The tribune answered, “I bought this citizenship for a large sum.” Paul said, “But I am a citizen by birth.”
28. With a great sum. The chief captain objecteth this to refute him as if he should say, that the freedom of the city is not so common, and easily to be obtained. How can it be that thou, being some base fellow of the country of the Cilicians, shouldst obtain this honor, for which I paid sweetly?
The moment he speaks of being sent to the Gentiles, they cannot endure it, such hatred have they for the Gentiles, such jealousy. They will hear nothing more. Galled consciences refuse even to listen to reason; men resolved not to be ruled by it will not hear it if they can help it. So they shout him down in fury.
AI summary
Commenting on Acts 22:22-30
On the morrow,.... The next day; so that Paul was kept in the castle all night: because he would have known the certainty wherefore he was accused of the Jews; which, as yet, he could not come at, some saying one thing, and some another; and which he ought to have known before he had bound him, and ordered him to be scourged: he loosed...