Another officer was standing there as they stretched Paul out to be whipped. Paul said to him, “Is it legal for you to whip a Roman citizen who hasn’t even been found guilty?”
But Paul replied to the officers, “The judges had us beaten in public. They didn’t give us a trial, even though we are Roman citizens! Then they threw us into prison. And now they want to get rid of us quietly? No! Let them come and lead us out personally.”
“I told them that’s not the way Romans do things. We don’t judge anyone before they’ve had the chance to face the people bringing charges against them and answer for themselves.
But the commander wanted to save Paul’s life, so he kept the soldiers from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to throw themselves overboard first and swim to land.
Since it was decided that we would sail for Italy, Paul and some other prisoners were handed over to a Roman commander named Julius. He belonged to the Imperial Guard and led 100 men.
When the Roman commander and those who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and everything that had happened, they were terrified and exclaimed, “He had to be the Son of God!”
When the officer heard this, he went to the commander and reported it. “Do you know what you’re doing?” the officer asked. “This man is a Roman citizen!”
The man I’m sending you was seized by the Jews, and they were about to kill him. But I came with my soldiers and rescued him, because I had learned that he was a Roman citizen.