Acts 21:39 Meaning and Explanation
“But Paul said, I am a man which am a Jew of Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city: and, I beseech thee, suffer me to speak unto the people.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Paul corrects him, identifying himself as a Jew from Tarsus, a citizen of no insignificant city, and asks leave to address the crowd.
What Does Acts 21:39 Mean?
Paul answers the tribune's mistake plainly: he is a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no insignificant city. Then he makes his request, asking permission to speak to the people. His dignity and clarity command attention.
Battered and in chains, Paul thinks not of escape but of preaching. His one desire is to address the very crowd that sought his life, so that they might hear of Christ. This is the heart of a true witness, who counts no audience too hostile and no moment too dangerous to speak the gospel. Love for souls outweighs the instinct of self-protection.
Frequently Asked Questions About Acts 21:39
What does Acts 21:39 mean?
Paul corrects him, identifying himself as a Jew from Tarsus, a citizen of no insignificant city, and asks leave to address the crowd.