Bible Strands
Acts 28:17
After three days, he called together the leaders of the Jews. When they had gathered, he said to them, “Brothers, although I have done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, I was taken prisoner in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul, held in Rome under soldier guard, summons Jewish leaders three days after his arrival to address them directly as brothers.
The words — συγκαλέσασθαι (sugkalesasthai) means “calling together,” and μετὰ τρεῖς ἡμέρας (meta treis hēmeras) literally translates to “after three days.”
The thread — The narrative aligns with Paul’s repeated assertions of legal innocence in Acts 25:8 and Acts 25:10, while standing in contrast to the false accusations made against Stephen in Acts 6:14.
Why it lands — The text records Paul stating he violated no Jewish customs or people’s laws, then clarifying that Jerusalem authorities transferred him to Rome, requiring the reader to note his precise legal position rather than assume Roman condemnation.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- Acts 25:8 Then Paul made his defense: “I have committed no offense against the law of the Jews or against the temple or against Caesar.”
- Acts 6:14 For we have heard him say that Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs that Moses handed down to us.”
- Acts 25:10 Paul replied, “I am standing before the judgment seat of Caesar, where I ought to be tried. I have done nothing wrong to the Jews, as you yourself know very well.
- Acts 21:33 The commander came up and arrested Paul, ordering that he be bound with two chains. Then he asked who he was and what he had done.
- Acts 22:5 as the high priest and the whole Council can testify about me. I even obtained letters from them to their brothers in Damascus, and I was on my way to apprehend these people and bring them to Jerusalem to be punished.
- Acts 24:10 When the governor motioned for Paul to speak, he began his response: “Knowing that you have been a judge over this nation for many years, I gladly make my defense.
- Genesis 40:15 For I was kidnapped from the land of the Hebrews, and even here I have done nothing for which they should have put me in this dungeon.”
- Acts 23:1 Paul looked directly at the Sanhedrin and said, “Brothers, I have conducted myself before God in all good conscience to this day.”
- Acts 25:2 where the chief priests and Jewish leaders presented their case against Paul. They urged Festus
- Acts 23:33 When the horsemen arrived in Caesarea, they delivered the letter to the governor and presented Paul to him.