Acts 22:26

26 When the centurion heard that, he went to the tribune and said to him, "What are you about to do? This man is a Roman citizen."

Acts 22:26 Meaning and Commentary

Acts 22:26

When the centurion heard that
The question put by Paul, which strongly suggested that he was a Roman:

he went and told the chief captain; what Paul had said: saying, take
heed what thou dost;
or "art about to do"; lest some bad consequences should follow; lest he should affront the Roman people and senate, and lose his place, if not incur some corporeal punishment:

for this man is a Roman;
and it can never be answered to bind and beat a Roman.

Acts 22:26 In-Context

24 the tribune directed that he was to be brought into the barracks, and ordered him to be examined by flogging, to find out the reason for this outcry against him.

25 But when they had tied him up with thongs, Paul said to the centurion who was standing by, "Is it legal for you to flog a Roman citizen who is uncondemned?"

26 When the centurion heard that, he went to the tribune and said to him, "What are you about to do? This man is a Roman citizen."

27 The tribune came and asked Paul, "Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?" And he said, "Yes."

28 The tribune answered, "It cost me a large sum of money to get my citizenship." Paul said, "But I was born a citizen."