Acts 28:25
And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers,
Original Language Analysis
πρὸς
among
G4314
πρὸς
among
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
4 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,
ἀπελύοντο
they departed
G630
ἀπελύοντο
they departed
Strong's:
G630
Word #:
6 of 26
to free fully, i.e., (literally) relieve, release, dismiss (reflexively, depart), or (figuratively) let die, pardon or (specially) divorce
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Παύλου
after that Paul
G3972
Παύλου
after that Paul
Strong's:
G3972
Word #:
9 of 26
(little; but remotely from a derivative of g3973, meaning the same); paulus, the name of a roman and of an apostle
ῥῆμα
word
G4487
ῥῆμα
word
Strong's:
G4487
Word #:
10 of 26
an utterance (individually, collectively or specially),; by implication, a matter or topic (especially of narration, command or dispute); with a negat
ὅτι
G3754
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πνεῦμα
Ghost
G4151
πνεῦμα
Ghost
Strong's:
G4151
Word #:
15 of 26
a current of air, i.e., breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e., (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital prin
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἅγιον
the Holy
G40
ἅγιον
the Holy
Strong's:
G40
Word #:
17 of 26
sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated)
διὰ
by
G1223
διὰ
by
Strong's:
G1223
Word #:
19 of 26
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
21 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
προφήτου
the prophet
G4396
προφήτου
the prophet
Strong's:
G4396
Word #:
22 of 26
a foreteller ("prophet"); by analogy, an inspired speaker; by extension, a poet
πρὸς
among
G4314
πρὸς
among
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
23 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,
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
24 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Matthew 15:7Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying,Mark 7:6He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.2 Peter 1:21For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
Historical Context
Rome, AD 60-62, during Paul's house arrest awaiting trial before Nero. Jewish leaders came to Paul's rented quarters (28:23) where he testified about Jesus from morning till evening. Their divided response fulfills the pattern throughout Acts: the gospel divides hearers, causing either saving faith or hardened rejection.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Paul's use of Isaiah 6 explain continuing Jewish unbelief without denying God's sovereignty or covenant faithfulness?
- When have you witnessed the gospel creating sharp division rather than neutral indifference among hearers?
Analysis & Commentary
When they agreed not among themselves (ἀσύμφωνοι ὄντες πρὸς ἀλλήλους)—The Greek 'asymphonoi' (un-harmonious) describes discord among Paul's Jewish hearers after his gospel presentation. As throughout Acts, Jewish response to Jesus divides audiences. Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias—Paul attributes Isaiah's prophecy (6:9-10) directly to the Holy Spirit (τὸ πνεῦμα τὸ ἅγιον), affirming Scripture's divine authorship. The adverb 'well' (καλῶς) means rightly, accurately, fittingly.
This concludes Acts' repeated pattern: Paul preaches in synagogues, some believe, others reject, he turns to Gentiles (13:46, 18:6, 28:28). The Isaiah quotation Jesus himself used (Matthew 13:14-15) explains Israel's unbelief as fulfillment of prophecy, not divine failure. God predicted through Isaiah that many would hear without understanding—judicial hardening following persistent rejection.