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Paul is now meeting with the most prominent Jews in the city. He thinks either these Jews or
the Jews from Jerusalem have written ahead to the Roman government and told them Paul was
coming and all the trouble he had caused them. This is probably one reason he is becoming
discouraged as he comes nearer to Rome (verse 15).

Act 28:18 who, when they had examined me, wanted to let me go, because there was no cause
for putting me to death.

The Romans could find no fault with Paul.

Act 28:19 But when the Jews spoke against it, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar, not that I
had anything of which to accuse my nation.

Paul is saying, “I am not here to accuse Israel before Rome.”

Act 28:20 For this reason therefore I have called for you, to see you and speak with you,
because for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain."

Paul is preaching the Jewish message, but instead of the Messiah coming, Paul preaches He has
come.

Act 28:21 Then they said to him, "We neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor
have any of the brethren who came reported or spoken any evil of you.
The Jews of Jerusalem think Paul is dead. When he was put on the first ship from Adramyttium,
they believed he would never make it to Rome. They forgot about Paul, and never told the
Roman Jews what they had done.

Act 28:22 But we desire to hear from you what you think; for concerning this sect, we know
that it is spoken against everywhere."

But we desire to hear of (from) thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect (faction,
heresy [24:5, 24]), we know that every where it is spoken against.

They want to hear and be objective about Christianity. This is probably a great revelation to
Paul. He had such a great desire to go to Jerusalem that he was willing to miss the will of God
entirely. He did what he wanted to do and met opposition to the gospel, and not one Jew
received Jesus because Paul never had an opportunity to preach. God’s intention was for Paul
to preach in Rome and He had to work a miracle to get Paul there safely. Now Paul sees the
open hearts of the Jews in Rome and realizes God knew the condition of their hearts the entire
time. God sends us to places where hearts are open and people will listen.

Act 28:23 So when they had appointed him a day, many came to him at his lodging, to whom
he explained and solemnly testified of the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus
from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets, from morning till evening.

Paul uses the Old Testament to persuade them of Jesus as Messiah of Israel.