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

18The Romans tried me and wanted to release me, because they found no cause for the death sentence. 19But when the Jewish leaders protested the decision, I felt it necessary to appeal to Caesar, even though I had no desire to press charges against my own people. I asked you to come here today so we could get acquainted and so I could explain to you that I am bound with this chain because I believe that the hope of Israel—the Messiah—has already come.” 21They replied, “We have had no letters from Judea or reports against you from anyone who has come here. 22But we want to hear what you believe, for the only thing we know about this movement is 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 after Paul’s arrival, he called together the local Jewish leaders. He said to them, “Brothers, I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Roman government, even though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our ancestors.
• Acts 10:29So I came without objection as soon as I was sent for. Now tell me why you sent for me.”
• Acts 23:6Paul realized that some members of the high council were Sadducees and some were Pharisees, so he shouted, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, as were my ancestors! And I am on trial because my hope is in the resurrection of the dead!”
• Acts 24:15I have the same hope in God that these men have, that he will raise both the righteous and the unrighteous.
• Acts 26:6Now I am on trial because of my hope in the fulfillment of God’s promise made to our ancestors.
• Acts 28:16When we arrived in Rome, Paul was permitted to have his own private lodging, though he was guarded by a soldier.
• Acts 26:29Paul replied, “Whether quickly or not, I pray to God that both you and everyone here in this audience might become the same as I am, except for these chains.”
• Ephesians 3:1When I think of all this, I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus for the benefit of you Gentiles . . .
• Ephesians 4:1Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God.
• Ephesians 6:20I am in chains now, still preaching this message as God’s ambassador. So pray that I will keep on speaking boldly for him, as I should.
• Philippians 1:13For everyone here, including the whole palace guard, knows that I am in chains because of Christ.
• Colossians 4:18Here is my greeting in my own handwriting—Paul. Remember my chains. May God’s grace be with you.
• 2 Timothy 1:10And now he has made all of this plain to us by the appearing of Christ Jesus, our Savior. He broke the power of death and illuminated the way to life and immortality through the Good News.
• 2 Timothy 2:9And because I preach this Good News, I am suffering and have been chained like a criminal. But the word of God cannot be chained.

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