Acts 28:17-22 – Paul meeting with the Jews in Rome

Having met with the brethren Paul now turned to the leaders of the Jews. This took place three days later. In his ministry, Paul had always gone to the Jews first before he turned to the Gentiles. Here he felt that it was needful to let the Jews know about his predicament. He maintained his innocence. Although he did nothing wrong to the Jewish law or customs, yet they laid hold of him in Jerusalem, as if he was a prisoner, and handed him to the Romans. Paul did not include the part that they tried to stone him to death to avoid being critical of the Jews.

He asserted that the Roman authorities who examined him, all found him not guilty of the accusations brought against him. When they wanted to release him, the Jews objected. They were resolved not to release him but instead sought to bring him from Caesarea to Jerusalem for trial. Knowing their intention to kill him, Paul then used his Roman citizenship and appealed to Caesar. Having revealed his reason for being in Rome in chains, the apostle went on to point out the chains and bonds he bore was for the sake of the true hope of Israel. Paul was referring to Jesus of Nazareth, Israel’s promised Messiah and His fulfilment of their true hope. 

The Jews in Rome, however, responded by saying that they did not receive any news about Paul. They did not have any letter sent from Jerusalem with negative report about him. And neither did they received any one from Jerusalem conveying undesirable news about him. So they wanted to hear Paul out to know his view. They were familiar with Christianity as a sect that was spoken against everywhere. So they appointed a day to hear him out.

Despite all that Paul went through, he bore no grudge against the Jews. He was not interested in arguments, he was more concerned about the hope of Israel. He set his mind on the course and his eyes on the mission. It must be noted that Paul did not do what he did to prove his heroism. Whatever he went through he only wanted to show God’s faithfulness and His fidelity to all that He had promised. It is this same faithful God whom we serve today. Therefore, with Paul, let us live our lives by the integrity and faithfulness of Him who loves us and gave Himself for us.