Acts 28:28

KJV

Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and [that] they will hear it.

KJV (with Strong's)

Be it {G2077} known {G1110} therefore {G3767} unto you {G5213}, that {G3754} the salvation {G4992} of God {G2316} is sent {G649} unto the Gentiles {G1484}, and {G2532} that they will hear {G191} it {G846}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Therefore, let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Goyim, and they will listen!”

Berean Standard Bible

Be advised, therefore, that God’s salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!”

American Standard Version

Be it known therefore unto you, that this salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles: they will also hear.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 28:28 serves as Paul's climactic declaration at the close of the book of Acts, delivered to the Jewish leaders in Rome. Following their mixed reception of the Gospel, Paul solemnly pronounces that God's salvation, having been largely rejected by many in Israel, is now definitively being sent to the Gentiles, who are anticipated to receive and embrace it. This statement underscores the universal scope of God's redemptive plan and marks a pivotal shift in the focus of the apostolic mission from primarily Israel to all nations.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Acts 28 concludes Paul's journey and ministry as recorded by Luke. Paul arrives in Rome under house arrest, yet with considerable freedom to preach. His first act is to summon the leading Jews to explain his situation, emphasizing his innocence regarding any offense against the Jewish people or their customs, and reiterating that he is imprisoned "for the hope of Israel" [Acts 28:20](/acts/28-20 "Acts 28:20 - Paul's Imprisonment for Israel's Hope"). He then engages them in a full day of teaching, "persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets" [Acts 28:23](/acts/28-23 "Acts 28:23 - Paul Preaches to the Jews in Rome"). The immediate context of verse 28 is the division among the Jews, with some believing and others not [Acts 28:24](/acts/28-24 "Acts 28:24 - Division Among the Jews"). Paul's response is to quote Isaiah 6:9-10, highlighting Israel's historical spiritual blindness and resistance to God's message, thereby setting the stage for his momentous declaration about the Gentiles. This verse thus functions as a solemn conclusion to Luke's narrative of the Gospel's progression from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Paul's declaration occurs in Rome, the heart of the Roman Empire, around A.D. 60-62. This city was a melting pot of cultures and religions, including a significant Jewish diaspora community. For centuries, Jewish identity was intrinsically linked to covenantal privilege and the expectation of Messiah's coming to Israel. The idea that salvation would extend to "Gentiles" (non-Jews) was deeply challenging to many Jewish perspectives, despite Old Testament prophecies hinting at it. Paul's ministry consistently faced opposition from Jewish factions who struggled with or outright rejected the inclusion of Gentiles on equal footing, without requiring full adherence to Mosaic Law. This cultural tension, evident throughout Acts, culminates here as Paul, having exhausted his efforts to persuade the Roman Jewish leadership, formally announces a definitive shift in God's redemptive focus, acknowledging the persistent resistance within segments of Israel.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully encapsulates several overarching themes found throughout Acts and Paul's epistles. Primarily, it underscores the **universality of God's salvation**, demonstrating that God's redemptive plan is not limited by ethnic or national boundaries but is intended for all humanity, as prophesied in the Old Testament (e.g., [Isaiah 49:6](/isaiah/49-6 "Isaiah 49:6 - Light to the Gentiles")). It also highlights the theme of **divine initiative and sovereignty**, as salvation is "sent" by God, emphasizing His active role in extending grace. Furthermore, it addresses the persistent theme of **Israel's rejection and Gentile inclusion**, a tension Paul explores in depth in his letter to the Romans, particularly in [Romans 9-11](/romans/9-11 "Romans 9-11 - Israel's Past, Present, and Future"). The verse marks a crucial turning point, signifying the Gospel's decisive movement beyond Jewish exclusivity towards a global mission, a trajectory that began with the Great Commission in [Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - The Great Commission").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **salvation (Greek, _sōtḗrion'_):** The neuter form of the same root as *sōtēria*, referring to "defender" or "defense." Here, it concretely signifies God's saving power, His provision for deliverance, and the full scope of His redemptive work. It is not merely a concept but God's active intervention to save.
* **Gentiles (Greek, _éthnos'_):** Probably from *ethō*, meaning "a race" or "tribe." Specifically, it refers to a foreign, non-Jewish people, often implying a pagan background. Paul's use here explicitly broadens the scope of God's saving activity beyond the confines of the Jewish nation to include all other peoples of the world.
* **hear (Greek, _akoúō'_):** A primary verb meaning "to hear" in various senses, including to "give audience to," "come to the ears," or "understand." In this context, it implies not just physical hearing but an active, receptive listening that leads to understanding and obedience, contrasting with the spiritual deafness Paul just described in Isaiah 6.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Be it known therefore unto you":** This imperative opening, utilizing the Greek *gnōstós* ("known") and *oûn* ("therefore"), signals a solemn and weighty declaration. Paul is making an undeniable pronouncement, drawing a conclusion from the preceding discussion and the Jewish leaders' divided response. It serves as a formal, public statement of divine truth.
* **"that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles":** This is the core message. "The salvation of God" (G2316 *theós* and G4992 *sōtḗrion*) emphasizes that this deliverance originates from God Himself, is His sovereign act, and is His unique provision. The passive voice of "is sent" (G649 *apostéllō*) further highlights divine initiative—God is actively dispatching His saving message. Crucially, it is directed "unto the Gentiles" (G1484 *éthnos*), unequivocally stating that God's redemptive focus is now decisively extended beyond Israel to all nations.
* **"and [that] they will hear it":** This final clause expresses a confident expectation of Gentile receptivity. In stark contrast to the spiritual deafness of many Jews, Paul anticipates that the Gentiles will not merely hear the message physically but will "hear" (G191 *akoúō*) it in a way that implies understanding, belief, and acceptance. This prophetic statement underscores God's unwavering purpose to gather a people for Himself from every tongue, tribe, and nation.

#### Literary Devices
Acts 28:28 functions as a powerful rhetorical statement, employing several literary devices. The most prominent is **Contrast**, as Paul juxtaposes the spiritual blindness and resistance of many Jewish leaders, as described in his preceding quote from Isaiah 6:9-10, with the anticipated receptivity of the Gentiles. This creates a dramatic tension and highlights the shift in God's redemptive focus. The phrase "Be it known therefore unto you" functions as a **Solemn Declaration** or **Pronouncement**, lending gravity and authority to Paul's words, marking them as a definitive, divinely inspired truth rather than a mere opinion. Furthermore, the verse contains **Fulfillment Language**, implicitly referencing Old Testament prophecies that spoke of the nations coming to the light of Israel's God, now being realized through the Gospel's extension. The entire statement acts as a **Climactic Summary** for the book of Acts, providing a theological rationale for the Gospel's journey from Jerusalem to Rome and beyond, concluding Luke's narrative with a powerful affirmation of God's universal redemptive plan.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 28:28 is a theological watershed, marking the culmination of a theme woven throughout salvation history: God's desire to bless all nations through Abraham's seed. While Israel was chosen as the conduit for this blessing, their consistent corporate rejection of the Messiah led to a decisive turning point. This verse does not signify God's abandonment of Israel but rather a strategic redirection of the primary focus of the Gospel mission to the Gentiles, ensuring that God's redemptive purposes would not be thwarted by human unbelief. It highlights the profound truth that salvation is entirely a work of God's grace, freely offered to all who will hear and believe, irrespective of their ethnic background or prior covenantal status. This divine initiative underscores God's unwavering commitment to His global redemptive plan.
* [Acts 13:46](/acts/13-46 "Acts 13:46 - Paul and Barnabas Turn to the Gentiles")
* [Romans 11:11](/romans/11-11 "Romans 11:11 - Israel's Stumbling and Gentile Salvation")
* [Ephesians 2:11-13](/ephesians/2-11-13 "Ephesians 2:11-13 - Gentiles Brought Near by Christ")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 28:28 serves as a potent reminder for believers today regarding the expansive nature of God's grace and the ongoing imperative of the Great Commission. Just as God's salvation was "sent" to the Gentiles, so too are we called to be agents of that sending, carrying the good news to those who have not yet heard. This verse challenges any ethnocentric or exclusive views of God's kingdom, urging us to embrace and celebrate the diversity of God's people from every nation, tribe, and tongue. It also calls us to examine our own receptivity to God's Word. Are we, like the receptive Gentiles, eager to hear and obey, or do we, like some of the Jewish leaders, allow preconceived notions or hardened hearts to prevent us from fully embracing God's truth? Our mission field is global, and our hearts should reflect God's heart for all humanity.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Paul's declaration in Acts 28:28 challenge any exclusive or limited views of God's salvation that you might hold?**
* **In what ways can you actively participate in God's ongoing mission to send His salvation to the "Gentiles" (those outside the faith) in your own community and globally?**
* **Reflect on your own "hearing" of God's Word. Are you truly receptive, or do you sometimes resist truths that challenge your comfort or assumptions?**

### FAQ
**Does Acts 28:28 mean God has completely abandoned the Jewish people?**

Answer: No, Acts 28:28 does not signify God's complete abandonment of the Jewish people. While it marks a significant shift in the focus of the apostolic mission to the Gentiles due to widespread Jewish unbelief, Paul himself clarifies in his letter to the Romans that God has not cast away His people [Romans 11:1](/romans/11-1 "Romans 11:1 - God Has Not Rejected Israel"). He explains that a partial hardening has come upon Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in, and then "all Israel will be saved" [Romans 11:25-26](/romans/11-25-26 "Romans 11:25-26 - The Mystery of Israel's Salvation"). This verse in Acts is more about a change in strategy and emphasis for the Gospel's spread, ensuring God's redemptive plan continues to advance globally, rather than a final rejection of Israel.

**Why does Paul make such a strong statement at the end of Acts?**

Answer: Paul makes this strong statement at the end of Acts as a climactic declaration and a theological explanation for the trajectory of the Gospel. Throughout Acts, Paul consistently preaches to the Jews first, in every synagogue he visits, offering them the Messiah [Acts 13:5](/acts/13-5 "Acts 13:5 - Paul Preaches in Salamis"). However, he repeatedly encounters significant resistance and rejection from many Jewish communities, leading him to turn to the Gentiles [Acts 13:46](/acts/13-46 "Acts 13:46 - Paul and Barnabas Turn to the Gentiles"). His declaration in [Acts 28:28](/acts/28-28 "Acts 28:28 - Salvation Sent to the Gentiles") serves as a solemn conclusion to this pattern, underscoring that while God's offer of salvation remains open to all, the primary focus of the mission has definitively shifted to the Gentiles due to Israel's corporate unbelief. It provides a theological rationale for the universal spread of Christianity, which Luke's narrative has meticulously traced from Jerusalem to Rome.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 28:28 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in Jesus Himself, who is the very embodiment of "the salvation of God." The Old Testament prophets foretold a Messiah who would not only be a light to Israel but also a "light to the Gentiles" [Isaiah 49:6](/isaiah/49-6 "Isaiah 49:6 - Light to the Gentiles"), and whose name the Gentiles would hope in [Matthew 12:21](/matthew/12-21 "Matthew 12:21 - Hope for the Gentiles"). Jesus's own ministry, though primarily focused on "the lost sheep of the house of Israel" [Matthew 15:24](/matthew/15-24 "Matthew 15:24 - Jesus' Mission to Israel"), contained glimpses of this broader vision, such as His encounter with the Syrophoenician woman [Mark 7:24-30](/mark/7-24-30 "Mark 7:24-30 - The Syrophoenician Woman's Faith") or the Roman centurion [Matthew 8:5-13](/matthew/8-5-13 "Matthew 8:5-13 - The Faith of the Centurion"). His death on the cross was for the sins of the "whole world" [1_john/2-2](/1_john/2-2 "1 John 2:2 - Christ's Atonement for All"), breaking down the dividing wall between Jew and Gentile [Ephesians 2:14](/ephesians/2-14 "Ephesians 2:14 - Christ Breaks Down the Dividing Wall"). The sending of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost empowered the apostles to proclaim this salvation to all nations, culminating in Paul's declaration here. Thus, the "salvation of God sent unto the Gentiles" is the direct result of Christ's finished work, fulfilling God's ancient promise to bring all peoples into His saving embrace through the one Mediator, Jesus Christ [1_timothy/2-5](/1_timothy/2-5 "1 Timothy 2:5 - One Mediator, Christ Jesus").

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

Luke 2:30

For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,

Luke 2:32

A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

Acts 26:17

Delivering thee from the people, and [from] the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee,

Acts 26:18

To open their eyes, [and] to turn [them] from darkness to light, and [from] the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

Romans 3:29

[Is he] the God of the Jews only? [is he] not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also:

Romans 3:30

Seeing [it is] one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.

Luke 3:6

And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.