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.
ACTS 28:20KJVWhat does Acts 28:20 mean?
Acts 28:20 records Paul explaining to Jewish leaders in Rome that he has called them together to speak with them because he is imprisoned for "the hope of Israel." Paul is saying that his chains are a result of his belief in what Israel has hoped for—the coming of the Messiah and the fulfillment of God's promises.
Paul is speaking to local Jewish leaders after arriving in Rome as a prisoner. He wants them to know that his arrest and journey to Rome are not because he opposes the Jewish people, but because of his hope in what God promised to Israel. By mentioning "the hope of Israel," Paul points to the resurrection and the Messiah, central themes in his message throughout Acts.
The Greek behind Acts 28:20
- ἐλπίς (elpis, "hope"): This word means confident expectation, not just wishful thinking. Here, it refers to the long-awaited fulfillment of God's promises to Israel, especially regarding the Messiah and resurrection.
- Ἰσραήλ (Israel): Paul specifically ties his suffering to the hope of Israel, showing he sees his faith in Jesus as the fulfillment of Jewish hope, not a break from it.
- ἅλυσις (halysis, "chain"): Paul uses this word for his physical chains, making his suffering for this hope very concrete and personal.
Why Acts 28:20 matters
- Acts 28:20 clarifies that Paul's imprisonment is not for a crime, but for his faith in God's promises to Israel, helping readers understand the real reason for his suffering.
- This verse connects Paul's message in Rome to the whole story of Acts, showing continuity between the Jewish hope and the Christian message.
- By addressing Jewish leaders first, Paul demonstrates respect and a desire for unity, not division, between Jewish tradition and the message about Jesus.