BibleWord.ai› Bible› Acts› Chapter 21› Verse 39

Acts 21:39

New Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Acts 21:39 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “But Paul said, I am a Jew, of Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city: and I beseech thee, give me leave to speak unto the people.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

But Paul said, I am a Jew, of Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city: and I beseech thee, give me leave to speak unto the people.
Acts 21:39 — American Standard Version

Context — Acts 21

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
36for the multitude of the people followed after, crying out, Away with him.
37And as Paul was about to be brought into the castle, he saith unto the chief captain, May I say something unto thee? And he said, Dost thou know Greek?
38Art thou not then the Egyptian, who before these days stirred up to sedition and led out into the wilderness the four thousand men of the Assassins?
39But Paul said, I am a Jew, of Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city: and I beseech thee, give me leave to speak unto the people.
40And when he had given him leave, Paul, standing on the stairs, beckoned with the hand unto the people; and when there was made a great silence, he spake unto them in the Hebrew language, saying,
← Acts 21:38Acts 21:40 →
← Full Chapter 21 Acts Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“But Paul said, I am a man which am a Jew of Tarsus, etc.] And not that Egyptian; he was not of that country, much less that man; but a Jew, both by birth and religion; he was born of Jewish parents, and brought up in the Jewish religion; though his native place was Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, where it is placed by Pliny f1117, Ptolomy f1118, and Mela f1119; and is by some thought to be the same with the Tarshish of the Old Testament: a citizen of no mean city; Pliny f1120 calls it a free city, and Solinus f1121 says it is the mother, or chief of cities, and Curtius f1122 speaks of it as a very opulent one; which when Alexander drew near to with his army, the inhabitants of it set fire to,…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“a citizen of no mean city--(See on Act 16:37).”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“A Jew of Tarsus - A Jew by birth. Of no mean city - Not obscure, or undistinguished. He could claim an honorable birth, so far as the place of his nativity was concerned. See the notes on Acts 9:11. Tarsus was much celebrated for its learning, and was at one time the rival of Alexandria and Athens. Xenophon calls it a great and flourishing city. Josephus (Antiq., book 2, chapter 6, section 6) says that it was the metropolis, and most renowned city among them (the Cilicians). return to 'Top of Page'”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“I am: Act 9:11, Act 9:30, Act 22:3, Act 23:34 Cilicia: Act 6:9, Act 15:23, Act 15:41 a citizen: Act 16:37, Act 22:25-29, Act 23:27 suffer: Act 21:37; Pe1 3:15, Pe1 4:15, Pe1 4:16 Acts 21:40”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Read Acts 21 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification