Acts 28:29
And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great reasoning among themselves.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 12
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αὐτοῦ
G846
αὐτοῦ
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
3 of 12
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
ἀπῆλθον
departed
G565
ἀπῆλθον
departed
Strong's:
G565
Word #:
5 of 12
to go off (i.e., depart), aside (i.e., apart) or behind (i.e., follow), literally or figuratively
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 12
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πολλὴν
great
G4183
πολλὴν
great
Strong's:
G4183
Word #:
8 of 12
(singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely
ἔχοντες
and had
G2192
ἔχοντες
and had
Strong's:
G2192
Word #:
9 of 12
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio
Historical Context
Paul's two-year Roman house arrest (c. AD 60-62) allowed him to receive visitors freely. Jewish leaders in Rome, unfamiliar with Paul personally, came to hear him (28:17-22). Paul's message that the Messiah had come, been rejected by Jewish leaders, and offered salvation to Gentiles, challenged core Jewish identity. The departure 'with great reasoning' reflects the painful division Christianity caused in synagogues throughout the empire—families split, friendships broken, communities fractured over the question: Is Jesus the Messiah? This pattern continues; the gospel remains divisive (Matthew 10:34-36, Luke 12:51-53).
Questions for Reflection
- How does the 'great reasoning' among the Jews illustrate that the gospel forces decision—neutrality is impossible when confronted with Jesus's claims?
- What does this verse teach about the cost of gospel proclamation—even necessary truth can fracture communities and relationships?
- In what ways have you experienced division or debate when sharing the gospel, and how do you balance truth-telling with maintaining relationships?
Analysis & Commentary
And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great reasoning among themselves—This verse appears in the Textus Receptus but is absent from most early manuscripts (Alexandrian text type), leading many modern translations to omit it or bracket it. The KJV includes it: after Paul quotes Isaiah 6:9-10 about Israel's hardness (28:26-27), the Jewish community exits with πολλὴν συζήτησιν (pollēn syzētēsin, 'much debate, discussion') ἐν ἑαυτοῖς (en heautois, 'among themselves').
If original, the verse emphasizes division within the Jewish community over Paul's message—some convicted, others hardened. It parallels earlier scenes where Paul's preaching split Jewish audiences (13:45, 14:4, 17:4-5, 18:6). The great reasoning suggests intense theological debate about whether Jesus is Messiah and whether judgment has come upon Israel for rejecting Him. Even if textually uncertain, the verse reflects the historical reality: Paul's message created crisis within Judaism, forcing decision about Jesus's identity.