Acts 28:21

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

Acts 28:21 (KJV)

Context

Acts 28 concludes the book of Acts, which records the spread of the early Christian Church. The apostle Paul, a prisoner awaiting trial before Caesar, is in Rome. While there he summons the Jewish leaders in order to explain his situation and to share the message of the Gospel.

Meaning

The Jewish leaders respond that they have not received any letters from Judea concerning Paul, nor have they heard any report of harm spoken against him by the brethren who have come to Rome. Their reply indicates that no formal accusations have been communicated from Judea to Rome. This does not mean that Paul was without accusation in Judea; Acts 24 records specific charges made against him there. The lack of prior communication, however, suggests that the Roman Jewish leaders were unaware of those charges, giving Paul the opportunity to present his case directly.

Paul’s statement demonstrates his willingness to engage with the Jewish leaders, seeking a fair hearing and defending his actions. His initiative reflects a persistent focus on proclaiming the Gospel despite the adversity of imprisonment and trial. The absence of negative reports from the brethren who arrived in Rome may also point to a lack of concrete evidence or substantive concerns against him, highlighting the religious and political divisions that existed within the Jewish community regarding the acceptance of Christianity.

Biblical connections

This response is significant because Paul had been accused by Jewish leaders in Judea and had appealed to Caesar, leading to his journey to Rome as a prisoner. The absence of formal accusations or negative reports from Judea suggests that the Jewish authorities in Jerusalem had not pursued their case against Paul before the Roman authorities in the capital. Commentators note that this may indicate they regarded their cause as hopeless, given that Paul had been acquitted successively by Lysias, Felix, Festus, and Agrippa.

Application

The Jewish leaders in Rome express ignorance of Paul’s situation, which opens the door for him to present his defense and the gospel message. Their response also sets the stage for the following verse, where they express a desire to hear Paul’s views, noting that this ‘sect’ is spoken against everywhere. This verse highlights the providence of God in Paul’s circumstances, as the lack of formal charges allows him to continue his witness in Rome. The immediate context shows Paul’s commitment to explaining his hope in Christ, even while bound with a chain.

Reflection

Overall, this interaction underscores the complex relationship between Jewish communities in different regions and emphasizes Paul’s commitment to sharing the Gospel with both Jews and Gentiles, even while facing legal and social opposition.