...the end of Paul...

Paul and Jewish Leaders in Rome

17 Three days later he called together the local leaders of the Jews. When they had assembled, he said to them, ‘Brothers, though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our ancestors, yet I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans. 18 When they had examined me, the Romans wanted to release me, because there was no reason for the death penalty in my case. 19 But when the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to the emperor—even though I had no charge to bring against my nation. 20 For this reason therefore I have asked to see you and speak with you, since it is for the sake of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain.’ 21 They replied, ‘We have received no letters from Judea about you, and none of the brothers coming here has reported or spoken anything evil about you. 22 But we would like to hear from you what you think, for with regard to this sect we know that everywhere it is spoken against.’

Paul Preaches in Rome

23 After they had fixed a day to meet him, they came to him at his lodgings in great numbers. From morning until evening he explained the matter to them, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus both from the law of Moses and from the prophets. 24 Some were convinced by what he had said, while others refused to believe. 25 So they disagreed with each other; and as they were leaving, Paul made one further statement: ‘The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your ancestors through the prophet Isaiah,

26 “Go to this people and say,You will indeed listen, but never understand,    and you will indeed look, but never perceive. 27 For this people’s heart has grown dull,  and their ears are hard of hearing, and they have shut their eyes; so that they might not look with their eyes, and listen with their ears,and understand with their heart and turn — and I would heal them.” 28 Let it be known to you then that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen.’ 30 He lived there for two whole years at his own expense and welcomed all who came to him, 31 proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance” Acts 28: 17-30.

After many chapters and stories of Paul’s missionary journeys, he is arrested in Jerusalem, and when the charges against Paul cannot be proven, he is sent to Rome to appear before Caesar because Paul is a Roman citizen. The reason why Paul had to appeal to Caesar is said to be that the Jews objected to the Roman desire to set Paul free.  On his way to Rome his ship gets in a wreck off of the island of Malta, and after three months he boards a ship in Malta and finally arrives in Rome. When Paul came into Rome, he was allowed to live by himself, along with a soldier who was guarding him. Three days later the local leaders of the Jews gathered to interrogate Paul. The Roman Jews professed complete ignorance about Paul and his case. They had not received any instructions from Jerusalem which might direct them to represent the Jewish cause in court against Paul, nor had any Jewish messenger from Jerusalem brought any report against Paul. 

When Paul was asked to speak, Paul’s comments were not about his own situation but the gospel. He expounded it by proclaiming the kingdom of God and persuading them about Jesus, basing his argument on the statements of Moses and the prophets. The result of Paul’s so-called defense was the sort of mixed response which Paul had experienced on previous occasions. Some were persuaded by what he said, but nothing is said to suggest that they were converted to a personal acceptance of the message. Others were frankly unpersuaded. So the meeting broke up with the Jews arguing among themselves. They went off, and again there is no suggestion that any of them were sufficiently interested to return on a later occasion. But before they left Paul uttered one final word. He claimed that the Holy Spirit had truly spoken about them in the words which Isaiah had originally addressed to their ancestors. For two years Paul continued to remain in his dwelling. The phrase “at his own expense” in verse 30 implies that he had some source of income; prisoners could in certain circumstances carry on their own trades.

What happened when the two years were ended? We don’t know. Luke doesn’t say! The Jews failed to appear to prosecute their case against Paul. It’s possible that Paul was tried and acquitted, or the Roman government dropped the case against him. It’s possible that Paul enjoyed a period of liberty before he was again arrested and eventually executed. This is the impression which we get from the Pastoral Epistles. But this matter is much debated over the centuries. The final possibility is that Paul was tried and executed at this point, but Luke was unwilling to record his martyrdom even though he had given sufficient hints in advance about it (see Acts 20:23–25, 38; 21:13; 23:11; 27:24).

The one event on which there is unanimity is that Paul was executed by the Romans. And even though Luke does not record Paul’s death, we can always remember the final picture of Paul preaching to the Gentiles the same message which he had preached throughout Acts — with boldness and without hindrance. All the emphasis lies on that last phrase in verse 31.

And that is the question for all of us. Do we live as Christians with boldness and without hindrance, or do we act quietly and privately regarding our witness of Jesus? What kind of faith do we practice? Would anyone know by our behavior and words that we are Christians, or do we have to tell them we are Christians?

Take this question to prayer today!

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me a sinner.