Paragraph 22:29

22:29a

The Greek conjunction often translated as “therefore” introduces this verse. Paul had confirmed his citizenship before the commander, also a Roman. So the soldiers back away from flogging a Roman citizen. For example:

So… (Revised Standard Version)

those who were about to interrogate Paul: This phrase refers to the soldiers who were ready to flog Paul (22:24a–25a).

to interrogate Paul: Here this phrase implies that the soldiers would ask Paul why the Jewish crowd was so upset with him (22:24b–c). In some languages a literal translation would not imply that here. If that is true in your language, you may want to include the implied information here. For example:

to interrogate Paul ⌊to find out why the people were shouting at him⌋

22:24b also indicates that the soldiers would flog him as well. In some languages it is more natural or more clear to indicate again that information. For example:

to ⌊flog and⌋ question him

stepped back: This phrase indicates that they stepped further away from Paul. They were no longer ready to flog him. Other ways to translate this word are:

moved away (New Century Version)
-or-
stepped away (God’s Word)
-or-
backed off (Contemporary English Version)

22:29b

and the commander himself was alarmed: This clause in Greek is literally “and the commander also was afraid.” It connects the reaction of the soldiers to the reaction of the commander. Both the soldiers and the commander were afraid. For example:

and the tribune also was afraid (Revised Standard Version)

22:29c

when he realized that he had put a Roman citizen in chains: People were not allowed to put chains on Roman citizens when they arrested them. But the commander had put chains on Paul (21:33b). So he was afraid of being punished. Other ways to translate this clause are:

for he realized that Paul was a Roman citizen and that he had bound him (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
when he realized that Paul was a Roman citizen and that he had put him in chains (Good News Translation)
-or-
when he realised that he had put a Roman citizen in chains (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
when he realized that Paul was Roman and that he had put chains on him, ⌊which broke/violated Roman law⌋

had put…in chains: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as put…in chains is means “to tie/bind.” For example:

had bound (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
he had already tied (New Century Version)

21:33b indicates that Paul was bound with chains. So the Berean Standard Bible and some English versions refer clearly to that event. For example:

had chained him
-or-
had bound him with/by chains
-or-
had tied/fastened chains ⌊to his wrists⌋
-or-
had put him in irons (Revised English Bible)

General Comment on 22:29c

At the time of 22:29c, the commander knew that Paul was a Roman citizen. So it is most likely that he immediately removed the chains. In many languages a literal translation would not clearly indicate or imply that. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Explain it in your translation. For example:

when he realized that he had put Paul, a Roman citizen, in chains. ⌊So he removed them.⌋

• Translate literally and explain it in a footnote. An example footnote is:

The commander now knew that Paul was a Roman citizen, so he probably removed the chains immediately.

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