Acts 22:26

When the centurion heard that, he went and told the chief captain, saying, Take heed what thou doest: for this man is a Roman.

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(26) Take heed what thou doest.—The better MSS. give the words simply as a question: “What art thou about to do?”

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

22:22-30 The Jews listened to Paul's account of his conversion, but the mention of his being sent to the Gentiles, was so contrary to all their national prejudices, that they would hear no more. Their frantic conduct astonished the Roman officer, who supposed that Paul must have committed some great crime. Paul pleaded his privilege as a Roman citizen, by which he was exempted from all trials and punishments which might force him to confess himself guilty. The manner of his speaking plainly shows what holy security and serenity of mind he enjoyed. As Paul was a Jew, in low circumstances, the Roman officer questioned how he obtained so valuable a distinction; but the apostle told him he was free born. Let us value that freedom to which all the children of God are born; which no sum of money, however large, can purchase for those who remain unregenerate. This at once put a stop to his trouble. Thus many are kept from evil practices by the fear of man, who would not be held back from them by the fear of God. The apostle asks, simply, Is it lawful? He knew that the God whom he served would support him under all sufferings for his name's sake. But if it were not lawful, the apostle's religion directed him, if possible, to avoid it. He never shrunk from a cross which his Divine Master laid upon his onward road; and he never stept aside out of that road to take one up.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Bound him with thongs - With cords, preparatory to scourging.

Is it lawful ... - It was directly contrary to the Roman law to bind and scourge a Roman citizen. See the notes on Acts 16:36-37.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

25. Paul said to the centurion that stood by—to superintend the torture and receive the confession expected to be wrung from him.

Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman, &c.—See on [2097]Ac 16:37.

Matthew Poole's Commentary

There were several centurions under one chief captain, or chiliarch, as there are several captains under one colonel; and this centurion might be deputed to examine Paul. The reason why they presently desisted from binding Paul, and informed the commander-in-chief of what he had alleged, might be, because as it was very penal to challenge this privilege falsely, so it was treason for any to deny it to such to whom it was due.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

When the centurion heard that,.... The question put by Paul, which strongly suggested that he was a Roman:

he went and told the chief captain; what Paul had said: saying, take heed what thou dost; or "art about to do"; lest some bad consequences should follow; lest he should affront the Roman people and senate, and lose his place, if not incur some corporeal punishment:

for this man is a Roman; and it can never be answered to bind and beat a Roman.

Geneva Study Bible

When the centurion heard that, he went and told the chief captain, saying, Take heed what thou doest: for this man is a Roman.

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Expositor's Greek Testament

Acts 22:26. ὅρα, see critical note.—τί μέλλεις ποιεῖν, cf. 2Ma 7:2 R, τί μέλλεις ἐρωτᾶν;—ὁ γὰρ ἄν. οὗτος, on St. Luke’s fondness for οὗτος in similar phrases, Friedrich, pp. 10, 89.

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

26. Take heed what thou doest] The oldest texts omit the word for “take heed” and so make the remainder to be a blunt question “What art thou about to do?” And thus Rev. Ver. It was forbidden, under heavy penalty, by the Lex Porcia, to scourge a Roman citizen (Liv. Acts 10:9).

Bengel's Gnomen

Acts 22:26. Τῷ χιλιάρχῳ, the tribune or chief captain) who was away at the time.—γὰρ, for) Nay, there were stronger reasons underneath for taking heed, namely, that he was the servant of GOD.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 26. - And when for when, A.V.; it for that, A.V.; to for and told, A.V.; and told him, saying for saying, A.V.; What art thou about to do? for Take heed what thou doest, A.V. Acts 22:26