Jews call for the execution of Paul

Acts 22:22-30 the call for Paul’s execution

Verse 22: “gave him audience unto this word” Up until this point of Paul’s address, the multitude had listened intently. Now the mood sours and the Jews change course. They lift up their voices against crying out that such a fellow as Paul should be done way with, that he does not deserve to live.

 

Verses 23-24: The allergic reaction to Paul’s going to the Gentiles – “they cried out, and cast off their clothes, and threw dust into the air” – causes the chief captain to take action. He commanded the soldiers to bring Paul back into the castle (see “Verses 34-36,” in the previous chapter),[1] and they should examine him by scourging; that is, they would torture him (by scourging, the use of a whip or lash) to make him talk. “that he might know wherefore they cried so against him” Since Paul spoke to the Jews in the Hebrew language, it is likely that the chief captain could not understand what was being said and why the Jews suddenly went into such a rage.

 

Verses 25-26: Paul carefully informs the centurion that he is a Roman citizen who has had no fair trial. The centurion reports this important matter to the chief captain.

 

Verse 27: The chief captain comes to Paul with a query about his Roman citizenship, to which Paul answers a flat and simple, “Yes.”

 

Verse 28: “With a great sum obtained I this freedom.” “The Emperor Claudius and his wife had made the much-desired citizenship of Rome to almost anyone with a suitably large sum.”[2]

 

There were three ways to become a Roman citizen:[3]

• By birth
• By decree
• By purchase

Verses 29: Paul’s appeal to his Roman citizenship ended the matter, except the chief captains concern about his own actions.

 

Verse 30: The next day the captain “commanded the chief priests and all their council to appear,” so they might explain their actions and their accusation against Paul.

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[1] The commotion was great. The responses were confused and contradictory – “some cried one thing, some another.” The captain could not understand what was was going on, so he ordered that Paul be taken aside to the castle (παρεμβολήν, the fortified structure of the captain and his soldiers). The savagery of the scene was such that the soldiers had to carry Paul out of the tumult. The chant of the multitude arose and would not die, “Away with him!” An earlier multitude similarly shouted against Jesus. See John 19:15.
[2] Floyd, Baptist New Testament Commentary, 2013, p. 398.
[3] MacDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary, p. 1654.