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.

ACTS 28:21KJV
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Acts 28:21 (KJV)

What does Acts 28:21 mean?

Acts 28:21 records Jewish leaders in Rome telling Paul that they have not received any letters from Judea about him, nor has any fellow Jew who arrived spoken badly about him. This means Paul’s reputation among the Jews in Rome is still neutral, and they have not been warned against him.

The scene takes place after Paul arrives in Rome as a prisoner and calls together the local Jewish leaders to explain his situation. The leaders respond by saying they have not heard any accusations against Paul from Jerusalem or from other travelers. This sets the stage for Paul to present his message without the burden of prior negative reports among the Roman Jewish community.

Why Acts 28:21 matters

  • Acts 28:21 clarifies that Paul is not facing a hostile audience in Rome based on rumors or official accusations from Jerusalem, which is significant for understanding the openness of the Jewish leaders to hear him out.
  • The verse highlights the separation between Jewish communities in different regions, showing that news and accusations did not always travel quickly or reliably in the ancient world.
  • This response from the Roman Jews allows the narrative to focus on Paul’s message rather than on defending himself against specific charges, shaping the final scenes of Acts.

Where else these words appear

“letters” Greek G1121 · used in 14 verses

  • Luke 16:6 And he said, An hundred measures of oil. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and sit down quickly, and write fifty.
  • John 7:15 And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?
  • Romans 7:6 But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.

“came” Greek G3854 · used in 37 verses

  • Matthew 2:1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
  • John 3:23 And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.
  • Acts 15:4 And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them.

“Judaea” Greek G2449 · used in 44 verses

  • Matthew 2:1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
  • Luke 2:4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem;(because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
  • Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

“shewed” Greek G518 · used in 44 verses

  • Matthew 2:8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.
  • Luke 8:20 And it was told him by certain which said, Thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to see thee.
  • Acts 11:13 And he shewed us how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter;