Acts 22:22-30

The Reaction to Paul's Defense

So great was the Jews' hatred of the Gentiles that the very mention of them enraged the audience and moved them to call for Paul's death. They began to throw their garments and dust in the air, perhaps in preparation to stone the apostle. The chief captain had Paul taken into the castle and prepared to scourge him until he told the truth. However, Paul asked if the law would allow them to scourge an uncondemned Roman citizen. The centurion in charge of the scourging immediately told the chief captain, who, in turn, asked if Paul was a Roman. Paul's positive response moved the captain to say he had bought those privileges for a great sum of money. Paul said he was born into Roman citizenship.

With that established, everyone quickly withdrew and the captain worried because he had bound a Roman. The next day, Paul was freed and the chief priests and all the council were commanded to come together, while Paul was seated before them (Acts 22:22-30).