31
Now as they were seeking to kill him, news came to the commander of the garrison that all Jerusalem was in an uproar.
32
He immediately took soldiers and centurions, and ran down to them. And when they saw the commander and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul.
33
Then the commander came near and took him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains; and he asked who he was and what he had done.
34
And some among the multitude cried one thing and some another. So when he could not ascertain the truth because of the tumult, he commanded him to be taken into the barracks.
35
When he reached the stairs, he had to be carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the mob.
36
For the multitude of the people followed after, crying out, "Away with him!"
37
Then as Paul was about to be led into the barracks, he said to the commander, "May I speak to you?" He replied, "Can you speak Greek?
38
Are you not the Egyptian who some time ago stirred up a rebellion and led the four thousand assassins out into the wilderness?"
39
But Paul said, "I am a Jew from Tarsus, in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city; and I implore you, permit me to speak to the people."
40
So when he had given him permission, Paul stood on the stairs and motioned with his hand to the people. And when there was a great silence, he spoke to them in the Hebrew language, saying,