Acts 28:17

Authorized King James Version

And it came to pass, that after three days Paul called the chief of the Jews together: and when they were come together, he said unto them, Men and brethren, though I have committed nothing against the people, or customs of our fathers, yet was I delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
Ἐγένετο
it came to pass
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
#2
δὲ
And
but, and, etc
#3
μετὰ
that after
properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)
#4
ἡμέρας
days
day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of
#5
τρεῖς
three
"three"
#6
συγκαλέσασθαι
called
to convoke
#7
τὸν
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#8
Παῦλον
Paul
(little; but remotely from a derivative of g3973, meaning the same); paulus, the name of a roman and of an apostle
#9
τοὺς
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#10
ὄντας
being
#11
τῶν
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#12
Ἰουδαίων
of the Jews
judaean, i.e., belonging to jehudah
#13
πρώτους·
the chief
foremost (in time, place, order or importance)
#14
συνελθόντων
were come together
to convene, depart in company with, associate with, or (specially), cohabit (conjugally)
#15
δὲ
And
but, and, etc
#16
αὐτούς
them
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
#17
ἔλεγεν
he said
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
#18
πρὸς
unto
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
#19
αὐτούς
them
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
#20
ἄνδρες
Men
a man (properly as an individual male)
#21
ἀδελφοί
G80
and brethren
a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)
#22
Ἐγώ
though I
i, me
#23
οὐδὲν
nothing
not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e., none, nobody, nothing
#24
ἐναντίον
against
opposite; figuratively, antagonistic
#25
ποιήσας
have committed
to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)
#26
τῷ
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#27
λαῷ
the people
a people (in general; thus differing from g1218, which denotes one's own populace)
#28
or
disjunctive, or; comparative, than
#29
τοῖς
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#30
ἔθεσιν
customs
a usage (prescribed by habit or law)
#31
τοῖς
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#32
πατρῴοις
of our fathers
paternal, i.e., hereditary
#33
δέσμιος
prisoner
a captive (as bound)
#34
ἐξ
from
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
#35
Ἱεροσολύμων
Jerusalem
hierosolyma (i.e., jerushalaim), the capitol of palestine
#36
παρεδόθην
yet was I delivered
to surrender, i.e yield up, entrust, transmit
#37
εἰς
into
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
#38
τὰς
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#39
χεῖρας
the hands
the hand (literally or figuratively (power); especially (by hebraism) a means or instrument)
#40
τῶν
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#41
Ῥωμαίων
of the Romans
romaean, i.e., roman (as noun)

Analysis

Within the broader context of Acts, this passage highlights salvation through simile or metaphorical language. The theological weight of covenant community connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about covenant community, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by building upon previous themes while advancing the overall message of Acts.

Historical Context

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood covenant community. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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