Acts 28:29

KJV

And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great reasoning among themselves.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} when he {G846} had said {G2036} these words {G5023}, the Jews {G2453} departed {G565}, and had {G2192} great {G4183} reasoning {G4803} among {G1722} themselves {G1438}.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 28:29 concludes Paul's final recorded interaction with the Jewish leaders in Rome, capturing the immediate aftermath of his profound declaration that because the Jewish people largely rejected the Gospel, God's salvation would now be sent to the Gentiles. This verse highlights the profound division and intense internal debate that erupted among the Jewish listeners in response to Paul's challenging message, underscoring the ongoing tension between Jewish particularism and the universal scope of the Gospel.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Acts 28:29 serves as a poignant conclusion to Paul's extensive efforts to persuade the Jewish leaders in Rome about Jesus, drawing from the Law of Moses and the Prophets. The preceding verses, specifically [Acts 28:23-28](/acts/28-23-28 "Paul Preaches to the Jews in Rome"), detail Paul's day-long exposition of the Kingdom of God and Jesus. While some were convinced, others remained unconvinced, leading Paul to quote [Isaiah 6:9-10](/isaiah/6-9-10 "Isaiah's Prophecy of Spiritual Blindness") concerning spiritual blindness and then declare that salvation would now go to the Gentiles. Verse 29, though omitted in some ancient manuscripts, provides a fitting narrative closure, depicting the immediate, conflicted reaction of the Jewish audience as they grappled with the implications of Paul's words and his turning to the Gentiles.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Paul's arrival in Rome marked a significant moment, bringing the Gospel to the heart of the Roman Empire. The Jewish community in Rome was substantial and well-established, with synagogues and a strong sense of national and religious identity. They held a privileged status, allowed to practice their religion, but also faced internal divisions (e.g., between those who embraced Hellenistic culture and those who maintained strict traditionalism). Paul's message, proclaiming a crucified Messiah who fulfilled the Law and Prophets but whose salvation extended to Gentiles without requiring full adherence to Jewish customs, directly challenged their deeply ingrained ethnocentric perspectives and theological frameworks. The "reasoning" among themselves reflects the intense internal struggle within a community grappling with a message that threatened their established religious identity and perceived covenantal exclusivity.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Acts. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Jewish Rejection and Gentile Inclusion**, which is a recurring motif throughout the book, culminating in Paul's final declaration here. This pattern of initial Jewish resistance leading to the Gospel's expansion among the Gentiles is evident from Paul's earlier ministry, as seen in [Acts 13:46](/acts/13-46 "Paul Turns to the Gentiles in Pisidian Antioch") and [Acts 18:6](/acts/18-6 "Paul Shakes Out His Garments in Corinth"). Secondly, it highlights the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Human Responsibility**, as God's plan for salvation advances despite human resistance, yet individuals remain accountable for their response to the truth. The "great reasoning" demonstrates the human struggle with conviction and the freedom to accept or reject God's gracious offer. Finally, it reinforces the theme of **The Gospel's Divisive Nature**, revealing how the truth of Christ, while offering reconciliation with God, often creates division among people, forcing them to confront their beliefs and allegiances, much as Jesus himself predicted in [Matthew 10:34-36](/matthew/10-34-36 "Jesus Brings Division").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Jews (Greek, _Ioudaîos'_):** This term, derived from "Judah," identifies the specific group to whom Paul was speaking – those belonging to Jehudah, the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the covenant people of God. Their identity was intrinsically linked to the Law, the Prophets, and the promise of a Messiah. The fact that *they* departed and had great reasoning among themselves highlights the internal struggle within the very people who were supposed to be the first recipients and bearers of the Messiah's message.
* **had (Greek, _échō'_):** This verb signifies possession, ability, or condition. In this context, it indicates that the Jews *possessed* or *engaged in* the "great reasoning." It's not merely that reasoning occurred, but that they actively "held" or "had" this disputation among themselves, suggesting an intentional and sustained engagement with the challenging implications of Paul's words.
* **reasoning (Greek, _syzḗtēsis'_):** This word denotes "mutual questioning," "discussion," or "disputation." It implies a vigorous, often contentious, intellectual and verbal exchange where arguments are weighed and opinions conflict. It's more than casual conversation; it suggests a deep, unsettling deliberation, a mental struggle, or a conflict of opinions that Paul's message had provoked within the Jewish community. The addition of "great" (G4183, _polýs_) emphasizes the intensity and significance of this internal debate.
* **themselves (Greek, _heautoû'_):** This reflexive pronoun emphasizes that the "reasoning" was internal to the group, "among themselves," rather than with Paul or others outside their immediate circle. This highlights the profound impact of Paul's words, forcing the Jewish leaders to grapple internally with the radical implications of the Gospel and the shift towards the Gentiles, a concept deeply challenging to their established worldview.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And when he had said these words":** This clause directly links the Jews' reaction to Paul's preceding discourse, specifically his declaration in [Acts 28:28](/acts/28-28 "Paul's Declaration to the Jews"), where he stated that salvation would now be sent to the Gentiles. It underscores that their subsequent actions were a direct consequence of his powerful and challenging message.
* **"the Jews departed":** This indicates a physical withdrawal from Paul's presence. Their departure signifies a collective response to his words, not necessarily an agreement, but a need to process or distance themselves from the uncomfortable truth he had presented. It marks the end of this particular encounter and, symbolically, the end of the Gospel's primary focus on the Jewish people in Acts.
* **"and had great reasoning among themselves":** This is the heart of the verse, revealing the internal turmoil and division Paul's message caused. The "great reasoning" (Greek _syzḗtēsis_) implies an intense, possibly contentious, debate or disputation. It suggests that Paul's words deeply unsettled them, forcing them into a contentious internal discussion about the truth of his claims, the implications of their rejection, and the radical idea of the Gospel turning to the Gentiles. This internal conflict highlights their struggle to reconcile Paul's message with their traditional understanding of God's covenant and their own identity.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs **Narrative Economy** by concisely summarizing the immediate aftermath of a pivotal theological declaration, allowing the reader to infer the profound impact of Paul's words without explicit detail. The phrase "great reasoning among themselves" is a form of **Synecdoche**, where the internal debate represents the broader spiritual struggle and division within the Jewish community concerning the Gospel. There is also an element of **Dramatic Irony**, as the audience knows (and Paul has just declared) that this rejection and internal conflict will ultimately lead to the wider spread of the Gospel to the Gentiles, fulfilling God's universal plan, even as the Jewish leaders struggle to accept it. The departure and subsequent "reasoning" underscore the **Thematic Progression** of Acts, moving from a primary focus on Jewish evangelism to the universal mission.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 28:29 serves as a poignant theological marker, signifying the culmination of a recurring theme throughout the book of Acts: the progressive turning of the Gospel from a largely resistant Jewish audience to a more receptive Gentile world. This shift is not a rejection of Israel by God, but rather a demonstration of God's sovereign plan to extend salvation to all humanity, fulfilling ancient prophecies that the Messiah would be a light to the Gentiles. The "great reasoning" among the Jews underscores the profound theological implications of Paul's message, challenging their deeply held beliefs about their exclusive covenantal status and the nature of God's redemptive work. It highlights the tension between God's particular election of Israel and His universal salvific intent, ultimately revealing that salvation is by grace through faith, available to all who believe, regardless of ethnic origin.

* [Acts 13:46](/acts/13-46 "Paul Turns to the Gentiles in Pisidian Antioch")
* [Romans 1:16](/romans/1-16 "Gospel Power for Jew and Gentile")
* [Isaiah 49:6](/isaiah/49-6 "A Light to the Gentiles")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 28:29 offers vital lessons for believers today concerning the nature of truth, human response, and the unstoppable advance of God's kingdom. Just as Paul's message provoked "great reasoning" and division, the Gospel continues to be a "stumbling block" to some and "foolishness" to others, while being the "power of God" to those who believe. This should remind us that our role is to faithfully proclaim the truth, not to guarantee a specific outcome. People will always respond differently, and we must be prepared for both acceptance and rejection, understanding that genuine faith requires personal conviction and a willingness to grapple with challenging truths. Furthermore, this verse encourages us that even in the face of resistance, God's redemptive purposes will prevail. The mission of the church to take the Gospel to all nations remains paramount, as God will always find those who are open to His grace, even if it means turning to unexpected audiences.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I respond when confronted with challenging truths, especially those that might contradict my preconceived notions or comfort zones?**
* **In what ways might my own cultural or personal biases prevent me from fully embracing the universal scope of the Gospel?**
* **How can I faithfully share the Gospel, understanding that varied responses are inevitable, and trust God with the outcome?**
* **What "reasoning" or internal debates might prevent people in my own context from accepting the Good News, and how can I address these with grace and truth?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the "great reasoning among themselves"?**

Answer: The "great reasoning" (Greek _syzḗtēsis_) signifies an intense, often contentious, internal debate or disputation among the Jewish leaders. It indicates that Paul's message, particularly his declaration that salvation would now go to the Gentiles due to Jewish unbelief, deeply unsettled them. This was not a casual conversation but a profound struggle to reconcile Paul's claims with their understanding of the Law, the Prophets, and their own identity as God's chosen people. It highlights the profound theological and cultural challenge Paul presented and the resulting division within the Jewish community. This internal conflict ultimately led to their departure, marking a symbolic turning point in the narrative of Acts concerning the primary audience of the Gospel.

**Why does Paul turn to the Gentiles if the Gospel was "to the Jew first"?**

Answer: Paul consistently affirmed that the Gospel was "to the Jew first and also to the Greek" ([Romans 1:16](/romans/1-16 "Gospel Power for Jew and Gentile")). His ministry always began in the synagogue, offering the message to his kinsmen. However, throughout Acts, a pattern emerges where significant Jewish resistance or rejection of the Gospel leads Paul to declare a turning point, directing his efforts more explicitly towards the Gentiles. This is seen earlier in [Acts 13:46](/acts/13-46 "Paul Turns to the Gentiles in Pisidian Antioch") and [Acts 18:6](/acts/18-6 "Paul Shakes Out His Garments in Corinth"). Acts 28:28-29 represents the final, climactic declaration of this shift within the narrative of Acts, symbolizing that while God's covenant promises to Israel remain, the immediate focus of the Gospel's advance would be among the nations, fulfilling prophecies like [Isaiah 49:6](/isaiah/49-6 "A Light to the Gentiles"). This shift underscores God's universal plan of salvation, not His abandonment of Israel, but His determination to save people from every tribe and nation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 28:29, depicting the Jewish leaders' "great reasoning" and departure, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate trajectory of God's redemptive plan, which finds its fulfillment in Christ. Jesus himself encountered similar rejection from many of the religious leaders of His day, who likewise engaged in "reasoning" and disputation against Him ([Mark 2:6-8](/mark/2-6-8 "Jesus Forgives Sins and Debates")). His own ministry, though primarily to "the lost sheep of the house of Israel" ([Matthew 15:24](/matthew/15-24 "Jesus' Mission to Israel")), also contained glimpses of the universal scope of His salvation, as seen in His interactions with the Syrophoenician woman ([Mark 7:24-30](/mark/7-24-30 "Jesus Heals the Syrophoenician Woman's Daughter")) and the Roman Centurion ([Matthew 8:5-13](/matthew/8-5-13 "Jesus Heals the Centurion's Servant")). The "reasoning" in Acts 28:29 underscores the human resistance to God's truth, a resistance that Jesus perfectly overcame through His obedient life, atoning death, and glorious resurrection. His sacrifice broke down the dividing wall of hostility between Jew and Gentile ([Ephesians 2:14](/ephesians/2-14 "Christ Breaks Down the Dividing Wall")), inaugurating a new covenant where all who believe, regardless of ethnic background, are united in Him. Thus, the Jewish leaders' internal debate, while a tragic rejection in the immediate sense, ultimately serves to highlight the sovereign wisdom of God in turning the Gospel to the Gentiles, ensuring that Christ's universal Lordship and salvation would indeed reach "to the end of the earth" ([Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "The Great Commission")).

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.