Acts 22:28

The commanding officer ¹  answered, “I acquired this citizenship with a large sum of money.” ²  “But I was even ³  born a citizen,” ⁴  Paul replied. ⁵ 

Then the commander said, "I had to pay a big price for my citizenship." "But I was born a citizen," Paul replied.

The commander answered, "I acquired this citizenship with a large sum of money." And Paul said, "But I was actually born a citizen."

"I am, too," the commander muttered, "and it cost me plenty!" "But I am a citizen by birth!"

The captain was impressed. "I paid a huge sum for my citizenship. How much did it cost you?" "Nothing," said Paul. "It cost me nothing. I was free from the day of my birth."

And the chief captain said, I got Roman rights for myself at a great price. And Paul said, But I had them by birth.

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

The commander answered, "With a large sum I obtained this citizenship." And Paul said, "But I was born a citizen ."

The commanding officer ¹  answered, “I acquired this citizenship with a large sum of money.” ²  “But I was even ³  born a citizen,” ⁴  Paul replied. ⁵ 

¹ tn Grk “the chiliarch” (an officer in command of a thousand soldiers). See note on the term “commanding officer” in v. 24.

² sn Sometimes Roman citizenship was purchased through a bribe (Dio Cassius, Roman History 60.17.4-9). That may well have been the case here.

³ tn BDAG 495-96 s.v. καί 2.b has “intensive: even…Ac 5:39; 22:28.”

⁴ tn The word “citizen” is supplied here for emphasis and clarity.

sn Paul’s reference to being born a citizen suggests he inherited his Roman citizenship from his family.

⁵ tn Grk “Paul said.” This phrase has been placed at the end of the sentence in the translation for stylistic reasons.