Acts 28

And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita.

And the barbarous people shewed us no little kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold.

And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand.

And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live.

And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.

Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.

In the same quarters were possessions of the chief man of the island, whose name was Publius; who received us, and lodged us three days courteously.

And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of a bloody flux: to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him.

So when this was done, others also, which had diseases in the island, came, and were healed:

Who also honoured us with many honours; and when we departed, they laded us with such things as were necessary.

And after three months we departed in a ship of Alexandria, which had wintered in the isle, whose sign was Castor and Pollux.

And landing at Syracuse, we tarried there three days.

And from thence we fetched a compass, and came to Rhegium: and after one day the south wind blew, and we came the next day to Puteoli:

Where we found brethren, and were desired to tarry with them seven days: and so we went toward Rome.

And from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appiiforum, and The three taverns: whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage.

And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard: but Paul was suffered to dwell by himself with a soldier that kept him.

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.

Who, when they had examined me, would have let me go, because there was no cause of death in me.

But when the Jews spake against it, I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar; not that I had ought to accuse my nation of.

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.

And they said unto him, We neither received letters out of Judaea concerning thee, neither any of the brethren that came shewed or spake any harm of thee.

But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, we know that every where it is spoken against.

And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening.

And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not.

And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers,

Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive:

For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.

And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great reasoning among themselves.

And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him,

Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.

What does Acts 28:25 mean?

Explanation

The verse Acts 28:25 recounts a moment of frustration and dissent among the Jewish leaders and the apostle Paul.

After preaching the gospel to them and trying to convince them about Jesus being the Messiah, a disagreement arises.

Unable to reach a consensus, the group starts to leave.

Before they disperse, Paul makes a final statement, quoting the Holy Spirit's words through the prophet Isaiah, essentially pointing out that their inability to understand and accept the message was prophesied long ago.

The deeper meaning here involves the tension between the early Christian message and Jewish tradition, as well as the idea of divine foreknowledge.

Paul uses prophecy to underscore the idea that the Jewish rejection of Jesus as the Christ was anticipated by God and serves a greater purpose in salvation history.

Top Rated Acts Books

Historical Context

Acts 28:25 occurs at the end of the Book of Acts, which is traditionally believed to have been written by Luke, a companion of Paul.

This verse is set during Paul's house arrest in Rome, where he calls the local Jewish leaders to discuss with them the reasons he was sent as a prisoner from Jerusalem.

This setting was likely in the early 60s A.D., a period where the Christian movement was gaining ground but still faced significant opposition, especially among Jewish communities.

Theological Insights

From a Christian theological perspective, this verse emphasizes the sovereignty of God and the concept of predestination, God's plan unfolds as prophesied, even through human disbelief and disobedience.

For Jewish scholars and believers, this passage may be read differently, possibly as an illustration of a historical disagreement rather than a divine prophecy.

Practical Applications

This verse serves as a reminder that not everyone will agree or accept the same truths or teachings.

It encourages individuals to remain faithful to their convictions even in the face of disagreement.

It can also be seen as an admonition to be aware of the role of prophecy and the possibility that divine plans may not align with human expectations.

Cross-References

Isaiah 6:9-10 - The prophecy that Paul quotes to the Jewish leaders.
John 12:40 - John's gospel references the same prophecy to explain disbelief in Jesus.
Romans 11:7-8 - Paul speaks about Israel's failure to attain what it seeks and a divine hardening.

Language Study

Paul quotes from Isaiah, saying "Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers." The key term here is "pneuma hagion" (Holy Ghost), representing the divine inspiration behind the prophecies.

The phrase emphasizes the authority and accuracy of Isaiah's prophecy.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Similar to the prophecy of Isaiah, many cultures have stories of seers or prophets who speak uncomfortable truths that are not accepted by the people of their time.

For example, in Greek mythology, Cassandra was cursed to utter true prophecies that were never believed.

Such comparisons highlight a common theme across cultures related to disbelief in prophetic messages.

Scientific Perspectives

This verse doesn't directly relate to scientific understandings, as it deals with prophecy, belief, and spiritual insight, areas typically outside the purview of the scientific method.

Nonetheless, modern psychology might explore the cognitive and social dynamics of why groups reject certain ideas, which could indirectly inform the understanding of this type of scriptural event.

Commentaries

Various biblical scholars have analyzed this verse, highlighting different aspects:

John Gill emphasizes the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy in the unbelief of the Jews.
Matthew Henry comments on the sorrow that Paul felt over their unbelief, a sentiment many believers could identify with.
The Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary points out the patience and resilience of Paul despite the lack of consensus among his listeners.

These commentaries provide a window into how historical and modern Christian thought has grappled with the challenges of preaching, prophecy, and belief depicted in Acts 28:25.

Acts 28

Acts 28

What does Acts 28:25 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Acts Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Acts 28:25 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Acts Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?