A.T. Robertson Commentary Acts 28:17

A.T. Robertson Commentary

Acts 28:17

1863–1934
Southern Baptist
A.T. Robertson
A.T. Robertson

A.T. Robertson Commentary

Acts 28:17

1863–1934
Southern Baptist
SCRIPTURE

"And 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:" — Acts 28:17 (ASV)

Those that were the chief of the Jews (τους οντας των Ιουδαιων πρωτους). This use of πρωτος for the leading men of a city or among the Jews we have already had in 13:50; 25:2; Luke 19:47. Literally, "Those that were first among the Jews." The position of the participle οντας between the article and the adjective πρωτους is regular (Robertson, Grammar, p. 777).

When they were come together (συνελθοντων αυτων). Genitive absolute again. Paul could not go to the synagogue, as his custom was, being a bound prisoner. So he invited the Jewish leaders to come to his lodging and hear his explanation of his presence in Rome as a prisoner with an appeal to Caesar. He is anxious that they may understand that this appeal was forced upon him by Festus following Felix and lot because he has come to make an attack on the Jewish people. He was sure that false reports had come to Rome. These non-Christian Jews accepted Paul's invitation.

Nothing against (ουδεν εναντιον). Adjective here as in 26:9, not preposition as in 7:10; 8:32. From εν and αντιος (αντ), face to face. Concessive participle ποιησας as in verse 4 (διασωθεντα) which see.

Yet was I delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans (δεσμιος εξ Ιεροσολυμων παρεδοθην εις τας χειρας των Ρομαιων). This condensed statement does not explain how he "was delivered," for in fact the Jews were trying to kill him when Lysias rescued him from the mob (22:27-36). The Jews were responsible for his being in the hands of the Romans, though they had hoped to kill him first.