God’s Word Translation
Acts 28:20
20That’s why I asked to see you and speak with you. I’m wearing these chains because of what Israel hopes for.”
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
18The Roman authorities cross-examined me and wanted to let me go because I was accused of nothing for which I deserved to die. 19But when the Jews objected, I was forced to appeal my case to the emperor. That doesn’t mean I have any charges to bring against my own people. That’s why I asked to see you and speak with you. I’m wearing these chains because of what Israel hopes for.” 21The Jewish leaders told Paul, “We haven’t received any letters from Judea about you, and no Jewish person who has come to Rome has reported or mentioned anything bad about you. 22However, we would like to hear what you think. We know that everywhere people are talking against this sect.”
Read all of Acts 28Acts 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 28:17After three days Paul invited the most influential Jews in Rome to meet with him. When they assembled, he said to them, “Brothers, I haven’t done anything against the Jewish people or violated the customs handed down by our ancestors. Yet, I’m a prisoner from Jerusalem, and I’ve been handed over to the Roman authorities.
- Acts 10:29That is why I didn’t object to coming here when you sent for me. I want to know why you sent for me.”
- Acts 23:6When Paul saw that some of them were Sadducees and others were Pharisees, he shouted in the council, “Brothers, I’m a Pharisee and a descendant of Pharisees. I’m on trial because I expect that the dead will come back to life.”
- Acts 24:15I hope for the same thing my accusers do, that people with God’s approval and those without it will come back to life.
- Acts 26:6“I’m on trial now because I expect God to keep the promise that he made to our ancestors.
- Acts 28:16After our arrival, Paul was allowed to live by himself, but he had a soldier who guarded him.
- Acts 26:29Paul replied, “I wish to God that you and everyone listening to me today would quickly and completely become as I am (except for being a prisoner).”
- Ephesians 3:1This is the reason I, Paul, am the prisoner of Christ Jesus for those of you who are not Jewish.
- Ephesians 4:1I, a prisoner in the Lord, encourage you to live the kind of life which proves that God has called you.
- Ephesians 6:20Because I have already been doing this as Christ’s representative, I am in prison. So pray that I speak about this Good News as boldly as I have to.
- Philippians 1:13As a result, it has become clear to all the soldiers who guard the emperor and to everyone else that I am in prison because of Christ.
- Colossians 4:18I, Paul, am writing this greeting with my own hand. Remember that I’m a prisoner. God’s good will be with you.
- 2 Timothy 1:10Now with the coming of our Savior Christ Jesus, he has revealed it. Christ has destroyed death, and through the Good News he has brought eternal life into full view.
- 2 Timothy 2:9I’m suffering disgrace for spreading this Good News. I have even been put into prison like a criminal. However, God’s word is not 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
In the dictionaries
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
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
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