Acts 21:39
But Paul said, I am a man [which am] a Jew of Tarsus, [a city] in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city: and, I beseech thee, suffer me to speak unto the people.
But {G1161} Paul {G3972} said {G2036}, I {G1473} am {G1510}{G3303} a man {G444} which am a Jew {G2453} of Tarsus {G5018}, a city in Cilicia {G2791}, a citizen {G4177} of no {G3756} mean {G767} city {G4172}: and {G1161}, I beseech {G1189} thee {G4675}, suffer {G2010} me {G3427} to speak {G2980} unto {G4314} the people {G2992}.
Sha’ul said, “I am a Jew from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of an important city; and I ask your permission to let me speak to the people.”
But Paul answered, “I am a Jew from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no ordinary city. Now I beg you to allow me to speak to the people.”
But Paul said, I am a Jew, of Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city: and I beseech thee, give me leave to speak unto the people.
Cross-References
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Acts 22:3 (7 votes)
¶ I am verily a man [which am] a Jew, born in Tarsus, [a city] in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, [and] taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day. -
Acts 9:11 (6 votes)
And the Lord [said] unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for [one] called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, -
Acts 6:9 (3 votes)
Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called [the synagogue] of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen. -
Acts 23:27 (3 votes)
This man was taken of the Jews, and should have been killed of them: then came I with an army, and rescued him, having understood that he was a Roman. -
Acts 16:37 (2 votes)
But Paul said unto them, They have beaten us openly uncondemned, being Romans, and have cast [us] into prison; and now do they thrust us out privily? nay verily; but let them come themselves and fetch us out. -
1 Peter 3:15 (2 votes)
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and [be] ready always to [give] an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: -
Acts 23:34 (2 votes)
And when the governor had read [the letter], he asked of what province he was. And when he understood that [he was] of Cilicia;
Commentary
Context
Acts 21:39 finds the Apostle Paul in a tense situation in Jerusalem. He has just been rescued by Roman soldiers from a violent mob in the Temple courts, who mistakenly believed he had brought Gentiles into the holy area, thus defiling it. The Roman commander, Claudius Lysias, initially thought Paul was an Egyptian insurrectionist. In this verse, Paul is responding to the commander's inquiry, asserting his true identity and background to gain credibility and, crucially, permission to address the very crowd that sought to kill him. This moment is pivotal, setting the stage for Paul's subsequent defenses and his journey to Rome.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The phrase "no mean city" translates the Greek ou asēmos polis (οὐκ ἀσήμου πόλεως). The word asēmos means "insignificant," "obscure," or "unmarked." By using the double negative ("not insignificant"), Paul strongly emphasizes that Tarsus was a city of considerable reputation, influence, and importance. This was a direct appeal to the Roman commander's understanding of social status and administrative importance, contrasting sharply with the commander's initial assumption that Paul was from a less reputable background, like the Egyptian terrorist.
Practical Application
Acts 21:39 offers several insights for believers today:
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