Acts 22:25-29 New King James Version (NKJV)

25. And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said to the centurion who stood by, “Is it lawful for you to scourge a man who is a Roman, and uncondemned?”

26. When the centurion heard that, he went and told the commander, saying, “Take care what you do, for this man is a Roman.”

27. Then the commander came and said to him, “Tell me, are you a Roman?”He said, “Yes.”

28. The commander answered, “With a large sum I obtained this citizenship.”And Paul said, “But I was born a citizen.”

29. Then immediately those who were about to examine him withdrew from him; and the commander was also afraid after he found out that he was a Roman, and because he had bound him.

Acts 22