“Do you speak Greek?” he replied. “Aren’t you the Egyptian who incited a rebellion some time ago and led four thousand members of the Assassins into the wilderness?”
The commander asks whether Paul speaks Greek and whether he is the Egyptian who recently led four thousand Assassins into the wilderness.
It shows how little the commander yet understands Paul's identity.
37As they were about to take Paul into the barracks, he asked the commander, “May I say something to you?” 38“Do you speak Greek?” he replied. “Aren’t you the Egyptian who incited a rebellion some time ago and led four thousand members of the Assassins into the wilderness?” 39But Paul answered, “I am a Jew from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no ordinary city. Now I beg you to allow me to speak to the people.” 40Having received permission, Paul stood on the steps and motioned to the crowd. A great hush came over the crowd, and he addressed them in Hebrew: