👉 But Paul said, I am a man [which am] a Jew of Tarsus, [a city] in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city: and, I beseech thee, suffer me to speak unto the people.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Acts 21:39. It’s a really important part of Paul’s story! Here's what it means in simpler terms: Basically, Paul is apologizing and inviting people to listen to him. Let's unpack it: “But Paul said…” : This sets the scene – Paul is speaking about a difficult situation. “…I am a man [which am] a Jew of Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city:” This is where it gets a little tricky. “Jew of Tarsus” usually means a Jewish person from a prominent city – like Jerusalem. “A city in Cilicia” tells us he’s really from a place far away and important. The key word here is "citizen." He’s saying he's a citizen of a significant place, not just any small town. “and, I beseech thee, suffer me to speak unto the people.” This is the most important part – “beseech thee” means “I beg you” or “I implore you." He’s asking for permission to share his message with others. So, what's the bigger picture? Paul was a very influential Jewish leader in Jerusalem and had been traveling throughout the region. He was facing opposition and had been accused of being a heretic. This verse shows that he wasn’t afraid to speak out against those who disagreed with him. Why is this important? It's a key moment because it demonstrates Paul's willingness to share his truth, even when it meant facing challenges. It shows that he was committed to speaking about the gospel (the good news of Jesus) and inviting others to believe in Jesus. In short: Paul is admitting who he is – a Jewish man from a significant city – and humbly asking for permission to speak to people. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse? Provide more context about Paul’s situation?
