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Acts Chapter
Twenty-eight
Acts 28
At Melita we find him again exercising his accustomed
power among that barbarous people. One sees that God is with him.
Evangelisation does not
however
appear in the account of his sojourn there
or of his journey.
Landed in Italy
we see him depressed: the love of the brethren
encourages and reanimates him; and he goes on to Rome
where he dwells two
years in a house that he hires
a soldier being with him as a guard. Probably
those who carried him to Rome had been given to understand that it was only a
matter of Jewish jealousy
for all through the journey they treated him with
all possible respect. Besides he was a Roman.
Arrived at Rome
he sends for the Jews; and here
for the
last time
their condition is set before us
and the judgment which had been
hanging over their heads ever since the utterance of the prophecy (which was
especially connected with the house of David and with Judah)-the judgment
pronounced by Esaias
which the Lord Jesus declared should come upon them
because of His rejection
the execution of which was suspended by the
long-suffering of God
until the testimony of the Holy Ghost was also
rejected-this judgment is here brought to mind by Paul at the end of the
historical part of the New Testament. It is their definitive condition solemnly
declared by the minister of sovereign grace
and which should continue until
God interposed in power to give them repentance
and to deliver them
and to
glorify Himself in them by grace.
We have already marked this characteristic of the Acts
which comes out here in a clear and striking manner-the setting aside of the
Jews. That is to say
they set themselves aside by the rejection of the
testimony of God
of the work of God. They put themselves outside that which
God was setting up. They will not follow Him in His progress of grace. And thus
they are altogether left behind
without God and without present communication
with Him. His word abides for ever
and His mercy; but others take the place of
positive and present relationship with Him. Individuals from among them enter
into another sphere on other grounds; but Israel disappears and is blotted out
for a time from the sight of God.
It is this which is presented in the book of Acts. The
patience of God is exercised towards the Jews themselves in the preaching of
the gospel and the apostolic mission at the beginning. Their hostility develops
itself by degrees and reaches its height in the case of Stephen. Paul is raised
up
a witness of grace towards them as an elect remnant
for he was himself of
Israel; but introducing
in connection with a heavenly Christ
something
entirely new as doctrine-the assembly
the body of Christ in heaven; and the
setting aside of all distinction between Jew and Gentile as sinners
and in the
oneness of that body. This is linked historically with that which had been
established at Jerusalem
in order to maintain unity and the connection of the
promises; but in itself
as a doctrine
it was a thing hidden in God in all the
ages
having been in His purposes of grace before the world was. The enmity of
the Jews to this truth never abated. They used every means to excite the
Gentiles against those who taught the doctrine
and to prevent the formation of
the assembly itself. God
having acted with perfect patience and grace unto the
end
puts the assembly into the place of the Jews
as His house
and the vessel
of His promises on earth
by making it His habitation by the Spirit. The Jews
were set aside (alas! their spirit soon took possession of the assembly
itself); and the assembly
and the clear and positive doctrine of no difference
between Jew and Gentile (by nature alike the children of wrath)
and of their
common and equal privileges as members of one only body
has been fully declared
and made the basis of all relationship between God and every soul possessed of
faith. This is the doctrine of the apostle in the Epistles to the Romans and
Ephesians. [1] At the same time the gift of eternal life
as promised before the world was
[2] (the commencement of a new existence with a
divine character)
and partaking of divine righteousness; these two things
being united in our resurrection with Christ
by which
our sins being
forgiven
we are placed before God as Christ
who is at once our life and our
righteousness. This life manifests itself by conformity to the life of Christ
on earth
who left us an example that we should follow His steps. It is the
divine life manifested in man-in Christ as the object
in us as testimony.
The cross of Christ is the basis
the fundamental centre
of all these
truths
-the relations between God and man as he was
his responsibility; grace;
expiation; the end of life
as to sin
the law
and the world; the putting away
of sin through the death of Christ
and its consequences in us. Everything is
established there
and gives place to the power of life that was in Christ
who
there perfectly glorified God-to that new existence into which He entered as
man into the presence of the Father; by whose glory
as well as by His own
divine power
and by the energy of the Holy Ghost
He was raised from the dead.
This does not prevent God's resuming His ways in
government with the Jews on earth
when the church is complete and manifested
on high; and which He will do according to His promises and the declarations of
prophecy. The apostle explains this also in the Epistle to the Romans; but it
belongs to the study of that epistle. The ways of God in judgment with regard
to the Gentiles also at the same period will be shewn us in the Apocalypse
as
well as in prophetic passages of the Epistles in connection with the coming of
Christ
and even with His government of the world in general from the beginning
to the end; together with the warnings necessary for the assembly when the days
of deception begin to dawn and to be developed morally in the ruin of the assembly
viewed as God's witness in the world.
Our apostle
when brought to Rome
declares (upon the
manifestation of unbelief among the Jews
which we have pointed out) that the
salvation of God is sent to the Gentiles; and he dwells two whole years in the
house he had hired
receiving those who came to him (for he had not liberty to
go to them) preaching the kingdom of God and those things which concerned the
Lord Jesus
with all boldness
no man forbidding him. And here the history is
ended of this precious servant of God
beloved and honoured by his Master
a
prisoner in that Rome which
as head of the fourth empire
was to be the seat
of opposition among the Gentiles
as Jerusalem of opposition among the Jews
to
the kingdom and to the glory of Christ. The time for the full manifestation of
that opposition was not yet come; but the minister of the assembly and of the
gospel of glory is a prisoner there. It is thus that Rome begins its history in
connection with the gospel that the apostle preached. Nevertheless God was with
him.
[1] In
Romans in their personal position
in Ephesians in the corporate.
[2] The
word "regeneration" is not applied in scripture to our being born
again; it is a change of position in us connected with our having died with Him
and resurrection. It is found twice; once in Matthew 19 it is Christ's coming
kingdom; and in Titus it is the washing of baptism
as typically bringing out
of the old Adam state and into the christian
but distinguished from the
renewing of the Holy Ghost.
── John Darby《Synopsis of Acts》
Acts 28
Chapter Contents
Paul kindly received at Melita. (1-10) He arrives at
Rome. (11-16) His conference with the Jews. (17-22) Paul preaches to the Jews
and abides at Rome a prisoner. (23-31)
Commentary on Acts 28:1-10
(Read Acts 28:1-10)
God can make strangers to be friends; friends in
distress. Those who are despised for homely manners
are often more friendly
than the more polished; and the conduct of heathens
or persons called
barbarians
condemns many in civilized nations
professing to be Christians.
The people thought that Paul was a murderer
and that the viper was sent by
Divine justice
to be the avenger of blood. They knew that there is a God who
governs the world
so that things do not come to pass by chance
no
not the
smallest event
but all by Divine direction; and that evil pursues sinners;
that there are good works which God will reward
and wicked works which he will
punish. Also
that murder is a dreadful crime
one which shall not long go
unpunished. But they thought all wicked people were punished in this life.
Though some are made examples in this world
to prove that there is a God and a
Providence
yet many are left unpunished
to prove that there is a judgment to
come. They also thought all who were remarkably afflicted in this life were
wicked people. Divine revelation sets this matter in a true light. Good men
often are greatly afflicted in this life
for the trial and increase of their
faith and patience. Observe Paul's deliverance from the danger. And thus in the
strength of the grace of Christ
believers shake off the temptations of Satan
with holy resolution. When we despise the censures and reproaches of men
and
look upon them with holy contempt
having the testimony of our consciences for
us
then
like Paul
we shake off the viper into the fire. It does us no harm
except we are kept by it from our duty. God hereby made Paul remarkable among
these people
and so made way for the receiving of the gospel. The Lord raises
up friends for his people in every place whither he leads them
and makes them
blessings to those in affliction.
Commentary on Acts 28:11-16
(Read Acts 28:11-16)
The common events of travelling are seldom worthy of
being told; but the comfort of communion with the saints
and kindness shown by
friends
deserve particular mention. The Christians at Rome were so far from
being ashamed of Paul
or afraid of owning him
because he was a prisoner
that
they were the more careful to show him respect. He had great comfort in this.
And if our friends are kind to us
God puts it into their hearts
and we must
give him the glory. When we see those even in strange places
who bear Christ's
name
fear God
and serve him
we should lift up our hearts to heaven in
thanksgiving. How many great men have made their entry into Rome
crowned and
in triumph
who really were plagues to the world! But here a good man makes his
entry into Rome
chained as a poor captive
who was a greater blessing to the
world than any other merely a man. Is not this enough to put us for ever out of
conceit with worldly favour? This may encourage God's prisoners
that he can
give them favour in the eyes of those that carry them captives. When God does not
soon deliver his people out of bondage
yet makes it easy to them
or them easy
under it
they have reason to be thankful.
Commentary on Acts 28:17-22
(Read Acts 28:17-22)
It was for the honour of Paul that those who examined his
case
acquitted him. In his appeal he sought not to accuse his nation
but only
to clear himself. True Christianity settles what is of common concern to all
mankind
and is not built upon narrow opinions and private interests. It aims
at no worldly benefit or advantage
but all its gains are spiritual and
eternal. It is
and always has been
the lot of Christ's holy religion
to be
every where spoken against. Look through every town and village where Christ is
exalted as the only Saviour of mankind
and where the people are called to
follow him in newness of life
and we see those who give themselves up to
Christ
still called a sect
a party
and reproached. And this is the treatment
they are sure to receive
so long as there shall continue an ungodly man upon
earth.
Commentary on Acts 28:23-31
(Read Acts 28:23-31)
Paul persuaded the Jews concerning Jesus. Some were
wrought upon by the word
and others hardened; some received the light
and
others shut their eyes against it. And the same has always been the effect of
the gospel. Paul parted with them
observing that the Holy Ghost had well
described their state. Let all that hear the gospel
and do not heed it
tremble at their doom; for who shall heal them
if God does not? The Jews had
afterwards much reasoning among themselves. Many have great reasoning
who do
not reason aright. They find fault with one another's opinions
yet will not
yield to truth. Nor will men's reasoning among themselves convince them
without the grace of God to open their understandings. While we mourn on
account of such despisers
we should rejoice that the salvation of God is sent
to others
who will receive it; and if we are of that number
we should be
thankful to Him who hath made us to differ. The apostle kept to his principle
to know and preach nothing but Christ and him crucified. Christians
when
tempted from their main business
should bring themselves back with this
question
What does this concern the Lord Jesus? What tendency has it to bring
us to him
and to keep us walking in him? The apostle preached not himself
but
Christ
and he was not ashamed of the gospel of Christ. Though Paul was placed
in a very narrow opportunity for being useful
he was not disturbed in it.
Though it was not a wide door that was opened to him
yet no man was suffered
to shut it; and to many it was an effectual door
so that there were saints
even in Nero's household
Philippians 4:22. We learn also from Philippians 1:13
how God overruled Paul's
imprisonment for the furtherance of the gospel. And not the residents at Rome
only
but all the church of Christ
to the present day
and in the most remote
corner of the globe
have abundant reason to bless God
that during the most
mature period of his Christian life and experience
he was detained a prisoner.
It was from his prison
probably chained hand to hand to the soldier who kept
him
that the apostle wrote the epistles to the Ephesians
Philippians
Colossians
and Hebrews; epistles showing
perhaps more than any others
the Christian
love with which his heart overflowed
and the Christian experience with which
his soul was filled. The believer of the present time may have less of triumph
and less of heavenly joy
than the apostle
but every follower of the same
Saviour
is equally sure of safety and peace at the last. Let us seek to live
more and more in the love of the Saviour; to labour to glorify Him by every
action of our lives; and we shall assuredly
by his strength
be among the
number of those who now overcome our enemies; and by his free grace and mercy
be hereafter among the blessed company who shall sit with Him upon his throne
even as He also has overcome
and is sitting on his Father's throne
at God's
right hand for evermore.
── Matthew Henry《Concise Commentary on Acts》
Acts 28
Verse 2
[2] And
the barbarous people shewed us no little kindness: for they kindled a fire
and
received us every one
because of the present rain
and because of the cold.
And the barbarians — So
the Romans and Greeks termed all nations but their own. But surely the
generosity shown by these uncultivated inhabitants of Malta
was far more
valuable than all the varnish which the politest education could give
where it
taught not humanity and compassion.
Verse 4
[4] And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand
they said
among themselves
No doubt this man is a murderer
whom
though he hath escaped
the sea
yet vengeance suffereth not to live.
And when the barbarians saw — they said - Seeing also his chains
Doubtless this man is a murderer -
Such rarely go unpunished even in this life; whom vengeance hath not suffered
to live - They look upon him as a dead man already. It is with pleasure that we
trace among these barbarians the force of conscience
and the belief of a
particular providence: which some people of more learning have stupidly thought
it philosophy to despise. But they erred in imagining
that calamities must
always be interpreted as judgments. Let us guard against this
lest
like them
we condemn not only the innocent
but the excellent of the earth.
Verse 5
[5] And
he shook off the beast into the fire
and felt no harm.
Having shaken off the venomous animal
he
suffered no harm — The words of an eminent modern historian are
"No venomous kind of serpent now breeds in Malta
neither hurts if it be
brought thither from another place. Children are seen there handling and
playing even with scorpions; I have seen one eating them." If this be so
it seems to be fixed by the wisdom of God
as an eternal memorial of what he
once wrought there.
Verse 6
[6]
Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen
or fallen down dead suddenly:
but after they had looked a great while
and saw no harm come to him
they
changed their minds
and said that he was a god.
They changed their minds
and said he was a
god — Such is the stability of human reason! A
little before he was a murderer; and presently he is a god: (just as the people
of Lystra; one hour sacrificing
and the next stoning:) nay
but there is a
medium. He is neither a murderer nor a god
but a man of God. But natural men
never run into greater mistakes
than in judging of the children of God.
Verse 7
[7] In the same quarters were possessions of the chief man of the island
whose name was Publius; who received us
and lodged us three days courteously.
The chief man of the island — In wealth if not in power also.
Three days —
The first three days of our stay on the island.
Verse 11
[11] And
after three months we departed in a ship of Alexandria
which had wintered in
the isle
whose sign was Castor and Pollux.
Whose sign was — It
was the custom of the ancients to have images on the head of their ships
from
which they took their names.
Castor and Pollux —
Two heathen gods who were thought favourable to mariners.
Verse 15
[15] And
from thence
when the brethren heard of us
they came to meet us as far as
Appii forum
and The three taverns: whom when Paul saw
he thanked God
and
took courage.
The brethren —
That is
the Christians
came out thence to meet us - It is remarkable that
there is no certain account by whom Christianity was planted at Rome. Probably
some inhabitants of that city were at Jerusalem on the day of pentecost
Acts 2:10; and being then converted themselves
carried the Gospel thither at their return. Appii-Forum was a town fifty-one
miles from Rome; the Three Taverns about thirty.
He took courage — He
saw Christ was at Rome also
and now forgot all the troubles of his journey.
Verse 16
[16] And
when we came to Rome
the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of
the guard: but Paul was suffered to dwell by himself with a soldier that kept
him.
With the soldier — To
whom he was chained
as the Roman custom was.
Verse 17
[17] And
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.
And after three days — Given to rest and prayer
Paul called the chief of the Jews together -
He always sought the Jews first; but being now bound
he could not so conveniently
go round to them.
Though I have done nothing — Seeing him chained
they might have suspected he had. Therefore he first
obviates this suspicion.
Verse 19
[19] But
when the Jews spake against it
I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar; not
that I had ought to accuse my nation of.
When the Jews opposed it — He speaks tenderly of them
not mentioning their repeated attempts to
murder him.
Not that I had any thing to accuse my nation
of — Not that I had any design to accuse others
but merely
to defend myself.
Verse 20
[20] For
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.
The hope of Israel —
What Israel hopes for
namely
the Messiah and the resurrection.
Verse 21
[21] And
they said unto him
We neither received letters out of Judaea concerning thee
neither any of the brethren that came shewed or spake any harm of thee.
We have neither received letters concerning
thee — There must have been a peculiar providence
in this
nor has any of the brethren - The Jews
related - Professedly
in a
set discourse
or spoke - Occasionally
in conversation
any evil of thee - How
must the bridle then have been in their mouth!
Verse 22
[22] But
we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect
we
know that every where it is spoken against.
This sect we know is every where spoken
against — This is no proof at all of a bad cause
but a very probable mark of a good one.
Verse 23
[23] 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.
To whom he expounded
testifying the kingdom
of God
and persuading them concerning Jesus —
These were his two grand topics
1. That the kingdom of the Messiah was of a
spiritual
not temporal nature: 2. That Jesus of Nazareth was the very person
foretold
as the Lord of that kingdom. On this head he had as much need to
persuade as to convince
their will making as strong a resistance as their
understanding.
Verse 24
[24] And
some believed the things which were spoken
and some believed not.
And some believed the things that were spoken — With the heart
as well as understanding.
Verse 25
[25] And
when they agreed not among themselves
they departed
after that Paul had
spoken one word
Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our
fathers
Well spake the Holy Ghost to your fathers — Which is equally applicable to you.
Verse 26
[26]
Saying
Go unto this people
and say
Hearing ye shall hear
and shall not
understand; and seeing ye shall see
and not perceive:
Hearing ye shall hear — That is
ye shall most surely hear
and shall not understand - The words
manifestly denote a judicial blindness
consequent upon a wilful and obstinate
resistance of the truth. First they would not
afterward they could not
believe. Isaiah 6:9
etc.; Matthew 13:14; John 12:40.
Verse 28
[28] Be
it known therefore unto you
that the salvation of God is sent unto the
Gentiles
and that they will hear it.
The salvation of God is sent to the Gentiles — Namely
from this time. Before this no apostle had been at Rome. St.
Paul was the first.
Verse 30
[30] And
Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house
and received all that came
in unto him
And Paul continued two whole years — After which this book was written
long before St. Paul's death
and was
undoubtedly published with his approbation by St. Luke
who continued with him
to the last
2 Timothy 4:11.
And received all that came to him — Whether they were Jews or Gentiles. These two years completed
twenty-five years after our Saviour's passion. Such progress had the Gospel
made by that time
in the parts of the world which lay west of Jerusalem
by
the ministry of St. Paul among the Gentiles. How far eastward the other
apostles had carried it in the same time
history does not inform us.
Verse 31
[31]
Preaching the kingdom of God
and teaching those things which concern the Lord
Jesus Christ
with all confidence
no man forbidding him.
No man forbidding him — Such was the victory of the word of God. While Paul was preaching at
Rome
the Gospel shone with its highest lustre. Here therefore the Acts of the
Apostles end; and end with great advantage. Otherwise St. Luke could easily
have continued his narrative to the apostle's death.
── John Wesley《Explanatory Notes on
Acts》
Chapter 28. Imprisonment in Rome
Preach Boldly
Without Hindrance
I. Testimony in
Malta
II. Arrival at
Rome
III. Declare
the Kingdom of God
── Chih-Hsin Chang《An Outline of The New Testament》