Acts 23:34

New Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Acts 23:34 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And when he had read it, he asked of what province he was; and when he understood that he was of Cilicia,” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And when he had read it, he asked of what province he was; and when he understood that he was of Cilicia,
Acts 23:34 — American Standard Version

Context — Acts 23

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
34And when he had read it, he asked of what province he was; and when he understood that he was of Cilicia,

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And when the governor, had read the letter, etc.] Which he doubtless opened and read as soon as he had received it, not knowing what important business might be contained in it, or of what dangerous consequence a neglect of reading it might be; this showed care and diligence in him: he asked of what province he was; since he perceived by the letter he was a Roman, and that he might know whether he was under his jurisdiction, and whether the hearing of his case belonged to him; and it should seem that it rather belonged to the governor of Syria; but that the crimes he was charged with were committed in Judea, particularly that of profaning the temple. And when he understood that he was of…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“asked of what province he was--the letter describing him as a Roman citizen.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Of what province he was - Greek: of what heparchy ἐπαρχίας eparchias he was. He knew from the letter of Lysias that he was a Roman, but he was not informed of what place or province he was. This he doubtless did in order to ascertain whether he properly belonged to his jurisdiction. Roman provinces were districts of country which were entrusted to the jurisdiction of procurators. How far the jurisdiction of Felix extended is not certainly known. It appears, however, that it included Cilicia. Was of Cilicia - Tarsus, the birthplace of Paul, was in this province, Acts 21:39. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“he asked: Act 25:1; Est 1:1, Est 8:9; Dan 2:49, Dan 6:1; Luk 23:6 Cilicia: Act 15:41, Act 21:39 Acts 23:35”
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Sources and verification