On reading the letter, he asked what province he was from. And when he learned that he was from Cilicia,
We have here the story of a plot against the life of Paul; how it was laid, how it was discovered, and how it was defeated. I. How this plot was laid. They found they could gain nothing by popular tumult, or legal process, and therefore have a recourse to the barbarous method of assassination; they will come upon him suddenly, and stab him, if...
Commenting on Acts 23:12-35
Verse 34. Of what province he was. Greek, Of what heparchy επαρχιας he was. He knew from the letter of Lysias that he was a Roman, but he was not informed of what place or province he was. This he doubtless did in order to ascertain whether he properly belonged to his jurisdiction. Roman provinces were districts of country which were entrusted to the jurisdiction of procurators.
asked of what province he was--the letter describing him as a Roman citizen.