roman citizens. Paul's simple declaration of his citizenship immediately halted this unlawful procedure, saving him from a brutal beating and forcing the Roman authorities to treat him with due process, which ultimately led to his journey to Rome as a prisoner, fulfilling God's plan for him to preach the gospel there ([Acts 23:11](/acts/23-11 "Acts 23:11 - The Lord's Assurance to Paul")).

**What does Paul's response "Yea" reveal about his character?**

Answer: Paul's concise "Yea" (Greek: *naí*) reveals several aspects of his character. Firstly, it demonstrates his remarkable **composure and courage** under duress. Despite being bound for scourging, he remains calm and clear-headed. Secondly, it shows his **strategic wisdom and discernment**. He doesn't passively endure injustice but judiciously uses his legal rights when it serves a greater purpose. Thirdly, it highlights his **firmness and honesty**. There is no equivocation or hesitation; he states the truth directly and unequivocally. This moment showcases Paul as a man who understands both divine providence and human law, using both for the advancement of the gospel.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Acts 22:27 details Paul's strategic use of his Roman citizenship for protection and gospel advancement, it ultimately points to Christ, who, though possessing all divine rights and authority, willingly laid them aside for the sake of humanity's salvation. Jesus, the King of Kings, did not assert His divine prerogative when unjustly accused and condemned; instead, He submitted to the ultimate scourging and crucifixion, becoming the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). His silence before His accusers ([Matthew 27:12-14](/matthew/27-12-14 "Matthew 27:12-14 - Jesus' Silence Before Pilate")) and His willingness to suffer unjustly ([1 Peter 2:21-24](/1_peter/2-21-24 "1 Peter 2:21-24 - Christ's Suffering as an Example")) stand in stark contrast to Paul's assertion of rights, yet both serve God's redemptive plan. Paul's protection through human law allowed him to continue proclaiming the gospel, a mission made possible only by Christ's ultimate sacrifice, which transcended all human laws and systems. Thus, Paul's experience, while demonstrating God's providential care for His servants, ultimately magnifies the greater work of Christ, who, by surrendering His rights, secured eternal freedom and citizenship in the Kingdom of God for all who believe ([Philippians 3:20](/philippians/3-20 "Philippians 3:20 - Our Citizenship is in Heaven")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.