Questions have been raised regarding the nature of Paul’s statement in this verse. Some think that Paul was speaking sarcastically, while others insist that he was speaking in earnest. In support of the latter theory is a realization that Paul is in a judicial situation and introduces his remarks with the rather formal expression my brothers. Also in support of this thesis is the fact that Paul quotes from Exodus 22.28, and it is not likely that Paul would have used Scripture in a less than solemn fashion.

The ruler of your people must usually be rendered in such a way as to indicate that the phrase your people is the goal of “the ruling”; therefore, “the one who is ruling your people.” On the other hand, in this particular context ruler refers to position of prominence and it may be rendered more effectively in some languages as “the one who among all your people is the ruler.”

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on The Acts of the Apostles. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1972. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .