Acts 28:21
And they said unto him, We neither received letters out of Judaea concerning thee, neither any of the brethren that came shewed or spake any harm of thee.
Original Language Analysis
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πρὸς
unto
G4314
πρὸς
unto
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
3 of 26
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,
αὐτὸν
him
G846
αὐτὸν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
4 of 26
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
γράμματα
letters
G1121
γράμματα
letters
Strong's:
G1121
Word #:
8 of 26
a writing, i.e., a letter, note, epistle, book, etc.; plural learning
περὶ
concerning
G4012
περὶ
concerning
Strong's:
G4012
Word #:
9 of 26
properly, through (all over), i.e., around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive cas
ἐδεξάμεθα
received
G1209
ἐδεξάμεθα
received
Strong's:
G1209
Word #:
11 of 26
to receive (in various applications, literally or figuratively)
ἀπὸ
out of
G575
ἀπὸ
out of
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
12 of 26
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰουδαίας
Judaea
G2449
Ἰουδαίας
Judaea
Strong's:
G2449
Word #:
14 of 26
the judaean land (i.e., judaea), a region of palestine
παραγενόμενός
that came
G3854
παραγενόμενός
that came
Strong's:
G3854
Word #:
16 of 26
to become near, i.e., approach (have arrived); by implication, to appear publicly
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
18 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀδελφῶν
of the brethren
G80
ἀδελφῶν
of the brethren
Strong's:
G80
Word #:
19 of 26
a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)
Cross References
Isaiah 54:17No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.Isaiah 50:8He is near that justifieth me; who will contend with me? let us stand together: who is mine adversary? let him come near to me.Isaiah 41:11Behold, all they that were incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded: they shall be as nothing; and they that strive with thee shall perish.
Historical Context
Communication between Jerusalem and Rome normally took weeks by ship. The lack of advance warning may indicate Jerusalem's Jewish leaders didn't consider Paul's Roman ministry worth opposing, or divine providence delayed their communications.
Questions for Reflection
- How has God prepared 'fresh starts' for your witness by preventing advance prejudice against you?
- What does this teach about God's control over timing and circumstances in gospel advance?
Analysis & Commentary
We neither received letters out of Judaea concerning thee—The Roman Jews' response reveals surprising ignorance of Paul's case. Their statement—neither any of the brethren that came shewed or spake any harm of thee—indicates Jerusalem's Jewish leaders hadn't poisoned Roman opinion against him. This providential circumstance gave Paul fresh opportunity to present the gospel. The phrase 'any harm' (περί σου πονηρόν) suggests they expected negative reports but received none. God's sovereignty orchestrated this clean slate for Paul's Roman testimony.