He immediately went in person to the prisoner, and questioned him concerning the truth of the centurion’s report. Paul assured him that he was indeed a Roman citizen; and when the officer exclaimed, “With a great sum obtained I this freedom,” Paul declared, “But I was free born.” The preparation for torture went no farther, and those commissioned to conduct his examination left him. Paul was, however, still held in custody, as the nature of his offense had not yet been inquired into.{LP 221.1}

Han gik straks selv til fangen, og spurgte ham om sandheden i det kommandanten sagde: Paulus forsikrede ham om at han faktisk var romersk statsborger; og så udbred officeren: »Jeg har købt mig denne borgerret for en stor sum penge.« Paulus erklærede: »Jeg er endog født med den.« Forberedelsen til tortur fortsatte ikke, og dem som som var sat til at undersøge ham, forlod ham. Paulus var ikke desto mindre stadig i arrest, idet arten af hans krængelse endnu ikke var blevet forhørt.