Acts 21:37-40 37As Paul was about to be brought into the barracks, he said to the tribune, “If permitted, may I say something to you?” And he said, “Do you know Greek? 38Are you not the Egyptian, then, the one who in the previous days created trouble and led the four thousand men of the Assassins out into the wilderness?” 39Paul replied, “I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no insignificant city. I beg you, permit me to speak to the people.” 40And after he gave permission, Paul, standing on the steps, motioned with his hand to the people. And when there was a great hush, he addressed them in the Hebrew dialect, saying:
Paul was a quick thinker in a crisis situation. He had not come to Jerusalem simply to deliver an offering. He was called to preach the gospel, and he would do that in whatever situation he could. The tribune must have been surprised when Paul spoke fluent Greek. Paul’s request was polite and likely spoken in a polished manner that caught the tribune’s attention. The Tribune thought he had captured an infamous Egyptian prophet who had led a rebellion in Jerusalem. According to the Tribune, this insurrectionist led four thousand men of the Assassins. This was a group of fighters who carried hidden daggers and would pull these out and kill various collaboraters with the Romans. Josephus mentioned the same Egyptian and his band in War (2.261–63) and Antiquities (20.168–72), but gave the figure as 30,000. The tribune must have thought he had captured a notorious and wanted criminal.
The first thing Paul mentioned was his identity as a Jew and a citizen of Tarsus. He was not from Egypt, as the tribune supposed. As a Jew, he was authorized to be in the temple, like all the other Jews who were trying to kill him. Tarsus was a significant city in Cilicia and known as a place of high education and culture. Paul gave just enough to indicate that he was qualified to speak to the people and defend himself and his message. What Paul said was convincing enough that Lucias, the tribune, gave permission for Paul to speak to the people. What follows is one of several speeches Paul gives in the next few chapters, in defense of himself and the gospel. He was fluent in Aramaic, which was closely related to Hebrew. From Luke’s perspective, the languages may have sounded the same. Paul showed great courage not to take the position of a victim but a prophet who spoke courageously and with conviction. He used what little he had to make an appeal, speaking the truth needed to gain an audience.