Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)

²⁷ But as the seven days were about to be completed, the Jews from Asia^[a], having seen him in the temple, were stirring-up the whole crowd. And they put their hands on him, ²⁸ crying-out, “Men, Israelites, help! This is the man teaching everyone everywhere against our people and the Law and this place. And furthermore, he also brought Greeks into the temple, and has defiled this holy place”. ²⁹ For they had previously-seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with him, whom they were supposing that Paul brought into the temple. ³⁰ And the whole city was set-in-motion, and a running-together of the people took place. And having taken-hold-of Paul, they were dragging him outside of the temple. And immediately the doors were shut.

The Romans Swoop Down And Take Paul Into Custody

³¹ And while they were seeking to kill him, a report went up to the commander^[b] of the [Roman] cohort^[c] that all Jerusalem was stirred-up— ³² who at-once, having taken along soldiers and centurions^[d], ran down upon them. And the ones, having seen the commander and the soldiers, ceased striking Paul. ³³ Then having drawn-near, the commander took-hold-of him. And he ordered that he be bound with two chains. And he was inquiring as to who he might be and what he has done. ³⁴ But other^[e] ones in the crowd were calling-out another thing. And he not being able to know the certainty of it because of the uproar— he ordered that he be brought into the barracks. ³⁵ But when he^[f] came-to-be on the stairs, it happened that he was carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the crowd— ³⁶ for the multitude of the people were following, crying-out, “Take him away”.

Paul Asks To Speak To The Mob

³⁷ And being about to be brought into the barracks, Paul says to the commander, “Is it permissible for me to say something to you?” And the one said, “You know Greek? ³⁸ Then are you not the Egyptian— the one before these days having caused-an-upset^[g] and led out into the wilderness the four-thousand men of the Assassins^[h]?” ³⁹ And Paul said, “I am a Jewish man from-Tarsus^[i] of Cilicia, a citizen of no insignificant city— and I beg you, permit me to speak to the people”.