King James Version

What Does Acts 28:25 Mean?

Acts 28:25 in the King James Version says “And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost... — study this verse from Acts chapter 28 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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,

Acts 28:25 · KJV


Context

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,

26

Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive:

27

For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
When they agreed not among themselves (ἀσύμφωνοι ὄντες πρὸς ἀλλήλους)—The Greek 'asymphonoi' (un-harmonious) describes discord among Paul's Jewish hearers after his gospel presentation. As throughout Acts, Jewish response to Jesus divides audiences. Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias—Paul attributes Isaiah's prophecy (6:9-10) directly to the Holy Spirit (τὸ πνεῦμα τὸ ἅγιον), affirming Scripture's divine authorship. The adverb 'well' (καλῶς) means rightly, accurately, fittingly.

This concludes Acts' repeated pattern: Paul preaches in synagogues, some believe, others reject, he turns to Gentiles (13:46, 18:6, 28:28). The Isaiah quotation Jesus himself used (Matthew 13:14-15) explains Israel's unbelief as fulfillment of prophecy, not divine failure. God predicted through Isaiah that many would hear without understanding—judicial hardening following persistent rejection.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Rome, AD 60-62, during Paul's house arrest awaiting trial before Nero. Jewish leaders came to Paul's rented quarters (28:23) where he testified about Jesus from morning till evening. Their divided response fulfills the pattern throughout Acts: the gospel divides hearers, causing either saving faith or hardened rejection.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Paul's use of Isaiah 6 explain continuing Jewish unbelief without denying God's sovereignty or covenant faithfulness?
  2. When have you witnessed the gospel creating sharp division rather than neutral indifference among hearers?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 26 words
ἀσύμφωνοι1 of 26

when they agreed not

G800

inharmonious (figuratively)

δὲ2 of 26

And

G1161

but, and, etc

ὄντες3 of 26
G5607

being

πρὸς4 of 26

among

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,

ἀλλήλους5 of 26

themselves

G240

one another

ἀπελύοντο6 of 26

they departed

G630

to free fully, i.e., (literally) relieve, release, dismiss (reflexively, depart), or (figuratively) let die, pardon or (specially) divorce

εἰπόντος7 of 26

had spoken

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

τοῦ8 of 26
G3588

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

Παύλου9 of 26

after that Paul

G3972

(little; but remotely from a derivative of g3973, meaning the same); paulus, the name of a roman and of an apostle

ῥῆμα10 of 26

word

G4487

an utterance (individually, collectively or specially),; by implication, a matter or topic (especially of narration, command or dispute); with a negat

ἓν11 of 26

one

G1520

one

ὅτι12 of 26
G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

Καλῶς13 of 26

Well

G2573

well (usually morally)

τὸ14 of 26
G3588

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

πνεῦμα15 of 26

Ghost

G4151

a current of air, i.e., breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e., (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital prin

τὸ16 of 26
G3588

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

ἅγιον17 of 26

the Holy

G40

sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated)

ἐλάλησεν18 of 26

spake

G2980

to talk, i.e., utter words

διὰ19 of 26

by

G1223

through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)

Ἠσαΐου20 of 26

Esaias

G2268

hesaias (i.e., jeshajah), an israelite

τοῦ21 of 26
G3588

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

προφήτου22 of 26

the prophet

G4396

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

πρὸς23 of 26

among

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,

τοὺς24 of 26
G3588

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

πατέρας25 of 26

fathers

G3962

a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)

ἡμῶν26 of 26

our

G2257

of (or from) us


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 28:25 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 28:25 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study