King James Version

What Does Acts 28:23 Mean?

Acts 28:23 in the King James Version says “And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the k... — study this verse from Acts chapter 28 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening.

Acts 28:23 · KJV


Context

21

And they said unto him, We neither received letters out of Judaea concerning thee, neither any of the brethren that came shewed or spake any harm of thee.

22

But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, we know that every where it is spoken against.

23

And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening.

24

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

25

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,


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
He expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus (ἐξετίθετο... πείθων)—Paul's method: exposition (careful explanation), testimony (personal witness), and persuasion (reasoned argument). His sources—both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets—grounded Christ in Scripture, not novel teaching. The timeframe—from morning till evening—indicates exhaustive, systematic presentation. Paul demonstrated that all Old Testament pointed to Jesus as Messiah and King. The 'kingdom of God' theme connected Jesus to Israel's royal-messianic expectations while transforming understanding of that kingdom's nature.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This marathon teaching session followed synagogue practices of extensive scriptural discussion. Paul's approach—proving Jesus from Torah and Prophets—remained his consistent evangelistic method with Jewish audiences (Acts 17:2-3).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Paul's all-day teaching session challenge modern assumptions about attention spans and serious Bible study?
  2. What does grounding the gospel 'in the law of Moses, and... the prophets' teach about Scripture's unity?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 37 words
Ταξάμενοι1 of 37

when they had appointed

G5021

to arrange in an orderly manner, i.e., assign or dispose (to a certain position or lot)

δὲ2 of 37

And

G1161

but, and, etc

αὐτοὺς3 of 37

him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ἡμέραν4 of 37

a day

G2250

day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of

ἧκον5 of 37

there came

G2240

to arrive, i.e., be present (literally or figuratively)

πρὸς6 of 37

to

G4314

a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,

αὐτοὺς7 of 37

him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

εἰς8 of 37

into

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

τὴν9 of 37
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ξενίαν10 of 37

his lodging

G3578

hospitality, i.e., (by implication) a place of entertainment

πλείονες11 of 37

many

G4119

more in quantity, number, or quality; also (in plural) the major portion

οἷς12 of 37

to whom

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

ἐξετίθετο13 of 37

he expounded

G1620

to expose; figuratively, to declare

διαμαρτυρόμενος14 of 37

and testified

G1263

to attest or protest earnestly, or (by implication) hortatively

τὴν15 of 37
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

βασιλείαν16 of 37

the kingdom

G932

properly, royalty, i.e., (abstractly) rule, or (concretely) a realm (literally or figuratively)

τοῦ17 of 37
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θεοῦ18 of 37

of God

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

πείθων19 of 37

persuading

G3982

to convince (by argument, true or false); by analogy, to pacify or conciliate (by other fair means); reflexively or passively, to assent (to evidence

τε20 of 37

both

G5037

both or also (properly, as correlation of g2532)

αὐτοὺς21 of 37

him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

τὰ22 of 37
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

περὶ23 of 37

concerning

G4012

properly, through (all over), i.e., around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive cas

τοῦ24 of 37
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Ἰησοῦ25 of 37

Jesus

G2424

jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites

ἀπὸ26 of 37

from

G575

"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)

τε27 of 37

both

G5037

both or also (properly, as correlation of g2532)

τοῦ28 of 37
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

νόμου29 of 37

the law

G3551

law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of moses (including the volume); also of the gospel), or figurat

Μωσέως30 of 37

of Moses

G3475

moseus, moses, or mouses (i.e., mosheh), the hebrew lawgiver

καὶ31 of 37

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τῶν32 of 37
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

προφητῶν33 of 37

out of the prophets

G4396

a foreteller ("prophet"); by analogy, an inspired speaker; by extension, a poet

ἀπὸ34 of 37

from

G575

"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)

πρωῒ35 of 37

morning

G4404

at dawn; by implication, the day-break watch

ἕως36 of 37

till

G2193

a conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until (of time and place)

ἑσπέρας37 of 37

evening

G2073

the evening


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Acts. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Acts 28:23 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Acts 28:23 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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