Acts 28:17-28
Christian Standard Bible
Paul’s First Interview with Roman Jews
17 After three days he called together the leaders of the Jews. When they had gathered he said to them, “Brothers, although I have done nothing against our people or the customs of our ancestors, I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.(A) 18 After they examined me, they wanted to release me, since there was no reason for the death penalty in my case.(B) 19 Because the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar;(C) even though I had no charge to bring against my people. 20 For this reason I’ve asked to see you and speak to you. In fact, it is for the hope of Israel that I’m wearing this chain.”(D)
21 Then they said to him, “We haven’t received any letters about you from Judea. None of the brothers has come and reported or spoken anything evil about you. 22 But we want to hear what your views are, since we know that people everywhere are speaking against this sect.”(E)
The Response to Paul’s Message
23 After arranging a day with him, many came to him at his lodging. From dawn to dusk he expounded and testified about the kingdom of God. He tried to persuade them about Jesus from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets.(F) 24 Some were persuaded by what he said, but others did not believe.(G)
25 Disagreeing among themselves, they began to leave after Paul made one statement:[a] “The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your[b] ancestors through the prophet Isaiah 26 when he said,
Go to these people and say:
You will always be listening,
but never understanding;
and you will always be looking,
but never perceiving.
27 For the hearts of these people
have grown callous,
their ears are hard of hearing,
and they have shut their eyes;
otherwise they might see with their eyes
and hear with their ears,
understand with their heart
and turn,
and I would heal them.[c](H)
28 Therefore, let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen.”[d]
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Acts 28:17-28
International Standard Version
Paul in Rome
17 Three days later, Paul[a] called the leaders of the Jews together. When they assembled, he told them, “Brothers, although I haven’t done anything against our people or the customs of our ancestors, I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans. 18 They examined me and wanted to let me go because there was no reason for me to receive[b] the death penalty in my case. 19 But the Jews objected and forced me to appeal to the emperor, even though I have no countercharge to bring against my own people. 20 That’s why I asked to see you and speak with you, since it is for the hope of Israel that I’m wearing this chain.”
21 The Jewish leaders[c] told him, “We haven’t received any letters from Judea about you, and none of the brothers coming here has reported or mentioned anything bad about you. 22 However, we’d like to hear from you what you believe, because people are talking against this sect everywhere.” 23 So they set a day to meet with Paul[d] and came out in large numbers to see him where he was staying.
From morning until evening, he continued to explain the kingdom of God to them, trying to convince them about Jesus from the Law of Moses and the Prophets. 24 Some of them were convinced by what he said, but others wouldn’t believe. 25 They disagreed with one another as they were leaving, so Paul added this statement: “The Holy Spirit was so right when he spoke to your ancestors through the prophet Isaiah! 26 He said,
‘Go to this people and say,
“You will listen and listen
but never understand,
and you will look and look
but never see!
27 For this people’s minds[e] have become stupid,
and their ears can barely hear,
and they have shut their eyes
so that they may never see with their eyes,
and listen with their ears,
and understand with their heart
and turn and let me heal them.”’[f]
28 You must understand that this message about[g] God’s salvation has been sent to the gentiles, and they will listen.”[h]
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Acts 28:17 Lit. he
- Acts 28:18 The Gk. lacks me to receive
- Acts 28:21 Lit. They
- Acts 28:23 Lit. him
- Acts 28:27 Lit. heart
- Acts 28:27 Cf. Isa 6:9-10
- Acts 28:28 The Gk. lacks message about
- Acts 28:28 Other mss. read will listen. 29 When he had said these words, the Jews left, arguing intensely among themselves.
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