34. Some in the crowd were yelling one thing, and some were yelling another. Because of all this confusion and shouting, the commander could not learn what had happened. So he ordered the soldiers to take Paul to the army building.
35-36. The whole mob was following them. When the soldiers came to the steps, they had to carry Paul. They did this because the people were ready to hurt him. They were shouting, “Kill him!”
37. The soldiers were about to take Paul into the army building. But he spoke to the commander, “May I say something to you?”The commander said, “Do you speak Greek?
38. I thought you were the Egyptian who started some trouble against the government not long ago. He led 4,000 killers out to the desert.”
39. Paul said, “No, I am a Jew from Tarsus in the country of Cilicia. I am a citizen of that important city. Please, let me speak to the people.”
40. The commander gave permission, so Paul stood on the steps. He waved with his hand so that the people would be quiet. When there was silence, Paul spoke to them in the Jewish language.