Acts 23:34

34 On reading the letter, he asked to what province he belonged. When he learned that he was from Cili'cia

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 And on the morrow they returned to the barracks, leaving the horsemen to go on with him.
33 When they came to Caesare'a and delivered the letter to the governor, they presented Paul also before him.
34 On reading the letter, he asked to what province he belonged. When he learned that he was from Cili'cia
35 he said, "I will hear you when your accusers arrive." And he commanded him to be guarded in Herod's praetorium.
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.