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.

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

  • Paul's Strategic Identity Disclosure: Paul identifies himself as a "Jew of Tarsus, a city in Cilicia," and a "citizen of no mean city." This declaration was highly significant. Tarsus was not just any city; it was a prominent intellectual and commercial center in the Roman Empire, known for its Greek culture and philosophical schools. By stating his origin, Paul immediately elevates his status in the eyes of the Roman commander and potentially even the Jewish crowd, distinguishing himself from a common criminal or a foreign agitator. This identity also hints at his Roman citizenship, which he would later explicitly invoke.
  • Boldness Amidst Adversity: Despite being under arrest and having just faced a near-lynching, Paul's immediate concern is to preach the Gospel. His request, "I beseech thee, suffer me to speak unto the people," demonstrates his unwavering commitment to his mission. He sees every challenge as an opportunity for witness, embodying the spirit of a true evangelist who would not be silenced. This echoes his resolve to "finish his course with joy" regardless of the cost.
  • Divine Orchestration: The entire sequence of events, from the riot to the Roman intervention and Paul's opportunity to speak, can be seen as God's providence at work. What appeared to be a disaster became an open door for Paul to share his testimony, first with the Roman authorities and then with the Jewish people, fulfilling his calling to be a witness for Christ to both Jews and Gentiles.

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:

  • Leveraging Our Backgrounds for God: Like Paul, we can use our personal history, education, profession, or cultural background—whatever God has given us—as a platform for the Gospel. Our identity, skills, and experiences are not accidental; they can be tools in God's hands for His purposes.
  • Courage in Witness: Paul's request to speak to his persecutors in such a dangerous situation is a powerful example of courage. It reminds us that even in hostile environments or difficult circumstances, God can open doors for us to share our faith. We are called to be bold witnesses, trusting in God's protection and provision.
  • Seeing Opportunities in Adversity: What might seem like a setback or a crisis can often be an opportunity for God to work in unexpected ways. Paul's arrest led to a series of opportunities for him to preach before various authorities, ultimately leading him to Rome, as God had promised (Acts 23:11).
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 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;