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.
Right away those who were about to question him backed off. Even the commander was alarmed when he realized that he had put Paul, a Roman citizen, in chains.
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?”