Jewish Leaders

Jewish leaders in Rome

ACTS 28 COMMENTARY ◄
Acts 28:16 Paul in Rome

Acts 28:17-23 Jewish Leaders

ACTS 28:17-18 17 And it came to pass after three days that Paul called the leaders of the Jews together. So when they had come together, he said to them: “Men and brethren, though I have 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, 18 who, when they had examined me, wanted to let me go, because there was no cause for putting me to death.

Who did Paul call after "three days" (Acts 28:17) in Rome?
"The leaders of the Jews" (Acts 28:17). Being under house arrest, he couldn't go to the leaders of the Jewish community in Rome, so he had them come to him.

Hadn't "Claudius ... commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome" (Acts 18:2)?
Claudius expelled Jews from Rome in 49 AD and then died, allegedly from poisoning, in 54 AD, when Nero, the son of Claudius' fourth wife and his alleged murderer, began to reign. Those Paul called were the leaders of the Jews who had either hidden through Claudius' expulsion order or moved (back) to Rome after his death.

ACTS 28:19-20 19 “But when the Jews spoke against it, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar, not that I had anything of which to accuse my nation. 20 For this reason therefore I have called for you, to see you and speak with you, because for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain."

What "chain" (Acts 28:19) was Paul talking about?
Being under Roman house arrest, Paul's right wrist would have been chained to a Roman guard.

What did Paul first establish with the Jewish leaders in Rome?
His innocence: "I have done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers ..." (Acts 28:17).

Then why was he a prisoner?
"For the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain" (Acts 28:19).

What is the "hope of Israel"?
The Messiah - i.e., Jesus - as the Jewish leaders were about to learn.

ACTS 28:21-22 21 Then they said to him, “We neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor have any of the brethren who came reported or spoken any evil of you. 22 But we desire to hear from you what you think; for concerning this sect, we know that it is spoken against everywhere.”

What had the Jewish leaders of Rome heard?
Nothing negative concerning Paul, but they had heard negative things about Christianity, so they wanted to hear Paul's opinion on the matter: "But we desire to hear from you what you think; for concerning this sect, we know that it is spoken against everywhere" (Acts 28:22).

ACTS 28:23 23 So when they had appointed him a day, many came to him at his lodging, to whom he explained and solemnly testified of the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets, from morning till evening.

What was Paul's "lodging" (Acts 28:23)?
"His own rented house" (Acts 28:30).

For how long did the non-Christians who came to Paul's house sit and listen to the Gospel being preached?
"From morning till evening" (Acts 28:23).

After how long into a sermon or a Bible study do you start to fidget?

After how long into watching your favorite sport or television program or playing your favorite video game do you start to fidget?

Are you in love with Jesus?