Acts 28:23 · Bible study
Acts 28:23 Commentary: Paul's All-Day Argument from the Scriptures
Greek · 9 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
How Paul used the Law and Prophets to persuade Jews about Jesus and the Kingdom, from morning to evening.
Research Summary
- Meaning: Paul spends a full day using the Law and Prophets to explain the kingdom of God and persuade his hearers that Jesus is the Messiah.
- Key words: expounded (ἐξετίθετο, imperfect continuous), testifying (διαμαρτυρόμενος, solemn witness), persuading (πείθων, present participle, sustained effort), kingdom (βασιλεία), law (νόμος), prophets (προφῆται).
- Main debate: How the kingdom of God was understood, as a spiritual reign or a restored earthly throne. Paul corrects political expectations; commentators agree he taught a spiritual kingdom.
- Theological theme: The unity of Scripture: the Law and Prophets consistently point to Jesus and the kingdom of God.
- Best use: A model for Scripture-grounded, patient evangelism and a reminder that the Old Testament is essential for understanding the gospel.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
So they set a day to meet with Paul, and many people came to the place he was staying. He expounded to them from morning to evening, testifying about the kingdom of God and persuading them about Jesus from the Law of Moses and the Prophets.
WEB World English Bible 2000
When they had appointed him a day, many people came to him at his lodging. He explained to them, testifying about God’s Kingdom, and persuading them concerning Jesus, both from the law of Moses and from the prophets, from morning until evening.
KJV King James Version 1769
And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
And when they had appointed him a day, they came to him into his lodging in great number; to whom he expounded the matter, testifying the kingdom of God, and persuading them concerning Jesus, both from the law of Moses and from the prophets, from morning till evening.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
and having appointed him a day, they came, more of them unto him, to the lodging, to whom he was expounding, testifying fully the reign of God, persuading them also of the things concerning Jesus, both from the law of Moses, and the prophets, from morning till evening,
Darby Darby Bible 1890
And having appointed him a day many came to him to the lodging, to whom he expounded, testifying of the kingdom of God, and persuading them concerning Jesus, both from the law of Moses and the prophets, from early morning to evening.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
And when they had appointed him a day, there came very many to him unto his lodgings. To whom he expounded, testifying the kingdom of God and persuading them concerning Jesus, out of the law of Moses and the prophets, from morning until evening.
Translations in other languages (10 available)
Y habiéndole señalado un día, vinieron á él muchos á la posada, á los cuales declaraba y testificaba el reino de Dios, persuadiéndoles|strong="G3982, G0846" lo concerniente á Jesús, por la ley de Moisés y por los profetas, desde la mañana hasta la tarde.
E tendo eles lhe determinado um dia, muitos vieram até onde ele estava morando; aos quais ele declarava e dava testemunho do Reino de Deus; e procurava persuadi-los quanto a Jesus, tanto pela Lei de Moisés, como pelos profetas, desde a manhã até a tarde.
Ils lui fixèrent un jour, et plusieurs vinrent le trouver dans son logis. Paul leur annonça le royaume de Dieu, en rendant témoignage, et en cherchant, par la loi de Moïse et par les prophètes, à les persuader de ce qui concerne Jésus. L’entretien dura depuis le matin jusqu’ au soir.
Und da sie ihm einen Tag bestimmt hatten, kamen viele zu ihm in die Herberge, welchen er auslegte und bezeugte das Reich Gottes; und er predigte ihnen von Jesus aus dem Gesetz Mose' s und aus den Propheten von frühmorgens an bis an den Abend.
En als zij hem een dag gesteld hadden, kwamen er velen in zijn woonplaats; denwelken hij het Koninkrijk Gods uitlegde, en betuigde, en poogde hen te bewegen tot het geloof in Jezus, beide uit de wet van Mozes en de profeten, van des morgens vroeg tot den avond toe.
E avendogli fissato un giorno, vennero a lui nel suo alloggio in gran numero; ed egli da mane a sera esponeva loro le cose, testimoniando del regno di Dio e persuadendoli di quel che concerne Gesù, con la legge di Mosè e coi profeti.
A postanowiwszy mu dzień, przyszło ich do niego do gospody niemało, którym z doświadczeniem wykładał królestwo Boże, namawiając ich do tych rzeczy, które są o Jezusie, z zakonu Mojżeszowego i z proroków, od poranku aż do wieczora.
И, назначив ему день, очень многие пришли к нему в гостиницу; и он от утра до вечера излагал им учение о Царствии Божием, приводя свидетельства и удостоверяя их о Иисусе из закона Моисеева и пророков.
他們和保羅 約定了 日子，就有許多 人到 他 的寓處 來。保羅從 早 到 晚，對他們 講論這事，證明 神 國的道， 引 摩西 的律法 和 先知的書， 以 耶穌 的事勸勉 他們。
And when a day had been fixed, they came to his house in great numbers; and he gave them teaching, giving witness to the kingdom of God, and having discussions with them about Jesus, from the law of Moses and from the prophets, from morning till evening.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Koine Greek)
New Testament · Koine Greek · Acts 28:23
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators across traditions agree that Acts 28:23 captures Paul's sustained, Scripture-based appeal to the Jewish community in Rome. Adam Clarke explains that Paul showed the Messiah's reign was spiritual, not political, and that the recently crucified Jesus was that Messiah. Albert Barnes emphasizes the method: Paul 'expounded and testified' the kingdom of God, then 'persuaded them concerning Jesus' by drawing proofs from the Law and the Prophets. The Cambridge Bible notes that the comparative 'many' (πλείονες, pleiones) indicates a larger crowd than the earlier deputation. Gill's Exposition observes that Paul 'expounded the Scriptures' just as Christ did on the Emmaus road (Luke 24:27). John Wesley adds that Paul had as much need to persuade as to convince, because the will resisted as strongly as the understanding. All see the all-day session as a model of patient, Scripture-grounded witness to Christ.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Low
What is clear: Paul spent a full day explaining from the Law and Prophets that Jesus is the Messiah and that the kingdom of God is a present, spiritual reality.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Nature of the kingdom of God | Paul taught that the kingdom is a present, spiritual reality inaugurated by Jesus. | Some Jewish listeners expected a political, national restoration; Paul's emphasis on a spiritual reign corrected that hope. |
| Use of the Law and Prophets | Both Paul and his audience accepted these as authoritative Scripture pointing to the Messiah. | Christians have differed on whether Paul used direct prophecy-fulfillment arguments or typological interpretation; both approaches are present in the commentary tradition. |
| Paul's method of persuasion | Paul reasoned from the Scriptures continuously, aiming to both convince the mind and move the will. | Some see this as apologetics (defending the faith), others as evangelistic proclamation; the two are not mutually exclusive. |
| Setting: lodging or hired house? | Paul received visitors in a residence while under guard. | The Greek ξενία (xenia) suggests a guest room, possibly a friend's home, whereas Acts 28:30 mentions his own hired house; commentators disagree on whether this was the same location. |
| Outcome of the meeting | The response was divided: some believed, others did not. | Interpreters evaluate the success differently: some stress the positive response as a sign of gospel advance; others focus on the rejection that led Paul to turn to the Gentiles (v.28). |
Historical & Cultural Context
Paul was under house arrest in Rome, chained to a guard but allowed to receive visitors (Acts 28:16, 20). The Jewish leaders had expressed cautious curiosity about 'this sect,' noting that it was spoken against everywhere (v. 22). They appointed a day (ταξάμενοι ἡμέραν), the middle voice suggests they arranged it for themselves, indicating genuine interest. The Greek word for lodging, ξενία (xenia), means a guest room, likely the home of Christian friends (compare Philemon 22; Jamieson-Fausset-Brown suggests Aquila and Priscilla), not the hired house of verse 30.
On that day, 'many came', the comparative πλείονες (pleiones) implies a larger number than the first group. Paul 'expounded' (ἐξετίθετο, imperfect tense, he was laying out, explaining continuously) and 'testifying fully' (διαμαρτυρόμενος, present participle, a solemn, ongoing witness) about the kingdom of God. He was 'persuading them' (πείθων, present participle, sustained effort to convince) concerning Jesus. His source was 'the law of Moses and the prophets', the entire Hebrew Scripture. The time span 'from morning until evening' shows an entire day devoted to this work.
This scene echoes Jesus' own method: on the Emmaus road he 'beginning from Moses and from all the prophets, explained to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself' (Luke 24:27). Paul's approach mirrors his practice elsewhere (Acts 17:2, 3; 18:4). The setting is the climax of Acts: the gospel reaches Rome, and the Scriptures themselves are the foundation of the apostolic appeal.
Textual Notes
The supplied sources note no significant textual variants for Acts 28:23. The Greek text is stable across the major manuscript traditions.
Reception History
In early church tradition, Acts 28:23 was read as a model for apostolic preaching that tied the Old Testament to Christ. Augustine cited it to show that the Law and Prophets bear witness to the gospel. Medieval commentators saw it as a pattern for clergy to instruct from the whole Bible. During the Reformation, both Catholic and Protestant interpreters emphasized that Paul's method proved Scripture's unity, a counter to those who dismissed the Old Testament. John Calvin used the verse to argue that faithful preaching requires sustained engagement with the text. In modern mission contexts, the passage has been used to encourage patient, Scripture-heavy witness among people groups unfamiliar with the gospel.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- Appointment made. Paul's hearers set a day to return and listen, an openness that preachers can pray for.
- Christ from the whole Bible. Paul expounded the kingdom of God and persuaded them about Jesus from the Law and the Prophets, showing the unity of Scripture.
- Patient persistence. He spoke from morning till evening, modelling endurance in witness.
Five-point outline
- A day appointed for serious inquiry.
- A larger crowd than before, many came.
- Expounding the kingdom of God as a present spiritual reality, not a political one.
- Persuading from the Law and the Prophets that Jesus is the Messiah.
- From morning till evening: sustained, patient engagement.
Illustration hooks
- A teacher staying after class for hours with a student who wants to understand a difficult topic.
- A pastor spending a full day with a sceptic who came ready to argue but stayed to listen.
- A long conversation about faith that begins at breakfast and stretches through the afternoon.
Questions your congregation is asking
- Why does Paul focus on the kingdom of God and not just on personal salvation?
- How can we use the Old Testament to talk about Jesus today?
- What does patient, all-day persuasion look like in a culture of short attention spans?
Leading a Discussion
Acts 28:23 shows Paul, under house arrest, using the Scriptures to explain and defend the gospel. His audience was curious but cautious. He did not rely on stories or opinions but on the Law and the Prophets, pointing to Jesus as the Messiah. This passage invites us to consider how we can ground our own witness in the Bible, even when time is short and resistance is strong.
Discussion questions
- What do we learn about Paul's audience from the fact that they 'appointed him a day'?
- Why do you think Paul emphasized the 'kingdom of God' alongside 'Jesus'? What did the kingdom mean to his listeners?
- How did Paul use the Law and the Prophets to persuade them? What does that reveal about the unity of the Bible?
- The Greek word for 'expounded' (ἐξετίθετο) is imperfect tense, 'he was explaining continuously.' Why does that detail matter for understanding Paul's approach?
- Paul spoke 'from morning till evening.' What does that say about the urgency and patience of his witness?
- In verse 24, some believed and some disbelieved. How does that mixed response affect how we evaluate our own efforts to share the gospel?
- How can we follow Paul's example of rooting our conversations about Jesus in the whole Bible, not just the New Testament?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Luke 24:26 | Didn’t the Christ have to suffer these things and to enter into his glory?” |
| Luke 24:27 | Beginning from Moses and from all the prophets, he explained to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. |
| Luke 24:44 | He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you, that all things which are written in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms concerning me must be fulfilled.” |
| John 4:34 | Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work. |
| Acts 8:35 | Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture, preached to him about Jesus. |
| Acts 17:2 | Paul, as was his custom, went in to them; and for three Sabbath days reasoned with them from the Scriptures, |
| Acts 17:3 | explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ.” |
| Acts 18:4 | He reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath and persuaded Jews and Greeks. |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
7 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke emphasizes that Paul spent the entire day proving two points from the Law and the Prophets: that the Messiah's reign is spiritual, and that Jesus is that Messiah. For Clarke, the Old Testament prophecies are so clearly fulfilled in Jesus that they cannot reasonably apply to anyone else.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes emphasizes Paul's tireless and thorough method: he spent the entire day from morning to evening using the Law and Prophets to prove that Jesus is the Messiah. The commentator highlights Paul's indefatigable labor in personally persuading his fellow Jews through careful Scripture exposition.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The commentator notes that the original Greek for "many" is comparative, meaning more visitors arrived than the first small group. Paul stayed as a guest in a Christian home, chained to a guard yet treated hospitably, and the kingdom of God he preached was the long-awaited Messianic hope now fulfilled. Some Jews listened all day because his message found welcome hearers.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The Geneva notes emphasize Paul's tireless all-day labor from morning to night, expounding the kingdom of God and persuading his hearers about Jesus from the Law and Prophets. This shows his method of thorough, Scripture-rooted testimony.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill emphasizes that Paul's work was one of moral persuasion—using Scripture and reasoned argument to convince his hearers—but he carefully notes that only God can open the heart to truly receive such truths. The apostle testified that the Messiah's kingdom is spiritual, not worldly, and spent the entire day explaining how the Law and Prophets point to Jesus.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB notes that Paul's "lodging" was a guest's stay, not his own hired house, possibly with Aquila and Priscilla. Paul spent the whole day testifying about the kingdom of God, arguing from the law and prophets to persuade that Jesus is its ordained Head, countering Jewish secular expectations.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley notes that persuading people about Jesus required more than just convincing their minds—their wills also put up a strong fight. He had to argue that the Messiah's kingdom is spiritual, not political, and that Jesus of Nazareth is that promised King. The hearers' desires resisted the truth as much as their intellects did.