Level 1
Rome's Jewish Encounter
The Great Commission Fulfills Its Mandate
(Believers)
In Rome, Paul summons Jewish leaders, explaining his chains stem from Israel's hope. They, unaware of plots but hearing disputes, agree to hear him. A large group gathers; Paul recounts his innocence, arrest for the hope of Israel—resurrection. Quoting Isaiah: Go to this people and say, 'You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving' (Acts 28:17-29). He declares salvation to Gentiles since Jews reject. Some believe, others disagree; they leave arguing. This final Jewish outreach in Rome pivots to Gentiles, advancing The Great Commission as Paul's chains turn to catalyst for global spread amid Christianity Accepted and Opposed. Prophecy Fulfillment in Isaiah underscores rejection. Inspirational—God uses rejections for redirections. Relate it: Facing closed hearts? Like Paul, proclaim anyway. Act today—share the gospel with one resistant friend; trust it opens doors elsewhere.
The Gospel Proclaimed to Jews and Gentiles
in the Imperial Capital
(Scholars / Pastors)
Acts 28:17-29 details Paul's initial actions upon his arrival in Rome. After three days, he summons the Jewish leaders, explaining his situation and affirming his innocence of any wrongdoing against the Jewish people or their customs. He then arranges a meeting where he preaches Teaching About Jesus and the Gospel from the Law and Prophets. The Jewish leaders, however, are divided, with some believing and others rejecting the message. Paul, quoting Isaiah, declares that salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen. This passage highlights The Great Commission as it is fulfilled in Rome, with Paul continuing his consistent pattern of preaching to the Jews first, and then to the Gentiles, even in the heart of the Roman Empire.
Level 2
Hope of Israel in Chains
The Great Commission Pivots in Rome
(Believers)
Paul, under house arrest in Rome, wastes no time: 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). He explains release by Romans but bound by Jewish opposition for the hope of Israel (verse 20).
Leaders respond: We have not received any letters from Judea about you, and none of our people who have come from there has reported or said anything bad about you. But we want to hear what your views are, for we know that people everywhere are talking against this sect (verses 21-22). Curiosity amid rumors draws a crowd.
Paul proclaims: They arranged to meet Paul on a certain day, and came in even larger numbers to the place where he was staying. He witnessed to them from morning till evening, explaining about the kingdom of God, and from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets he tried to persuade them about Jesus (verse 23). Teaching About Jesus and the Gospel from Scriptures persuades some, others disbelieve (verse 24).
Division deepens: They disagreed among themselves and began to leave after Paul had made this final statement: 'The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to your ancestors when he said through Isaiah the prophet: "Go to this people and say, 'You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving'"' (verses 25-26). Isaiah's quote (Isaiah 6:9-10) fulfills Prophecy Fulfillment, diagnosing spiritual blindness.
Final pivot: For this people's heart has become calloused... Therefore I want you to know that God's salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen! (verses 27-28). Salvation's shift—Jews reject, Gentiles accept.
This pivotal encounter advances The Great Commission, fulfilling 'to the ends of the earth' in Rome, amid Christianity Accepted and Opposed—accepted by some Jews, opposed by disbelief. Paul's chains become pulpit for persuasion.
Storytelling moves: Imagine Paul's rented room filling, daylong debates, Isaiah's words hanging heavy, divided departures. Relatable: Sharing meets mixed responses; persist.
Actionable: First, summon leaders—engage influencers. Second, explain chains truthfully: Share stories humbly. Third, arrange meetings: Host for deeper talks. Fourth, teach from Scriptures: Use Law, Prophets for Jesus. Fifth, quote prophecies: Expose blindness gently. Sixth, pivot to receptive: Turn to 'Gentiles' when rejected. Paul's Rome pivot inspired; pivot yours today!
Level 2: Expanded Insights
(Scholars / Pastors)
Acts 28:17-29 describes Paul's initial ministry in Rome, a crucial moment for The Great Commission as the Gospel, having traveled from Jerusalem to the heart of the Roman Empire, is now proclaimed by a prisoner in chains. This passage serves as a powerful testament to Paul's unyielding commitment to his missionary mandate.
After his triumphant arrival, Paul's first act is to summon the local Jewish leaders: "And it happened that after three days he called together those who were the leading men of the Jews, and when they came together, he began saying 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, and they, after they had examined me, wanted to release me because there was no ground for the death penalty. But when the Jews objected, I was forced to appeal to Caesar, not that I had any accusation against my nation. For this reason I requested to see you and to speak with you, for because of the hope of Israel I am wearing this chain.'" (Acts 28:17-20).
Paul's Apology: Paul’s tone is conciliatory. He clarifies his legal situation and his innocence of any wrongdoing against the Jewish people. He presents his appeal to Caesar not as an act of hostility towards his own people, but as a legal necessity driven by their opposition. This is a masterful opening that seeks to find common ground with his Jewish audience, a consistent strategy for The Great Commission.
"Hope of Israel": Paul frames his imprisonment as a consequence of his belief in the "hope of Israel," which is the resurrection of the dead. This connects his faith to a core Jewish belief and a central Prophecy Fulfillment.
The Jewish leaders' response is polite, but their knowledge is limited: "They said to him, 'We have neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor has any of the brethren come here and reported or spoken anything bad about you. But we desire to hear from you what your views are; for concerning this sect, it is known to us that it is spoken against everywhere.'" (Acts 28:21-22). The lack of a formal accusation from Jerusalem is a providential protection that gives Paul an unhindered opportunity to preach Teaching About Jesus and the Gospel. Their curiosity ("we desire to hear from you what your views are") is a key point of contact for The Great Commission.
Paul then preaches to a larger audience: "When they had set a day for him, they came to him at his lodging in large numbers; and he was explaining to them by solemnly testifying about the kingdom of God and trying to persuade them concerning Jesus, from both the Law of Moses and from the Prophets, from morning until evening." (Acts 28:23). Paul, using the Law and the Prophets, systematically preaches the kingdom of God and the message of Jesus, demonstrating Prophecy Fulfillment and Teaching About Jesus and the Gospel in a powerful way.
The response, however, is mixed: "And some were being persuaded by the things spoken, but others would not believe. And when they did not agree with one another, they were leaving after Paul had spoken one parting word, 'The Holy Spirit rightly spoke to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet, saying, 'GO TO THIS PEOPLE AND SAY, YOU WILL KEEP ON HEARING, BUT WILL NOT UNDERSTAND; AND YOU WILL KEEP ON SEEING, BUT WILL NOT PERCEIVE...'" (Acts 28:24-27).
Division: The Jews are "divided" (diemerizonto) by Paul’s message, with some believing and others rejecting it. This is a consistent pattern of Christianity Accepted and Opposed throughout Acts.
Paul's Quote from Isaiah: Paul's quote from Isaiah 6:9-10 is a final, prophetic word of judgment on their spiritual blindness and hardness of heart. It is a powerful instance of Prophecy Fulfillment, demonstrating that their rejection of the Gospel was foreknown by God.
Paul concludes with a final, decisive statement: "Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will also listen!" (Acts 28:28). This is the culmination of The Great Commission. After a final, and ultimately divided, encounter with the Jews, Paul makes a definitive statement that the Gospel will now go to the Gentiles, a message that they will receive. This provides a clear context for Connecting Acts to the Rest of the NT through Paul's future epistles and his ministry in Rome.
Level 3
From House Arrest to Heartfelt Appeal – The Great Commission Culminates in Rome
(Believers)
Paul's Roman confinement—guarded yet free—begins purposefully: Three days later he called together the local Jewish leaders (Acts 28:17a). Swift action—summoning Rome's Jewish diaspora heads—shows priority: Jews first (Romans 1:16).
Gathering intimate: 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' (verse 17b). Innocence asserted—customs upheld, arrest unjust.
Details: They examined me and wanted to release me, because I was not guilty of any crime deserving death. The Jews objected, so I was compelled to appeal to Caesar—not that I had any charge to bring against my own people (verses 18-19). Roman fairness contrasted with Jewish objection—appeal defensive, not accusatory.
Purpose: 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 (verse 20). 'Hope of Israel'—resurrection, Messiah—frames chains as for shared belief.
Response open: We have not received any letters from Judea about you, and none of our people who have come from there has reported or said anything bad about you. But we want to hear what your views are, for we know that people everywhere are talking against this sect (verses 21-22). No prior bias, but 'sect' rumors spark curiosity.
Day set: They arranged to meet Paul on a certain day, and came in even larger numbers to the place where he was staying (verse 23a). Crowd swells—interest high.
Proclamation full: He witnessed to them from morning till evening, explaining about the kingdom of God, and from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets he tried to persuade them about Jesus (verse 23b). Teaching About Jesus and the Gospel comprehensive—kingdom explained, Jesus persuaded from Torah, prophets.
Response divided: Some were convinced by what he said, but others would not believe (verse 24). Belief, disbelief mark hearing.
Departure contentious: They disagreed among themselves and began to leave after Paul had made this final statement: 'The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to your ancestors when he said through Isaiah the prophet: "Go to this people and say, 'You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.' For this people's heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them"' (verses 25-27). Isaiah 6:9-10 quoted—Prophecy Fulfillment diagnoses rejection, spiritual dullness.
Pivot declared: Therefore I want you to know that God's salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen! (verse 28). Salvation's shift—Jews' blindness opens Gentile ears, fulfilling pattern (Acts 13:46).
They leave arguing (verse 29, some manuscripts).
This Rome encounter advances The Great Commission—Jews first, then Gentiles—in empire's heart, fulfilling 'ends of the earth' (Acts 1:8). Christianity Accepted and Opposed—accepted by convinced, opposed by disbelievers.
Storytelling vivid: Feel rented room's tension, Paul's daylong persuasion, Isaiah's words stinging, divided exits amid debates, Gentile pivot's bold ring. Inspirational: Rejections redirect to receptive; God's salvation unstoppable.
Relatable: Sharing meets division; persist, quote Scripture to explain.
Actionable: First, summon strategically—engage leaders first. Second, explain personally: Share chains' story humbly. Third, arrange eagerly: Host for in-depth talks. Fourth, teach persistently: Use Law, Prophets for Jesus. Fifth, accept divisions: Let them spur pivots. Sixth, declare fulfillments: Quote prophecies for impact.
Paul's Rome outreach fulfilled mandates; apply to yours—engage, teach, pivot. Facing rejection today? Declare to 'Gentiles'; the Commission expands through open ears!
Level 3: Comprehensive Analysis
(Scholars / Pastors)
Acts 28:17-29 chronicles Paul’s final official act of ministry, marking the culmination of a divine strategy to bring The Great Commission to Rome. This pericope, which begins the final chapter of Acts, serves as a powerful testament to Paul’s unyielding commitment to his missionary mandate, the persistent reality of Christianity Accepted and Opposed from within the Jewish community, and the ultimate triumph of the Gospel as it pivots decisively to the Gentile world.
I. The Diplomatic Opening: Reaching Out to the Jewish Leadership (Acts 28:17-20)
Paul, despite his chains and his past experiences with Jewish opposition, begins his ministry in Rome by following his consistent missionary strategy.
A. The Initial Meeting (Acts 28:17): "And it happened that after three days he called together those who were the leading men of the Jews, and when they came together, he began saying to them..." Paul, upon arriving in Rome, waits three days, a period of rest, before he summons the "leading men of the Jews" (tous prōtous tōn Ioudaiōn). This demonstrates Paul's disciplined and strategic approach. He makes his initial contact with the official leadership of the Jewish community, following his principle of "to the Jew first" (Romans 1:16). This is a crucial element of The Great Commission.
B. The Defense and Conciliatory Tone (Acts 28:18-19): Paul's opening address is a careful and conciliatory defense of his conduct. He explains his imprisonment and his appeal to Caesar not as an act of hostility toward his people, but as a legal necessity. He emphasizes that he has done "nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers" and that he "had no accusation against my nation." This conciliatory tone is a strategic attempt to find common ground with his hostile audience and to win them over to his side. This highlights a powerful aspect of Christianity Accepted and Opposed and Paul's unwavering commitment to his people.
C. The Hope of Israel (Acts 28:20): "For this reason I requested to see you and to speak with you, for because of the hope of Israel I am wearing this chain." Paul frames his imprisonment not as a punishment for his crimes, but as a consequence of his belief in "the hope of Israel," which is the resurrection of the dead. This connects his faith to a core Jewish belief and a central Prophecy Fulfillment. This strategic defense is designed to find a point of contact with his Jewish audience before he reveals the dramatic truth of his conversion.
II. The Jewish Response: Curiosity, Division, and Rejection (Acts 28:21-28)
The Jewish leaders’ response to Paul’s address is one of initial curiosity but ultimately ends in division and rejection.
A. Curiosity and Lack of Information (Acts 28:21-22): "They said to him, 'We have neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor has any of the brethren come here and reported or spoken anything bad about you. But we desire to hear from you what your views are; for concerning this sect, it is known to us that it is spoken against everywhere.'" This lack of a formal accusation from Jerusalem is a crucial moment of divine providence. It gives Paul an unhindered opportunity to preach Teaching About Jesus and the Gospel. The Jewish leaders, however, are aware of the Christian movement ("this sect") and its reputation for being "spoken against everywhere," which highlights the widespread nature of Christianity Accepted and Opposed.
B. The Proclamation and the Division (Acts 28:23-24): "When they had set a day for him, they came to him at his lodging in large numbers; and he was explaining to them by solemnly testifying about the kingdom of God and trying to persuade them concerning Jesus, from both the Law of Moses and from the Prophets, from morning until evening. And some were being persuaded by the things spoken, but others would not believe." Paul, in his rented quarters, preaches to a large group of Jewish leaders for an entire day, using the Law and the Prophets to persuade them about the kingdom of God and the message of Jesus. This is a clear demonstration of Teaching About Jesus and the Gospel and the power of Prophecy Fulfillment. The response, however, is mixed, with some believing and others rejecting the message, a consistent pattern of Christianity Accepted and Opposed throughout Acts.
C. The Final, Decisive Word (Acts 28:25-28): "And when they did not agree with one another, they were leaving after Paul had spoken one parting word, 'The Holy Spirit rightly spoke to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet, saying, 'GO TO THIS PEOPLE AND SAY, YOU WILL KEEP ON HEARING, BUT WILL NOT UNDERSTAND; AND YOU WILL KEEP ON SEEING, BUT WILL NOT PERCEIVE... Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will also listen!'"
Prophetic Judgment: Paul's quote from Isaiah 6:9-10, a powerful instance of Prophecy Fulfillment, is a final, prophetic word of judgment on their spiritual blindness and hardness of heart. It is a powerful reminder that their rejection was foreknown by God.
The Definitive Pivot to the Gentiles: Paul's final statement, "Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will also listen!", is the culmination of The Great Commission. After a final, and ultimately divided, encounter with the Jews, Paul makes a definitive statement that the Gospel will now go to the Gentiles, a message that they will receive. This provides a clear context for Connecting Acts to the Rest of the NT through Paul's future ministry and epistles in Rome.
III. The Imprisonment as a Platform for the Gospel (Acts 28:30-31)
The final verses of the Book of Acts serve as a programmatic summary of Paul's ministry in Rome, highlighting the ultimate triumph of The Great Commission over Christianity Accepted and Opposed.
A. The Two-Year Ministry (Acts 28:30-31): "And he stayed two full years in his own rented quarters and was welcoming all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all openness, unhindered." Paul, a prisoner in chains, is not silenced. His house arrest becomes a platform for ministry in the heart of the Roman Empire, where he preaches and teaches "with all openness, unhindered" (meta pasēs parrēsias akōlytōs). This is the final, triumphant word of Acts, a testament to God's sovereign control over The Great Commission.
B. The Unhindered Gospel: The word "unhindered" (akōlytōs) is the last word of Acts. It is a powerful statement. Despite all the opposition Paul faced, his chains, and his imprisonment, the Gospel itself could not be hindered. It was proclaimed in Jerusalem, in Judea, in Samaria, and now in Rome, the heart of the Roman Empire, and it was "unhindered." This is a powerful testament to the triumph of The Great Commission over all opposition.
Acts 28:17-29 is a cornerstone narrative for The Great Commission, highlighting Paul’s final ministry in Rome. His preaching to the Jews first, and then his definitive turn to the Gentiles, demonstrates the consistent pattern of The Holy Spirit's Role in his life. The fulfillment of Prophecy Fulfillment and the triumph of the Gospel over Christianity Accepted and Opposed in the heart of the Roman Empire is a powerful testimony to Teaching About Jesus and the Gospel and the unhindered advance of the Gospel.
