Acts 21:39Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Paul defends himself and, by his answer, removes this suspicion. See how Paul, when he addresses outsiders, the Gentiles, does not refuse to make use of their laws. Here he points to his city.

Similarly he had said earlier, “They have beaten us publicly, uncondemned, men who are Roman citizens, and have thrown us into prison” (Acts 16:37). To the question, “Are you not that Egyptian?” he answers, “I am a Jew.”

By these words he at once removed such suspicion. Lest they think he was a Jew only by birth, by this word he also points to his confession, though elsewhere he calls himself “under the law toward Christ” (1 Cor 9:21).

"I am indeed a Jewish man." We Christians are the true Jews, since we confess the true faith, for the name Judah means "confession." Since the tribune had asked, "Are you not the Egyptian?" Paul first removes this suspicion from him. Then, so that he may not think that Paul is a Jew merely by origin, he declares his faith. What then? Did he deny it? May it never be! He was both a Jew and a Christian. "Permit me to speak to the people." This is the strongest proof that he was guilty of nothing. He was so ready to defend himself and so eager to address the Jewish people with a word.

The apostle was born in the Galilean city of Giscala. After the Romans captured the city, he moved with his parents to Tarsus, a city of Cilicia.

His parents sent him to study law in Jerusalem, where he was educated under Gamaliel, a most learned man, as he himself later recalls.

He does not call himself a Roman citizen here, but an inhabitant of the municipality in whose territory he was brought up.

A municipality received this name because it fulfills obligations, munia, that is, it gives what is required, or renders services, munera. These are free and recognized acts, and those proceeding from the chief person belong to the dignity of the city.

It is not surprising that he calls himself a Tarsian and not an inhabitant of Giscala. For the Lord Himself, though born in Bethlehem, was called a Nazarene and not an inhabitant of Bethlehem.

The Apostle was seized, and the enraged crowd would have torn him apart if the tribune, Lysias (Acts 23:26), commander of the Jerusalem garrison, had not heard of the popular disturbance and come to the scene with part of the troops entrusted to him. Thinking Paul truly guilty of something, the tribune approached, took him, and ordered him to be bound with two chains. Then, unable to learn what the prisoner was accused of because of the disorderly shouting of the people, he ordered him to be brought into the fortress.

"No," Paul answered, "I am a Jew, a man of Tarsus, a citizen of no obscure city of Cilicia. I beg you, permit me to speak to the people." Such boldness from a man who had just been saved from imminent death at the hands of this very people struck Lysias. He allowed him to address the people with an explanation. The Apostle boldly stepped forward, motioned with his hand that he wished to speak, and when silence fell, addressed the people at length in the Hebrew language.

Paul said, and so forth. Removing the tribune's false guess, Paul says that he is not an Egyptian, but a natural Jew from Tarsus, a well-known city of Cilicia. After this he asks permission to speak to the people. "I beg you, permit me," and so forth. "This is a proof of the truth of his words, that he brings everyone as witness. He was so ready to justify himself and dared to oppose the crowd of Jews with speech" (Chrysostom).

Having said who he was, the Apostle Paul obtained from the commander permission to address the people. Since he was accustomed to speaking with crowds, the apostle made such a sign from the top of the terrace that all understood he wished to speak.

Therefore all fell silent, desiring to hear this unfortunate man whom many had recently beaten so mercilessly. Saint John Chrysostom, noting how Paul testified about himself before the commander, says:

“See how Paul, when he addresses outsiders, the Gentiles, does not refuse to make use of their laws. Here he points to his city, Tarsus of Cilicia.