Acts 28:17-22 Meaning: Why Paul Defends Himself to Rome's Jews
17After three days Paul called together those who were the leaders of the Jews. When they had come together, he said to them, “I, brothers, though I had done nothing against the people or the customs of our fathers, still was delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans,
18who, when they had examined me, desired to set me free, because there was no cause of death in me.
19But when the Jews spoke against it, I was constrained to appeal to Caesar, not that I had anything about which to accuse my nation.
20For this cause therefore I asked to see you and to speak with you. For because of the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.”
21They said to him, “We neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor did any of the brothers come here and report or speak any evil of you.
22But we desire to hear from you what you think. For, as concerning this sect, it is known to us that everywhere it is spoken against.”
17And 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.
18Who, when they had examined me, would have let me go, because there was no cause of death in me.
19But when the Jews spake against it, I was constrained to appeal unto Cesar; not that I had ought to accuse my nation of.
20For 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.
21And they said unto him, We neither received letters out of Judea concerning thee, neither any of the brethren that came shewed or spake any harm of thee.
22But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, we know that every where it is spoken against.
17And it came to pass, that after three days he called together those that were the chief of the Jews: and when they were come together, he said unto them, I, brethren, though I had done nothing against the people, or the customs of our fathers, yet was delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans:
18who, when they had examined me, desired to set me at liberty, because there was no cause of death in me.
19But when the Jews spake against it, I was constrained to appeal unto Cæsar; not that I had aught whereof to accuse my nation.
20For this cause therefore did I entreat you to see and to speak with me: for because of the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.
21And they said unto him, We neither received letters from Judæa concerning thee, nor did any of the brethren come hither and report or speak any harm of thee.
22But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, it is known to us that everywhere it is spoken against.
17And it came to pass after three days, Paul called together those who are the principal men of the Jews, and they having come together, he said unto them: `Men, brethren, I--having done nothing contrary to the people, or to the customs of the fathers--a prisoner from Jerusalem, was delivered up to the hands of the Romans;
18who, having examined me, were wishing to release me , because of their being no cause of death in me,
19and the Jews having spoken against it , I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar--not as having anything to accuse my nation of;
20for this cause, therefore, I called for you to see and to speak with you , for because of the hope of Israel with this chain I am bound.'
21And they said unto him, `We did neither receive letters concerning thee from Judea, nor did any one who came of the brethren declare or speak any evil concerning thee,
22and we think it good from thee to hear what thou dost think, for, indeed, concerning this sect it is known to us that everywhere it is spoken against;'
17And it came to pass after three days, that he called together those who were the chief of the Jews; and when they had come together he said to them, Brethren, I having done nothing against the people or the customs of our forefathers, have been delivered a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans,
18who having examined me were minded to let me go, because there was nothing worthy of death in me.
19But the Jews speaking against it, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar, not as having anything to accuse my nation of.
20For this cause therefore I have called you to [me] to see and to speak to you; for on account of the hope of Israel I have this chain about me.
21And they said to him, For our part, we have neither received letters from Judaea concerning thee, nor has any one of the brethren who has arrived reported or said anything evil concerning thee.
22But we beg to hear of thee what thou thinkest, for as concerning this sect it is known to us that it is everywhere spoken against.
Meaning in one sentence
Paul calls Jewish leaders in Rome to explain his chains are for 'the hope of Israel.' Read what this means for us today.
Context
Paul has finally reached Rome, the city he longed to see. Three days after his arrival, still under guard with a chain on his wrist, he sends for the leading Jews of the city. He knows his reputation has preceded him, stories of a troublemaker who stirs up conflict everywhere. So he speaks first. He tells them plainly: he has done nothing against his people or the customs of their ancestors. The Romans examined him and wanted to set him free. But when the Jewish authorities in Jerusalem objected, Paul was forced to appeal to Caesar, not to accuse his own nation, but to save his own life. Then he delivers the real reason for this meeting: his chains are for the hope of Israel. The Jewish leaders respond with surprise. They have received no letters from Judea about him, and no one has spoken badly of him. But they have heard about "this sect", the Christians, and they know it is spoken against everywhere. They want to hear what Paul thinks.
Key Words
Three Greek words carry the weight of this scene. The first is elpis, "hope." In verse 20, Paul says he is bound because of the elpis of Israel. This word does not mean a vague wish. It means a joyful, confident expectation of something certain: the Messiah, the resurrection, the kingdom God promised. Paul sees his chains not as a defeat but as the price of standing on that sure hope.
The second word is halusis, "chain", paired with the verb perikeimai, which means "to lie around" or "to be compassed with." The chain is not just a decoration; it wraps around him, a constant physical reminder of his imprisonment. But Paul turns it into a symbol: this very chain testifies to Israel's hope.
The third word is antilegetai (from antilegō), meaning "it is spoken against." The Jewish leaders use it in verse 22 to describe how the Christian message is contradicted everywhere. The same word was used of Jesus Himself. Being spoken against does not prove a cause is wrong. Sometimes it proves you are touching something real.
How Christians Read This Verse
Commentators across traditions have admired Paul's approach here. John Calvin (Reformed) highlights Paul's remarkable restraint: despite suffering cruel injuries from his nation, he still seeks to win the Roman Jews gently, not to inflame them. Matthew Henry (Reformed/Presbyterian) notes that Paul "must call his own cause", no one appears to prosecute him, so he takes the initiative to explain himself. The Cambridge Bible (Anglican) points out that the Jewish leaders' claim to have received no letters from Judea may reflect a practical reality: no ship from Judea had arrived before Paul's ship, and the Jewish authorities may have simply given up pressing charges. Adam Clarke (Methodist) sees God's providence in the silence of the Jewish leaders back home. Different traditions read the Jewish leaders' openness as either genuine curiosity or a cautious first step. What they share is the recognition that Paul seizes a moment of calm to re-center the conversation on the hope that Israel has always carried.
A common misunderstanding
A common mistake is to think Paul is defending himself because he feels ashamed of his chains or afraid of the Jewish leaders' opposition. In fact, Paul does the opposite: he lifts up his chains as the very evidence of his faithfulness. He does not say, "I am here by mistake." He says, "Because of the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain." He reinterprets his suffering as a testimony to the same promise his listeners cherish.
Living This Out
You may find yourself in a situation where others have heard bad things about your faith, maybe from the news, from a coworker, or from family who just don't understand. Paul shows you how to respond. He does not lash out. He does not defend himself by attacking others. He first clears the air about his conduct, then calmly points to the hope that drives him. This week, when someone questions your beliefs, you can try Paul's way: answer briefly and clearly, then name the hope you carry. You do not need to win an argument. You only need to show that hope is not a theory, it is the reason you keep going, even when life is hard.
Main takeaway: The hope of Israel is so certain that Paul wore chains for it and still called the leaders to hear more.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
Paul was in Rome with a chain on his arm. He told the leaders, "I am wearing this chain because I believe God's promises." He was not afraid to tell people why he believed.
For ages 9, 12
Paul had been through a shipwreck and a long journey, yet three days after arriving in Rome, he called the Jewish leaders together. He wanted to explain why he was a prisoner. He could have complained or blamed others, but instead he connected his chains to the hope of Israel, the same hope that said God would send a Savior. When people misunderstand your faith, you can follow Paul's example: stay calm, tell the truth, and point to the hope that keeps you going.
Questions People Ask
Why did Paul call the Jewish leaders in Rome so soon after arriving?
Paul wanted to explain his situation before rumors could damage his witness. He also wanted to share the gospel with them. He knew that the Jewish leaders had influence, and if they understood his true story, they might be open to the message about Jesus.
What did Paul mean by 'the hope of Israel'?
The phrase refers to the central promises of the Old Testament: the coming of the Messiah, the resurrection of the dead, and the restoration of God's kingdom. Paul saw Jesus as the fulfillment of all those hopes, and he was willing to suffer for that conviction.
Why had the Jewish leaders in Rome not received any letters or reports about Paul?
This surprised even the commentators. It may be that no ship had arrived from Judea after Paul's departure, or that the Jewish authorities in Jerusalem gave up pursuing the case. Some see God's hand in this: Paul had a fair hearing because his opponents had not poisoned the well beforehand.
What does it mean that the Christian 'sect' was spoken against everywhere?
The word translated 'sect' is hairesis, which could mean a party or school of thought. It was not necessarily an insult, though it often carried that tone. The Jewish leaders acknowledged that Christians were widely criticized, especially by Jews. Paul would later show them that this opposition did not prove the message false, it was foreseen by the prophets.
How does this passage apply to Christians who face misunderstanding today?
Paul models a posture of gentleness and clarity. He does not become defensive or angry. He tells his story honestly, then connects it to the hope he lives for. Christians today can do the same: listen to others' concerns, explain your own position simply, and always point back to the hope you have in Christ, even when that hope costs you something.
For pastors & researchers
Greek interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study