(29) And when he had said these words . . .—The whole verse is wanting in many of the earliest MSS. and versions. It may have been inserted, either by a transcriber, or by the historian himself in a revised copy in order to avoid the apparent abruptness of the transition from Acts 28:28-30. As far as it goes it confirms the statement of Acts 28:24-25, that some of those who had listened were converted. read more
(30) And Paul dwelt two whole years . . .—On the probable incidents of this period, see Excursus on the Later Years of St. Paul’s Life. The word translated “hired house” (the exact equivalent for the Latin meritorium, or conductum) means rather a lodging (as in Acts 28:23) or apartment, and does not imply that he occupied a whole house. The words that follow exactly describe his position. He was a prisoner, and therefore was not allowed to go out to preach in the synagogues, or the “churches”... read more
(31) No man forbidding him.—The fact is interesting as showing the attitude of the Roman empire to the new faith. So far, even under Nero, it was tolerant, and even though the “sect” of the Christians was “everywhere spoken against,” a leading teacher of that sect was allowed free room to propagate his views. The rulers of the empire were not as yet alarmed at the thought of the wide-spread secret organisation of the Christian Society, and the influence of Seneca and Burrus may not have been... read more
Quality of Service Acts 28:2 'No little kindness.' The Revised Version gives us another word, perhaps a richer: 'No common kindness' but a kindness to be remembered, specialising itself in our memory; we can never forget the attentiveness and civility of these barbarous people; truly to the end of the chapter we shall think of all their courtesy as no common kindness. This was not an everyday affair, but wholly special, finely and highly marked by Christian courtesy, as we should say; the... read more
CHAPTER 28 1. In the Island of Melita (Acts 28:1-10 ). 2. The arrival in Rome (Acts 28:11-16 ). 3. Paul calling the chief of the Jews and his message (Acts 28:17-29 ). Melita, which means “honey,” is the island of Malta. It was even then a prominent place for navigation where many vessels wintered. Luke calls the inhabitants Barbarians, a term used by the Greeks for all peoples who did not use their language. The wrecked company was not plundered by the people of the island, but instead... read more
28:26 {14} Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive:(14) The unbelievers willingly resist the truth, and yet not by chance. read more
28:27 For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they {h} 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.(h) They made as though they did not see that which they saw against their desires: yea, they did see, but they would not see. read more
28:28 {15} Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and [that] they will hear it.(15) The unbelief of the reprobate and castaways cannot cause the truth of God to be of no effect. read more
28:29 {16} And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great reasoning among themselves.(16) Not the Gospel, but the contempt of the Gospel is the cause of strife and debate. read more
Get Bible verse every day in your inbox
Read on Mobile
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Acts 28:28
(28) Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God . . .—The better MSS. give “this salvation,” the demonstrative adjective having the same force as in “the words of this life,” in Acts 5:20. The Apostle points, as it were, to that definite method of deliverance (the Greek gives the concrete neuter form, as in Luke 2:30; Luke 3:6, and not the feminine abstract) which he had proclaimed to them. The words remind us of those which had been spoken under like circumstances at Antioch in... read more