Acts 28 17

Acts 28:17 kjv

And it came to pass, that after three days Paul called the chief of the Jews together: and when they were come together, he said unto them, Men and brethren, though I have committed nothing against the people, or customs of our fathers, yet was I delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.

Acts 28:17 nkjv

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,

Acts 28:17 niv

Three days later he called together the local Jewish leaders. When they had assembled, Paul said to them: "My brothers, although I have done nothing against our people or against the customs of our ancestors, I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans.

Acts 28:17 esv

After three days he called together the local leaders of the Jews, and when they had gathered, he said to them, "Brothers, though I had 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.

Acts 28:17 nlt

Three days after Paul's arrival, he called together the local Jewish leaders. He said to them, "Brothers, I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Roman government, even though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our ancestors.

Acts 28 verses

Acts 28 17 Meaning

Paul, having arrived in Rome as a prisoner, after a brief period to settle, convened the leading members of the Jewish community there. He explained his situation, asserting that despite being delivered into Roman custody, he had committed no offense against his own Jewish people or their sacred ancestral customs. This declaration served to pre-empt any false rumors and establish his innocence.

Acts 28 17 Context

Acts chapter 28 recounts the final leg of Paul’s journey to Rome and his ministry there. Paul had arrived in Rome as a prisoner, but was permitted to live under house arrest, though chained to a guard (v. 16). His immediate action, true to his consistent missionary strategy, was to establish contact with the Jewish community in Rome. Having been unjustly accused and arrested in Jerusalem by fellow Jews (Acts 21:27-36) and undergoing multiple trials (Acts 24-26), Paul understood the importance of explaining his situation directly to the local Jewish leaders. This prevented the spread of distorted reports from Jerusalem and laid the groundwork for sharing the gospel. The Roman Jewish community was significant and well-established, potentially having several synagogues, and their understanding of Paul’s case was crucial for his ministry efforts in the imperial capital.

Acts 28 17 Word analysis

• After three days: (μετὰ τρεῖς ἡμέρας, meta treis hēmeras) - This indicates a short, deliberate waiting period after Paul's arrival and securing his lodgings. It allowed him to settle in and likely prepare for this significant meeting, but not long enough for strong misinformation to take hold from Jerusalem.
• Paul called together: (προσεκαλέσατο, prosekalesato) - Denotes Paul's proactive initiative. He actively summoned them, not passively waited for them to come or hear about him. This demonstrates his zeal and strategic leadership in ministry.
• the local leaders of the Jews: (τοὺς ὄντας τῶν Ἰουδαίων πρώτους, tous ontas tōn Ioudaiōn prōtous) - Literally "the ones being the first/foremost of the Jews." This refers to prominent individuals, elders, or heads of the synagogues within the Roman Jewish community. Paul wisely sought out those with influence and authority, understanding their key role in shaping community opinion and belief.
• and when they had come together: They honored Paul's summons, showing initial willingness to hear him out, despite his status as a prisoner.
• he said to them: Indicates Paul's direct and intentional address.
• “Brothers,”: (ἄνδρες ἀδελφοί, andres adelphoi) - A common and respectful address used by Paul to his Jewish compatriots in Acts (e.g., Acts 2:29, 7:2, 13:26, 22:1). It highlights their shared ethnic and religious heritage and appeals to a sense of familial bond.
• “though I had done nothing against our people”: (κατὰ τοῦ λαοῦ, kata tou laou) - Paul denies any offense against the Jewish nation or people as a whole. This counters the primary accusation brought against him in Jerusalem (e.g., Acts 24:5: "a pestilent fellow... a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes, who also tried to profane the temple").
• “or the customs of our fathers,”: (τῶν ἐθῶν τῶν πατρῴων, tōn ethōn tōn patrōōn) - Refers to the Mosaic Law, the traditions handed down from their ancestors (patrōōn), encompassing Jewish religious practices and way of life. Paul vehemently denies having violated these, an accusation leveled by zealots (Acts 21:28). As a Pharisee (Phil 3:5), Paul held high regard for these customs, even after his conversion, he continued to observe them where appropriate to show solidarity with his Jewish brethren (Acts 21:20-26).
• “yet I was delivered as a prisoner”: (δέσμιος παρεδόθην, desmios paredothēn) - "Delivered" (paredothēn) indicates being handed over or betrayed, echoing similar language used for Christ's arrest. Paul emphasizes his involuntary status and the injustice of his situation; he did not choose to be a prisoner but was made a prisoner. This establishes his victim status in contrast to any assumed guilt.
• “from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.”: Pinpoints the source of the injustice (Jerusalem) and the final arbiters of his fate (Romans), under whose jurisdiction he was now. This sets the legal stage for his trial.

Acts 28 17 Bonus section

Paul’s urgency in meeting with the Jewish leaders within "three days" is indicative of his mission-focused mentality and his awareness of the critical nature of first impressions and controlling the narrative, especially in a culturally diverse and information-rich city like Rome. His statement of innocence served not only as a legal defense but also as a vital missiological strategy. By refuting the charge of betraying his own people and customs, he presented himself not as a founder of a new, anti-Jewish religion, but as one who believed in the fulfillment of God’s promises within Judaism, a "hope of Israel" (Acts 28:20). This allowed the Roman Jews to consider Christianity not as an external threat, but potentially as a legitimate outgrowth or completion of their own faith. This also aligns with the broader theme in Acts where Christianity is presented as the true heir of Judaism. Paul's imprisonment in Rome ultimately became an unparalleled platform for witnessing, demonstrating that the chains could bind the preacher, but never the Word of God.

Acts 28 17 Commentary

Acts 28:17 showcases Paul’s strategic evangelistic approach and unwavering commitment to the truth, even amidst imprisonment. Upon arriving in Rome, his first priority was not his personal comfort or legal defense but connecting with the local Jewish leadership. This reflected his lifelong principle of taking the gospel to the "Jew first" (Rom 1:16). He proactively summoned these influential figures to clear his name, asserting his innocence regarding any perceived transgressions against his Jewish heritage or its sacred customs. This was crucial because he anticipated that false rumors from Jerusalem, depicting him as an apostate or a threat to Judaism, would precede him. By presenting his case directly, Paul aimed to preempt such prejudices and open a dialogue based on fact, thus removing obstacles to their hearing the Gospel. His dignified bearing, despite being a prisoner, underscored his blamelessness and fidelity to his ancestral faith, laying the groundwork for a continued ministry in the heart of the Roman Empire.