Acts 28 20

Acts 28:20 kjv

For this cause therefore have I called for you, to see you, and to speak with you: because that for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.

Acts 28:20 nkjv

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."

Acts 28:20 niv

For this reason I have asked to see you and talk with you. It is because of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain."

Acts 28:20 esv

For this reason, therefore, I have asked to see you and speak with you, since it is because of the hope of Israel that I am wearing this chain."

Acts 28:20 nlt

I asked you to come here today so we could get acquainted and so I could explain to you that I am bound with this chain because I believe that the hope of Israel ? the Messiah ? has already come."

Acts 28 verses

Acts 28 20 Meaning

In Acts 28:20, Paul addresses the leading Jews in Rome, explaining that his imprisonment is not for any wrongdoing against Jewish law or customs, but specifically because of his allegiance to "the hope of Israel." This hope, central to Jewish expectation, refers to the promised Messiah and the associated resurrection of the dead, which Paul proclaimed had been fulfilled in Jesus Christ. His statement clarifies his position, distinguishes his "crime" from actual lawbreaking, and asserts that his current predicament directly results from proclaiming the core expectation of his own people.

Acts 28 20 Context

Paul had finally arrived in Rome, the imperial capital, as a prisoner under appeal to Caesar. Acts 28 begins with his shipwreck on Malta and miraculous preservation. Upon reaching Rome, he was allowed to live by himself with a soldier guarding him, a form of house arrest known as custodia libera. Before his trial, true to his missionary custom, his immediate priority was to reach out to the local Jewish leadership, to ensure they heard his side of the story directly and to proclaim the Gospel to them. He wanted to dispel any false rumors spread by the Jewish authorities in Jerusalem regarding his arrest and appeal. Acts 28:20, therefore, forms part of Paul's introductory statement to these Jewish leaders, where he plainly declares the true reason for his chains—not criminal activity, but his fervent belief in the core promise of God to Israel, realized in Jesus and his resurrection. This statement aims to find common ground in their shared expectation while also explaining why this expectation has brought him conflict and imprisonment.

Acts 28 20 Word analysis

• For this reason (Διὰ τοῦτο - Dia touto):

  • Word: Points directly to the cause or ground. Paul is stating the immediate motive for his summoning them.
  • Significance: It emphasizes causality, establishing a direct link between his spiritual conviction and his present physical state. It highlights the reason for his chains is directly linked to a particular belief, not any secular crime.

• therefore (οὖν - oun):

  • Word: A conjunction indicating a logical conclusion or transition.
  • Significance: Reinforces the preceding phrase. "For this very reason, consequently..." It underlines that what follows is a logical step from his motivation.

• I have asked (παρεκάλεσα - parekalesa):

  • Greek: From parakaleō, meaning "to call to one's side, entreat, invite, appeal, comfort, exhort."
  • Significance: Paul is not demanding but making an appeal, a respectful invitation. This indicates his humility and earnest desire for communication despite being the one imprisoned. It's a proactive reaching out, typical of his pastoral heart.

• to see you (ἰδεῖν ὑμᾶς - idein hymas):

  • Word: Simple verb of seeing.
  • Significance: Paul desires personal, face-to-face interaction. This emphasizes direct communication, avoiding hearsay or intermediaries, vital for sensitive theological discussions.

• and speak with you (καὶ λαλῆσαι - kai lalēsai):

  • Greek: From laleō, meaning "to speak, utter words, talk."
  • Significance: Paul's purpose is dialogue. It's not just about being seen, but about explaining, reasoning, and sharing the Gospel directly. His goal is active verbal communication, a hallmark of his ministry.

• since it is (γὰρ - gar):

  • Word: Conjunction meaning "for" or "since," providing a reason.
  • Significance: Introduces the explanation for why he wanted to see and speak with them. This is the crucial justification for his imprisonment.

• because of the hope (τῆς ἐλπίδος - tēs elpidos):

  • Greek: Elpis, "hope," is a firm conviction, a confident expectation. Not a wish, but a certainty based on God's promises.
  • Significance: This is the core reason for his chains. His imprisonment stems from proclaiming the fulfillment of a deeply cherished Jewish expectation. This "hope" is central to both Judaism and Christianity, bridging the divide, even as it becomes the point of contention.

• of Israel (Ἰσραήλ - Israēl):

  • Greek: Refers to the Jewish people, the covenant nation.
  • Significance: Identifies the hope as distinctly Jewish in origin and promise. Paul stresses that he's bound for a hope that is their hope, shared by all true Israelites, yet misunderstood by many. It grounds his message in their shared heritage.

• that I am bound (περίκειμαι - perikeimai):

  • Greek: Literally "to lie around," "to be encompassed," "to be surrounded by," or "to wear (a chain)."
  • Significance: A vivid description of his physical state. It can imply being weighed down or hemmed in by the chain, yet also a state of wearing it, enduring it. It underscores his direct, personal suffering.

• with this chain (τὴν ἅλυσιν ταύτην - tēn halysin tautēn):

  • Greek: Halsys, a "chain" or "fetter."
  • Significance: Points directly to his literal physical restraint, a common sight for prisoners awaiting trial. The singular "chain" might refer to the short chain connecting him to a Roman guard during house arrest, as opposed to multiple fetters in a common prison. This chain is the tangible manifestation of his spiritual stance.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "For this reason, therefore, I have asked to see you and speak with you..."

  • Paul, despite being a prisoner, takes the initiative. His motive is clearly articulated: a desire for personal engagement and clear communication to resolve misunderstandings. This shows his apostolic urgency and strategy to preempt rumors. He wants to ensure that they hear the truth directly from him, emphasizing the logos (word) and communication as paramount even in bondage.

• "...since it is because of the hope of Israel..."

  • This is the pivotal phrase. Paul frames his predicament not as a punishment for a crime against Caesar or Rome, nor even for subverting Jewish tradition, but for upholding what they themselves longed for. He is appealing to a shared spiritual heritage. This "hope" encompasses the coming of the Messiah, His saving work, and the ultimate resurrection—a multi-faceted expectation promised throughout the Hebrew Scriptures. For Paul, Jesus of Nazareth is the fulfillment of this hope, and proclaiming Him is his calling.

• "...that I am bound with this chain."

  • This links Paul's physical captivity directly to his theological stance. His chains are a direct consequence of his fidelity to "the hope of Israel" as realized in Christ. This makes his suffering a testament to the truth of the Gospel. The chains, though restricting his body, cannot bind the word of God, a recurring theme in Paul's letters.

Acts 28 20 Bonus section

The "hope of Israel" in ancient Judaism was multifaceted, encompassing various expectations: the coming of a political/messianic king who would liberate Israel from oppression, the restoration of the Davidic kingdom, national vindication, a new exodus, the ingathering of exiles, and significantly, the resurrection of the dead at the end of time. Paul consistently framed the Gospel message, particularly Jesus's resurrection, as the fulfillment of this foundational "hope of Israel" (Acts 23:6; 26:6-8), showing his continuity with the true aspirations of his heritage, rather than a departure from it. His very identity as a "Pharisee, a son of Pharisees" (Acts 23:6) grounds his arguments concerning the resurrection. His arrest and subsequent appeals are depicted not as political subversion, but as theological disputes rooted in the interpretation and fulfillment of God's promises. The physical chain Paul mentions contrasts powerfully with the unbound word of God (2 Tim 2:9), highlighting that persecution, while affecting the messenger, cannot stop the divine message.

Acts 28 20 Commentary

Acts 28:20 serves as a succinct summary of Paul's trials and ministry focus. Despite reaching the pinnacle of the Roman Empire as a prisoner, his priority is not his defense against legal charges but a spiritual imperative: to communicate the truth of the Gospel, particularly to his own people. The essence of his "crime," he argues, is his proclamation of the "hope of Israel." This phrase encapsulates the Jewish longing for the Messiah, God's ultimate deliverance, and the resurrection of the dead (Acts 23:6; 26:6-7). For Paul, Jesus Christ is the ultimate fulfillment of this hope.

This verse reveals Paul's unwavering commitment to the Gospel and his deeply rooted Jewish identity. He asserts that he is not a rebel against Jewish law or the Temple, but rather a Jew who believes God's promises have come true in Jesus. His chains are not a mark of shame but a symbol of his devotion to this core, fulfilled expectation of his people. Paradoxically, while his physical liberty is constrained, the message he embodies and delivers remains unbound, poised to spread further into the heart of the Roman Empire, a testament to God's unstoppable plan. This confrontation is a classic example of suffering for the Gospel not hindering but rather advancing the divine purpose.