28:23 into his lodging. As always, Paul went first to the Jews with the gospel (Romans 1:16), just as he had written to the Roman Christians. Since he could not go to the synagogues this time, he got the Jewish leaders to come to him.

28:23 the prophets. Again according to his regular approach, he expounded the Scriptures to the Jews, showing forth their testimony concerning Jesus. Significantly, just as Jesus had done (Luke 24:27), Paul began with Genesis and continued through all the Scriptures, proving that Jesus had fulfilled the promises to the fathers. There is, indeed, much there to expound, evidenced by Paul continuing to expound from morning until evening.

28:24 some believed. As always, when Christ is presented in all fullness, some will believe, but most will not.

28:25 Esaias the prophet. Paul here applied the prophecy of Isaiah 6:9,10, to the Jews’ rejection of Jesus as their Messiah. Jesus had made a similar application of the same prophecy in Matthew 13:14 and John 12:40.

28:28 unto the Gentiles. Once again, Paul announced that, since the Jews had rejected the offer of salvation, it would go to the Gentiles. It seems somewhat symbolic that Paul has by this time preached the gospel all the way from Jerusalem to Rome, the greatest city in the world at that time, and that the account ends at this point. He had always gone first to the Jews, only to find again and again that the Gentiles were the ones who responded. It was said of Jesus that “He came unto His own, and His own received Him not” (John 1:11). The same had been proved true of His gospel.

28:28 they will hear. This has been a wonderfully fulfilled prophecy. The Gentiles, in practically every nation, have received the gospel gladly in substantial numbers. The Christians of the first century, beginning with the apostles, were largely Jews, but this soon changed. Ever since, it has been the Gentile churches and missionaries who have been spreading the gospel.