Acts 23:34

34 After he read the letter, he asked Paul about his home province. When he learned that he was from Cilicia,

Acts 23:34 Meaning and Commentary

Acts 23:34

And when the governor, had read the letter
Which he doubtless opened and read as soon as he had received it, not knowing what important business might be contained in it, or of what dangerous consequence a neglect of reading it might be; this showed care and diligence in him:

he asked of what province he was;
since he perceived by the letter he was a Roman, and that he might know whether he was under his jurisdiction, and whether the hearing of his case belonged to him; and it should seem that it rather belonged to the governor of Syria; but that the crimes he was charged with were committed in Judea, particularly that of profaning the temple.

And when he understood that he was of Cilicia;
which was a Roman province, in which Tarsus was, where Paul was born free; ( Acts 21:39 ) ( 22:3 ) .

Acts 23:34 In-Context

32 The following day they let the horsemen continue on with Paul while they returned to the military headquarters in Jerusalem.

33 The horsemen entered Caesarea, delivered the letter to the governor, and brought Paul before him.

34 After he read the letter, he asked Paul about his home province. When he learned that he was from Cilicia,

35 the governor said, "I will hear your case when your accusers arrive." Then he ordered that Paul be kept in custody in Herod's palace.