Acts 28:20
New International Version
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.”

New Living Translation
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.”

English Standard Version
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.”

Berean Standard Bible
So for this reason I have called to see you and speak with you. It is because of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain.”

Berean Literal Bible
Therefore for this cause I have called to see you and to speak to you. For because of the hope of Israel, I have around me this chain."

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
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.”

New American Standard Bible
For this reason, therefore, I requested to see you and to speak with you, since I am wearing this chain for the sake of the hope of Israel.”

NASB 1995
“For this reason, therefore, I requested to see you and to speak with you, for I am wearing this chain for the sake of the hope of Israel.”

NASB 1977
“For this reason therefore, I requested to see you and to speak with you, for I am wearing this chain for the sake of the hope of Israel.”

Legacy Standard Bible
For this reason, therefore, I requested to see you and to speak with you, for I am wearing this chain for the sake of the hope of Israel.”

Amplified Bible
For this reason I have asked to see you and talk with you, since it is for the sake of the hope of Israel (the Messiah, the resurrection) that I am bound with this chain.”

Christian Standard Bible
For this reason I’ve asked to see you and speak to you. In fact, it is for the hope of Israel that I’m wearing this chain.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
For this reason I’ve asked to see you and speak to you. In fact, it is for the hope of Israel that I’m wearing this chain.”

American Standard Version
For this cause therefore did I entreat you to see and to speak with me: for because of the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.

Contemporary English Version
I am bound by these chains because of what we people of Israel hope for. This is why I have called you here to talk about this hope of ours.

English Revised Version
For this cause therefore did I entreat you to see and to speak with me: for because of the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
That's why I asked to see you and speak with you. I'm wearing these chains because of what Israel hopes for."

Good News Translation
That is why I asked to see you and talk with you. As a matter of fact, I am bound in chains like this for the sake of him for whom the people of Israel hope."

International Standard Version
That's why I asked to see you and speak with you, since it is for the hope of Israel that I'm wearing this chain."

Majority Standard Bible
So for this reason I have called to see you and speak with you. It is because of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain.”

NET Bible
So for this reason I have asked to see you and speak with you, for I am bound with this chain because of the hope of Israel."

New Heart English Bible
For this cause therefore I asked to see you and to speak with you. For because of the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain."

Webster's Bible Translation
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.

Weymouth New Testament
For these reasons, then, I have invited you here, that I might see you and speak to you; for it is for the sake of Him who is the hope of Israel that this chain hangs upon me."

World English Bible
For this cause therefore I asked to see you and to speak with you. For because of the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
for this cause, therefore, I called for you to see and to speak with [you], for because of the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.”

Berean Literal Bible
Therefore for this cause I have called to see you and to speak to you. For because of the hope of Israel, I have around me this chain."

Young's Literal Translation
for this cause, therefore, I called for you to see and to speak with you, for because of the hope of Israel with this chain I am bound.'

Smith's Literal Translation
For this cause therefore I besought to see you, and to speak: for, for the hope of Israel am I surrounded by this chain.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
For this cause therefore I desired to see you, and to speak to you. Because that for the hope of Israel, I am bound with this chain.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And so, because of this, I requested to see you and to speak to you. For it is because of the hope of Israel that I am encircled with this chain.”

New American Bible
This is the reason, then, I have requested to see you and to speak with you, for it is on account of the hope of Israel that I wear these chains.”

New Revised Standard Version
For this reason therefore I have asked to see you and speak with you, since it is for the sake of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
This is the reason I begged you to come, for I wish to see you and to relate these things to you; because it is for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“Therefore, I begged of you to come and to see you and relate to you these things, because for the hope of Israel I am bound in this chain.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
For this reason, I called for you, that I might see you and speak to you; for on account of the hope of Israel, I am bound with this chain.

Godbey New Testament
Then for this cause I have called you, to see you, and talk to you: for on account of the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.

Haweis New Testament
For this cause therefore have I invited you hither, to see and to converse with you; for on account of the hope of Israel am I bound with this chain.

Mace New Testament
for this reason I desir'd to see and talk with you; it being for the expectation of Israel that I am subject to this chain."

Weymouth New Testament
For these reasons, then, I have invited you here, that I might see you and speak to you; for it is for the sake of Him who is the hope of Israel that this chain hangs upon me."

Worrell New Testament
For this cause, therefore, I called for you, to see and to speak with you: for, on account of the hope of Israel, I am encompassed with this chain."

Worsley New Testament
For this reason therefore I desired to see and to speak to you: because that for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Paul Preaches at Rome
19But when the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar, even though I have no charge to bring against my nation. 20So for this reason I have called to see you and speak with you. It is because of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain.” 21The leaders replied, “We have not received any letters about you from Judea, nor have any of the brothers from there reported or even mentioned anything bad about you.…

Cross References
Acts 26:6-7
And now I stand on trial because of my hope in the promise that God made to our fathers, / the promise our twelve tribes are hoping to see fulfilled as they earnestly serve God day and night. It is because of this hope, O king, that I am accused by the Jews.

Acts 23:6
Then Paul, knowing that some of them were Sadducees and the others Pharisees, called out in the Sanhedrin, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee. It is because of my hope in the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.”

Acts 24:15
and I have the same hope in God that they themselves cherish, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked.

Acts 13:32-33
And now we proclaim to you the good news: What God promised our fathers / He has fulfilled for us, their children, by raising up Jesus. As it is written in the second Psalm: ‘You are My Son; today I have become Your Father.’

Romans 11:28
Regarding the gospel, they are enemies on your account; but regarding election, they are loved on account of the patriarchs.

Romans 15:8
For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the circumcised on behalf of God’s truth, to confirm the promises made to the patriarchs,

Luke 2:25-32
Now there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. / The Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. / Led by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. And when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for Him what was customary under the Law, ...

Romans 4:13-16
For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world was not given through the law, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. / For if those who live by the law are heirs, faith is useless and the promise is worthless, / because the law brings wrath. And where there is no law, there is no transgression. ...

Galatians 3:16
The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. The Scripture does not say, “and to seeds,” meaning many, but “and to your seed,” meaning One, who is Christ.

Hebrews 6:13-15
When God made His promise to Abraham, since He had no one greater to swear by, He swore by Himself, / saying, “I will surely bless you and multiply your descendants.” / And so Abraham, after waiting patiently, obtained the promise.

Genesis 12:1-3
Then the LORD said to Abram, “Leave your country, your kindred, and your father’s household, and go to the land I will show you. / I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. / I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you; and all the families of the earth will be blessed through you.”

Genesis 22:16-18
saying, “By Myself I have sworn, declares the LORD, that because you have done this and have not withheld your only son, / I will surely bless you, and I will multiply your descendants like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will possess the gates of their enemies. / And through your offspring all nations of the earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.”

Genesis 26:3-5
Stay in this land as a foreigner, and I will be with you and bless you. For I will give all these lands to you and your offspring, and I will confirm the oath that I swore to your father Abraham. / I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky, and I will give them all these lands, and through your offspring all nations of the earth will be blessed, / because Abraham listened to My voice and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes, and My laws.”

Genesis 28:13-14
And there at the top the LORD was standing and saying, “I am the LORD, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you now lie. / Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and east and north and south. All the families of the earth will be blessed through you and your offspring.

Isaiah 9:6-7
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. / Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from that time and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of Hosts will accomplish this.


Treasury of Scripture

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.

this cause.

Acts 28:17
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 10:29,33
Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me? …

for the.

Acts 23:6
But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question.

Acts 24:15
And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.

See on

Acts 26:6,7
And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers: …

this chain.

Acts 28:16
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.

Acts 26:29
And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds.

Ephesians 3:1
For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,

Ephesians 4:1
I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,

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Account Bound Cause Chain Chains Entreat Hangs Hope Invited Israel Reason Reasons Requested Sake Speak Talk Wearing
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Account Bound Cause Chain Chains Entreat Hangs Hope Invited Israel Reason Reasons Requested Sake Speak Talk Wearing
Acts 28
1. Paul, after his shipwreck, is kindly entertained on Malta.
5. The snake on his hand hurts him not.
8. He heals many diseases in the island.
11. They depart toward Rome.
17. He declares to the Jews the cause of his coming.
24. After his preaching some were persuaded, and some believed not.
30. Yet he preaches there two years.














So for this reason
This phrase indicates a purpose or cause. In the Greek, "διὰ ταύτην οὖν τὴν αἰτίαν" (dia tautēn oun tēn aitian) suggests a direct link to the preceding context. Paul is explaining his actions and motivations. Historically, Paul is under house arrest in Rome, and he is addressing the Jewish leaders to clarify his situation. This phrase sets the stage for understanding Paul's mission and the divine purpose behind his imprisonment.

I have called to see you and speak with you
Paul's initiative to call and speak with the Jewish leaders in Rome demonstrates his unwavering commitment to his mission. The Greek verb "προσκαλέω" (proskaleō) implies an invitation or summons, reflecting Paul's proactive approach. Despite his chains, Paul seeks dialogue, emphasizing the importance of communication and relationship-building in ministry. This reflects the early Christian emphasis on personal witness and the spread of the Gospel through direct engagement.

It is because of the hope of Israel
The "hope of Israel" is a profound theological concept rooted in Jewish eschatology. In Greek, "τὴν ἐλπίδα τοῦ Ἰσραήλ" (tēn elpida tou Israēl) refers to the messianic hope and the fulfillment of God's promises to Israel. Paul identifies this hope with the resurrection of Jesus Christ, which he sees as the fulfillment of Jewish prophecy. This phrase connects Paul's message to the broader narrative of God's covenant with Israel, highlighting continuity between the Old and New Testaments.

that I am bound with this chain
Paul's reference to being "bound with this chain" (Greek: "τῇ ἁλύσει ταύτῃ" tē halysei tautē) is both literal and symbolic. Literally, Paul is under Roman custody, yet he views his imprisonment as part of God's plan. The chain symbolizes the cost of discipleship and the reality of suffering for the sake of the Gospel. Historically, this reflects the early church's experience of persecution and the belief that such trials serve to advance God's kingdom. Paul's chains become a testament to his faith and dedication to the hope of Israel, serving as an inspiration for believers to remain steadfast in their own trials.

(20) For the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.--The mention of "chain" in the singular agrees with the fact stated in Acts 28:30, that he was entrusted to the keeping of a single soldier. There is a certain touch of pathos in this appeal to his sufferings as a prisoner. (Comp. Ephesians 3:1; Ephesians 4:1; Ephesians 6:20.) The hope for which he suffered was two-fold: (1) the expectation of the Messiah as bringing in a kingdom of heaven, which was cherished by every Israelite; (2) the hope of a resurrection from the dead, which he proclaimed as attested by the resurrection which proved (Romans 1:3-4) that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of God. (See Notes on Acts 26:6-7.) . . . Verse 20. - Did I entreat you to see and to speak with me for have I called for you, to see you, and to speak with you, A.V.; for because of for because that for, A.V. To see and to speak with me. Meyer, followed by Alford, rightly prefers the rendering of the A.V. and the margin of the R.V. Παρακαλέω is here in its primary sense of calling any one to come to you, and the two infinitives express the object for which he called them, viz. to see and speak with them. Because of the hope of Israel (see Acts 23:6; Acts 24:14, 15, 21; Acts 26:6, 22, 23). I am bound with this chain (περικεῖμαι). In Mark 9:42 and Luke 17:2 the millstone 'hangs about' (περικεῖται) the neck. But here and Hebrews 5:2 the construction is different, and the subject and the object are reversed. Instead of the chain encompassing Paul, Paul is said to be bound with the chain. (For the chain, see ver. 16, note, and Acts 24:23.) The force of this saying seems to be this, "I have asked you to come to me because this chain which binds me is not a token of a renegade Israelite who has come to Rome to accuse his nation before the heathen master, but of a faithful Israelite, who has endured bondage rather than forsake the hope of his fathers."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
So
οὖν (oun)
Conjunction
Strong's 3767: Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly.

for
διὰ (dia)
Preposition
Strong's 1223: A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through.

this
ταύτην (tautēn)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it.

reason
αἰτίαν (aitian)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 156: From the same as aiteo; a cause, i.e. reason, crime.

I have called
παρεκάλεσα (parekalesa)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 3870: From para and kaleo; to call near, i.e. Invite, invoke.

to see
ἰδεῖν (idein)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 3708: Properly, to stare at, i.e. to discern clearly; by extension, to attend to; by Hebraism, to experience; passively, to appear.

you
ὑμᾶς (hymas)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

speak with [you].
προσλαλῆσαι (proslalēsai)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 4354: To speak to, converse with. From pros and laleo; to talk to, i.e. Converse with.

[It is]
γὰρ (gar)
Conjunction
Strong's 1063: For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.

because of
ἕνεκεν (heneken)
Preposition
Strong's 1752: Or heneken hen'-ek-en or heineken hi'-nek-en; of uncertain affinity; on account of.

the
τῆς (tēs)
Article - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

hope
ἐλπίδος (elpidos)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 1680: Hope, expectation, trust, confidence. From a primary elpo; expectation or confidence.

of Israel
Ἰσραὴλ (Israēl)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2474: Of Hebrew origin; Israel, the adopted name of Jacob, including his descendants.

[that] I am bound with
περίκειμαι (perikeimai)
Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 4029: From peri and keimai; to lie all around, i.e. Inclose, encircle, hamper.

this
ταύτην (tautēn)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it.

chain.”
ἅλυσιν (halysin)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 254: A (light) chain, bond. Of uncertain derivation; a fetter or manacle.


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