The Book of  Acts

Acts tells the story of the early Christian church and how Christianity spread to other parts of the world. It covers the first years of the Christian church. Most people who study the Bible feel that Jesus' disciple, Luke, was the author of Acts. They feel that the Book of Luke and the Book of Acts were meant to be together. They also feel that Luke may have planned to write a third book.

The 2 important people in the Book of Acts are Peter and Paul.  Some important events that happen in Acts are the coming of the Holy Spirit, the persecution of Christians, the conversion of Saul (Paul), and the spread of Christianity to other parts of the world.

Acts 19


Paul baptizes 12 men in Ephesus.


While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul traveled along the coast to Ephesus. He met some Christian disciples.  He asked them if they had received the Holy Spirit since they believed.  They said they never heard of the Holy Spirit.
[1] And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,
[2] He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.

He asked them why they had been baptized if they never heard of the Holy Spirit.  They said they were baptized like John was baptized.
[3] And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.
 

Paul said that when John baptized people, it was so they repented of their sins. But John told people they should believe in the one who came after him. John meant that Jesus Christ would come after him.
[4] Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.


When these 12 men heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them. They spoke in tongues in foreign languages they never learned. They said prophecies about the future.
[5] When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
[6] And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
[7] And all the men were about twelve.

 

Many people in Ephesus give up the practice of witchcraft.


Paul spoke boldly in the synagogue for 3 months. He debated with them about the kingdom of God.
[8] And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God.
 

Some of the people had hard hearts, and they did not believe what he said. They said evil things about Paul and what he preached. He left there and took some of his disciples with him. They went to the school that a man named Tyrannus had. He stayed there for 2 years. Because of Paul's time in Ephesus, every Jew and Greek in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus.
[9] But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus.
[10] And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.


God did miracles through Paul. People brought handkerchiefs and aprons to touch Paul with. Then, they took the items to sick people, and the sick people got well.  Also, evil spirits left people when they touched something Paul had touched.
[11] And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul:
[12] So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.


There were some Jews who wanted to make evil spirits leave people. Some of them were the 7 sons of Sceva. Sceva was chief of the priests.  They called to the evil spirits and told them to leave in the name of Jesus who Paul preached about.
[13] Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.
[14] And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so.
 

The evil spirit answered. It said it knew Jesus, and it knew Paul. But it asked who this person was. The man that had the evil spirit in him jumped on the men and beat them up. They ran out of the house. They were hurt and naked.
[15] And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?
[16] And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.


The Jews and Greeks who lived in Ephesus heard about this.  They were very afraid. They praised the Lord Jesus. Many of the new believers talked about their past sins. Many of them had practiced witchcraft. They brought their witchcraft books and burned them. They figured out that the books were worth 50,000 pieces of silver.
[17] And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.
[18] And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds.
[19] Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver.


God's word grew, and many people believed.
[20] So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.


 

People who made idols cause a riot in Ephesus.


After these things happened, Paul decided to go to Jerusalem after he went through Macedonia and Achaia.  He said that after he goes to Jerusalem, he will go to Rome.
[21] After these things were ended, Paul purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also see Rome.


Paul stayed in Asia for a while, but he sent two of his helpers, Timotheus and Erastus, to Macedonia.
[22] So he sent into Macedonia two of them that ministered unto him, Timotheus and Erastus; but he himself stayed in Asia for a season.


Around the same time, there was a big problem.
[23] And the same time there arose no small stir about that way.


There was a man named Demetrius. He was a silversmith and made silver statues for the Greek god, Diana. He and others made a lot of money doing this.
[24] For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen;


Demetrius called a meeting for the other silversmiths. He talked to them about Paul traveling around Asia and in Ephesus. Paul preached that people should not worship idols and statues. That was hurting their business because people weren't buying idols and statues anymore.
[25] Whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth.
[26] Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands:


He told them that their income was in danger. He also told them that the temple of the Greek goddess, Diana, would be destroyed.
[27] So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth.


When they heard these things, they were very angry.  They cried out and said, "Diana, the goddess of the Ephesians, is great."
[28] And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.


There was a big riot in the city. They caught 2 of Paul's travel companions, Gaius and Aristarchus. The people gathered in the town meeting place.
[29] And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre.

Paul wanted to go into the meeting place, but the other Christian told him not to do that.
[30] And when Paul would have entered in unto the people, the disciples suffered him not.


Some of the leaders in the area were friends with Paul.  They sent him a message and told him not to go into the meeting place.
[31] And certain of the chief of Asia, which were his friends, sent unto him, desiring him that he would not adventure himself into the theatre.


There was chaos, and the people in the crowd really didn't know why they were there.
[32] Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was confused; and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together.


The Jews in the crowd put Alexander up to speak. He started to speak, but the crowd knew he was a Jew. They started chanting, "Great is Diana of the Ephesians" for two hours.
[33] And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would have made his defence unto the people.
[34] But when they knew that he was a Jew, all with one voice about the space of two hours cried out, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.


A city leader got up to speak.  He said that everyone knew that Ephesus was a place to worship Diana.  He said that the statue of her fell down from the Greek god, Jupiter.
[35] And when the townclerk had appeased the people, he said, Ye men of Ephesus, what man is there that knoweth not how that the city of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Jupiter?


Since they know that, they should be quiet and not act badly.
[36] Seeing then that these things cannot be spoken against, ye ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rashly.
 

They have brought men to the town center that have not robbed the temples of Diana or said anything against Diana.
[37] For ye have brought hither these men, which are neither robbers of churches, nor yet blasphemers of your goddess.

He said if Demetrius and the others have a complaint with Paul or anyone, they should follow the law. They should settle the problem in court.
[38] Wherefore if Demetrius, and the craftsmen which are with him, have a matter against any man, the law is open, and there are deputies: let them implead one another.

If they want to complain more, they should have a legal meeting, not chaos.
[39] But if ye inquire any thing concerning other matters, it shall be determined in a lawful assembly.


He said that the riot today was not right.  When he finished talking, he sent everyone home.
[40] For we are in danger to be called in question for this day's uproar, there being no cause whereby we may give an account of this concourse.
[41] And when he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly.
 

Acts 20


Paul and his companions are in Troas.


After the trouble in Ephesus was finished, Paul called his disciples to him.  He hugged them and said goodbye.  Then he left to go to Macedonia.
[1] And after the uproar was ceased, Paul called unto him the disciples, and embraced them, and departed for to go into Macedonia.
 

He went through Macedonia and encouraged the Christians there.  Then he went to Greece. He stayed there for 3 months. Some Jews planned to capture him. They hid and waited for him. He had planned to sail on a boat to Syria. But he changed his plans, and he decided to go through Macedonia.
[2] And when he had gone over those parts, and had given them much exhortation, he came into Greece,
[3] And there abode three months. And when the Jews laid wait for him, as he was about to sail into Syria, he purposed to return through Macedonia.


The people who went with Paul into Asia were Sopater (from Berea), Aristarchus and Secundus (from Thessaloniki), Gaius (from Derbe), Timothy, Tychicus, and Trophimus (both from Asia).
[4] And there accompanied him into Asia Sopater of Berea; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timotheus; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus.

They went ahead and waited for Paul at the place named Troas.
[5] These going before tarried for us at Troas.


Paul sailed on a boat from Philippi after the 7 days of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. He met the others in Troas 5 days later. They stayed in Troas for 7 days.
[6] And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and came unto them to Troas in five days; where we abode seven days.


On Monday, the disciples were eating. Paul was planning to leave the next day. He preached to them until midnight.
[7] And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.

They were in a room upstairs. There were many lights on.
[8] And there were many lights in the upper chamber, where they were gathered together.


A young man named Eutychus was sitting in the window.  He fell asleep while Paul preached late into the night. Eutychus fell down from the 3rd story. Everyone thought he was dead.
[9] And there sat in a window a certain young man named Eutychus, being fallen into a deep sleep: and as Paul was long preaching, he sunk down with sleep, and fell down from the third loft, and was taken up dead.

Paul took him in his arms. He told them not to worry because he was still alive.
[10] And Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing him said, Trouble not yourselves; for his life is in him.


Paul went back upstairs and ate. He talked until morning, and then he left.
[11] When he therefore was come up again, and had broken bread, and eaten, and talked a long while, even till break of day, so he departed.


Everyone was very happy that Eutychus was alive.
[12] And they brought the young man alive, and were not a little comforted.

 

Paul gives instructions to the leaders of the church in Ephesus.

Paul wanted to travel on land to Assos. The others went on a boat to Assos. After they met Paul, and he got on the ship, they went to Mitylene.
[13] And we went before to ship, and sailed unto Assos, there intending to take in Paul: for so had he appointed, minding himself to go afoot.
[14] And when he met with us at Assos, we took him in, and came to Mitylene.


They next went to Chios. Then they went to Samos. They also went to Trogyllium and Miletus.
[15] And we sailed thence, and came the next day over against Chios; and the next day we arrived at Samos, and tarried at Trogyllium; and the next day we came to Miletus.


Paul decided not to go to Ephesus. He was in a hurry to be in Jerusalem for the day of Pentecost.
[16] For Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus, because he would not spend the time in Asia: for he hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost.

When he was in Miletus, he sent a message to the leaders of the church in Ephesus. He asked them to come and meet with him in Miletus.
[17] And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.


When they got there, he talked to them.  This is what he said:
You know that from the first day I came to Asia, I have been with you serving God. I served Him with a humble mind. The Jews attacked me which caused me sadness.  You know I told you everything and taught everyone from house to house. I preached to the Jews and Greeks to repent and have faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
[18] And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons,
[19] Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews:
[20] And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house,
[21] Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.



Now the Holy Spirit is telling me to go to Jerusalem.  I do not know what will happen to me there. But the Holy Spirit has told me that I will suffer there.  But I am not worried about myself. I just want to finish my work with joy.  I want to do the ministry that the Lord Jesus has given to me--that is to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
[22] And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there:
[23] Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.
[24] But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
 

You will not see me again. I have preached to you everything about God.  Now, you will be responsible for yourselves.
[25] And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.
[26] Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.
[27] For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.


Be careful with yourselves and the people in your church.  The Holy Spirit made you leaders over church.  He wants you to feed the church of God. He bought the church with his own blood.
[28] Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.


I know that after I leave, there will be wolves who will hurt your flock. Some of your people will say bad things about you so that your people will leave.  Keep aware and remember that I cried and warned you every day and night for 3 years.
[29] For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
[30] Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
[31] Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.


Now, brothers, I give you to God and to the word of God's grace.  God's grace can build you up. He can give you an inheritance with others who are sanctified.
[32] And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.


I have not wanted any man's clothes, silver, or gold. I worked for things that were necessary for me and the people with me.
[33] I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel.
[34] Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.

I have shown you all things. I have shown you how you should work to help weak people. Remember the words of the Lord Jesus:  it is more blessed to give than to receive.
[35] I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

When he finished talking, he kneeled down and prayed with them all.  They all hugged and kissed him. They were sad that he said they would never see him again.  They went with him to the ship.
[36] And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all.
[37] And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul's neck, and kissed him,
[38] Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him unto the ship.

 

Acts 21


Paul is warned not to go to Jerusalem.


Next, they sailed to Coos, then Rhodes, then Patara, and Phenicia.
[1] And it came to pass, that after we were gotten from them, and had launched, we came with a straight course unto Coos, and the day following unto Rhodes, and from thence unto Patara:
[2] And finding a ship sailing over unto Phenicia, we went aboard, and set forth.


They went past Cyprus and went to Tyre in Syria.  That is where the ship would be unloaded.
[3] Now when we had discovered Cyprus, we left it on the left hand, and sailed into Syria, and landed at Tyre: for there the ship was to unlade her burden.



They met some Christian disciples in Tyre and stayed 7 days. The Holy Spirit spoke through the disciples. They warned Paul not to go to Jerusalem.
[4] And finding disciples, we tarried there seven days: who said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem.


At the end of the 7 days, they were ready to leave. The Christian disciples and their wives and children walked with them out of the city.  Then, they all kneeled on the shore and prayed.
[5] And when we had accomplished those days, we departed and went our way; and they all brought us on our way, with wives and children, till we were out of the city: and we kneeled down on the shore, and prayed.


They said goodbye, and got on the ship. Then the disciples from Tyre went home.
[6] And when we had taken our leave one of another, we took ship; and they returned home again.


They sailed from Tyre and came to Ptolemais. They met the Christians there and stayed with them one day.
[7] And when we had finished our course from Tyre, we came to Ptolemais, and saluted the brethren, and abode with them one day.


 

The next day, they left and went to Caesarea. They stayed in the house of Philip. He was an evangelist. He was one of the 7.
[8] And the next day we that were of Paul's company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him.


Philip had 4 daughters. They were virgins, and they prophesized.   
[9] And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy.


They stayed there many days. Then a prophet named Agabus came down from Judaea.
[10] And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus.

 

When Agabus got there, he took Paul's belt. He tied up his own hands and feet with it.  He said the Holy Spirit told him that the Jews will do the same to Paul. They will tie him up and turn him over to the Gentiles.
[11] And when he was come unto us, he took Paul's girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.


When the people with Paul heard this, they begged him not to go to Jerusalem.
[12] And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, besought him not to go up to Jerusalem.


Paul answered them. He asked them why they were crying.  He said he was ready to be tied up and even to die in Jerusalem for the name of Jesus.
[13] Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.


Paul wouldn't change his mind. He said, "The will of the Lord be done."
[14] And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done.


So Paul and his group got in carriages and went to Jerusalem.  Disciples from Caesarea went with him.  They brought an old man named Mnason from Cyprus. They could stay with him.
[15] And after those days we took up our carriages, and went up to Jerusalem.
[16] There went with us also certain of the disciples of Caesarea, and brought with them one Mnason of Cyprus, an old disciple, with whom we should lodge.


 

Paul arrives in Jerusalem.


They arrived in Jerusalem. The Christians in Jerusalem were happy to see them.
[17] And when we were come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly.


Th next day, Paul went in with them to see James. All of the elders were there, too.
[18] And the day following Paul went in with us unto James; and all the elders were present.


He showed respect to the elders. Then he told all the things God had been doing for the Gentiles through him.
[19] And when he had saluted them, he declared particularly what things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry.



After they heard what Paul said, they worshiped God. Then they told Paul that thousands of Jews now believe in Jesus. They follow the Jewish laws.  They have heard about Paul telling the Jews that live in places with Gentiles that they don't need to be circumcised or follow the Jewish laws.
[20] And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law:
[21] And they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs.
 

They weren't sure what to do. Many people heard that Paul has come.  They want to come and meet together there.
[22] What is it therefore? the multitude must needs come together: for they will hear that thou art come.

They told Paul to do what they tell him. There are 4 men who have taken vows to become Nazarites.  They will shave their heads. They want Paul to do the same.  Then everyone will know that the rumors they heard were wrong. They will see that he still follows the Jewish laws.
[23] Do therefore this that we say to thee: We have four men which have a vow on them;
[24] Them take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges with them, that they may shave their heads: and all may know that those things, whereof they were informed concerning thee, are nothing; but that thou thyself also walkest orderly, and keepest the law.


The Gentiles don't have to follow Jewish laws. In the past, the elders had given the Gentiles 3 rules:  do not eat any food that was offered to idols,  do not eat any food that has blood in it or from an animal that was strangled, and do not have sexual relations outside of marriage.
[25] As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication.


Paul went with the four men. He and the men purified themselves before they went into the temple.  That was to show they were clean.  Then, there would be an offering for each of them.
[26] Then Paul took the men, and the next day purifying himself with them entered into the temple, to signify the accomplishment of the days of purifcation, until that an offering should be offered for every one of them.


 

A mob attacks Paul.


When the 7 days were almost over, Jews from Asia saw Paul in the temple.  They started trouble and got the people stirred up.  They grabbed Paul, and told others to help them.  They said he was the one going around turning Jews against other Jews, the Jewish law, and the temple.  They said he had brought Greeks into the temple and made it dirty.
[27] And when the seven days were almost ended, the Jews which were of Asia, when they saw him in the temple, stirred up all the people, and laid hands on him,
[28] Crying out, Men of Israel, help: This is the man, that teacheth all men every where against the people, and the law, and this place: and further brought Greeks also into the temple, and hath polluted this holy place.


They said that because they had seen Paul with a man named Trophiumus.  He was an Ephesian.  They thought Paul had brought him into the temple.
[29] (For they had seen before with him in the city Trophimus an Ephesian, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.)

 

The people of the city were angry. They became a mob.  They took Paul out of the temple and shut the temple doors quickly.
[30] And all the city was moved, and the people ran together: and they took Paul, and drew him out of the temple: and forthwith the doors were shut.


The mob was ready to kill Paul.  The chief captain of the Roman army heard about this.  He got some soldiers and rushed to the area.  When the mob saw the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul.
[31] And as they went about to kill him, tidings came unto the chief captain of the band, that all Jerusalem was in an uproar.
[32] Who immediately took soldiers and centurions, and ran down unto them: and when they saw the chief captain and the soldiers, they left beating of Paul.


The chief captain came to Paul.  He ordered his soldiers to put chains around him.  He wanted to know who Paul was and what he had done.
[33] Then the chief captain came near, and took him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains; and demanded who he was, and what he had done.


People in the crowd answered, but they all said different things.  The chief captain still didn't know for sure who Paul was.  He ordered for Paul to be carried into the castle.
[34] And some cried one thing, some another, among the multitude: and when he could not know the certainty for the tumult, he commanded him to be carried into the castle.


The crowd was violent, and the soldiers had to carry Paul up the steps.
[35] And when he came upon the stairs, so it was, that he was borne of the soldiers for the violence of the people.


The crowd was following. They were yelling, "Away with him."
[36] For the multitude of the people followed after, crying, Away with him.


Paul was being led into the castle. He asked the chief captain if he could talk to him.  The chief captain was surprised Paul could speak Greek. He thought Paul was from Egypt. A man from Egypt had caused some trouble a few days before and led 4,000 men who were murderers into the desert.
[37] And as Paul was to be led into the castle, he said unto the chief captain, May I speak unto thee? Who said, Canst thou speak Greek?
[38] Art not thou that Egyptian, which before these days madest an uproar, and leddest out into the wilderness four thousand men that were murderers?


Paul said he was a Jew from Tarsus, a big city in Cilicia. He wanted to speak to the crowd.  
[39] 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.


The chief captain said he could talk to the crowd.  Paul stood on the stairs. He motioned to the crowd.  When they got quiet, he spoke to them in Hebrew.
[40] And when he had given him licence, Paul stood on the stairs, and beckoned with the hand unto the people. And when there was made a great silence, he spake unto them in the Hebrew tongue, saying,