21:39a

Paul was not that Egyptian. His answer here indicates that. In some languages it is more natural to add “no.” For example:

Paul said, “No, I am a Jew… (New Century Version)

I am a Jew: The word I is emphasized in the Greek here. For example:

I myself am a Jew

Tarsus in Cilicia: Tarsus was the capital city of the province of Cilicia. It is located in the present day country of Turkey. The Romans had earlier conquered this area and ruled it as one of their provinces at this time. In some languages people are not familiar with these names. For example:

⌊the city of⌋ Tarsus in ⌊the province of⌋ Cilicia

citizen: Paul was a citizen of the city of Tarsus. At this time, people could be citizens of a city as well as be citizens of Rome. Only a minority of the people born or living in a city were citizens. Becoming a citizen required being a land owner, the city leaders granting citizenship, or being born to citizens. Being a citizen gave high social status to that person. Other ways to translate this word are:

officially a member of the city
-or-
a person with his name on the city register

In some languages the full meaning will need a footnote. An example footnote is:

At that time, only a minority of the people born or living in a city were citizens. Becoming a citizen required being a land owner, the city leaders granting citizenship, or being born to citizens. Being a citizen gave high social status to that person.

no ordinary city: This phrase in Greek is literally “not an unimportant city.” It emphasizes that Tarsus was an important city. Paul indicated here that Tarsus had status in the Roman world and that he as a citizen also had status. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

no obscure city (English Standard Version)
-or-
an important city (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
the well–known city (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
a city of high standing/status

General Comment on 21:39a

Paul told the commander five things here:

(a) He was a Jew,

(b) he was from the city of Tarsus,

(c) Tarsus was in the province of Cilicia,

(d) he was a citizen of Tarsus,

(e) Tarsus was an important city.

You may want to reorder this information in a way that is more natural in your language. You may also need to put some of it in another sentence. For example:

I am a Jew and a citizen of the well–known city of Tarsus in Cilicia (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
I am a Jew. I am also a citizen of ⌊the city of⌋ Tarsus in Cilicia. It/Tarsus is an important city.

21:39b

Now I beg you to allow me to speak to the people: The Greek words are literally “I ask you, allow me to speak to the people.” It is a polite request. Other ways to translate this clause are:

I’m asking you to let me talk to the people. (God’s Word)
-or-
May I have your permission to speak to the people? (Revised English Bible)

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