In 28.16-31: Paul in Rome.
In verse 16: Chained (v. 20) to a soldier, Paul lives in Rome under house arrest for two years (v. 30).
In verse 17: Paul takes the initiative to consult with local leaders of the Jews (vv. 17-22), identifying with them a brothers (2.37; 15.13; 22.2; 23.6; 28.21) of our people and our ancestors (22.3; 24.14; 26.6).
In verse 18: On the Roman desire to release Paul, see the comment on 26.31.
In verse 19: The objections of the Jews have been recounted in detail (20.27-29; 22.21-22; 23.1-10; 24.2-9; 25.2, 7, 15, 18-19, 24; 26.2-3).
Paul's appeal to the emperor (25.11-12) is as a defendant, not bringing a charge or a case against Israel.
In verse 20: Paul is not only defending himself but the hope of Israel for God's restoration (see.1.6; 3.21), inaugurated through the resurrection of the messiah, Jesus (24.15, 21; 26.6-7, 16-18, 21-23).
In verse 21: Letters often accompanied visits as official means of communication (9.2; 15-22-23).
In verse 22: On the Way as a Jewish sect or "party," see 5.17; 15.5; 24.5, 14; 26.5.
In verse 23: Paul's explanation is another extended interpretation of Israel's scriptures (17.1-4; 18.4, 28: 19.8-9), that is, Moses and the prophets (see Lk 24.27, 44; Acts 3.22-24; 26.22).
In verse 24: The divided response is characteristic of both gentile and Jewish audiences (2.12-13; 14.2, 4; 17.32-34; 18.6-8; 21.20, 25), but to say they refused to believe is to make a prophetic judgment (compare 18.270.
In verse 25: Isa 6.9-10 is cited as a reproof of the Holy Spirit, where God's promises are cited against Israel or a portion of Israel to call for repentance, never as a final verdict (see also Jesus in Lk 8.10; Acts 13.40-41; Rom 11.8).
In verse 28: For a third time (13.46-47; 18.6), the gentile mission is a warning to those in Israel who do not believe (Rom 9-11), Paul's mission does not display undivided listening among gentiles either.
In verse 29: This verse is not recorded in the best manuscripts but echoes the divided response of verse 24.
In verse 30: To live at his own expense may suggest enough freedom (v. 16) to practice his trade (18.3).
All who came to him probably means both Jews and gentiles (v. 24, 28).
In verse 31: The boldness of apostolic witness (2.29; 4.13, 29, 31; 9.27-28; 1346; 14.318.26; 19.8) continues without hindrance in accord with God's promise (23.11), even is the midst of opposition and chains.
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