Acts 28:25

KJV

And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers,

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} when they agreed not {G800}{G5607} among {G4314} themselves {G240}, they departed {G630}, after that Paul {G3972} had spoken {G2036} one {G1520} word {G4487},{G3754} Well {G2573} spake {G2980} the Holy {G40} Ghost {G4151} by {G1223} Esaias {G2268} the prophet {G4396} unto {G4314} our {G2257} fathers {G3962},

Complete Jewish Bible

while others refused to believe.

So they left, disagreeing among themselves, after Sha’ul had made one final statement: “The Ruach HaKodesh spoke well in saying to your fathers through Yesha‘yahu the prophet,

Berean Standard Bible

They disagreed among themselves and began to leave after Paul had made this final statement: “The Holy Spirit was right when He spoke to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet:

American Standard Version

And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Spirit through Isaiah the prophet unto your fathers,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 28:25 records Paul's poignant final words to the Jewish leaders in Rome, who, after a day-long discourse on the Kingdom of God and Jesus from the Law and the Prophets, remained divided in their response. As they prepared to depart, Paul delivered a solemn pronouncement, quoting the prophet Isaiah to explain their persistent unbelief, attributing the prophecy's utterance directly to the Holy Spirit speaking through Esaias to their forefathers. This declaration underscores the divine authority of Scripture and the tragic reality of spiritual hardening in the face of truth.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse concludes a pivotal encounter in Paul's ministry, marking the culmination of his efforts to present the Gospel to the Jewish community in Rome. Having arrived under house arrest, Paul immediately summoned the leading Jews, explaining his situation and, more importantly, passionately proclaiming the Kingdom of God and reasoning about Jesus from the entirety of the Old Testament (Law of Moses and the Prophets). The preceding verses (Acts 28:23-24) describe this extensive, day-long dialogue and the resulting division: "some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not." Acts 28:25 captures Paul's decisive, final word to this divided group, a word that not only explains their unbelief but also sets the stage for his subsequent declaration in [Acts 28:28](/acts/28-28 "Acts 28:28 - Salvation Sent to the Gentiles"), where he announces his intention to turn to the Gentiles, a significant turning point in the book of Acts.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Paul's arrival in Rome as a prisoner, yet with relative freedom to preach from his rented house (Acts 28:16, 30-31), provided a unique opportunity to engage with the prominent Jewish community in the imperial capital. The Jews in Rome, like those elsewhere in the diaspora, maintained their distinct cultural and religious identity, often holding strong messianic expectations rooted in the Old Testament. However, their understanding of the Messiah often diverged from the Christian proclamation of Jesus as the crucified and resurrected Lord. Paul's reasoning "from the Law of Moses, and from the prophets" (Acts 28:23) indicates his customary approach of demonstrating Jesus as the fulfillment of their own Scriptures. The internal disagreement among them reflects the broader historical pattern of Jewish responses to the Gospel, ranging from fervent belief to staunch rejection, a dynamic that profoundly shaped the early church's mission.
* **Key Themes:** Acts 28:25 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Acts and biblical theology. Firstly, it highlights the **Divine Inspiration of Scripture**, as Paul emphatically states, "Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet," affirming that the Old Testament prophecies are not merely human words but divinely authored by the Spirit of God. Secondly, it underscores the persistent theme of **Persistent Unbelief and Spiritual Blindness**, particularly among those who, despite exposure to divine truth, harden their hearts. This resistance, prophesied centuries earlier in [Isaiah 6:9-10](/isaiah/6-9-10 "Isaiah 6:9-10 - The Prophecy of Spiritual Blindness"), explains why some remain unable to perceive or accept God's message. Lastly, the verse illuminates **Paul's Apostolic Conviction and the Shifting Focus of the Gospel Mission**. Paul's use of this prophecy serves not just as a lament but as a theological justification for the mixed reception, paving the way for the Gospel's decisive turn towards the Gentiles, a trajectory foreshadowed throughout Acts and explicitly stated in [Acts 28:28](/acts/28-28 "Acts 28:28 - Paul Turns to the Gentiles").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **agreed not (Greek, _asýmphōnos'_):** From the negative particle 'a' and 'symphonos' (harmonious), this word literally means "inharmonious" or "not in agreement." It describes the internal disunity and lack of consensus among the Jewish leaders regarding Paul's message. Despite a full day of reasoning, they could not come to a unified understanding or acceptance of the Gospel, leading to their departure in disagreement.
* **Well (Greek, _kalōs'_):** This adverb means "well," "rightly," or "properly," often with a moral or qualitative sense. Paul's use of "Well spake" is a strong affirmation of the truthfulness and divine authority of the prophecy from Isaiah. It signifies that the Holy Spirit's utterance through Isaiah was perfectly accurate, fitting, and true, not only for Isaiah's original audience but also for the current situation in Rome.
* **Ghost (Greek, _pneûma'_):** This term refers to a current of air, breath, or wind, but in a theological context, it signifies a spirit, particularly the divine Spirit. When combined with "Holy" (hágios, G40, not selected as a standalone key word but part of the phrase), "Holy Ghost" unequivocally refers to the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity. Paul's declaration emphasizes the direct agency of God's Spirit in inspiring the ancient prophetic word, confirming its divine origin and infallible truth.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed":** This clause describes the immediate aftermath of Paul's extensive teaching. Despite his fervent reasoning from the Scriptures, the Jewish leaders could not reach a consensus. Their internal disagreement, signified by "agreed not," led to their departure, highlighting their divided response to the Gospel message. This division is a recurring theme in Acts, where the proclamation of Christ often elicits both belief and rejection.
* **"after that Paul had spoken one word":** This phrase indicates that Paul delivered a final, singular, and weighty statement after witnessing their disunity. This "one word" (Greek, _rhēma_) was not a casual remark but a definitive pronouncement, a summary judgment on their spiritual condition, and a prophetic explanation for their unbelief. It was a word of divine insight, not merely human opinion.
* **"Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers":** This is the core of Paul's "one word." He emphatically affirms the divine inspiration of the prophecy he is about to quote. By stating "Well spake the Holy Ghost," Paul attributes the words of Isaiah directly to God the Holy Spirit, underscoring their infallible truth and authority. The phrase "by Esaias the prophet" acknowledges Isaiah as the human instrument through whom the Spirit spoke, and "unto our fathers" connects the ancient prophecy directly to the lineage and historical experience of the Jewish people, making it profoundly relevant to their current situation.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Authorial Commentary** is evident as Luke, the narrator, records Paul's interpretive statement, implicitly endorsing its truth and significance. Paul's "one word" functions as a **Prophetic Pronouncement** or **Lament**, as he, acting as an apostle and prophet, delivers a divinely inspired judgment on the spiritual state of his kinsmen. This pronouncement also serves as a profound **Allusion** to the Old Testament, specifically to Isaiah 6:9-10, which Paul quotes in the subsequent verses. This allusion provides a theological framework for understanding the persistent unbelief, linking it to a pattern of spiritual blindness prophesied centuries earlier. The verse also contains an element of **Irony**, as the very people to whom the prophets were given, and who prided themselves on their adherence to the Law, are the ones fulfilling the prophecy of spiritual insensitivity.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 28:25 profoundly illustrates the enduring tension between divine sovereignty and human responsibility in the reception of God's truth. Paul's declaration that the Holy Spirit "well spake" through Isaiah affirms the absolute authority and timeless relevance of Old Testament prophecy, revealing God's foreknowledge of human responses. The division among the Jewish leaders, and Paul's subsequent explanation, highlights that even when the Gospel is presented with clarity and power, human hearts can remain hardened, fulfilling ancient prophecies of spiritual blindness. This moment serves as a somber reminder that salvation is ultimately a work of God, requiring divine enablement for true understanding and belief, yet it does not negate human culpability for unbelief. It also underscores the consistent pattern of God's redemptive plan, which, despite rejection by some, continues to advance, ultimately extending to all nations.

* [Isaiah 6:9-10](/isaiah/6-9-10 "Isaiah 6:9-10 - The Prophecy of Hardened Hearts")
* [Matthew 13:14-15](/matthew/13-14-15 "Matthew 13:14-15 - Jesus Explains Parables with Isaiah")
* [Romans 11:7-8](/romans/11-7-8 "Romans 11:7-8 - Israel's Partial Hardening")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 28:25 serves as a powerful and sobering reminder that the truth of God's Word, even when presented by a Spirit-filled apostle, is not universally received. It compels us to examine our own hearts: are we truly listening with open ears and receptive spirits, or do we, like some of the Jewish leaders, allow preconceived notions, traditions, or personal biases to harden our hearts against divine revelation? For those who proclaim the Gospel, this verse offers both comfort and a challenge. Comfort in knowing that rejection is not a failure of the message itself, but often a fulfillment of prophetic patterns of human resistance. Challenge to persevere in sharing the truth, recognizing that while we are responsible for the proclamation, the Holy Spirit is ultimately responsible for conviction and conversion. It highlights the critical need for prayer, both for open hearts to receive the Word and for divine wisdom in how we present it, trusting that God's sovereign plan will unfold regardless of human response.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might my own heart be resistant to hearing and fully embracing God's truth, even when it is clearly presented?**
* **How does understanding the historical pattern of spiritual blindness, as seen in this verse, impact my perspective on sharing the Gospel with those who seem unreceptive?**
* **What does Paul's strong affirmation, "Well spake the Holy Ghost," teach me about the authority and inspiration of all Scripture?**
* **How can I cultivate a more receptive heart and mind to the Holy Spirit's voice through God's Word in my daily life?**

### FAQ
**Why did Paul quote Isaiah 6:9-10 specifically in this context?**

Answer: Paul quoted [Isaiah 6:9-10](/isaiah/6-9-10 "Isaiah 6:9-10 - The Prophecy of Spiritual Blindness") because it perfectly encapsulated the spiritual condition of those Jewish leaders who rejected his message. The prophecy describes a people whose hearts are made dull, their ears heavy, and their eyes shut, preventing them from understanding, converting, and being healed. By quoting this passage, Paul was not merely expressing frustration; he was providing a profound theological explanation for their unbelief, demonstrating that their response was not unforeseen but was, in fact, a fulfillment of ancient prophecy concerning the spiritual insensitivity of some within Israel. This served to both validate the prophetic word and explain the necessity of turning the Gospel to the Gentiles, as he states in [Acts 28:28](/acts/28-28 "Acts 28:28 - Paul Turns to the Gentiles").

**What does "agreed not among themselves" imply about the Jewish leaders' response to Paul?**

Answer: The phrase "agreed not among themselves" (Greek, _asýmphōnos_) indicates a significant internal division and lack of consensus among the Jewish leaders regarding Paul's presentation of Jesus as the Messiah. While some were persuaded by Paul's extensive reasoning from the Law and the Prophets, others remained unconvinced or actively resistant. This disagreement was not a minor point of contention but a fundamental divergence in their understanding and acceptance of the Gospel. It highlights that even within a single group, and after a thorough explanation of divine truth, human responses can vary dramatically, leading to schism and departure.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 28:25, with Paul's solemn declaration and quotation of Isaiah, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in several profound ways. The pattern of rejection and spiritual hardening, prophesied by Isaiah and observed by Paul, was most acutely experienced by Jesus Himself. Just as the Holy Spirit spoke through Isaiah about a people who would see but not perceive, and hear but not understand, so too did many in Israel reject their own Messiah, fulfilling prophecies concerning His suffering and rejection (e.g., [Isaiah 53:3](/isaiah/53-3 "Isaiah 53:3 - Despised and Rejected by Men")). Jesus Himself quoted this very passage from Isaiah to explain why He spoke in parables to those who, having ears, refused to hear (e.g., [Matthew 13:13-15](/matthew/13-13-15 "Matthew 13:13-15 - Jesus Explains Parables")). Yet, Christ's rejection by many did not thwart God's redemptive plan; rather, it became the very means through which salvation was extended to the Gentiles. The "one word" Paul spoke, explaining Israel's spiritual blindness, ultimately underscores the universal scope of the Gospel, which, through Christ's atoning work, breaks down the dividing wall between Jew and Gentile, creating one new humanity in Him (e.g., [Ephesians 2:14-16](/ephesians/2-14-16 "Ephesians 2:14-16 - Christ Our Peace")). Thus, the prophecy of hardening, fulfilled in part by Israel's unbelief, ultimately serves to magnify the grace of God in Christ, who offers salvation to "everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek" ([Romans 1:16](/romans/1-16 "Romans 1:16 - The Power of the Gospel")).

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

Matthew 15:7

[Ye] hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying,

2 Peter 1:21

For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake [as they were] moved by the Holy Ghost.

Mark 7:6

He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with [their] lips, but their heart is far from me.