But Paul said to the officers: 'They beat us publicly without trial, and though we are Roman citizens, they threw us into prison. Now do they want to get rid of us quietly? No! Let them come themselves and escort us out' — Paul's invocation of Roman citizenship (Rōmaios, Roman citizen) and the illegality of beating citizens without trial (akatakritous, uncondemned) represents a dramatic assertion of legal rights. The phrase beat us publicly (demosio, in public) emphasizes the humiliation and violation. Paul's refusal to leave quietly (legei pros autous) demands the magistrates themselves rectify the wrong, turning the tables on those who abused him.

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