King James Version

What Does Acts 22:29 Mean?

Acts 22:29 in the King James Version says “Then straightway they departed from him which should have examined him: and the chief captain also was afraid, after he ... — study this verse from Acts chapter 22 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

Then straightway they departed from him which should have examined him: and the chief captain also was afraid, after he knew that he was a Roman, and because he had bound him. examined him: or, tortured him

Acts 22:29 · KJV


Context

27

Then the chief captain came, and said unto him, Tell me, art thou a Roman? He said, Yea.

28

And the chief captain answered, With a great sum obtained I this freedom. And Paul said, But I was free born.

29

Then straightway they departed from him which should have examined him: and the chief captain also was afraid, after he knew that he was a Roman, and because he had bound him. examined him: or, tortured him

30

On the morrow, because he would have known the certainty wherefore he was accused of the Jews, he loosed him from his bands, and commanded the chief priests and all their council to appear, and brought Paul down, and set him before them.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Then straightway they departed from him which should have examined him—The men who were about to torture Paul immediately withdrew (ἀπέστησαν, apestēsan, 'stood away from'). Those who were μέλλοντες αὐτὸν ἀνετάζειν (mellontes auton anetazein, 'about to examine him by torture')—using ἀνετάζω, referring specifically to judicial torture to extract confessions—instantly stop. Roman law absolutely forbade torturing citizens. The verification of Paul's citizenship creates legal immunity.

And the chief captain also was afraid, after he knew that he was a Roman, and because he had bound him—The tribune experienced ἐφοβήθη (ephobēthē, 'he feared') because even binding (δεδεκὼς, dedekōs) a Roman citizen without proper legal process violated law. His fear wasn't of Paul but of superior officers and potential loss of position or worse. The Lex Porcia prescribed severe penalties for officials who violated citizen rights. God uses Roman law to protect His apostle and ensure Paul's path to Rome.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Roman law distinguished between torture for slaves and non-citizens (legal) and torture for citizens (absolutely illegal). Judicial torture (quaestio) was common for extracting confessions from non-citizens, but applying it to citizens was a serious crime. Officers who violated citizenship rights faced court-martial, demotion, fines, or execution, depending on severity. The tribune's fear was justified—he had publicly ordered a citizen bound for torture, with witnesses. This legal protection would allow Paul to preach the gospel throughout his imprisonment with unusual freedom.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's providential protection through Roman law demonstrate His sovereignty over earthly systems for gospel purposes?
  2. What does the tribune's fear teach about the proper role of law in restraining injustice and protecting the vulnerable?
  3. In what ways might legal structures today provide similar protection for gospel witness, and how should Christians wisely utilize them?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 23 words
εὐθέως1 of 23

straightway

G2112

directly, i.e., at once or soon

οὖν2 of 23

Then

G3767

(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly

ἀπέστησαν3 of 23

they departed

G868

to remove, i.e., (actively) instigate to revolt; usually (reflexively) to desist, desert, etc

ἀπ'4 of 23

from

G575

"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)

αὐτὸν5 of 23

him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

6 of 23

which

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

μέλλοντες7 of 23

should

G3195

to intend, i.e., be about to be, do, or suffer something (of persons or things, especially events; in the sense of purpose, duty, necessity, probabili

αὐτὸν8 of 23

him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ἀνετάζειν9 of 23

have examined

G426

to investigate (judicially)

καὶ10 of 23

also

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

11 of 23

which

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

χιλίαρχος12 of 23

the chief captain

G5506

the commander of a thousand soldiers ("chiliarch"; i.e., colonel

δὲ13 of 23

and

G1161

but, and, etc

ἐφοβήθη14 of 23

was afraid

G5399

to frighten, i.e., (passively) to be alarmed; by analogy, to be in awe of, i.e., revere

ἐπιγνοὺς15 of 23

after he knew

G1921

to know upon some mark, i.e., recognize; by implication, to become fully acquainted with, to acknowledge

ὅτι16 of 23

because

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

Ῥωμαῖός17 of 23

a Roman

G4514

romaean, i.e., roman (as noun)

ἐστιν18 of 23

he was

G2076

he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are

καὶ19 of 23

also

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ὅτι20 of 23

because

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

ἦν21 of 23

he had

G2258

i (thou, etc.) was (wast or were)

αὐτὸν22 of 23

him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

δεδεκώς23 of 23

bound

G1210

to bind (in various applications, literally or figuratively)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Acts. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Acts 22:29 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Acts 22:29 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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