Acts 22:28

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G5037} the chief captain {G5506} answered {G611}, With a great {G4183} sum {G2774} obtained {G2932} I {G1473} this {G5026} freedom {G4174}. And {G1161} Paul {G3972} said {G5346}, But {G1161} I {G1473}{G2532} was free born {G1080}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The commander replied, “I bought this citizenship for a sizeable sum of money.” “But I was born to it,” Sha’ul said.

Berean Standard Bible

“I paid a high price for my citizenship,” said the commander. “But I was born a citizen,” Paul replied.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 22:28 records a crucial exchange between the Roman chief captain, Claudius Lysias, and the Apostle Paul, revealing the immense value and legal implications of Roman citizenship in the ancient world. This verse highlights the contrasting ways in which each man obtained this coveted status—the captain through a substantial financial payment, and Paul by birth—underscoring God's sovereign hand in providing Paul with a legal safeguard essential for his apostolic ministry and the spread of the Gospel.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within a dramatic narrative in Jerusalem following Paul's third missionary journey. Having been falsely accused and attacked by a Jewish mob in the Temple courts, Paul was rescued by the Roman tribune, Claudius Lysias. The immediate preceding verses (Acts 22:24-27) describe Lysias's order to scourge Paul to extract a confession, a brutal practice typically reserved for non-Roman criminals. Just as the soldiers were preparing to bind him, Paul calmly invoked his Roman citizenship in [Acts 22:25](/acts/22-25 "Acts 22:25 - Paul's Assertion of Citizenship"), a declaration that immediately halted the impending torture and shifted the entire legal dynamic. The chief captain's question in [Acts 22:28](/acts/22-28 "Acts 22:28 - The Chief Captain's Question") is a direct response to Paul's assertion, revealing his astonishment and personal investment in such a privilege.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Roman citizenship was an exceptionally valuable and highly sought-after status in the Roman Empire, granting significant legal protections and social advantages. Citizens were exempt from scourging without trial, had the right to appeal to Caesar, and were entitled to a fair legal process. There were several ways to acquire citizenship: by birth (if one's parents were citizens), by manumission (for freed slaves), by military service, or by purchase, often for a substantial sum, particularly during the reigns of emperors like Claudius or Nero, who sometimes granted citizenship to individuals or even entire cities for loyalty or financial contributions. The chief captain's statement, "With a great sum obtained I this freedom," reflects the reality of such transactions and the high price commanded by this privilege, indicating his own significant wealth or strategic importance. Paul's birthright citizenship, likely inherited from ancestors in Tarsus (a free city with Roman connections), was a less common but equally valid and powerful form of acquisition.

* **Key Themes:** The exchange in [Acts 22:28](/acts/22-28 "Acts 22:28 - Paul's Roman Citizenship") contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Acts and Paul's ministry. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Providence and Sovereignty**, demonstrating how God strategically used Paul's earthly status to protect him and advance the Gospel, ultimately enabling him to reach Rome itself (as seen in his later appeal to Caesar in [Acts 25:11](/acts/25-11 "Acts 25:11 - Paul Appeals to Caesar")). Secondly, it underscores the **Value and Power of Roman Citizenship** as a legal shield for Christian missionaries operating within the Roman Empire. Thirdly, it subtly introduces a **Contrast in Acquisition**, setting up a parallel between the chief captain's purchased freedom and Paul's inherited freedom, which can be seen as a foreshadowing of the spiritual truth that salvation and true freedom in Christ are not earned by human effort but are a gift received by spiritual birth into God's family (cf. [John 8:36](/john/8-36 "John 8:36 - Freedom in Christ") and [Galatians 5:1](/galatians/5-1 "Galatians 5:1 - Stand Firm in Freedom")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **sum (Greek, _kephálaion'_):** From G2774. This word literally means "a principal thing" or "main point," but specifically refers to an amount of money, a capital sum. In this context, it emphasizes the significant financial cost the chief captain paid to acquire his Roman citizenship, highlighting its immense value and the effort required for its attainment.
* **obtained (Greek, _ktáomai'_):** From G2932. This verb means "to get, i.e., acquire (by any means; own)." It denotes the act of purchasing or coming into possession of something through effort or transaction. The captain "obtained" his freedom, implying a deliberate and costly acquisition, contrasting sharply with Paul's inherited status.
* **free born (Greek, _gennáō'_):** From G1080. While the KJV inserts "[free]," the underlying Greek word _gennáō_ primarily means "to procreate," "to beget," or "to be born." When used in this context, especially in reference to citizenship, it signifies being born into a particular status, in this case, Roman citizenship. Paul's statement emphasizes that his citizenship was a matter of birthright, not purchase or achievement.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the chief captain answered, With a great sum obtained I this freedom."**: This clause reveals the chief captain's astonishment and pride in his Roman citizenship. His statement underscores the high value placed on this status, indicating that he paid a substantial amount of money to acquire it. This reflects a common practice in the Roman Empire, where citizenship could be bought, especially by wealthy individuals seeking its numerous legal and social advantages. The captain's words highlight the stark contrast with Paul's subsequent declaration.
* **"And Paul said, But I was [free] born."**: Paul's concise reply reveals a different, and arguably superior, means of acquiring Roman citizenship: by birth. This means he was born into a family that already possessed this status, likely because his parents or ancestors had been granted it, perhaps due to their residence in Tarsus, a city known for its Roman connections and privileges. Paul's birthright citizenship was a providential gift, not an earned or purchased privilege, which would prove invaluable throughout his ministry and legal challenges.

#### Literary Devices
The passage effectively employs **Contrast** to highlight the differing origins of Roman citizenship for the chief captain and Paul. The captain's "great sum" stands in stark opposition to Paul's "born" status, emphasizing the unearned nature of Paul's privilege. There is also an element of **Irony** or **Dramatic Irony** at play: the powerful Roman military officer had to pay a fortune for a status that his Jewish prisoner possessed by birth, without effort or cost. This unexpected revelation immediately shifts the power dynamic and forces the captain to treat Paul with greater respect and caution. Furthermore, Paul's citizenship serves as a form of **Foreshadowing**, as this legal protection will repeatedly shield him from harm and enable him to continue his mission, ultimately leading him to Rome, the very heart of the empire, to preach the Gospel.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The exchange in Acts 22:28 profoundly illustrates God's meticulous providence, demonstrating how He orchestrates seemingly secular circumstances to advance His divine purposes. Paul's Roman citizenship, a birthright, was not merely a fortunate coincidence but a strategic provision that repeatedly protected him from unjust treatment, afforded him legal avenues for defense, and ultimately facilitated his journey to Rome to bear witness to Christ before emperors and officials. This earthly citizenship, granted by grace of birth, serves as a powerful analogy for the believer's spiritual citizenship in God's kingdom, which is also a birthright—a new birth by the Spirit, not earned by human effort or "great sums." Just as Paul's physical citizenship granted him privileges and protection, our spiritual citizenship in Christ grants us unparalleled freedom, security, and an eternal inheritance.

* [John 1:12-13](/john/1-12-13 "John 1:12-13 - Children of God by Birth")
* [Philippians 3:20-21](/philippians/3-20-21 "Philippians 3:20-21 - Our Citizenship in Heaven")
* [Ephesians 2:19](/ephesians/2-19 "Ephesians 2:19 - Fellow Citizens with the Saints")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 22:28 invites us to reflect on the nature of privilege, protection, and divine purpose in our own lives. Paul's Roman citizenship was a gift, not an achievement, yet it was instrumental in his ministry. Similarly, as believers, we possess a far greater, divine birthright: citizenship in the kingdom of God, granted not by earthly lineage or financial sum, but by spiritual rebirth through faith in Jesus Christ. This heavenly citizenship provides us with ultimate security, an eternal inheritance, and the freedom to live boldly for God's purposes, even in the face of adversity. We are called to recognize and leverage the "privileges" God has given us—whether natural talents, unique circumstances, or spiritual gifts—for the advancement of His kingdom, trusting that He sovereignly works all things for good for those who love Him. Our ultimate identity and security are found not in earthly status, but in our belonging to Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "privileges" or unique circumstances has God given me that I can leverage for His kingdom purposes?**
* **How does my understanding of heavenly citizenship impact my perspective on earthly challenges and pursuits?**
* **In what ways am I tempted to "earn" or "buy" spiritual freedom or acceptance, rather than resting in the birthright I have in Christ?**

### FAQ
**What was the significance of Roman citizenship in Paul's time?**

Answer: Roman citizenship was immensely significant, conferring a wide array of legal protections and social privileges. Citizens were exempt from summary arrest, torture (like scourging) without a formal trial, and capital punishment without a proper judicial process. They also had the right to appeal legal decisions to the emperor, as Paul later did (cf. [Acts 25:11](/acts/25-11 "Acts 25:11 - Paul's Appeal to Caesar")). Furthermore, citizenship granted certain social and economic advantages, including the ability to hold public office, own property, and participate in Roman legal and commercial systems. It was a status that commanded respect and provided a powerful legal shield, especially for someone like Paul who frequently faced opposition and legal challenges.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The powerful contrast in [Acts 22:28](/acts/22-28 "Acts 22:28 - Paul's Roman Citizenship") between the chief captain's costly acquisition of Roman citizenship and Paul's birthright status beautifully foreshadows the nature of our spiritual freedom and citizenship in Christ. Just as Paul inherited his earthly freedom without payment, believers receive their heavenly citizenship and spiritual freedom not by any "great sum" of human effort, good works, or religious merit, but as a divine birthright through the new birth in Jesus Christ. Christ Himself, the ultimate "free-born" Son of God, perfectly fulfilled the Law and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice, thereby purchasing our redemption and granting us adoption into God's family (cf. [Galatians 4:4-7](/galatians/4-4-7 "Galatians 4:4-7 - Sons and Heirs through Christ")). Through faith in Him, we are born again by the Spirit (cf. [John 3:3-8](/john/3-3-8 "John 3:3-8 - Born Again by the Spirit")), becoming "fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God" (cf. [Ephesians 2:19](/ephesians/2-19 "Ephesians 2:19 - Fellow Citizens with the Saints")). Our true freedom is found in the unearned, unmerited grace of Christ, who liberates us from the bondage of sin and death, establishing us as heirs of an eternal inheritance (cf. [Romans 8:15-17](/romans/8-15-17 "Romans 8:15-17 - Adoption as Sons and Heirs")).

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.