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Acts 28:16-31
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
Acts 28:16-31
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
16 When he entered Rome,[a] Paul was allowed to live by himself, with the soldier who was guarding him.
Testimony to Jews in Rome. 17 [b]Three days later he called together the leaders of the Jews. When they had gathered he said to them, “My brothers, although I had done nothing against our people or our ancestral customs, I was handed over to the Romans as a prisoner from Jerusalem.(A) 18 After trying my case the Romans wanted to release me, because they found nothing against me deserving the death penalty.(B) 19 But when the Jews objected, I was obliged to appeal to Caesar, even though I had no accusation to make against my own nation.(C) 20 This is the reason, then, I have requested to see you and to speak with you, for it is on account of the hope of Israel[c] that I wear these chains.”(D) 21 They answered him, “We have received no letters from Judea about you, nor has any of the brothers arrived with a damaging report or rumor about you. 22 But we should like to hear you present your views, for we know that this sect is denounced everywhere.”(E)
23 So they arranged a day with him and came to his lodgings in great numbers. From early morning until evening, he expounded his position to them, bearing witness to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus from the law of Moses and the prophets. 24 Some were convinced by what he had said, while others did not believe. 25 [d]Without reaching any agreement among themselves they began to leave; then Paul made one final statement. “Well did the holy Spirit speak to your ancestors through the prophet Isaiah, saying:
26 ‘Go to this people and say:(F)
You shall indeed hear but not understand.
You shall indeed look but never see.
27 Gross is the heart of this people;
they will not hear with their ears;
they have closed their eyes,
so they may not see with their eyes
and hear with their ears
and understand with their heart and be converted,
and I heal them.’
28 (G)Let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen.” [29 ][e]
30 [f]He remained for two full years in his lodgings. He received all who came to him, 31 and with complete assurance and without hindrance he proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 28:16 With Paul’s arrival in Rome, the programmatic spread of the word of the Lord to “the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8) is accomplished. In Rome, Paul is placed under house arrest, and under this mild form of custody he is allowed to proclaim the word in the capital of the civilized world of his day.
- 28:17–22 Paul’s first act in Rome is to learn from the leaders of the Jewish community whether the Jews of Jerusalem plan to pursue their case against him before the Roman jurisdiction. He is informed that no such plan is afoot, but that the Jews of Rome have heard the Christian teaching denounced. Paul’s offer to explain it to them is readily accepted.
- 28:20 The hope of Israel: in the words of Paul (Acts 23:6), Luke has identified this hope as hope in the resurrection of the dead.
- 28:25–28 Paul’s final words in Acts reflect a major concern of Luke’s writings: how the salvation promised in the Old Testament, accomplished by Jesus, and offered first to Israel (Acts 13:26), has now been offered to and accepted by the Gentiles. Quoting Is 6:9–10, Paul presents the scriptural support for his indictment of his fellow Jews who refuse to accept the message he proclaims. Their rejection leads to its proclamation among the Gentiles.
- 28:29 The Western text has added here a verse that is not found in the best Greek manuscripts: “And when he had said this, the Jews left, seriously arguing among themselves.”
- 28:30–31 Although the ending of Acts may seem to be abrupt, Luke has now completed his story with the establishment of Paul and the proclamation of Christianity in Rome. Paul’s confident and unhindered proclamation of the gospel in Rome forms the climax to the story whose outline was provided in Acts 1:8—“You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem…and to the ends of the earth.”
Acts 28:16-31
New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition
Acts 28:16-31
New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition
16 When we came into Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself, with the soldier who was guarding him.
Paul and Jewish Leaders in Rome
17 Three days later he called together the local leaders of the Jews. When they had assembled, he said to them, “Brothers, though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our ancestors, yet I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans. 18 When they had examined me, the Romans[a] wanted to release me, because there was no reason for the death penalty in my case. 19 But when the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to the emperor—even though I had no charge to bring against my nation. 20 For this reason therefore I have asked to see you and speak with you,[b] since it is for the sake of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain.” 21 They replied, “We have received no letters from Judea about you, and none of the brothers coming here has reported or spoken anything evil about you. 22 But we would like to hear from you what you think, for with regard to this sect we know that everywhere it is spoken against.”
Paul Preaches in Rome
23 After they had set a day to meet with him, they came to him at his lodgings in great numbers. From morning until evening he explained the matter to them, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus both from the law of Moses and from the prophets. 24 Some were convinced by what he had said, while others refused to believe. 25 So they disagreed with each other; and as they were leaving, Paul made one further statement: “The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your ancestors through the prophet Isaiah,
26 ‘Go to this people and say,
You will indeed listen, but never understand,
and you will indeed look, but never perceive.
27 For this people’s heart has grown dull,
and their ears are hard of hearing,
and they have shut their eyes;
so that they might not look with their eyes,
and listen with their ears,
and understand with their heart and turn—
and I would heal them.’
28 Let it be known to you then that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen.”[c]
30 He lived there two whole years at his own expense[d] and welcomed all who came to him, 31 proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Acts 28:18 Gk they
- Acts 28:20 Or I have asked you to see me and speak with me
- Acts 28:28 Other ancient authorities add verse 29, And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, arguing vigorously among themselves
- Acts 28:30 Or in his own hired dwelling
Acts 28:16-31
Good News Translation
Acts 28:16-31
Good News Translation
In Rome
16 When we arrived in Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself with a soldier guarding him.
17 After three days Paul called the local Jewish leaders to a meeting. When they had gathered, he said to them, “My fellow Israelites, even though I did nothing against our people or the customs that we received from our ancestors, I was made a prisoner in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans. 18 After questioning me, the Romans wanted to release me, because they found that I had done nothing for which I deserved to die. 19 (A)But when the Jews opposed this, I was forced to appeal to the Emperor, even though I had no accusation to make against my own people. 20 That is why I asked to see you and talk with you. As a matter of fact, I am bound in chains like this for the sake of him for whom the people of Israel hope.”
21 They said to him, “We have not received any letters from Judea about you, nor have any of our people come from there with any news or anything bad to say about you. 22 But we would like to hear your ideas, because we know that everywhere people speak against this party to which you belong.”
23 So they set a date with Paul, and a large number of them came that day to the place where Paul was staying. From morning till night he explained to them his message about the Kingdom of God, and he tried to convince them about Jesus by quoting from the Law of Moses and the writings of the prophets. 24 Some of them were convinced by his words, but others would not believe. 25 So they left, disagreeing among themselves, after Paul had said this one thing: “How well the Holy Spirit spoke through the prophet Isaiah to your ancestors! 26 (B)For he said,
‘Go and say to this people:
You will listen and listen, but not understand;
you will look and look, but not see,
27 because this people's minds are dull,
and they have stopped up their ears
and closed their eyes.
Otherwise, their eyes would see,
their ears would hear,
their minds would understand,
and they would turn to me, says God,
and I would heal them.’”
28 And Paul concluded: “You are to know, then, that God's message of salvation has been sent to the Gentiles. They will listen!” 29 [a]
30 For two years Paul lived in a place he rented for himself, and there he welcomed all who came to see him. 31 He preached about the Kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ, speaking with all boldness and freedom.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Acts 28:29 Some manuscripts add verse 29: After Paul said this, the Jews left, arguing violently among themselves.
Acts 28:16-31
New American Standard Bible
Acts 28:16-31
New American Standard Bible
16 When we entered Rome, Paul was (A)allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier who was guarding him.
17 After three days [a]Paul called together those who were (B)the leading men of the Jews, and when they came together, he began saying to them, “(C)Brothers, (D)though I had done nothing against our people or (E)the customs of our [b]fathers, yet I was handed over to the Romans as a prisoner from Jerusalem. 18 And when they had (F)examined me, they (G)were willing to release me because there were (H)no grounds [c]for putting me to death. 19 But when the Jews [d]objected, I was forced to (I)appeal to Caesar, not that I had any accusation against my nation. 20 For this reason, therefore, I [e]requested to see you and to speak with you, since I am wearing (J)this chain for (K)the sake of the hope of Israel.” 21 They said to him, “We have neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor has any of (L)the brothers come here and reported or spoken anything bad about you. 22 But we desire to hear from you what [f]your views are; for regarding this (M)sect, it is known to us that (N)it is spoken against everywhere.”
23 When they had set a day for [g]Paul, people came to him at (O)his lodging in large numbers; and he was explaining to them by solemnly (P)testifying about the kingdom of God and trying to persuade them concerning Jesus, (Q)from both the Law of Moses and from the Prophets, from morning until evening. 24 (R)Some were being persuaded by the things said by Paul, but others would not believe. 25 And when they disagreed with one another, they began leaving after Paul said one parting statement: “The Holy Spirit rightly spoke through Isaiah the prophet to your fathers, 26 saying,
‘(S)Go to this people and say,
“[h](T)You will keep on hearing, and will not understand;
And [i]you will keep on seeing, and will not perceive;
27 (U)For the hearts of this people have become [j]insensitive,
And with their ears they [k]hardly 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.”’
28 Therefore, let it be known to you that (V)this salvation of God has been sent (W)to the Gentiles; they will also listen.”[l]
30 Now Paul stayed two full years [m]in his own rented lodging and welcomed all who came to him, 31 [n](X)preaching the kingdom of God and teaching things about the Lord Jesus Christ (Y)with all openness, unhindered.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Acts 28:17 Lit he
- Acts 28:17 Or forefathers
- Acts 28:18 Lit of death in me
- Acts 28:19 Lit spoke against
- Acts 28:20 Or invited you to see me and speak with me
- Acts 28:22 Lit you think
- Acts 28:23 Lit him
- Acts 28:26 Lit with a hearing you will hear
- Acts 28:26 Lit seeing you will see
- Acts 28:27 Lit dull
- Acts 28:27 Or are hard of hearing
- Acts 28:28 Late mss add as v 29: When he had spoken these words, the Jews departed, having a great dispute among themselves.
- Acts 28:30 Or at his own expense
- Acts 28:31 Or proclaiming
Acts 28:16-31
New International Version
Acts 28:16-31
New International Version
16 When we got to Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself, with a soldier to guard him.(A)
Paul Preaches at Rome Under Guard
17 Three days later he called together the local Jewish leaders.(B) When they had assembled, Paul said to them: “My brothers,(C) although I have done nothing against our people(D) or against the customs of our ancestors,(E) I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans. 18 They examined me(F) and wanted to release me,(G) because I was not guilty of any crime deserving death.(H) 19 The Jews objected, so I was compelled to make an appeal to Caesar.(I) I certainly did not intend to bring any charge against my own people. 20 For this reason I have asked to see you and talk with you. It is because of the hope of Israel(J) that I am bound with this chain.”(K)
21 They replied, “We have not received any letters from Judea concerning you, and none of our people(L) who have come from there has reported or said anything bad about you. 22 But we want to hear what your views are, for we know that people everywhere are talking against this sect.”(M)
23 They arranged to meet Paul on a certain day, and came in even larger numbers to the place where he was staying. He witnessed to them from morning till evening, explaining about the kingdom of God,(N) and from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets(O) he tried to persuade them about Jesus.(P) 24 Some were convinced by what he said, but others would not believe.(Q) 25 They disagreed among themselves and began to leave after Paul had made this final statement: “The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to your ancestors when he said(R) through Isaiah the prophet:
26 “‘Go to this people and say,
“You will be ever hearing but never understanding;
you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.”
27 For this people’s heart has become calloused;(S)
they hardly hear with their ears,
and they have closed their eyes.
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
hear with their ears,
understand with their hearts
and turn, and I would heal them.’[a](T)
28 “Therefore I want you to know that God’s salvation(U) has been sent to the Gentiles,(V) and they will listen!” [29] [b]
30 For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. 31 He proclaimed the kingdom of God(W) and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness(X) and without hindrance!
Footnotes
- Acts 28:27 Isaiah 6:9,10 (see Septuagint)
- Acts 28:29 Some manuscripts include here After he said this, the Jews left, arguing vigorously among themselves.
New American Bible (Revised Edition) (NABRE)
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Good News Translation (GNT) 
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