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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadBob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - Acts 28:17 - 28:22
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NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Act_28:17-22
17After three days Paul called together those who were the leading men of the Jews, and when they came together, he began saying to them, "Brethren, though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans. 18And when they had examined me, they were willing to release me because there was no ground for putting me to death. 19But when the Jews objected, I was forced to appeal to Caesar, not that I had any accusation against my nation. 20For this reason, therefore, I requested to see you and to speak with you, for I am wearing this chain for the sake of the hope of Israel." 21They said to him, "We have neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor have any of the brethren come here and reported or spoken anything bad about you. 22But we desire to hear from you what your views are; for concerning this sect, it is known to us that it is spoken against everywhere."
Act_28:17 "Paul called together those who were the leading men of the Jews" This was Paul's standard approach (cf. Rom_1:16; Rom_2:9). He explains his current circumstances and opens the door for a gospel presentation.
Act_28:18-19 Here again Luke's apologetic purpose can be clearly seen! Christianity was not a threat to the Roman government.
Act_28:19 "the Jews objected" This phraseology seems strange spoken to Jewish leaders in Rome. Luke uses Ioudaios (Jews) in two senses.
1. nationality – Act_2:5; Act_2:11; Act_9:22; Act_10:22; Act_10:28; Act_11:19; 13:56; Act_14:1; Act_16:1; Act_16:3; Act_16:20; Act_17:1; Act_17:10; Act_17:17; Act_18:2; Act_18:4-5; Act_18:19; Act_19:10; Act_19:17; Act_19:34; Act_20:21; Act_21:21; Act_21:39; Act_22:3; Act_22:12; Act_24:5; Act_24:9; Act_24:24; Act_24:27; Act_25:8-9; Act_25:24; Act_20:7; Act_28:17
2. those who had eyewitness knowledge of the last week of Jesus' life – Act_2:15; Act_10:39
He also used it in different evaluations.
1. in a negative sense – Act_9:23; Act_12:3; Act_12:11; Act_13:45; Act_13:50; Act_14:2; Act_14:4-5; Act_14:19; Act_17:5; Act_17:13; Act_18:12; Act_18:14; Act_18:28; Act_19:13-14; Act_19:33; Act_20:3; Act_20:19; Act_21:11; Act_21:27; Act_22:30; Act_23:12; Act_23:20; Act_23:27; Act_24:19; Act_25:2; Act_25:7; Act_25:10; Act_25:15; Act_26:2; Act_26:21; Act_28:19
2. in a positive sense – Act_13:43; Act_14:1; Act_18:2; Act_18:24; Act_21:20
Possibly the best text in Acts which shows the different connotations of this term is Act_14:1-2.
Act_28:20 "for the sake of the hope of Israel" Paul is addressing these Jewish leaders in such a way as to establish a relationship with his audience. He tries to find a common ground with these Jewish leaders in "the hope of Israel." For Paul, that referred to Jesus, for them, the Promised Coming One, the Messiah or possibly to the resurrection!
Act_28:21 This lack of information about Paul is surprising in light of Paul's ministry on three mission journeys and the events and rumors in Jerusalem.
Act_28:22 It is obvious that the news about Jesus was spreading and that many were responding to the gospel. In Jewish circles this was not good news! However, these Jewish leaders were willing to give Paul a hearing.
▣ "This sect" See Special Topic: Jesus the Nazarene at Act_2:22.