Matthew Poole and continuators on Acts 22:28

28 And the chief captain answered, With a great sum obtained I this freedom. And Paul said, But I was free-born.

The Historian relates, that the Emperor Claudius sold this priviledg to such Foreigners as had not by any notable service merited to have it conferr'd upon them. At first it cost them very much to obtain it, as it did this chief Captain; but afterwards it was more cheap and contemptible.

Tho Paul was born of Hebrew Parents, yet he was born at Tarsas, to the Natives of which Town Augustus had given this priviledg, for the assistance that the Citizens afforded him in his Wars with Brutus and Cassius; or as some will have it, for favouring of Iulius Caesar, this priviledg was granted unto that place by him: And they on the other side, to continue the sense of his favour, caused their Town to be called Iuliopolis, or the City of Iulius