Act 28:17-28 | Barnes | STEP | Verse 17. Paul called the chief of the Jews . He probably had two objects in this: one was to vindicate himself from the suspicion of crime, or to convince them that the charges alleged against him were false; and the other, to explain to them the gospel of Christ. In accordance with his custom everywhere, he seized the excellent opportunity of making the gospel known to his own countrymen; and he naturally supposed that charges highly unfavourable to his character had been sent forward against him to the Jews at Rome by those in Judea. Against the people . Against the Jews, . Or customs , etc. The religious rites of the nation. . Was I delivered prisoner , etc. By the Jews, , etc. (|) "come together" "assembled" (h) "though I have committed" (i) "delivered prisoner"

Acts 28:17-28

Verse 17. Paul called the chief of the Jews. He probably had two objects in this: one was to vindicate himself from the suspicion of crime, or to convince them that the charges alleged against him were false; and the other, to explain to them the gospel of Christ. In accordance with his custom everywhere, he seized the excellent opportunity of making the gospel known to his own countrymen; and he naturally supposed that charges highly unfavourable to his character had been sent forward against him to the Jews at Rome by those in Judea.

Against the people. Against the Jews, Acts 24:12.

Or customs, etc. The religious rites of the nation. Acts 24:12.

Was I delivered prisoner, etc. By the Jews, Acts 21:33, etc.

(|) "come together" "assembled" (h) "though I have committed" Acts 24:12,13, 25:8 (i) "delivered prisoner" Acts 21:33 Verse 18. When they had examined me, etc. Acts 24:10-17, Acts 25, Acts 26.

No cause of death. No crime worthy of death.

(k) "Who" Acts 24:10, 26:31 Verse 19. The Jews spake against it. Against my being set at liberty.

I was constrained. By a regard to my own safety and character.

To appeal unto Caesar. Acts 25:11.

Not that I had ought, etc. I did it for my own preservation and safety; not that I wished to accuse my own countrymen. It was not from motives of revenge, but for safety. Paul had been unjustly accused and injured; yet, with the true spirit of the Christian religion, he here says that he cherished no unkind feelings towards them.

(a) "appeal" Acts 25:11 Verse 20. Because that for the hope of Israel. On account of the hope which the Jews cherished of the coming of the Messiah; of the resurrection; and of the future state through him. Acts 23:6.

I am bound with this chain. Acts 26:29. Probably he was attached constantly to a soldier by a chain.

(b) "hope of Israel" Acts 26:6,7 (c) "chain" Acts 26:29, Eph 3:1, 4:1, 6:20, 2Ti 1:16, 2:9, Phm 1:10,13.

Verse 21. We neither received letters, etc. Why the Jews in Judea had not forwarded the accusation against Paul to their brethren at Rome, that they might continue the prosecution before the emperor, is not known. It is probable that they regarded their cause as hopeless, and chose to abandon the prosecution. Paul had been acquitted successively by Lysias, Felix, Festus, Agrippa; and as they had not succeeded in procuring his condemnation before them, they saw no prospect of doing it at Rome, and chose therefore not to press the prosecution any farther.

Neither any of the brethren that came. Any of the Jews. There was a very constant intercourse between Judea and Rome; but it seems that the Jews, who had come before Paul had arrived, had not mentioned his case, so as to prejudice them against him.

(*) "shewed" "related"

Verse 22. What thou thinkest. What your belief is; or what are the doctrines of Christians respecting the Messiah.

This sect. The sect of Christians.

Spoken against. Particularly by Jews. This was the case then, and, to a great extent, is the case still. It has been the common lot of the followers of Christ to be spoken of with contempt. Comp. Acts 24:5.

(d) "every where" Lk 2:34, Acts 24:5,14, 1Pet 2:12, 4:14 Verse 23. Appointed him a day. A day when they would hear him.

To his lodging. To the house where he resided, Acts 28:30.

He expounded. He explained or declared the principles of the Christian religion.

And testified the kingdom of God. Bore witness to, or declared the principles and doctrines of the reign of the Messiah. Mt 3:2.

Persuading them concerning Jesus. Endeavouring to convince them that Jesus was the Messiah.

Both out of the law of Moses. Endeavouring to convince them that he corresponded with the predictions respecting the Messiah in the books of Moses, Gen 49:10; De 18:18, and with the types which Moses had instituted to prefigure the Messiah.

And out of the prophets. Showing that he corresponded with the predictions of the prophets. Acts 17:3.

From morning till evening. An instance of Paul's indefatigable toil in endeavouring to win his own countrymen to Jesus as the Messiah.

(e) "lodging" Phm 1:2 (f) "expounded" Lk 24:27, Acts 17:3, 19:8 (g) "law and prophets" Acts 26:6,22 (+) "testified" "bore testimony to"

Verse 24. And some believed, etc. Acts 14:4.

(h) "some believed" Acts 14:1, 17:4, 19:9, Rom 3:3

Verse 25. Had spoken one word. One declaration of solemn prophecy, reminding them that it was the characteristic of the nation to reject the testimony of God, and that it was to be expected. It was the last solemn warning which we know Paul to have delivered to his countrymen the Jews.

Well spake. Or he spoke the truth; he justly described the character of the Jewish people. The passage here quoted was as applicable in the time of Paul as of Isaiah.

The Holy Ghost. A full proof of the inspiration of Isaiah.

By Esaias. By Isaiah. Isa 6:9,10.

(++) "Holy Ghost" "Holy Spirit" (&) "Esias" "Isaiah" (i) "the prophet" Ps 81:11, Isa 6:9, Jer 5:21, Eze 3:6,7, 12:2 Mt 13:14,15, Rom 11:8

Verse 26. Saying, etc. See this passage explained; Mt 13:14; Jn 12:39,40. Verse 27.

(|) "waxed gross" "become"

Verse 28. The salvation of God. The knowledge of God's mode of saving men.

Is sent unto the Gentiles. Since you have rejected it, it will be offered to them. Acts 13:46.

And that they will hear it. They will embrace it. Paul was never discouraged. If the gospel was rejected by one class of people, he was ready to offer it to another. If his own countrymen rejected and despised it, he never allowed himself to suppose that Christ had died in vain, but believed that others would be inclined to embrace its saving benefits. How happy would it be if all Christians had the same unwavering faith and zeal as Paul!

(k) "Gentiles" Mt 21:41, Acts 13:46,47, 18:6, 22:21, 26:17,18, Rom 11:11