Acts 28:20

Acts 28:20 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)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 International Version (NIV)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.”
• English Standard Version (ESV)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."
• New King James Version (NKJV)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.”

Context of Acts 28:20

18After they had interrogated me, they were ready to release me because I was not guilty of any offense deserving death. 19But when the Jews objected [to my release], I was forced to appeal to Caesar (Emperor Nero), not because I had any charge to make against my nation. 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.” 21They said to him, “We have not received [any] letters about you from Judea, nor have any of the [Jewish] brothers come here and reported or said anything bad about you. 22But we would like to hear from you what your views are [that is, exactly what you believe]; for in regard to this sect (Christianity), we are fully aware that it is denounced everywhere.”

Acts 28:20 word by word

διὰ ταύτην οὖν τὴν αἰτίαν παρεκάλεσα ὑμᾶς ἰδεῖν καὶ προσλαλῆσαι· ἕνεκεν γὰρ τῆς ἐλπίδος τοῦ Ἰσραὴλ τὴν ἅλυσιν ταύτην περίκειμαι.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Forδιάdia · through/because ofG1223
• thisοὗτοςhoutos houtoi hautē hautai · this/he/she/itG3778
• causeὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• causeαἰτίαaitia · cause/chargeG156
• thereforeοὖνoun · therefore/thenG3767
• have I calledπαρακαλέωparakaleō · to plead/comfortG3870
• for youσύsu · youG4771
• to seeὁράωhoraō · to see: seeG3708
• andκαίkai · andG2532
• to speak withπροσλαλέωproslaleō · to talk to/withG4354
• because thatἕνεκαheneka heneken heineken · because ofG1752
• forγάρgar · forG1063
• the hopeἐλπίςelpis · hopeG1680
• of IsraelἸσραήλIsraēl · IsraelG2474
• I am bound withπερίκειμαιperikeimai · to surroundG4029
• chainἅλυσιςhalusis · chainG254

Cross-references for Acts 28:20

• Acts 28:17Three days later he called together the leaders of the Jews; and when they had gathered, he said to them, “Kinsmen, though I have done nothing against our people or against the customs of our fathers, yet I was turned over as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.
• Acts 10:29Therefore when I was sent for, I came without raising an objection. So I ask for what reason have you sent for me?”
• Acts 23:6But recognizing that one group were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, Paul began affirming loudly in the Council chamber, “Kinsmen, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees; I am on trial for the hope and resurrection of the dead!”
• Acts 24:15having [the same] hope in God which these men cherish themselves, that there shall certainly be a resurrection of [the dead], both of the righteous and of the wicked.
• Acts 26:6And now I am standing trial for the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers.
• Acts 28:16When we entered Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself [in rented quarters] with the soldier who was guarding him.
• Acts 26:29And Paul replied, “Whether in a short time or long, I wish to God that not only you, but also all who hear me today, might become such as I am, except for these chains.”
• Ephesians 3:1For this reason [because I preach that you and believing Jews are joint heirs] I, Paul, am the prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles—
• Ephesians 4:1So I, the prisoner for the Lord, appeal to you to live a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called [that is, to live a life that exhibits godly character, moral courage, personal integrity, and mature behavior—a life that expresses gratitude to God for your salvation],
• Ephesians 6:20for which I am an ambassador in chains. And pray that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly and courageously, as I should.
• Philippians 1:13My imprisonment in [the cause of] Christ has become common knowledge throughout the whole praetorian (imperial) guard and to everyone else.
• Colossians 4:18I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. May grace (God’s unmerited favor and blessing) be with you.
• 2 Timothy 1:10but now [that extraordinary purpose and grace] has been fully disclosed and realized by us through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus who [through His incarnation and earthly ministry] abolished death [making it null and void] and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,
• 2 Timothy 2:9for that [gospel] I am suffering even to [the point of] wearing chains like a criminal; but the word of God is not chained or imprisoned!

Commentaries on Acts 28:20

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 20For the hope of Israel I am bound, etc. - As if he had said: This, and this alone, is the cause of my being delivered into the hands of the Romans; I have proclaimed Jesus as the Messiah; have maintained that though he was crucified by the Jews, yet he rose again from the dead; and, through him, I have preached the general resurrection of mankind: this all Israel professes to hope for; and yet it is on this account that the Jews persecute me. Both the…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 20Because that for the hope of Israel - On account of the hope which the Jews cherish of the coming of the Messiah; of the resurrection; and of the future state. See this explained in the notes on Acts 23:6. I am bound with this chain - See the notes on Acts 26:29. Probably he was attached constantly to a soldier by a chain.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 17-22Verses 17-22 It was for the honour of Paul that those who examined his case, acquitted him. In his appeal he sought not to accuse his nation, but only to clear himself. True Christianity settles what is of common concern to all mankind, and is not built upon narrow opinions and private interests. It aims at no worldly benefit or advantage, but all its gains are spiritual and eternal. It is, and always has been, the lot of Christ's holy religion, to be…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 17-20Paul knew that the gospel should be shared with the Jews first (13:46; Romans 1:16). He was also concerned that false charges against him might have already reached Rome. So he called together the local Jewish leaders and explained his life and work. He insisted that he had not committed any crime. But strong opposition from other Jews had forced him to appeal to the emperor. Paul said he had nothing against his own people. Instead, he wanted to explain…Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 17-2017-20. Paul called the chief of the Jews together--Though banished from the capital by Claudius, the Jews enjoyed the full benefit of the toleration which distinguished the first period of Nero's reign, and were at this time in considerable numbers, wealth, and influence settled at Rome. We have seen that long before this a flourishing Christian Church existed at Rome, to which Paul wrote his Epistle (see on Ac 20:3), and the first members of which were…Read the comment

Topics related to Acts 28:20

• Chains
• Hope
• Paul

In the dictionaries

• Israel
• Israel, Israelites
• Jacob, Israel
• Attain
• Chain
• Compass
• Concern
• Confidence
• Constrain
• Escape

Commentaries on Acts 28

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on Acts
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings