Acts chapter 22

vs 21

So we see here that it was not because of Paul's wonderful ability or his love for non-Jews that he was sent out to the gentiles. It was because of his noteriety among Jewish Christians as a murderer and persecutor. God does not force Paul onto the Jews - his plan is to utilise his skills and gifts where they can be useful but also where he will not cause trouble.

vs 22

So, then, you can see the basic attitude of Jews to gentiles on extension from their attitude towards someone who thinks God loves them enough to send Paul out to them. This was what started the riot in the first place - that they thought Paul had been sneaking gentiles into the Temple.

vs 23

I don't know what all this means exactly - to me the throwing off cloaks sounds like preparations for stoning. The dust flinging I think is a part of mourning or repentance to God? Just guessing though.

vs 24

What a lovely law enforcement system - because enough people don't like you that they are rioting, we flog you, then interrogate you to see why it's your fault. As I said - easier to blame one person than to blame those who riot.

vs 25

Paul must have been thanking his lucky stars for his citizenship at this stage. It didn't stop him getting flogged last time, but this time he obviously feels he would rather not suffer that. I guess it's a different purpose that he has in coming to Jerusalem.

vs 26

What indeed? Can't have Roman citizens on holiday in Jerusalem getting mobbed by psycopath Jews.

vs 27-28

I'm assuming that this means Paul's parents were citizens (well, father anyway). The commander is also a citizen, but he paid out for his. Perhaps Paul didn't look like the kind of rich individual who could afford to pay for citizenship. Perhaps the commander saw Paul as Jewish, and thought that therefore he couldn't have been born a citizen. He could even have been intimating that if Paul's that rich, he could just pay them to leave him be. Anyway, Paul sets him straight.

vs 29

You can't just go around arresting citizens. Everyone's really on edge now. It's a delicate situation. How much flogging do you get for arresting Roman citizens for no reason I wonder?

vs 30

The commander has a problem - he has a city full of people who cause riots and make problems because of one man, who happens to be a Roman citizen. So he seeks to solve the problem by having a round table conference. He wants to do everything by the book now.

Who will win the legal battle? Find out tomorrow!