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NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Act_28:23-29
23When they had set a day for Paul, they came to him at his lodging in large numbers; and he was explaining to them by solemnly testifying about the kingdom of God and trying to persuade them concerning Jesus, from both the Law of Moses and from the Prophets, from morning until evening. 24Some were being persuaded by the things spoken, but others would not believe. 25And when they did not agree with one another, they began leaving after Paul had spoken one parting word, "The Holy Spirit rightly spoke through Isaiah the prophet to your fathers, 26saying, 'Go to this people and say, You will keep on hearing, but will not understand; And you will keep on seeing, but will not perceive; 27For the heart of this people has become dull, And with their ears they scarcely hear, And they have closed their eyes; Otherwise they might see with their eyes, And hear with their ears, And understand with their heart and return, And I would heal them.' 28Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will also listen." 29[When he had spoken these words, the Jews departed, having a great dispute among themselves.]
Act_28:23 "they came. . .in large numbers. . .from morning until evening" Paul explained the Christian faith to these Jews all day! What a marvelous opportunity.
▣ "the kingdom of God" This was the central theme of Jesus' preaching and teaching (parables). It is a present reality in the lives of believers and a future consummation of God's reign over all the fallen earth (cf. Mat_6:10). This phrase is obviously not related to Israel only, but it was an integral part of Israel's hope (cf. Act_28:20). See Special Topic at Act_1:3.
▣ "the Law of Moses and from the Prophets" This is two of the three divisions of the Hebrew canon (see Special Topic at Act_13:15 and the note at Act_24:14) which stood for the entire OT (cf. Mat_5:17; Mat_7:12; Mat_22:40; Luk_16:16; Luk_24:44; Act_13:15; Act_28:23). Paul's methodology (Christological typology and predictive prophecy) was to set the OT texts alongside the life of Jesus.
Act_28:24 This reflects the mystery of the gospel. Why some believe and some do not is the mystery of a sovereign God and human free will.
In one sense Paul's ministry to the Jewish leaders in Rome is a microcosm of Paul's ministry. He first shared with the Jews. He shared Jesus' fulfillment of OT Scriptures. Some believed, but most did not. This too, was predicted in the OT (cf. Isa_6:9-10).
Act_28:25-27 "The Holy Spirit rightly spoke through Isaiah" This reveals Paul's view of the mystery of Israel's unbelief! The quote in Act_28:26-27 is from Isa_6:9-10. Jesus used this verse often of human unbelief (cf. Mat_13:14-15; Mar_4:12; Luk_8:10; Joh_12:39-40). By this time Paul had already penned Romans 9-11 (why has Israel rejected her Messiah?). Israel of the OT would not/did not fully believe either. There was a remnant of faith, but a majority of unbelief.
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Act_28:28 "this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles" This may be an allusion to Psalms 67, especially Act_28:2. This universal aspect of Christianity is what caused the riot in Jerusalem and was an ongoing problem for many Jews. This is logical from Gen_1:26-27; Gen_3:15; Gen_12:3. It was prophesied in Isaiah, Micah, and Jonah. It is clearly stated as God's eternal plan by Paul in Eph_2:11 to Eph_3:13! See Special Topic at Act_1:8.
▣ "they will also listen" This is the truth of Romans 9-11. The Jews rejected the Messiah because He did not fit their expectations and because the gospel opened the door of faith to all people.
The NT issue really is not Jew vs. Gentile, but believer vs. unbeliever. The issue is not who is your mother, but is your heart open to God's Spirit and God's Son?!
Act_28:29 This verse is omitted in the ancient Greek manuscripts P74, à , A, B, and E. It does not appear in any Greek manuscript before P, which dates to the sixth century a.d. UBS4 rates its exclusion as "A" (certain).