Acts 28:17-22 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 to them… Note — I. HIS ADDRESS. In justifying himself he states — 1. That his captivity was not due to any crime against Israel or its religious customs. 2. That he had been compelled to appeal to Caesar through the protest of the Jews against his liberation, although the Roman authorities judged that liberation to be just. 3. That his object in appealing to Caesar was not to bring any charge against the Jews, but simply for his own protection. 4. That it was only on account of the Messianic hope of Israel that he was a prisoner and wished to have an interview with them. II. THEIR REPLY. Note — 1. Their avowal of ignorance of the whole matter. This may seem strange, but it must be remembered that intercourse between Rome and Judaea was frequently interrupted by the disorders of the times. 2. Their desire for information respecting the unpopular sect. says: "The Jews of Jerusalem sent messengers to their brethren in every part of the world to prejudice them against the disciples of Christ." These men had heard of the sect, but every word that came to their ears was loaded with reproach. This was what Simeon had predicted. (D. Thomas, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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. |
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