Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.
ACTS 28:28KJVWhat does Acts 28:28 mean?
Acts 28:28 means that God’s offer of salvation is now being sent to the Gentiles (non-Jewish people), and they will listen to it. Paul is declaring that the message about Jesus is not limited to the Jewish people but is open to everyone who is willing to hear.
Paul is speaking to Jewish leaders in Rome after many of them rejected his message about Jesus. In this moment, Paul announces that since many Jews have not accepted the message, God’s salvation will now go to the Gentiles, who will be receptive. This marks a turning point in the book of Acts, showing the spread of the gospel beyond the Jewish community.
The Greek behind Acts 28:28
- "Gentiles" (ἔθνεσιν, ethnēsin): This word refers to nations or peoples outside of Israel, meaning all non-Jews. Its use here highlights the widening scope of God’s salvation.
- "Salvation" (σωτηρία, sōtēria): This word means rescue, deliverance, or being made safe. Paul is saying that this deliverance from God is now being offered to everyone, not just one group.
- "Hear" (ἀκούσονται, akousontai): This verb means to listen or pay attention. Paul is expressing confidence that the Gentiles will be open and responsive to the message, in contrast to the rejection he faced from many of his own people.
Why Acts 28:28 matters
- Acts 28:28 clarifies that the message of Jesus is not exclusive to one ethnicity or nation but is intended for all people, which was a major shift in early Christian thinking.
- The verse highlights a pattern in Acts: when the message is rejected by some, it moves outward to new audiences, showing God’s desire for everyone to have the chance to hear.
- This moment connects to the larger story of Acts, where the gospel spreads from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth, fulfilling Jesus’ words in Acts 1:8.