Acts 28:24

KJV

And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} some {G3303} believed {G3982} the things which were spoken {G3004}, and {G1161} some believed not {G569}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Some were convinced by what he said,

Berean Standard Bible

Some of them were convinced by what he said, but others refused to believe.

American Standard Version

And some believed the things which were spoken, and some disbelieved.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 28:24 encapsulates the immediate outcome of Paul's extensive day-long discourse with the Jewish leaders in Rome, revealing the enduring pattern of human response to the Gospel message: a clear division between those who embraced the truth of Christ and those who adamantly rejected it. This verse serves as a concise summary of the varied reception Paul's preaching often encountered, highlighting both the persuasive power of the Spirit and the reality of human free will in the face of divine revelation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Acts 28:24 is situated at a critical juncture in the book of Acts, marking the culmination of Paul's journey to Rome and the initial phase of his ministry in the imperial capital. Having arrived under house arrest, Paul, in his characteristic manner, immediately sought to engage the local Jewish community. Prior to this verse, [Acts 28:17-23](/acts/28-17-23 "Paul's Arrival in Rome and Meeting with Jewish Leaders") details Paul's summoning of the chief Jews, his explanation of his imprisonment (not for any crime, but for the "hope of Israel"), and his subsequent all-day exposition of the Gospel. He "reasoned with them from the Law of Moses and from the prophets concerning Jesus" ([Acts 28:23](/acts/28-23 "Paul's Reasoning from Law and Prophets")). Verse 24 then succinctly reports the mixed results of this intense evangelistic effort, setting the stage for Paul's concluding declaration about the Gentiles' reception of salvation ([Acts 28:25-28](/acts/28-25-28 "Paul's Final Words to the Jews in Rome")) and his subsequent two years of unhindered ministry ([Acts 28:30-31](/acts/28-30-31 "Paul's Unhindered Preaching in Rome")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Paul's arrival in Rome was the fulfillment of a long-held desire and a divine prophecy ([Acts 23:11](/acts/23-11 "The Lord Stands by Paul")). Rome, as the heart of the Roman Empire, was home to a significant and influential Jewish diaspora community, with multiple synagogues. These Jewish leaders, though residing far from Jerusalem, maintained strong ties to their heritage and the Mosaic Law. Paul's approach of reasoning "from the Law of Moses and from the prophets" ([Acts 28:23](/acts/28-23 "Paul's Reasoning from Law and Prophets")) was a common and culturally appropriate method for engaging his Jewish audience, seeking to demonstrate how Jesus fulfilled the very scriptures they revered. The concept of a Messiah was central to Jewish expectation, but the nature of Jesus' Messiahship—especially His crucifixion and resurrection—was a profound stumbling block for many, leading to the division observed in this verse.
* **Key Themes:** The verse powerfully illustrates several recurring themes throughout Acts and the New Testament. Firstly, it underscores the **varied response to the Gospel**, a pattern consistently observed from Jesus' own ministry ([John 12:37-40](/john/12-37-40 "The People's Unbelief Despite Miracles")) to the apostles' evangelistic efforts in various cities ([Acts 13:44-48](/acts/13-44-48 "Jewish Rejection and Gentile Acceptance in Pisidian Antioch")). Secondly, it highlights the theme of **human responsibility and free will** in responding to divine truth. Despite hearing the same message, individuals make distinct choices, emphasizing the active role of personal conviction and will in accepting or rejecting God's call. Finally, the division among the Jews in Rome foreshadows the broader theological shift in Acts, where the Gospel's primary focus increasingly turns towards the Gentiles, a theme explicitly stated by Paul in the subsequent verses of this chapter ([Acts 28:28](/acts/28-28 "Salvation Sent to the Gentiles")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **believed (Greek, _peíthō'_):** This verb, G3982, means "to convince (by argument, true or false); by analogy, to pacify or conciliate (by other fair means); reflexively or passively, to assent (to evidence or authority), to rely (by inward certainty)." When used in the active voice, as implied for those who believed, it signifies a state of being persuaded or convinced, leading to trust and reliance. It suggests an intellectual and volitional assent to the truth of Paul's message about Jesus.
* **spoken (Greek, _légō'_):** G3004, a primary verb, properly means "to 'lay' forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse...)); by implication, to mean." This word emphasizes that Paul's presentation was not a casual remark but a systematic, reasoned discourse, laying out the arguments for Jesus from the Scriptures. It highlights the intentional and comprehensive nature of his evangelistic effort.
* **believed not (Greek, _apistéō'_):** Derived from G569, this word means "to be unbelieving, i.e. (transitively) disbelieve, or (by implication) disobey." This is a strong term for active unbelief, indicating not merely a lack of belief but a positive refusal to be persuaded or to trust. It implies a conscious decision to reject the evidence and arguments presented by Paul, often stemming from a hardened heart or preconceived notions.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And some believed the things which were spoken":** This clause indicates a positive and receptive response from a segment of the Jewish audience. They were persuaded by Paul's systematic presentation of the Gospel, assenting to the truth that Jesus was the promised Messiah, as demonstrated from the Law and the Prophets. Their belief implies a trust and reliance on this message, leading to a change in their spiritual disposition.
* **"and some believed not":** This contrasting clause reveals the negative and resistant response from the other segment of the audience. Despite hearing the same comprehensive and reasoned discourse, they actively disbelieved or refused to be persuaded. This "unbelief" was not a passive state but an active rejection of the evidence and the claims of Christ, highlighting their unwillingness to accept the spiritual implications of Paul's message.

#### Literary Devices
Acts 28:24 powerfully employs **Contrast** and **Juxtaposition** to highlight the divergent responses to the Gospel. The verse places "some believed" directly against "some believed not," creating a stark and immediate comparison that underscores the divisive nature of the truth. This literary technique emphasizes the personal choice involved in faith, demonstrating that the same message, delivered by the same speaker, can elicit fundamentally different outcomes based on the hearer's disposition. Furthermore, this verse serves as a subtle **Foreshadowing** of the broader narrative trajectory of Acts, where the Gospel, initially offered primarily to the Jews, increasingly finds its receptive audience among the Gentiles, culminating in Paul's declaration in the very next verses that salvation has been sent to the Gentiles because of Jewish rejection.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 28:24 succinctly captures a profound theological truth: the Gospel, while universally offered, is not universally accepted. This division underscores the interplay between divine sovereignty and human responsibility. God's plan of salvation is presented, but individuals retain the freedom to accept or reject it. This mixed response is not a sign of the Gospel's weakness or Paul's inadequacy, but rather a consistent pattern throughout redemptive history, revealing the inherent resistance of the human heart to God's truth, alongside the Spirit's work in opening hearts to belief. It reminds us that faith is a gift, yet one that requires a willing reception.

* [John 1:11](/john/1-11 "He Came to His Own")
* [Romans 10:16](/romans/10-16 "Not All Obeyed the Gospel")
* [2 Corinthians 2:15-16](/2_corinthians/2-15-16 "Aroma of Christ")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 28:24 offers timeless lessons for believers today. Firstly, it provides a realistic perspective on evangelism: not everyone will accept the message, no matter how clearly or passionately it is presented. This should temper our expectations, preventing discouragement when faced with rejection, and reminding us that our faithfulness lies in proclamation, not in guaranteeing a specific outcome. Secondly, it highlights the profound responsibility of each individual when confronted with the claims of Christ. The choice to believe or disbelieve carries eternal significance, underscoring the urgency and gravity of responding to the Gospel invitation. Finally, it encourages us to persist in sharing the truth, knowing that even a partial positive response is a powerful testament to God's grace and the Spirit's work, and that our efforts, like Paul's, are always pleasing to God, regardless of human reception.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the mixed response to Paul's preaching in Acts 28:24 resonate with your own experiences in sharing the Gospel, and what lessons can you draw from it?**
* **What does this verse teach us about the nature of human free will and responsibility in the face of divine truth?**
* **In what ways can we ensure that our proclamation of the Gospel is as clear and reasoned as Paul's, drawing from the entirety of Scripture?**

### FAQ
**Why did some believe and some not, given they heard the same message?**

Answer: The text does not explicitly state the reasons for the individual choices, but it implies a combination of factors. Those who believed likely had hearts prepared by the Holy Spirit, were open to the truth of Scripture, and were willing to set aside preconceived notions to accept Jesus as the Messiah. Conversely, those who "believed not" likely harbored spiritual blindness, hardened hearts, or were unwilling to relinquish their traditional interpretations or social standing, which might have been threatened by embracing a crucified Messiah. This dynamic is seen throughout the Gospels, such as when [Jesus taught in parables](/matthew/13-10-17 "Why Jesus Spoke in Parables"), explaining that some were given to understand, while others, though seeing, did not perceive. Ultimately, while God calls all, the response is a matter of individual will and the work of the Spirit in the heart.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 28:24, with its stark portrayal of belief and unbelief, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the very person and ministry of Jesus Himself. Just as Paul's message divided his audience, so too did Jesus' presence and teaching. He came "unto his own, and his own received him not" ([John 1:11](/john/1-11 "He Came to His Own")), yet "as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name" ([John 1:12](/john/1-12 "Power to Become Sons of God")). Jesus Himself declared that He came "not to send peace, but a sword" ([Matthew 10:34](/matthew/10-34 "Jesus Brings Division")), indicating the inherent division His truth would create. For those who believe, He is the "cornerstone" upon whom the church is built ([Ephesians 2:20](/ephesians/2-20 "Christ as the Cornerstone")); but for those who disbelieve, He becomes "a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense" ([1 Peter 2:8](/1_peter/2-8 "Christ, a Stumbling Stone")). Thus, the mixed response to Paul's preaching in Rome is a direct continuation of the pattern established by Christ, revealing that the Gospel, in its essence, demands a decisive response to the Lordship of Jesus, separating those who embrace Him as Savior from those who reject Him.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Acts 14:4

But the multitude of the city was divided: and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles.

Acts 17:4

And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few.

Acts 17:5

But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people.

Acts 19:8

¶ And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God.

Acts 19:9

But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus.

Romans 3:3

For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?

Acts 18:6

And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook [his] raiment, and said unto them, Your blood [be] upon your own heads; I [am] clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.