25 When they tied Paul down to lash him, Paul said to the officer22:25 Greek the centurion; also in 22:26. standing there, "Is it legal for you to whip a Roman citizen who hasn’t even been tried?"
26 When the officer heard this, he went to the commander and asked, "What are you doing? This man is a Roman citizen!"
27 So the commander went over and asked Paul, "Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?"
"Yes, I certainly am," Paul replied.
28 "I am, too," the commander muttered, "and it cost me plenty!"
Paul answered, "But I am a citizen by birth!"