31. As they were trying to kill him, word went up to the commander of the regiment that all Jerusalem was in chaos.
32. Taking along soldiers and centurions, he immediately ran down to them. Seeing the commander and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul.
33. Then the commander came up, took him into custody, and ordered him to be bound with two chains. He asked who he was and what he had done.
34. Some in the mob were shouting one thing and some another. Since he was not able to get reliable information because of the uproar, he ordered him to be taken into the barracks.
35. When Paul got to the steps, he had to be carried by the soldiers because of the mob’s violence,
36. for the mass of people followed, yelling, “Take him away! ”
37. As he was about to be brought into the barracks, Paul said to the commander, “Am I allowed to say something to you? ”He replied, “Do you know Greek?
38. Aren’t you the Egyptian who raised a rebellion some time ago and led 4,000 Assassins into the wilderness? ”
39. Paul said, “I am a Jewish man from Tarsus of Cilicia, a citizen of an important city. Now I ask you, let me speak to the people.”
40. After he had given permission, Paul stood on the steps and motioned with his hand to the people. When there was a great hush, he addressed them in the Hebrew language: