Greek Text · Translation · Interlinear · Discourse Structure

The Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 28ΠΡΑΞΕΙΣ ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΩΝ ΚΗ′

Each verse opens with the running Greek, an English translation, and a discourse note (its connective, relation, and role in the argument). Below follows the word-by-word breakdown in six tiers: gloss, case (color), parsing, syntax, semantic force, and a lexical note.

Case Nominative Genitive Dative Accusative Vocative Verb (no case) Indeclinable

Discourse notes head each verse: relation · connective · clause-flow. Indentation marks prominence — flush-left = main line of argument; indented = supporting / subordinate material.

1

Καὶ διασωθέντες τότε ἐπέγνωμεν ὅτι Μελίτη ἡ νῆσος καλεῖται.

And when we had been brought safely through, we then learned that the island was called Malta.

Narrative continuation (we-section)ΚαίThe we-narrative continues seamlessly from the shipwreck. The aorist participle διασωθέντες ('having been brought safely through') echoes 27:44 and frames the Malta episode as the fulfillment of the angel's promise (27:24). The island identification is factual orientation.
Καὶandcoordinating conjunction
διασωθέντεςhaving been brought safely throughAor Pass Ptc Nom Pl Masc · διασῴζωattendant-circumstance participle→ constative aorist (whole rescue as one event)διασῴζω: 'bring safely through'; compound of διά + σῴζω; the prefix marks passage through danger. This word answered the angel's 'God has granted you all who sail with you' (27:24).
τότεthentemporal adverb
ἐπέγνωμενwe learned / recognizedAor Act Indic 1 Pl · ἐπιγινώσκωmain verb→ constative aoristἐπιγινώσκω: 'come to know fully'; ἐπί- prefix intensifies recognition — they discovered and confirmed the island's name.
ὅτιthatcontent conjunction (introducing indirect statement)
ΜελίτηMaltaNominativepredicate nominativeΜελίτη: Malta (modern Malta), a Roman island south of Sicily. The Western text mistakenly reads Μιτυλήνη (Lesbos), geographically impossible.
theNominativearticle
νῆσοςislandNominativesubject of καλεῖταινῆσος: 'island'; the standard word in Acts for islands encountered on the voyage.
καλεῖταιis calledPres Pass Indic 3 Sg · καλέωmain verb of ὅτι-clause→ descriptive present (standing name)
2

οἵ τε βάρβαροι παρεῖχον ἡμῖν οὐ τὴν τυχοῦσαν φιλανθρωπίαν· ἅψαντες γὰρ πυρὰν προσελάβοντο πάντας ἡμᾶς διὰ τὸν ὑετὸν τὸν ἐφεστῶτα καὶ διὰ τὸ ψῦχος.

And the native people showed us extraordinary kindness, for they kindled a fire and welcomed us all, because of the rain that had come on and because of the cold.

Elaboration (the islanders' reception)τεThe enclit. τε continues the we-narrative. The litotes οὐ τὴν τυχοῦσαν ('no ordinary,' lit. 'not the one that happens') is a Greek idiom for extraordinary quality. βάρβαροι is technical, not pejorative: non-Greek speakers; the Maltese spoke a Punic dialect.
οἵtheNominativearticle used as pronoun (subject)
τεandenclitic connective
βάρβαροιnative people / barbariansNominativesubjectβάρβαρος: originally 'bar-bar' (non-Greek speakers); here purely ethnic, not pejorative. The Maltese spoke a Punic (Semitic) dialect; Luke commends their humanity.
παρεῖχονshowed / providedImpf Act Indic 3 Pl · παρέχωmain verb→ descriptive imperfect (ongoing hospitality)παρέχω: 'provide, show'; imperfect pictures the sustained welcome as the survivors arrived.
ἡμῖνusDativedative of indirect object
οὐnotnegation (litotes)
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
τυχοῦσανordinaryAor Act Ptc Acc Sg Fem · τυγχάνωattributive participle (litotes with οὐ)→ constative aoristτυγχάνω: 'chance upon, happen'; τὴν τυχοῦσαν = 'the ordinary kind'; οὐ τὴν τυχοῦσαν = 'no ordinary' — a standard Greek litotic idiom for superlative quality.
φιλανθρωπίανkindness / philanthropyAccusativedirect objectφιλανθρωπία: 'love of humanity'; the compound φίλος + ἄνθρωπος; a cardinal virtue in Greco-Roman ethics; the noun is emphatic — the Maltese exemplify the ideal.
ἅψαντεςhaving kindledAor Act Ptc Nom Pl Masc · ἅπτωattendant-circumstance participle→ constative aoristἅπτω: 'kindle, light'; here the first act of hospitality.
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
πυρὰνfireAccusativedirect object of ἅψαντεςπυρά: 'bonfire, pyre'; the practical warmth of a large fire on a wet November morning.
προσελάβοντοwelcomed / took to themselvesAor Mid Indic 3 Pl · προσλαμβάνωsecond main verb (coordinated with παρεῖχον by γάρ-expansion)→ constative aoristπροσλαμβάνω: 'receive, take to oneself'; the middle voice highlights the personal welcome. The verb recurs at v.4 (the viper) and Rom 14:1, 15:7.
πάνταςallAccusativedirect object (universal inclusion)
ἡμᾶςusAccusativedirect object (we-group)
διὰbecause ofpreposition + accusative (cause)
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
ὑετὸνrainAccusativeobject of διά (cause)ὑετός: 'rain'; a late-autumn Mediterranean downpour after the storm.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
ἐφεστῶταthat had come onPerf Act Ptc Acc Sg Masc · ἐφίστημιattributive participle (modifying ὑετόν)→ intensive perfect (rain now in force)ἐφίστημι: 'stand upon, come upon'; the perfect participle indicates the rain was already pressing down on them.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
διὰbecause ofpreposition + accusative (cause, parallel)
τὸtheAccusativearticle
ψῦχοςcoldAccusativeobject of διά (cause, parallel)ψῦχος: 'cold'; only here in Acts; Malta in late October/November is cold and wet.
3

συστρέψαντος δὲ τοῦ Παύλου φρυγάνων τι πλῆθος καὶ ἐπιθέντος ἐπὶ τὴν πυράν, ἔχιδνα ἀπὸ τῆς θέρμης ἐξελθοῦσα καθῆψεν τῆς χειρὸς αὐτοῦ.

When Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and put them on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened on his hand.

Narrative continuationδέThe genitive absolute (τοῦ Παύλου … ἐπιθέντος) sets the scene; Paul's manual labor contrasts with any apostolic privilege and sets up the providential test. The viper's response to heat (ἀπὸ τῆς θέρμης) is realistic.
συστρέψαντοςhaving gathered togetherAor Act Ptc Gen Sg Masc · συστρέφωgenitive absolute (subject = τοῦ Παύλου)→ constative aoristσυστρέφω: 'gather, bundle up'; Paul's practical service — he is carrying his own firewood, not standing above the labor.
δέnownarrative connective
τοῦofGenitivearticle (genitive absolute subject)
ΠαύλουPaulGenitivegenitive absolute subjectΠαῦλος: Paul; the genitive absolute names the apostle as actor, not bystander.
φρυγάνωνof brushwood / sticksGenitivepartitive genitive (with πλῆθος)φρύγανον: 'dry stick, brushwood'; a common word for gathered kindling.
τιa certain / someAccusativeindefinite pronoun (modifying πλῆθος)
πλῆθοςbundle / quantityAccusativedirect object of συστρέψαντοςπλῆθος: 'multitude, quantity, bundle'; here a bundle or armful of sticks.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐπιθέντοςhaving put onAor Act Ptc Gen Sg Masc · ἐπιτίθημιgenitive absolute (second ptc, same subject)→ constative aoristἐπιτίθημι: 'place upon'; genitive absolute continues with Paul as subject.
ἐπὶonpreposition + accusative (surface contact)
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
πυράνfireAccusativeobject of ἐπί
ἔχιδναa viperNominativesubject of καθῆψενἔχιδνα: 'viper'; in Greek tradition a symbol of deadly menace; John the Baptist called the Pharisees γεννήματα ἐχιδνῶν (Matt 3:7). Modern Malta has no venomous snakes, but fauna have changed; Luke's narrative requires a creature the Maltese recognized as deadly.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (source / cause)
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
θέρμηςheatGenitiveobject of ἀπό (cause: driven out by the heat)θέρμη: 'heat, warmth'; the fire's heat drives the hibernating snake from the bundle — a realistic detail.
ἐξελθοῦσαcoming outAor Act Ptc Nom Sg Fem · ἐξέρχομαιattendant-circumstance participle→ constative aorist
καθῆψενfastened on / bitAor Act Indic 3 Sg · καθάπτωmain verb→ constative aorist (single decisive act)καθάπτω: 'fasten upon, seize'; a rare compound; the verb describes the snake's grip on the hand, not necessarily a full envenomation — but the islanders assume the worst.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
χειρὸςhandGenitivegenitive of part seized (with καθῆψεν)
αὐτοῦhisGenitivepossessive genitive
4

ὡς δὲ εἶδον οἱ βάρβαροι κρεμάμενον τὸ θηρίον ἐκ τῆς χειρὸς αὐτοῦ, πρὸς ἀλλήλους ἔλεγον· πάντως φονεύς ἐστιν ὁ ἄνθρωπος οὗτος, ὃν διασωθέντα ἐκ τῆς θαλάσσης ἡ Δίκη ζῆν οὐκ εἴασεν.

When the native people saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, 'No doubt this man is a murderer; though he was saved from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live.'

Narrative reaction (misinterpretation)δέThe islanders interpret the snake-bite within a popular theology of divine nemesis: escape from one danger only to be struck by another proves guilt. Δίκη (Justice personified) is a Greek divine abstraction — the Maltese, Punic-speaking, likely share the concept under their own religious vocabulary, but Luke renders it in Greek terms.
ὡςwhentemporal conjunction
δέnownarrative connective
εἶδονthey sawAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ὁράωmain verb of temporal clause→ constative aorist
οἱtheNominativearticle
βάρβαροιnative peopleNominativesubject
κρεμάμενονhangingPres Mid Ptc Acc Sg Neut · κρεμάννυμιobject complement participle (with εἶδον)→ descriptive present (ongoing grip)κρεμάννυμι: 'hang, be suspended'; the participle vividly pictures the snake dangling from Paul's hand.
τὸtheAccusativearticle
θηρίονcreature / beastAccusativedirect object (accusative + ptc construction)θηρίον: 'wild animal, beast'; the word can denote any wild creature; here clearly the viper.
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (source/attachment)
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
χειρὸςhandGenitiveobject of ἐκ
αὐτοῦhisGenitivepossessive genitive
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)
ἀλλήλουςone anotherAccusativereciprocal pronoun (object of πρός)
ἔλεγονwere sayingImpf Act Indic 3 Pl · λέγωmain verb (introducing direct speech)→ descriptive imperfect (ongoing exchange)
πάντωςcertainly / no doubtadverb of certaintyπάντως: 'certainly, by all means'; their confident inference — they are sure of his guilt.
φονεύςmurdererNominativepredicate nominativeφονεύς: 'murderer'; a strong word; they deduce the most serious crime.
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula→ descriptive present
theNominativearticle
ἄνθρωποςmanNominativesubject
οὗτοςthisNominativedemonstrative (attributive to ἄνθρωπος)
ὃνwhomAccusativerelative pronoun (accusative subject of indirect statement)
διασωθένταhaving been savedAor Pass Ptc Acc Sg Masc · διασῴζωaccusative + ptc (object complement of εἴασεν)→ constative aorist
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (separation)
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
θαλάσσηςseaGenitiveobject of ἐκ
theNominativearticle
ΔίκηJusticeNominativesubject (divine personification)Δίκη: 'Justice' personified; a Greek divinity, daughter of Zeus (Hesiod); here used by Luke to represent Maltese popular theology — divine justice that pursues the guilty. The concept parallels Hebrew מִשְׁפָּט in its retributive sense.
ζῆνto livePres Act Inf · ζάωinfinitive (object of εἴασεν)→ descriptive present
οὐκnotnegation
εἴασενhas allowedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐάωmain verb of relative clause→ constative aoristἐάω: 'permit, allow'; Δίκη has 'not allowed him to live' — the snake-bite is read as divine retribution catching up with an escapee.
5

ὁ μὲν οὖν ἀποτινάξας τὸ θηρίον εἰς τὸ πῦρ ἔπαθεν οὐδὲν κακόν.

He, however, shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm.

Contrast / narrative resolutionμέν … οὖνThe μέν anticipates a δέ-contrast (vv.6ff.) and οὖν resumes after the parenthetical Maltese dialogue. The brevity of v.5 is powerful: one aorist (ἀποτινάξας), one main verb (ἔπαθεν), universal negation (οὐδὲν κακόν) — and the matter is settled. No commentary from Paul.
heNominativearticle used as pronoun (subject)
μένon the one handcontrast marker (μέν … δέ)
οὖνthen / thereforeresumptive particle
ἀποτινάξαςshaking offAor Act Ptc Nom Sg Masc · ἀποτινάσσωattendant-circumstance participle→ constative aorist (single decisive shake)ἀποτινάσσω: 'shake off'; only here and Luke 9:5 in the NT; echoes Jesus' instruction to shake off the dust. The casual single shake underscores Paul's lack of alarm.
τὸtheAccusativearticle
θηρίονcreatureAccusativedirect object of ἀποτινάξας
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction)
τὸtheAccusativearticle
πῦρfireAccusativeobject of εἰς
ἔπαθενhe sufferedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · πάσχωmain verb→ constative aoristπάσχω: 'suffer, experience (ill)'; the verb implies harm; with οὐδὲν κακόν the statement is total: no harm whatsoever.
οὐδὲνnothingAccusativedirect object (negated)
κακόνevil / harmAccusativesubstantival adjective (predicate object)κακόν: 'evil, harm'; together οὐδὲν κακόν is absolute — no harm of any kind, vindicating the promise of Lk 10:19 ('nothing will harm you').
6

οἱ δὲ προσεδόκων αὐτὸν μέλλειν πίμπρασθαι ἢ καταπίπτειν ἄφνω νεκρόν. ἐπὶ πολὺ δὲ αὐτῶν προσδοκώντων καὶ θεωρούντων μηδὲν ἄτοπον εἰς αὐτὸν γινόμενον, μεταβαλόμενοι ἔλεγον αὐτὸν εἶναι θεόν.

They were expecting him to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they waited a long time and saw nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god.

Contrast (expectation reversed)δέThe imperfect προσεδόκων captures their sustained watching; ἐπὶ πολύ ('for a long time') marks the extended wait that defeats their prediction. The reversal (μεταβαλόμενοι) from 'murderer' to 'god' mirrors the Lystra episode (14:11–15) and reveals Luke's irony: the one they label a deity is precisely not claiming divinity, while they are watching a genuinely providential immunity.
οἱtheyNominativearticle used as pronoun (subject)
δέbutadversative connective
προσεδόκωνwere expectingImpf Act Indic 3 Pl · προσδοκάωmain verb→ descriptive imperfect (sustained expectation)προσδοκάω: 'expect, await'; their eyes are fixed on Paul, expecting collapse.
αὐτὸνhimAccusativeaccusative subject of indirect statement (infinitives)
μέλλεινto be aboutPres Act Inf · μέλλωinfinitive of indirect statement→ descriptive presentμέλλω: 'be about to'; with infinitive expresses imminent action.
πίμπρασθαιto swell upPres Pass Inf · πίμπρημιcomplementary infinitive (object of μέλλειν)→ descriptive presentπίμπρημι: 'swell up, inflame'; the expected symptom of a serious envenomation — they know their vipers.
ordisjunctive conjunction
καταπίπτεινto fall downPres Act Inf · καταπίπτωcomplementary infinitive (parallel to πίμπρασθαι)→ descriptive presentκαταπίπτω: 'fall down'; collapse from venom — the alternative fatal outcome.
ἄφνωsuddenlyadverb of mannerἄφνω: 'suddenly'; only three NT occurrences, all in Luke-Acts (Acts 2:2; 16:26; here).
νεκρόνdeadAccusativeobject complement (predicate acc. with καταπίπτειν)
ἐπὶforpreposition + accusative (extent of time)
πολὺa long timeAccusativeobject of ἐπί (temporal extent)
δέbutadversative connective (second clause)
αὐτῶνof themGenitivegenitive absolute subject
προσδοκώντωνwaiting / expectingPres Act Ptc Gen Pl Masc · προσδοκάωgenitive absolute→ descriptive present (ongoing watch)
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
θεωρούντωνseeing / observingPres Act Ptc Gen Pl Masc · θεωρέωgenitive absolute (second ptc, same subject)→ descriptive presentθεωρέω: 'observe carefully, behold'; the intensive -εω compound — they are watching closely.
μηδὲνnothingAccusativedirect object (negated, in indirect perception)
ἄτοπονunusual / wrongAccusativesubstantival adjective (predicate in ptc clause)ἄτοπος: lit. 'out of place'; 'unusual, wrong'; used of something that should not happen. Pilate uses it of Jesus (Luke 23:41 — 'nothing out of place').
εἰςto / towardpreposition + accusative (reference)
αὐτὸνhimAccusativeobject of εἰς
γινόμενονhappeningPres Mid Ptc Acc Sg Neut · γίνομαιparticipial object complement (with θεωρούντων + μηδέν)→ descriptive present
μεταβαλόμενοιchanging their mindsAor Mid Ptc Nom Pl Masc · μεταβάλλωattendant-circumstance participle→ constative aorist (the reversal)μεταβάλλω: 'change, turn around'; middle voice = changing one's own position; their theological verdict executes a complete 180°.
ἔλεγονwere sayingImpf Act Indic 3 Pl · λέγωmain verb→ descriptive imperfect
αὐτὸνhimAccusativeaccusative subject of indirect statement
εἶναιto bePres Act Inf · εἰμίinfinitive of indirect statement→ descriptive present
θεόνa godAccusativepredicate accusative (indirect statement)θεός: 'god'; the Maltese verdict reverses completely from φονεύς to θεόν — the twin poles of pagan interpretation; Luke's ironic counterpoint is that Paul (like Peter, Acts 10:26) would immediately disclaim this.
7

Ἐν δὲ τοῖς περὶ τὸν τόπον ἐκεῖνον ὑπῆρχεν χωρία τῷ πρώτῳ τῆς νήσου ὀνόματι Ποπλίῳ, ὃς ἀναδεξάμενος ἡμᾶς τρεῖς ἡμέρας φιλοφρόνως ἐξένισεν.

Now in the region around that place were fields belonging to the leading man of the island, named Publius, who received us and entertained us hospitably for three days.

New scene introductionδέThe πρῶτος τῆς νήσου ('first man of the island') is an official title confirmed archaeologically in two Maltese inscriptions (one Latin: primus Melitensium, one Greek: πρῶτος Μελιταίων). Publius is his cognomen. The three-day hospitality sets up the healing story.
Ἐνinpreposition + dative (location)
δέnownarrative connective
τοῖςtheDativearticle
περὶaroundpreposition + accusative (in articular prepositional phrase)
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
τόπονplaceAccusativeobject of περί
ἐκεῖνονthatAccusativedemonstrative adjective
ὑπῆρχενthere were / belongedImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · ὑπάρχωexistential main verb→ descriptive imperfectὑπάρχω: 'exist, belong to'; a characteristically Lukan verb (80% of NT usage in Luke-Acts).
χωρίαfields / estatesNominativesubject of ὑπῆρχενχωρίον: 'field, piece of land, estate'; the plural suggests an extensive property.
τῷto theDativearticle
πρώτῳleading man / first manDativedative of possessionπρῶτος: 'first'; πρῶτος τῆς νήσου is an official administrative title confirmed in Maltese inscriptions (Latin: primus Melitensium).
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
νήσουislandGenitivegenitive of specification (with πρώτῳ — title)
ὀνόματιby nameDativedative of respect (naming construction)
ΠοπλίῳPubliusDativeapposition (the name)Πόπλιος / Publius: a Latin Roman cognomen; the historical πρῶτος of Malta ca. AD 60.
ὃςwhoNominativerelative pronoun (subject)
ἀναδεξάμενοςhaving received / welcomedAor Mid Ptc Nom Sg Masc · ἀναδέχομαιattendant-circumstance participle→ constative aoristἀναδέχομαι: 'receive, welcome'; a formal hospitality term; middle voice emphasizes Publius's personal commitment.
ἡμᾶςusAccusativedirect object
τρεῖςthreeAccusativeaccusative of time (extent)
ἡμέραςdaysAccusativeaccusative of time extent
φιλοφρόνωςhospitably / kindlyadverb of mannerφιλοφρόνως: 'in a friendly, hospitable manner'; from φίλος + φρήν; a hapax in the NT; stresses the warmth of the reception.
ἐξένισενentertained as a guestAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ξενίζωmain verb of relative clause→ constative aoristξενίζω: 'entertain as a guest, lodge'; the formal hospitality verb; cf. Acts 10:6, 23 (Peter lodging with Simon); 28:23 (Paul receiving visitors).
8

ἐγένετο δὲ τὸν πατέρα τοῦ Ποπλίου πυρετοῖς καὶ δυσεντερίῳ συνεχόμενον κατακεῖσθαι· πρὸς ὃν ὁ Παῦλος εἰσελθὼν καὶ προσευξάμενος, ἐπιθεὶς τὰς χεῖρας αὐτῷ, ἰάσατο αὐτόν.

Now it happened that the father of Publius was lying sick with fever and dysentery. Paul went in to him and prayed, and laying his hands on him he healed him.

New episode (healing)δέThe ἐγένετο + infinitive construction (εἰσελθεῖν κατακεῖσθαι) is a Lukan Semitism (cf. Luke 1:8; 2:1; Acts 4:5). The double illness — πυρετοί ('fevers,' plural, intermittent) and δυσεντέριον (dysentery) — is medically specific; W. K. Hobart (1882) and Luke's medical vocabulary have been debated but this case remains remarkable for precision. Paul's method — εἰσελθεῖν, προσεύξασθαι, ἐπιθεῖς τὰς χεῖρας — parallels Jesus (Luke 4:40; 13:13).
ἐγένετοit happenedAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιimpersonal introductory verb (Lukan formula)→ constative aoristγίνομαι: 'become, happen'; ἐγένετο + infinitive is a Lukan Semitism marking a new episode.
δέnownarrative connective
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
πατέραfatherAccusativeaccusative subject of infinitive (κατακεῖσθαι)
τοῦofGenitivearticle
ΠοπλίουPubliusGenitivegenitive of relationship
πυρετοῖςfeversDativedative of means (with συνεχόμενον)πυρετός: 'fever'; the plural πυρετοί may indicate recurring or multiple bouts — medically consistent with Malta fever (brucellosis) or malaria.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
δυσεντερίῳdysenteryDativedative of means (parallel with πυρετοῖς)δυσεντέριον: 'dysentery'; a medical term (δύς + ἔντερον, 'bad intestine'); a hapax in the NT; notable for its clinical precision.
συνεχόμενονbeing afflicted / held in grip ofPres Pass Ptc Acc Sg Masc · συνέχωparticipial modifier of πατέρα→ descriptive present (ongoing illness)συνέχω: 'hold together, constrain'; the passive 'to be seized by' illness — a vivid idiom for being in the grip of disease (cf. Luke 4:38, Peter's mother-in-law).
κατακεῖσθαιto be lying downPres Mid Inf · κατάκειμαιinfinitive (subject of ἐγένετο — the happening)→ descriptive present (state)κατάκειμαι: 'lie down (ill)'; the standard NT term for a sick person bedridden.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction)
ὃνwhomAccusativerelative pronoun (object of πρός)
theNominativearticle
ΠαῦλοςPaulNominativesubject
εἰσελθὼνgoing inAor Act Ptc Nom Sg Masc · εἰσέρχομαιattendant-circumstance participle→ constative aorist
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
προσευξάμενοςhaving prayedAor Mid Ptc Nom Sg Masc · προσεύχομαιattendant-circumstance participle→ constative aoristπροσεύχομαι: 'pray'; Paul prays first — the healing is presented as God's act, not a magical technique.
ἐπιθεὶςlaying onAor Act Ptc Nom Sg Masc · ἐπιτίθημιattendant-circumstance participle→ constative aoristἐπιτίθημι: 'place upon'; the laying on of hands for healing echoes Jesus (Luke 4:40; 13:13) and the apostolic practice.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle
χεῖραςhandsAccusativedirect object of ἐπιθεῖς
αὐτῷon himDativedative of disadvantage/reference (recipient of hand-laying)
ἰάσατοhe healedAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἰάομαιmain verb→ constative aorist (complete healing)ἰάομαι: 'heal'; primarily a medical term; in Luke-Acts used of Jesus and apostolic healings alike. The middle voice may emphasize Paul's involvement, though the agent is God.
αὐτόνhimAccusativedirect object
9

τούτου δὲ γενομένου καὶ οἱ λοιποὶ οἱ ἐν τῇ νήσῳ ἔχοντες ἀσθενείας προσήρχοντο καὶ ἐθεραπεύοντο,

When this had happened, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases also came and were healed,

Result / extensionδέThe genitive absolute τούτου γενομένου ('this having happened') connects the island-wide healing to Publius's father's cure as trigger. The two imperfects (προσήρχοντο, ἐθεραπεύοντο) picture an ongoing stream of arrivals and healings — a miniature Galilean ministry on the island.
τούτουthisGenitivegenitive absolute subject (demonstrative pronoun)
δέnownarrative connective
γενομένουhaving happenedAor Mid Ptc Gen Sg Neut · γίνομαιgenitive absolute→ constative aorist
καὶalsoadverbial conjunction (also, extension)
οἱtheNominativearticle
λοιποὶrest / othersNominativesubjectλοιπός: 'remaining, rest'; all the remaining sick on the island — a comprehensive healing.
οἱtheNominativearticle (introducing participial modifier)
ἐνinpreposition + dative (location)
τῇtheDativearticle
νήσῳislandDativeobject of ἐν
ἔχοντεςhavingPres Act Ptc Nom Pl Masc · ἔχωattributive participle (modifying οἱ λοιποί)→ descriptive present (existing condition)
ἀσθενείαςillnesses / weaknessesAccusativedirect object of ἔχοντεςἀσθένεια: 'weakness, illness'; a broad term for physical ailments; the plural covers diverse conditions.
προσήρχοντοwere comingImpf Mid Indic 3 Pl · προσέρχομαιmain verb→ descriptive imperfect (repeated coming)προσέρχομαι: 'come to, approach'; the imperfect pictures a stream of arrivals.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐθεραπεύοντοwere being healedImpf Pass Indic 3 Pl · θεραπεύωsecond main verb (coordinated)→ descriptive imperfect (repeated healings)θεραπεύω: 'heal, cure'; the passive voice points to God as agent; the imperfect matches the stream of arrivals — they kept coming and kept being healed.
10

οἳ καὶ πολλαῖς τιμαῖς ἐτίμησαν ἡμᾶς καὶ ἀναγομένοις ἐπέθεντο τὰ πρὸς τὰς χρείας.

They also honored us with many honors, and when we were about to sail they put on board whatever we needed.

Result (gratitude expressed)καίThe polyptoton τιμαῖς ἐτίμησαν ('honored with honors') is emphatic — a Semitic-style figura etymologica used here to underscore extraordinary recognition. The provisions (τὰ πρὸς τὰς χρείας) for the voyage reflect the community's practical generosity, closing the Malta episode on a note of reciprocal blessing.
οἳtheyNominativerelative pronoun used as personal pronoun (subject)
καὶalsoadverbial conjunction (also)
πολλαῖςmanyDativedative of means
τιμαῖςhonors / giftsDativedative of means (figura etymologica with ἐτίμησαν)τιμή: 'honor, value, price'; the polyptoton τιμαῖς ἐτίμησαν is a Semitic-influenced emphatic construction.
ἐτίμησανthey honoredAor Act Indic 3 Pl · τιμάωmain verb→ constative aoristτιμάω: 'honor, value'; the figura etymologica here echoes OT usage (cf. Num 22:17, Balaam and Balak).
ἡμᾶςusAccusativedirect object
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἀναγομένοιςas we were putting out to seaPres Pass Ptc Dat Pl Masc · ἀνάγωdative participle (temporal — when we were about to sail)→ descriptive present (point of departure)ἀνάγω: 'lead up, put to sea'; the nautical technical term used throughout Acts 27–28 for setting sail.
ἐπέθεντοthey put on (board)Aor Mid Indic 3 Pl · ἐπιτίθημιmain verb→ constative aoristἐπιτίθημι: 'put on, load'; the middle voice suggests personal care in loading the provisions.
τὰthe thingsAccusativearticle (substantive)
πρὸςforpreposition + accusative (purpose/reference)
τὰςtheAccusativearticle
χρείαςneedsAccusativeobject of πρός (purpose)χρεία: 'need, necessity'; τὰ πρὸς τὰς χρείας = 'the things for the needs' = provisions for the voyage.
11

Μετὰ δὲ τρεῖς μῆνας ἀνήχθημεν ἐν πλοίῳ παρακεχειμακότι ἐν τῇ νήσῳ, Ἀλεξανδρίνῳ, παρασήμῳ Διοσκούροις.

After three months we set sail in a ship that had wintered in the island, an Alexandrian ship with the figurehead of the Twin Gods.

Narrative continuation (departure)δέThree months places the departure in late January or early February — just as sailing season reopened. The Alexandrian grain fleet regularly wintered in harbors along the route. The Dioscuri (Castor and Pollux), sons of Zeus and Leda, were patron deities of sailors (cf. the constellation Gemini); their παράσημον (figurehead or painted emblem) was a common ship ornament. The detail is nautical color, not theological irony — though readers may note a pagan divine escort for a journey God is superintending.
Μετὰafterpreposition + accusative (temporal)
δέnownarrative connective
τρεῖςthreeAccusativeaccusative of time extent (with μήνας)
μῆναςmonthsAccusativeobject of μετά
ἀνήχθημενwe set sailAor Pass Indic 1 Pl · ἀνάγωmain verb→ constative aoristἀνάγω: 'put to sea, set sail'; passive used as deponent; the nautical technical term.
ἐνin / onpreposition + dative (means: aboard)
πλοίῳa shipDativeobject of ἐν (the vessel)
παρακεχειμακότιthat had winteredPerf Act Ptc Dat Sg Neut · παραχειμάζωattributive participle (modifying πλοίῳ)→ intensive perfect (still moored after wintering)παραχειμάζω: 'winter over, spend the winter'; Paul had tried to avoid this very fate (27:12) — providentially, a suitable ship was there waiting.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (location)
τῇtheDativearticle
νήσῳislandDativeobject of ἐν
ἈλεξανδρίνῳAlexandrianDativeadjective in apposition to πλοίῳἈλεξανδρῖνος: 'from Alexandria'; one of the great Alexandrian grain ships that supplied Rome; cf. Acts 27:6.
παρασήμῳwith a figurehead ofDativedative of manner / description (with Διοσκούροις)παράσημον: 'figurehead, emblem'; the identifying mark painted or carved on a ship's bow; a technical nautical term.
Διοσκούροιςthe Twin Gods / DioscuriDativedative specifying the figureheadΔιόσκουροι: 'sons of Zeus' — Castor and Pollux (Gemini); patron gods of sailors in Greco-Roman religion; their appearance as St. Elmo's fire was deemed a favorable omen.
12

καὶ καταχθέντες εἰς Συρακούσας ἐπεμείναμεν ἡμέρας τρεῖς,

And putting in at Syracuse, we stayed there three days.

Narrative continuation (itinerary)καίThe itinerary resumes with laconic brevity: Syracuse (on the east coast of Sicily), a major port, was a customary stop. The three days likely reflect favorable wind awaiting or cargo business.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
καταχθέντεςputting in / having arrivedAor Pass Ptc Nom Pl Masc · κατάγωattendant-circumstance participle→ constative aoristκατάγω: 'bring down, put into port'; the nautical deponent passive = 'to put in, make port'.
εἰςat / intopreposition + accusative (destination)
ΣυρακούσαςSyracuseAccusativeobject of εἰςΣυράκουσαι: Syracuse, on the southeast coast of Sicily; one of the great ports of the ancient Mediterranean.
ἐπεμείναμενwe stayedAor Act Indic 1 Pl · ἐπιμένωmain verb→ constative aoristἐπιμένω: 'remain, stay on'; the ἐπί- prefix adds duration.
ἡμέραςdaysAccusativeaccusative of time extent
τρεῖςthreeAccusativeaccusative of time extent
13

ὅθεν περιελθόντες κατηντήσαμεν εἰς Ῥήγιον. καὶ μετὰ μίαν ἡμέραν ἐπιγενομένου νότου δευτεραῖοι ἦλθομεν εἰς Ποτιόλους,

From there we made a circuit and arrived at Rhegium. And after one day a south wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli.

Continuation (itinerary)ὅθενὅθεν ('from there') is a Lukan transitional. περιελθόντες ('making a circuit') suggests tacking or a detour around headlands. The south wind (νότος) provided the ideal push up the Tyrrhenian coast: from Rhegium to Puteoli (about 180 miles) in one day with a good south wind is credible for a large sailing vessel. Puteoli (modern Pozzuoli) was Rome's main commercial harbor.
ὅθενfrom therelocal adverb (source)ὅθεν: 'from where, from there'; Lukan itinerary connector.
περιελθόντεςmaking a circuitAor Act Ptc Nom Pl Masc · περιέρχομαιattendant-circumstance participle→ constative aoristπεριέρχομαι: 'go around'; here a nautical maneuver — tacking or rounding a headland to reach Rhegium.
κατηντήσαμενwe arrivedAor Act Indic 1 Pl · καταντάωmain verb→ constative aoristκαταντάω: 'arrive at, reach'; a technical term for reaching a destination; common in Acts.
εἰςatpreposition + accusative (destination)
ῬήγιονRhegiumAccusativeobject of εἰςῬήγιον: Rhegium (modern Reggio Calabria), at the toe of Italy, commanding the Strait of Messina.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
μετὰafterpreposition + accusative (temporal)
μίανoneAccusativenumeral adjective
ἡμέρανdayAccusativeobject of μετά
ἐπιγενομένουspringing upAor Mid Ptc Gen Sg Masc · ἐπιγίνομαιgenitive absolute→ constative aoristἐπιγίνομαι: 'come upon, spring up'; used of winds; the aorist marks the wind's arrival as a decisive moment.
νότουsouth windGenitivegenitive absolute subjectνότος: 'south wind'; the ideal wind for sailing northward up the west coast of Italy.
δευτεραῖοιon the second dayNominativepredicate adjective (temporal: 'second-day men' = arriving on the second day)δευτεραῖος: 'on the second day'; an ordinal adjective used adverbially as predicate — a classic Greek idiom for travel duration (cf. τριταῖος = 'on the third day').
ἦλθομενwe cameAor Act Indic 1 Pl · ἔρχομαιmain verb→ constative aorist
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (destination)
ΠοτιόλουςPuteoliAccusativeobject of εἰςΠοτίολοι: Puteoli (modern Pozzuoli), near Naples; Rome's major commercial port for Eastern goods and grain; the gateway to Italy.
14

οὗ εὑρόντες ἀδελφοὺς παρεκλήθημεν ἐπ' αὐτοῖς ἐπιμεῖναι ἡμέρας ἑπτά· καὶ οὕτως εἰς τὴν Ῥώμην ἤλθαμεν.

There we found brothers and were invited to stay with them for seven days. And so we came to Rome.

Climactic arrivalκαίThe understated καὶ οὕτως εἰς τὴν Ῥώμην ἤλθαμεν — 'and so we came to Rome' — is one of the most quietly climactic lines in Acts. The entire two-volume narrative has moved toward this moment since Acts 1:8 ('to the end of the earth') and 19:21 ('I must also see Rome'). Luke marks the arrival with a simple aorist and no fanfare. The seven days at Puteoli imply Sunday worship — the first Roman church Paul encountered.
οὗwhere / therelocal relative adverbοὗ: 'where'; used as a local adverb ('at which place' = 'there').
εὑρόντεςfindingAor Act Ptc Nom Pl Masc · εὑρίσκωattendant-circumstance participle→ constative aorist
ἀδελφοὺςbrothersAccusativedirect objectἀδελφός: 'brother'; Christians; a pre-existing community at Puteoli, the main Italian port — not surprising given the flow of Eastern commerce.
παρεκλήθημενwe were urged / invitedAor Pass Indic 1 Pl · παρακαλέωmain verb→ constative aoristπαρακαλέω: 'urge, exhort, invite'; the passive suggests the brothers pressed the invitation — their initiative.
ἐπ'withpreposition + dative (association)
αὐτοῖςthemDativeobject of ἐπί
ἐπιμεῖναιto stayAor Act Inf · ἐπιμένωinfinitive (complementary to παρεκλήθημεν)→ constative aorist
ἡμέραςdaysAccusativeaccusative of time extent
ἑπτάsevenAccusativenumeral (modifying ἡμέρας)ἑπτά: 'seven'; seven days = a full week, likely including a Sunday gathering.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
οὕτωςso / thusadverb of manner (climactic summary)οὕτως: 'thus, so'; the word gathers up the entire journey — storms, shipwreck, Malta, the voyage — into a single providence: 'and so.'
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (destination)
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
ῬώμηνRomeAccusativeobject of εἰςῬώμη: Rome; the goal of Acts since 1:8 ('the ends of the earth') and 19:21; the city Paul had longed to visit (Rom 1:10–15). The arrival is understated: no triumph, no ceremony — just a simple aorist.
ἤλθαμενwe cameAor Act Indic 1 Pl · ἔρχομαιmain verb→ constative aorist (climactic arrival)
15

κἀκεῖθεν οἱ ἀδελφοὶ ἀκούσαντες τὰ περὶ ἡμῶν ἦλθαν εἰς ἀπάντησιν ἡμῖν ἄχρι Ἀππίου Φόρου καὶ Τριῶν Ταβερνῶν, οὓς ἰδὼν ὁ Παῦλος εὐχαριστήσας τῷ θεῷ ἔλαβεν θάρσος.

And the brothers there, when they heard about us, came to meet us as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns. When Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage.

New episode (Roman welcome)κἀκεῖθενThe Roman Christians travel out to meet Paul: the Forum of Appius (Appii Forum) is about 43 Roman miles from Rome; Three Taverns (Tres Tabernae) about 33 miles — two separate delegations, or one that met him progressively. The formal 'meeting' (ἀπάντησις) is the same word used of bridesmaids meeting the bridegroom (Matt 25:6) and of the Thessalonians meeting the Lord in the air (1 Thess 4:17) — a ceremonial coming-out to escort an honored guest. Paul's emotional response — εὐχαριστήσας and ἔλαβεν θάρσος — shows the weariness and anxiety the journey had cost him.
κἀκεῖθενand from therecrasis (καὶ + ἐκεῖθεν); connective + local adverbκἀκεῖθεν: crasis of καὶ ἐκεῖθεν; 'and from there'; transition to the Roman brothers.
οἱtheNominativearticle
ἀδελφοὶbrothersNominativesubjectἀδελφός: Christians at Rome; a church Paul knew (cf. Romans 16) but had not yet visited as a free man.
ἀκούσαντεςhearingAor Act Ptc Nom Pl Masc · ἀκούωattendant-circumstance participle→ constative aorist
τὰthe thingsAccusativearticle (substantive)
περὶaboutpreposition + genitive (reference)
ἡμῶνusGenitiveobject of περί
ἦλθανcameAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἔρχομαιmain verb→ constative aorist
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (purpose/destination)
ἀπάντησινmeetingAccusativeobject of εἰς (purpose: 'to meet')ἀπάντησις: 'meeting, coming to meet'; a semi-technical term for formally going out to escort an arriving dignitary; cf. Matt 25:6; 1 Thess 4:17.
ἡμῖνusDativedative of interest
ἄχριas far aspreposition + genitive (extent)
Ἀππίουof AppiusGenitivegenitive of possession (in place name)Ἄππιος: the Roman censor Appius Claudius Caecus built the Appian Way; the Forum of Appius (Appii Forum) was a market town on the Via Appia about 43 miles from Rome.
ΦόρουForumGenitivegenitive (place name component)Φόρος: Latin forum = market/meeting place; transliterated into Greek.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ΤριῶνThreeGenitivegenitive (place name component)
ΤαβερνῶνTavernsGenitivegenitive (place name: Tres Tabernae, ~33 miles from Rome)Ταβέρναι: transliteration of Latin tabernae ('shops, inns'); Tres Tabernae was a well-known road-station about 33 Roman miles from Rome on the Via Appia.
οὓςwhomAccusativerelative pronoun (object of ἰδών)
ἰδὼνseeingAor Act Ptc Nom Sg Masc · ὁράωattendant-circumstance participle→ constative aorist
theNominativearticle
ΠαῦλοςPaulNominativesubject
εὐχαριστήσαςgiving thanksAor Act Ptc Nom Sg Masc · εὐχαριστέωattendant-circumstance participle→ constative aoristεὐχαριστέω: 'give thanks'; Paul's first act on seeing brothers from Rome is gratitude to God — characteristic of his letters (Phil 1:3; 1 Thess 1:2).
τῷtoDativearticle
θεῷGodDativedative of indirect object (of thanksgiving)
ἔλαβενhe took / receivedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λαμβάνωmain verb→ constative aorist
θάρσοςcourage / encouragementAccusativedirect objectθάρσος: 'courage, boldness'; a hapax in the NT; the noun form of θαρσέω ('take courage,' spoken by Jesus to Paul at Acts 23:11). The angel's word is now embodied in the welcoming brothers.
16

ὅτε δὲ εἰσήλθομεν εἰς Ῥώμην, ἐπετράπη τῷ Παύλῳ μένειν καθ' ἑαυτὸν σὺν τῷ φυλάσσοντι αὐτὸν στρατιώτῃ.

And when we entered Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier who was guarding him.

New scene (Roman custody)δέThe we-narrative ends here with the entry into Rome; from v.17 Paul acts alone. The custody arrangement — custodia militaris, living in his own quarters with one soldier — is the most lenient form of Roman detention and explains how Paul could receive visitors freely (v.30). It is historically consistent with what we know of appeals pending before the imperial court.
ὅτεwhentemporal conjunction
δέnownarrative connective
εἰσήλθομενwe enteredAor Act Indic 1 Pl · εἰσέρχομαιmain verb of temporal clause→ constative aorist
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (destination)
ῬώμηνRomeAccusativeobject of εἰς
ἐπετράπηit was permitted / he was allowedAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἐπιτρέπωmain verb (impersonal passive)→ constative aoristἐπιτρέπω: 'permit, allow'; the passive construction 'it was permitted to Paul' leaves the granting authority unnamed — the tribune or Praetorian prefect.
τῷtoDativearticle
ΠαύλῳPaulDativedative of indirect object (with impersonal passive)
μένεινto remain / stayPres Act Inf · μένωinfinitive (subject of ἐπετράπη)→ descriptive presentμένω: 'remain, stay'; the present infinitive stresses the ongoing condition — a standing arrangement.
καθ'bypreposition + accusative (manner)
ἑαυτὸνhimselfAccusativereflexive pronoun (κατ' ἑαυτόν = 'by himself, alone')κατ' ἑαυτόν: an idiomatic phrase meaning 'by himself, privately'; contrasts with a public prison or barracks.
σὺνwithpreposition + dative (accompaniment)
τῷtheDativearticle
φυλάσσοντιguardingPres Act Ptc Dat Sg Masc · φυλάσσωattributive participle (modifying στρατιώτῃ)→ descriptive present (ongoing guard duty)φυλάσσω: 'guard, keep watch'; the soldier is chained to the prisoner — Roman custodia militaris.
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object of φυλάσσοντι
στρατιώτῃsoldierDativeobject of σύνστρατιώτης: 'soldier'; a single soldier — the minimum guard for custodia militaris; this arrangement is historically attested.
17

Ἐγένετο δὲ μετὰ ἡμέρας τρεῖς συγκαλέσασθαι αὐτὸν τοὺς ὄντας τῶν Ἰουδαίων πρώτους· συνελθόντων δὲ αὐτῶν ἔλεγεν πρὸς αὐτούς· ἐγὼ, ἄνδρες ἀδελφοί, οὐδὲν ἐναντίον ποιήσας τῷ λαῷ ἢ τοῖς ἔθεσι τοῖς πατρῴοις, δέσμιος ἐξ Ἱεροσολύμων παρεδόθην εἰς τὰς χεῖρας τῶν Ῥωμαίων,

After three days he called together the local leaders of the Jews. When they had gathered, he said to them: 'Brothers, though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our ancestors, I was handed over from Jerusalem as a prisoner into the hands of the Romans.'

New episode (Paul and Roman Jews)δέPaul's initiative — summoning the Roman Jewish leaders before they can form an opinion — mirrors his pattern in Corinth (18:4), Ephesus (19:8), and throughout Acts. His opening self-defense follows a rhetorical outline familiar from his Jerusalem and Caesarean speeches: (a) I am innocent; (b) the Jews handed me over; (c) the Romans wanted to release me. The phrase τοὺς πρώτους τῶν Ἰουδαίων identifies the community leaders of Rome's Jewish population, not synagogue officials per se.
Ἐγένετοit happenedAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιimpersonal Lukan formula (ἐγένετο + infinitive)→ constative aorist
δέnownarrative connective
μετὰafterpreposition + accusative (temporal)
ἡμέραςdaysAccusativeobject of μετά
τρεῖςthreeAccusativenumeral (modifying ἡμέρας)
συγκαλέσασθαιto call togetherAor Mid Inf · συγκαλέωinfinitive (subject of ἐγένετο)→ constative aoristσυγκαλέω: 'call together, summon'; middle voice = summon for oneself; Paul takes the initiative.
αὐτὸνhim / heAccusativeaccusative subject of infinitive
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle
ὄνταςbeing / who werePres Act Ptc Acc Pl Masc · εἰμίattributive participle (modifying πρώτους)→ descriptive present
τῶνof theGenitivearticle
ἸουδαίωνJewsGenitivegenitive of group (with πρώτους)
πρώτουςleaders / prominent menAccusativedirect object of συγκαλέσασθαιπρῶτος: 'first, leading'; τοὺς πρώτους = the community leaders; cf. the Maltese πρῶτος τῆς νήσου (v.7).
συνελθόντωνhaving come togetherAor Act Ptc Gen Pl Masc · συνέρχομαιgenitive absolute→ constative aorist
δέandnarrative connective
αὐτῶνof themGenitivegenitive absolute subject
ἔλεγενhe was sayingImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (introducing direct speech)→ descriptive imperfect (the speech as process)
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)
αὐτούςthemAccusativeobject of πρός
ἐγὼINominativeemphatic subject pronoun
ἄνδρεςmenVocativeaddress (vocative)
ἀδελφοίbrothersVocativeaddress (vocative apposition)ἀδελφοί: Paul addresses the Jewish leaders as 'brothers' — claiming kinship before he explains his situation; his standard opening to Jewish audiences (cf. 22:1; 23:1).
οὐδὲνnothingAccusativedirect object (negated)
ἐναντίονagainstAccusativepredicate adjective (in object position)ἐναντίον: 'against, contrary to'; Paul's first claim: complete innocence.
ποιήσαςhaving doneAor Act Ptc Nom Sg Masc · ποιέωconcessive attendant-circumstance participle→ constative aorist
τῷtoDativearticle
λαῷpeopleDativedative of disadvantageλαός: 'people'; here the Jewish people — Paul distinguishes between the people and their leaders who handed him over.
ordisjunctive conjunction
τοῖςtheDativearticle
ἔθεσιcustomsDativedative of disadvantage (parallel to λαῷ)ἔθος: 'custom, practice'; τοῖς ἔθεσι τοῖς πατρῴοις = 'the ancestral customs' — the Torah and Jewish practice.
τοῖςtheDativearticle
πατρῴοιςancestral / of our fathersDativeattributive adjectiveπατρῷος: 'of one's fathers, ancestral'; Paul includes the Roman Jews as fellow heirs of the tradition by using 'our.'
δέσμιοςprisonerNominativepredicate nominative (with παρεδόθην)δέσμιος: 'prisoner, one bound'; Paul's status — but the following clause will make clear the injustice of it.
ἐξfrompreposition + genitive (source/origin)
ἹεροσολύμωνJerusalemGenitiveobject of ἐκ (source)Ἱεροσόλυμα: Jerusalem; the holy city itself — from which the prisoner was 'handed over.'
παρεδόθηνI was handed overAor Pass Indic 1 Sg · παραδίδωμιmain verb (the speech's central claim)→ constative aoristπαραδίδωμι: 'hand over, deliver up'; the verb used of Jesus' betrayal and of the apostles being handed over (Mark 13:9); Paul casts his arrest in the same theological pattern.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction)
τὰςtheAccusativearticle
χεῖραςhandsAccusativeobject of εἰς (idiom: 'into the hands of')χείρ: 'hand'; εἰς τὰς χεῖρας = 'into the power of' — a Semitic idiom (Hebrew יַד).
τῶνof theGenitivearticle
ῬωμαίωνRomansGenitivegenitive of possession (whose hands)Ῥωμαῖος: 'Roman'; Paul was 'handed over to' Roman authority by Jewish leaders — the same pattern as Jesus before Pilate.
18

οἵτινες ἀνακρίναντές με ἐβούλοντο ἀπολῦσαι διὰ τὸ μηδεμίαν αἰτίαν θανάτου ὑπάρχειν ἐν ἐμοί.

When they had examined me, they wished to set me free, because there was no reason for the death penalty in my case.

Elaboration (Roman finding of innocence)relative pronounThe Romans' repeated verdict of innocence — here stated for the third time in Acts (22:29; 26:31–32; now 28:18) — is a running motif in Acts 21–28. The three-part declaration (nothing against the people, nothing against Rome, no capital offense) builds Luke's cumulative legal case for Christianity's political legitimacy.
οἵτινεςwhoNominativerelative/qualitative pronoun (subject)ὅστις: 'whoever, who (as a category)'; the qualitative relative stresses that Romans-as-a-group reached this verdict.
ἀνακρίναντέςhaving examinedAor Act Ptc Nom Pl Masc · ἀνακρίνωattendant-circumstance participle→ constative aoristἀνακρίνω: 'examine, investigate judicially'; a technical legal term for formal interrogation (cf. Luke 23:14; Acts 4:9; 12:19; 24:8).
μεmeAccusativedirect object
ἐβούλοντοthey wished / wantedImpf Mid Indic 3 Pl · βούλομαιmain verb→ conative imperfect (wished but were prevented by Jewish pressure)βούλομαι: 'wish, intend'; the conative imperfect: they wanted to release him but were blocked.
ἀπολῦσαιto releaseAor Act Inf · ἀπολύωcomplementary infinitive→ constative aoristἀπολύω: 'release, set free'; the standard legal term for acquittal or release.
διὰbecausepreposition + accusative (cause/reason)
τὸtheAccusativearticle (substantivizing the infinitive clause)
μηδεμίανno / noneAccusativeadjective (negating αἰτίαν)
αἰτίανcause / chargeAccusativeaccusative subject of infinitive (ὑπάρχειν)αἰτία: 'cause, accusation, charge'; the technical legal term; μηδεμία αἰτία = no capital charge.
θανάτουof deathGenitivegenitive of reference (charge worthy of death)θάνατος: 'death'; αἰτία θανάτου = capital charge, charge deserving the death penalty.
ὑπάρχεινto exist / to bePres Act Inf · ὑπάρχωinfinitive (object of διά τό)→ descriptive present (the finding: no charge exists)ὑπάρχω: 'exist, be present'; the present emphasizes the standing verdict.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere/reference)
ἐμοίmeDativeobject of ἐν (reference: 'in my case')
19

ἀντιλεγόντων δὲ τῶν Ἰουδαίων ἠναγκάσθην ἐπικαλέσασθαι Καίσαρα, οὐχ ὡς τοῦ ἔθνους μου ἔχων τι κατηγορεῖν.

But when the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar — not that I had any charge to bring against my nation.

Contrast (why the appeal was necessary)δέThe genitive absolute (ἀντιλεγόντων τῶν Ἰουδαίων) identifies Jewish opposition as the force that made the Caesarean appeal unavoidable. Paul's disclaimer — 'not that I have any accusation to bring against my nation' — is apologetic: he is not attacking Judaism; he is defending himself. The appeal to Caesar is self-preservation, not anti-Jewish prosecution.
ἀντιλεγόντωνobjecting / contradictingPres Act Ptc Gen Pl Masc · ἀντιλέγωgenitive absolute→ descriptive present (ongoing opposition)ἀντιλέγω: 'speak against, contradict, object'; their persistent objection forced Paul's hand.
δέbutadversative connective
τῶνof theGenitivearticle (genitive absolute subject)
ἸουδαίωνJewsGenitivegenitive absolute subject
ἠναγκάσθηνI was compelledAor Pass Indic 1 Sg · ἀναγκάζωmain verb (passive of compulsion)→ constative aoristἀναγκάζω: 'compel, force'; the passive presents Paul as driven by necessity — circumstances forced his hand.
ἐπικαλέσασθαιto appealAor Mid Inf · ἐπικαλέωcomplementary infinitive→ constative aoristἐπικαλέω: 'call upon, appeal'; middle: appeal for oneself; the Roman citizen's right to Caesarean appeal (provocatio ad Caesarem).
ΚαίσαραCaesarAccusativedirect object of ἐπικαλέσασθαιΚαῖσαρ: Caesar Nero (reigned 54–68 AD); the emperor as highest court of appeal for Roman citizens.
οὐχnotnegation (introducing disclaimer)
ὡςas ifcomparative particle (with ptc, indicating false impression to be denied)ὡς + ptc: 'as if, on the grounds that' — used to introduce a supposed reason that is being denied.
τοῦofGenitivearticle
ἔθνουςnationGenitivegenitive of reference (with κατηγορεῖν)ἔθνος: 'nation, people'; here the Jewish people — τοῦ ἔθνους μου = 'my nation.'
μουmyGenitivepossessive genitive
ἔχωνhavingPres Act Ptc Nom Sg Masc · ἔχωcircumstantial participle (ὡς + ptc = supposed circumstance denied)→ descriptive present
τιsomething / any chargeAccusativedirect object of κατηγορεῖν
κατηγορεῖνto accuse / to bring a chargePres Act Inf · κατηγορέωcomplementary infinitive (object of ἔχων)→ descriptive presentκατηγορέω: 'accuse, bring charges against'; the legal technical term; Paul explicitly denies prosecutorial intent against his own people.
20

διὰ ταύτην οὖν τὴν αἰτίαν παρεκάλεσα ὑμᾶς ἰδεῖν καὶ προσλαλῆσαι· ἕνεκεν γὰρ τῆς ἐλπίδος τοῦ Ἰσραὴλ τὴν ἅλυσιν ταύτην περίκειμαι.

For this reason therefore I have invited you to see me and to speak with me, for it is because of the hope of Israel that I am wearing this chain.

Inference / summaryοὖνThe inference draws together vv.17–19: 'because of all this I invited you.' The climax of Paul's opening statement is theologically programmatic: τὴν ἐλπίδα τοῦ Ἰσραήλ — 'the hope of Israel.' The chain is worn not as a criminal's punishment but as a witness to Israel's own hope: resurrection, Messiah, the kingdom. This formula echoes Acts 26:6–7 (Agrippa speech) and anticipates v.23 (exposition from Moses and the prophets about Jesus).
διὰbecause ofpreposition + accusative (cause/reason)
ταύτηνthisAccusativedemonstrative adjective (modifying αἰτίαν)
οὖνthereforeinferential particle
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
αἰτίανreason / causeAccusativeobject of διάαἰτία: 'cause, reason'; here 'this reason' = because I am innocent and appealed to Caesar.
παρεκάλεσαI invited / urgedAor Act Indic 1 Sg · παρακαλέωmain verb→ constative aoristπαρακαλέω: 'invite, urge, summon'; Paul explains the purpose of the meeting — dialogue, not condemnation.
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativedirect object
ἰδεῖνto seeAor Act Inf · ὁράωcomplementary infinitive→ constative aorist
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
προσλαλῆσαιto speak withAor Act Inf · προσλαλέωcomplementary infinitive (parallel to ἰδεῖν)→ constative aoristπροσλαλέω: 'speak to, address'; a rare compound; only here and Acts 13:43 in the NT.
ἕνεκενbecause of / for the sake ofpreposition + genitive (cause)ἕνεκεν: 'because of, on account of'; a causal preposition with genitive; emphasizes the reason behind the chain.
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
ἐλπίδοςhopeGenitiveobject of ἕνεκενἐλπίς: 'hope'; τῆς ἐλπίδος τοῦ Ἰσραήλ = 'the hope of Israel' — the resurrection of the dead and the Messianic fulfillment; the same phrase at Acts 26:6–7.
τοῦofGenitivearticle
ἸσραὴλIsraelGenitivegenitive of possession/descriptionἸσραήλ: Israel; the covenant people and their scriptural hope, which Paul claims to be defending, not attacking.
τὴνthisAccusativearticle
ἅλυσινchainAccusativedirect object of περίκειμαιἅλυσις: 'chain, shackle'; the physical chain of custodia militaris becomes a symbol: Paul wears it for Israel's hope.
ταύτηνthisAccusativedemonstrative (modifying ἅλυσιν)
περίκειμαιI am wearing / I have around mePres Mid Indic 1 Sg · περίκειμαιmain verb→ descriptive present (current state)περίκειμαι: 'lie around, be encircled by'; a vivid idiom — the chain encircles him; only here and Heb 12:1 in the NT.
21

οἱ δὲ πρὸς αὐτὸν εἶπαν· ἡμεῖς οὔτε γράμματα περὶ σοῦ ἐδεξάμεθα ἀπὸ τῆς Ἰουδαίας, οὔτε παραγενόμενός τις τῶν ἀδελφῶν ἀπήγγειλεν ἢ ἐλάλησέν τι περὶ σοῦ πονηρόν.

And they said to him, 'We have received no letters from Judea about you, and none of the brothers coming here has reported or spoken any evil about you.'

Response (Jewish leaders' reply)δέThe Roman Jewish leaders' response is diplomatically neutral: they know nothing negative about Paul from official channels. The absence of letters from Judea is historically plausible — no formal indictment had reached Rome ahead of the prisoner. Their openness to hear is genuine curiosity, not hostility; the tension will emerge only after the exposition (vv.24–25).
οἱtheyNominativearticle used as pronoun (subject)
δέandnarrative connective
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)
αὐτὸνhimAccusativeobject of πρός
εἶπανthey saidAor Act Indic 3 Pl · λέγωmain verb→ constative aorist
ἡμεῖςweNominativeemphatic subject pronoun
οὔτεneithercorrelative negation (οὔτε … οὔτε)
γράμματαlettersAccusativedirect objectγράμμα: 'letter, writing'; official correspondence — no formal indictment from the Jerusalem authorities.
περὶaboutpreposition + genitive (reference)
σοῦyouGenitiveobject of περί
ἐδεξάμεθαwe receivedAor Mid Indic 1 Pl · δέχομαιmain verb (first clause)→ constative aoristδέχομαι: 'receive, accept'; the verb for receiving documents or messengers.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (source)
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
ἸουδαίαςJudeaGenitiveobject of ἀπό
οὔτεnorcorrelative negation (second οὔτε)
παραγενόμενόςarriving / comingAor Mid Ptc Nom Sg Masc · παραγίνομαιattributive participle (modifying τις)→ constative aoristπαραγίνομαι: 'arrive, come to'; used of travelers from Judea.
τιςanyoneNominativeindefinite pronoun (subject)
τῶνof theGenitivearticle
ἀδελφῶνbrothersGenitivepartitive genitiveἀδελφός: here 'brothers' likely refers to fellow Jews (not Christians) who might have reported about Paul from Judea.
ἀπήγγειλενreportedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀπαγγέλλωmain verb (second clause)→ constative aoristἀπαγγέλλω: 'report, announce'; official or formal reporting.
ordisjunctive conjunction
ἐλάλησένspokeAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λαλέωcoordinated main verb→ constative aorist
τιanythingAccusativedirect object
περὶaboutpreposition + genitive (reference)
σοῦyouGenitiveobject of περί
πονηρόνevil / badAccusativepredicate object (object complement with τι)πονηρός: 'evil, wicked, bad'; no negative report — a clean slate for Paul before this community.
22

ἀξιοῦμεν δὲ παρὰ σοῦ ἀκοῦσαι ἃ φρονεῖς· περὶ μὲν γὰρ τῆς αἱρέσεως ταύτης γνωστὸν ἡμῖν ἐστιν ὅτι πανταχοῦ ἀντιλέγεται.

But we wish to hear from you what you think, for with regard to this sect we know that everywhere it is spoken against.

Request (their curiosity stated)δέThe Roman Jewish leaders' request is genuine and open: they want to hear Paul's own views (ἃ φρονεῖς). Their characterization of the Christian movement as αἵρεσις ('sect, school of thought') is neutral — the same term was used for Pharisees and Sadducees (Acts 5:17; 15:5; 26:5). The observation that it is 'spoken against everywhere' (πανταχοῦ ἀντιλέγεται) is factual: the movement faced opposition across the Empire.
ἀξιοῦμενwe wish / think it rightPres Act Indic 1 Pl · ἀξιόωmain verb→ descriptive presentἀξιόω: 'consider worthy, think it proper to request'; a polite but assertive formula for asking a favor.
δέbutcontrastive connective
παρὰfrompreposition + genitive (source)
σοῦyouGenitiveobject of παρά
ἀκοῦσαιto hearAor Act Inf · ἀκούωcomplementary infinitive (object of ἀξιοῦμεν)→ constative aorist
whatAccusativerelative pronoun (object of ἀκοῦσαι)
φρονεῖςyou think / believePres Act Indic 2 Sg · φρονέωmain verb of relative clause→ descriptive presentφρονέω: 'think, be minded, hold a view'; Paul's ἃ φρονεῖς = 'your worldview, your theological convictions.'
περὶaboutpreposition + genitive (reference)
μένindeedparticle (μέν … γάρ structure)
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
τῆςofGenitivearticle
αἱρέσεωςsectGenitiveobject of περίαἵρεσις: 'sect, school, party'; used neutrally in Acts for Pharisees (15:5; 26:5) and Sadducees (5:17); here applied to Christians — no inherent condemnation.
ταύτηςthisGenitivedemonstrative (modifying αἱρέσεως)
γνωστὸνknownNominativepredicate adjective (impersonal: 'it is known to us')γνωστός: 'known'; γνωστὸν ἡμῖν ἐστιν = 'it is known to us' — an idiomatic acknowledgment.
ἡμῖνto usDativedative of reference
ἐστινit isPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula→ descriptive present
ὅτιthatcontent conjunction (introducing indirect statement)
πανταχοῦeverywhereadverb of placeπανταχοῦ: 'everywhere'; the geographic scope of opposition — this is the Roman leaders' honest knowledge.
ἀντιλέγεταιit is spoken againstPres Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἀντιλέγωmain verb of ὅτι-clause→ descriptive present (ongoing opposition)ἀντιλέγω: 'speak against, contradict, oppose'; the passive voice generalizes — it is being spoken against (by people in general).
23

Ταξάμενοι δὲ αὐτῷ ἡμέραν ἦλθον πρὸς αὐτὸν εἰς τὴν ξενίαν πλείονες, οἷς ἐξετίθετο διαμαρτυρόμενος τὴν βασιλείαν τοῦ θεοῦ, πείθων τε αὐτοὺς περὶ τοῦ Ἰησοῦ ἀπό τε τοῦ νόμου Μωϋσέως καὶ τῶν προφητῶν ἀπὸ πρωῒ ἕως ἑσπέρας.

When they had set a day with him, they came to him at his lodging in greater numbers. From morning until evening he expounded to them, testifying about the kingdom of God and persuading them about Jesus from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets.

New scene (the full-day exposition)δέThe scene is the climax of Paul's Roman ministry. The ξενία ('lodging,' his rented house) replaces the synagogue; Paul comes to them. The exposition (ἐξετίθετο, 'was setting out') is imperfect — a continuous, all-day presentation. The dual testimony — βασιλεία τοῦ θεοῦ and περὶ τοῦ Ἰησοῦ — frames the whole content of Acts: kingdom-proclamation from the OT, fulfilled in Jesus. ἀπὸ πρωῒ ἕως ἑσπέρας is a striking detail of duration, implying exhaustive treatment.
Ταξάμενοιhaving set / appointedAor Mid Ptc Nom Pl Masc · τάσσωattendant-circumstance participle→ constative aoristτάσσω: 'arrange, appoint, fix'; middle voice = fixing an arrangement for oneself; they mutually set the day.
δέnownarrative connective
αὐτῷwith himDativedative of association
ἡμέρανa dayAccusativedirect object (appointing a day)
ἦλθονthey cameAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἔρχομαιmain verb→ constative aorist
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction)
αὐτὸνhimAccusativeobject of πρός
εἰςto / atpreposition + accusative (location of arrival)
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
ξενίανlodging / guest-quartersAccusativeobject of εἰςξενία: 'hospitality, lodging'; Paul's rented quarters (μίσθωμα, v.30); the word can mean both the practice and the place.
πλείονεςmore / in greater numbersNominativesubject (comparative: a larger group came)πλείων: comparative of πολύς; 'more, in greater numbers' — a larger delegation than the initial leaders.
οἷςto whomDativerelative pronoun (dative of indirect object)
ἐξετίθετοhe was expoundingImpf Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἐκτίθημιmain verb→ descriptive imperfect (all-day exposition)ἐκτίθημι: 'set out, explain, expound'; the imperfect middle captures the sustained, extended presentation — all day long.
διαμαρτυρόμενοςtestifying solemnlyPres Mid Ptc Nom Sg Masc · διαμαρτύρομαιattendant-circumstance participle→ descriptive presentδιαμαρτύρομαι: 'testify solemnly, bear witness earnestly'; the δια- prefix intensifies — a solemn, formal witness.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
βασιλείανkingdomAccusativedirect object of διαμαρτυρόμενοςβασιλεία: 'kingdom, reign'; βασιλεία τοῦ θεοῦ is the central proclamation of Jesus (Luke) and Paul's (Acts 19:8; 20:25; 28:23, 31).
τοῦofGenitivearticle
θεοῦGodGenitivegenitive of possession
πείθωνpersuadingPres Act Ptc Nom Sg Masc · πείθωattendant-circumstance participle (parallel to διαμαρτυρόμενος)→ descriptive presentπείθω: 'persuade'; the activity — Paul is not merely lecturing but making a case, marshaling evidence.
τεandenclitic connective
αὐτοὺςthemAccusativedirect object of πείθων
περὶaboutpreposition + genitive (reference)
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
ἸησοῦJesusGenitiveobject of περίἸησοῦς: Jesus — the specific content of the persuasion; the kingdom of God as proclaimed in the Torah and Prophets, fulfilled in Jesus of Nazareth.
ἀπόfrompreposition + genitive (source of argumentation)
τεbothcorrelative conjunction (τε … καί = both … and)
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
νόμουLawGenitiveobject of ἀπό (source)νόμος: the Torah — the Pentateuch; 'Moses and the Prophets' = the whole Hebrew Bible.
Μωϋσέωςof MosesGenitivegenitive of authorship (the law of/by Moses)Μωϋσῆς: Moses; the Mosaic Torah as prophetic anticipation of Christ.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (second element of τε … καί)
τῶνtheGenitivearticle
προφητῶνprophetsGenitiveobject of ἀπό (parallel source)προφήτης: 'prophet'; 'the Prophets' = the Neviim of the Hebrew canon; together with the Law = the whole scriptural witness.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (temporal: from morning)
πρωῒmorningGenitiveobject of ἀπό (temporal)πρωΐ: 'early morning, dawn'; the whole day is consumed — the seriousness of the engagement.
ἕωςuntilpreposition + genitive (temporal limit)
ἑσπέραςeveningGenitiveobject of ἕως (temporal limit)ἑσπέρα: 'evening'; ἀπὸ πρωῒ ἕως ἑσπέρας = 'from dawn to dusk' — a full day of scriptural argument.
24

καὶ οἱ μὲν ἐπείθοντο τοῖς λεγομένοις, οἱ δὲ ἠπίστουν·

And some were convinced by what he said, but others disbelieved.

Result (mixed response)καίThe divided response (οἱ μέν … οἱ δέ) is the standard Lukan pattern for Paul's synagogue preaching (cf. 14:4; 17:4–5; 18:8–9; 19:9). The imperfects (ἐπείθοντο, ἠπίστουν) picture the responses as developing during the presentation. Luke does not label the believers or unbelievers — they are simply 'some' and 'others.' The bifurcation sets up Paul's climactic quotation.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
οἱsomeNominativearticle used as pronoun (μέν … δέ contrast)
μένon one handcontrast particle
ἐπείθοντοwere being persuadedImpf Pass Indic 3 Pl · πείθωmain verb (first clause)→ descriptive imperfect (growing persuasion)πείθω (pass.): 'be persuaded, come to believe'; the passive pictures the word working on them.
τοῖςthe thingsDativearticle (substantive)
λεγομένοιςbeing saidPres Pass Ptc Dat Pl Neut · λέγωsubstantival participle (dative of means)→ descriptive present
οἱothersNominativearticle used as pronoun (second of μέν … δέ)
δέon the other handcontrast particle
ἠπίστουνwere disbelievingImpf Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀπιστέωmain verb (second clause)→ descriptive imperfect (persistent unbelief)ἀπιστέω: 'disbelieve, refuse to trust'; the imperfect shows hardening in progress — not a sudden rejection but a sustained refusal.
25

ἀσύμφωνοι δὲ ὄντες πρὸς ἀλλήλους ἀπελύοντο, εἰπόντος τοῦ Παύλου ῥῆμα ἕν, ὅτι καλῶς τὸ πνεῦμα τὸ ἅγιον ἐλάλησεν διὰ Ἠσαΐου τοῦ προφήτου πρὸς τοὺς πατέρας ὑμῶν

And being in disagreement with one another, they were departing, after Paul had made one statement: 'The Holy Spirit rightly spoke through Isaiah the prophet to your fathers,

Climactic turn (Paul's final word)δέThe disagreement (ἀσύμφωνοι) as they depart is the occasion for Paul's one decisive utterance (ῥῆμα ἕν — emphatic: one single statement). The genitive absolute (εἰπόντος τοῦ Παύλου) marks Paul's speech as the culminating action. Attributing the Isaiah quotation to 'the Holy Spirit' (not merely Isaiah) stakes the highest possible authority for the word that follows.
ἀσύμφωνοιin disagreementNominativepredicate adjective (with ὄντες)ἀσύμφωνος: 'dissonant, in disagreement'; a musical metaphor — they are 'out of harmony' with one another; a hapax in the NT.
δέandnarrative connective
ὄντεςbeingPres Act Ptc Nom Pl Masc · εἰμίcircumstantial participle (causal/attendant)→ descriptive present
πρὸςwithpreposition + accusative (opposition/relation)
ἀλλήλουςone anotherAccusativereciprocal pronoun
ἀπελύοντοwere departingImpf Pass Indic 3 Pl · ἀπολύωmain verb→ descriptive imperfect (gradual dispersal)ἀπολύω: 'release, dismiss, depart'; here used absolutely for dispersal.
εἰπόντοςhaving saidAor Act Ptc Gen Sg Masc · λέγωgenitive absolute→ constative aorist
τοῦofGenitivearticle (genitive absolute subject)
ΠαύλουPaulGenitivegenitive absolute subject
ῥῆμαword / statementAccusativedirect object (of εἰπόντος)ῥῆμα: 'word, saying, utterance'; Paul's final word — one (ἕν) single authoritative statement.
ἕνoneAccusativenumeral adjective (emphatic: one single word)εἷς: 'one'; ῥῆμα ἕν = the single, decisive, everything-resolving word — the Isaiah quotation.
ὅτιthatcontent conjunction (introducing direct quotation)
καλῶςrightly / welladverb of mannerκαλῶς: 'well, rightly'; 'the Holy Spirit spoke rightly' — Paul affirms Scripture's correctness and relevance.
τὸtheNominativearticle
πνεῦμαSpiritNominativesubjectπνεῦμα: 'Spirit'; τὸ πνεῦμα τὸ ἅγιον = the Holy Spirit; by attributing Isaiah 6 to the Spirit Paul asserts the Spirit's authorship of Scripture (cf. 2 Pet 1:21).
τὸtheNominativearticle
ἅγιονHolyNominativeadjective (attributive with πνεῦμα)
ἐλάλησενspokeAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λαλέωmain verb→ constative aorist (the prophetic utterance as historical event)λαλέω: 'speak'; the aorist grounds the Spirit's speech in Isaiah's historical utterance.
διὰthroughpreposition + genitive (mediation)διά: 'through'; the Spirit spoke through Isaiah — the prophetic inspiration model.
ἨσαΐουIsaiahGenitiveobject of διά (mediator)Ἠσαΐας: Isaiah; specifically Isa 6:9–10, the vision of the divine council and the commissioning with the hardening message.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
προφήτουprophetGenitiveapposition (identifying Isaiah's role)
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction/recipient)
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle
πατέραςfathersAccusativeobject of πρόςπατήρ: 'father'; τοὺς πατέρας ὑμῶν — 'your fathers'; Paul applies the OT oracle directly to the present audience as their ancestors' inheritance.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivepossessive genitive
26

λέγων· πορεύθητι πρὸς τὸν λαὸν τοῦτον καὶ εἰπόν· ἀκοῇ ἀκούσετε καὶ οὐ μὴ συνῆτε, καὶ βλέποντες βλέψετε καὶ οὐ μὴ ἴδητε.

saying: 'Go to this people, and say: You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive.

Scriptural quotation (Isa 6:9)λέγωνThe Isaiah 6:9–10 citation begins with the divine commission to the prophet: 'Go and say.' Luke quotes a version close to the LXX. The two dativus ethicus figures (ἀκοῇ ἀκούσετε / βλέποντες βλέψετε) are Hebrew infinitive-absolute constructions translated into Greek: the repetition intensifies certainty — 'you will most assuredly hear … see.' The μή with subjunctive (οὐ μή) is the strongest form of negation: 'you will by no means understand.'
λέγωνsayingPres Act Ptc Nom Sg Masc · λέγωparticiple introducing the quotation content→ descriptive present
πορεύθητιgoAor Pass Impv 2 Sg · πορεύομαιmain verb (imperative; divine command to Isaiah)→ ingressive aorist (begin the going)πορεύομαι: 'go, travel'; the aorist imperative is the divine sending.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction)
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
λαὸνpeopleAccusativeobject of πρόςλαός: 'people'; in the LXX of Isa 6:9 = the people of Israel; applied here to the Jewish audience in Rome.
τοῦτονthisAccusativedemonstrative (modifying λαόν)
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
εἰπόνsayAor Act Impv 2 Sg · λέγωimperative (second command: deliver the oracle)→ constative aorist
ἀκοῇin hearingDativedative of manner (translating Hebrew inf. abs.)ἀκοή: 'hearing, report'; ἀκοῇ ἀκούσετε = a Hebraism from the LXX translating the Hebrew inf. abs. שָׁמֹעַ תִּשְׁמָעוּ — emphatic certainty.
ἀκούσετεyou will hearFut Act Indic 2 Pl · ἀκούωmain verb (predictive future)→ predictive future
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
οὐnotnegation (with μή for double negation)
μὴnever / by no meansemphatic negation (οὐ μή + subjunctive)οὐ μή: the strongest Greek negation, with subjunctive; 'you will by no means.'
συνῆτεunderstandAor Act Subj 2 Pl · συνίημιsubjunctive (with οὐ μή)→ constative aoristσυνίημι: 'understand, perceive, comprehend'; the failure is not of the ears but of comprehension — hearing without grasping.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
βλέποντεςseeingPres Act Ptc Nom Pl Masc · βλέπωcircumstantial participle (Hebraic parallelism, matching ἀκοῇ)→ descriptive presentβλέπω: 'look, see'; βλέποντες βλέψετε = another Hebraic inf.-abs. figure: 'seeing you will see.'
βλέψετεyou will seeFut Act Indic 2 Pl · βλέπωmain verb (parallel second clause)→ predictive future
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
οὐnotnegation
μὴby no meansemphatic negation (οὐ μή + subjunctive)
ἴδητεperceiveAor Act Subj 2 Pl · ὁράωsubjunctive (with οὐ μή)→ constative aoristὁράω: 'see, perceive'; in contrast to βλέπω (physical sight), ὁράω here = comprehending perception.
27

ἐπαχύνθη γὰρ ἡ καρδία τοῦ λαοῦ τούτου, καὶ τοῖς ὠσὶν βαρέως ἤκουσαν, καὶ τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς αὐτῶν ἐκάμμυσαν· μήποτε ἴδωσιν τοῖς ὀφθαλμοῖς καὶ τοῖς ὠσὶν ἀκούσωσιν καὶ τῇ καρδίᾳ συνῶσιν καὶ ἐπιστρέψωσιν, καὶ ἰάσομαι αὐτούς.

'For the heart of this people has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed; lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.'

Explanation (Isa 6:10 — the diagnosis)γάρThe second half of the Isaiah quotation diagnoses the spiritual condition: ἐπαχύνθη ('was made fat, grew dull') — the heart thickened with insensibility. The three-fold structure (heart / ears / eyes, then reversed: eyes / ears / heart) is a chiasm. μήποτε ('lest') introduces the divine purpose clause — which is itself a crux: is God preventing repentance, or does Isaiah describe the outcome? Most interpreters read it as a description of judgment on sustained rejection rather than a decree that makes repentance impossible. The final ἰάσομαι ('I will heal them') holds out the restoration as God's desire, making the whole passage a lament as much as a judgment.
ἐπαχύνθηhas grown dull / become fatAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · παχύνωmain verb→ constative aorist (state reached)παχύνω: 'make fat, make dull'; a metaphor for spiritual insensibility — the heart 'fattened' so it no longer perceives; LXX of Isa 6:10 (הַשְׁמֵן).
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
theNominativearticle
καρδίαheartNominativesubjectκαρδία: 'heart'; the seat of will, understanding, and moral perception in Semitic thought.
τοῦofGenitivearticle
λαοῦpeopleGenitivegenitive of possession
τούτουthisGenitivedemonstrative (modifying λαοῦ)
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τοῖςwith theirDativearticle
ὠσὶνearsDativedative of meansοὖς: 'ear'; dative of instrument — with their ears they hear heavily.
βαρέωςwith difficulty / barelyadverb of mannerβαρέως: 'heavily, with difficulty'; their hearing is labored — not physical deafness but willful inattention.
ἤκουσανthey heardAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀκούωmain verb (second clause)→ constative aorist
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τοὺςtheirAccusativearticle
ὀφθαλμοὺςeyesAccusativedirect object (proleptic with ἐκάμμυσαν)ὀφθαλμός: 'eye'; the closing of the eyes is voluntary — the people shut them.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivepossessive genitive
ἐκάμμυσανthey closedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · καμμύωmain verb (third clause)→ constative aoristκαμμύω: 'close the eyes'; the verb implies the action is theirs — they shut their own eyes; only here and Matt 13:15 in the NT (same citation).
μήποτεlestnegative purpose conjunction (μήποτε + subjunctive)μήποτε: 'lest, so that … not'; introduces the negative purpose clause — whether divine intention or human avoidance is the great interpretive question of this passage.
ἴδωσινthey might seeAor Act Subj 3 Pl · ὁράωsubjunctive (μήποτε purpose clause)→ constative aorist
τοῖςwith theirDativearticle
ὀφθαλμοῖςeyesDativedative of means
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τοῖςwith theirDativearticle
ὠσὶνearsDativedative of means
ἀκούσωσινthey might hearAor Act Subj 3 Pl · ἀκούωsubjunctive (μήποτε clause, second verb)→ constative aorist
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τῇwith theirDativearticle
καρδίᾳheartDativedative of means
συνῶσινthey might understandAor Act Subj 3 Pl · συνίημιsubjunctive (μήποτε clause, third verb)→ constative aorist
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐπιστρέψωσινthey might turnAor Act Subj 3 Pl · ἐπιστρέφωsubjunctive (μήποτε clause, fourth verb)→ ingressive aorist (the turn of repentance)ἐπιστρέφω: 'turn, return, convert'; the repentance verb; the LXX's choice for שׁוּב (return).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἰάσομαιI will healFut Mid Indic 1 Sg · ἰάομαιmain verb (divine promise/consequence)→ predictive futureἰάομαι: 'heal, restore'; the voice is God's own — if they turned, God would heal. The promise is God's, making the hardening a tragedy rather than a mere verdict.
αὐτούςthemAccusativedirect object
28

γνωστὸν οὖν ἔστω ὑμῖν ὅτι τοῖς ἔθνεσιν ἀπεστάλη τοῦτο τὸ σωτήριον τοῦ θεοῦ· αὐτοὶ καὶ ἀκούσονται.

Let it therefore be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will also listen.

Inference / declaration (the turning point)οὖνThis is the theological climax of Acts and the book's last recorded word of Paul. The οὖν ('therefore') draws the inference from the Isaiah citation: since Israel has closed its ears, the salvation-mission turns to the Gentiles. τοῖς ἔθνεσιν ἀπεστάλη is a divine passive — God has sent it. τοῦτο τὸ σωτήριον ('this salvation') is a rare neuter substantive (LXX usage, e.g. Ps 67:3 LXX; Isa 40:5; Luke 2:30; 3:6), emphasizing salvation as a concrete divine gift-event. αὐτοὶ καὶ ἀκούσονται — 'they themselves also will listen' — the καί is emphatic: the very ones (Gentiles) will be the listeners. This statement echoes Paul's own declaration at Corinth (18:6) and Pisidian Antioch (13:46–47).
γνωστὸνknownNominativepredicate adjective (imperatival: 'let it be known')γνωστός: 'known'; γνωστὸν ἔστω = 'let it be known' — a solemn declaratory formula (cf. 2:14; 4:10; 13:38).
οὖνthereforeinferential particle
ἔστωlet it bePres Act Impv 3 Sg · εἰμίimperative (3rd sg: solemn declaration)→ descriptive presentεἰμί: the imperative ἔστω used in solemn announcements — 'let this be known.'
ὑμῖνto youDativedative of reference
ὅτιthatcontent conjunction
τοῖςto theDativearticle (dative of indirect object — recipient)
ἔθνεσινGentiles / nationsDativedative of indirect object (recipient of the sending)ἔθνος: 'nation, Gentile'; τοῖς ἔθνεσιν — the nations, non-Jews; the great pivot of Luke-Acts theology: the Gentile mission as fulfilment of the Abrahamic promise (Gen 12:3; Isa 49:6; Acts 1:8).
ἀπεστάληhas been sentAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἀποστέλλωmain verb→ constative aorist (divine dispatch accomplished)ἀποστέλλω: 'send out (on a mission)'; divine passive — God is the sender; the same verb as the angel's commissioning speech (Isa 6:8 LXX; Luke 4:18–19). The salvation is not offered tentatively but dispatched by divine initiative.
τοῦτοthisNominativedemonstrative subject (pointing to the σωτήριον)
τὸtheNominativearticle
σωτήριονsalvationNominativesubjectσωτήριον: 'salvation' (neuter substantive); a characteristically LXX form (cf. Ps 97:3; Isa 40:5; 52:10; Luke 2:30; 3:6) — 'the saving act of God, salvation as a concrete gift.' This is the last recorded Pauline declaration in Acts and the book's theological resolution.
τοῦofGenitivearticle
θεοῦGodGenitivegenitive of source / ownershipθεός: 'God'; τοῦ θεοῦ emphasizes that this salvation is his, not Paul's and not Israel's — its origin is divine.
αὐτοὶthey themselvesNominativeemphatic subject pronounαὐτοί: emphatic personal pronoun; 'they themselves' — the Gentiles, the very people Israel might least expect.
καὶalsoadverbial conjunction (also, emphatic addition)καί: 'also, even'; αὐτοὶ καί = 'they also / they indeed' — the very ones who were not the primary audience will listen.
ἀκούσονταιwill listenFut Mid Indic 3 Pl · ἀκούωmain verb→ predictive futureἀκούω: 'hear, listen'; the future middle is emphatic and deliberate — they will hear, they will respond. The contrast with Israel's ἀκοῇ ἀκούσετε καὶ οὐ μὴ συνῆτε could not be sharper: this is Acts' last word on the gospel's advance.
30

Ἐνέμεινεν δὲ διετίαν ὅλην ἐν ἰδίῳ μισθώματι, καὶ ἀπεδέχετο πάντας τοὺς εἰσπορευομένους πρὸς αὐτόν,

He lived there two whole years in his own rented dwelling, and he welcomed all who came to him,

Summary (the two-year ministry)δέThe narrative suddenly steps back to a bird's-eye summary. Luke makes no mention of a trial, release, or execution — the two years of open ministry in Rome is the point. ἰδίῳ μισθώματι ('his own rented lodging') suggests Paul paid rent, perhaps funded by the Philippian church (cf. Phil 4:10–19) or his own labor. πάντας τοὺς εἰσπορευομένους — 'all who were coming in' — is programmatic: every visitor, Jew or Gentile, receives access. This is the realized form of 'unhindered.'
Ἐνέμεινενhe stayed / livedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐμμένωmain verb→ constative aorist (the two-year period as whole)ἐμμένω: 'remain in, continue in'; the constative aorist takes the entire two years as a unit.
δέandnarrative connective
διετίανtwo yearsAccusativeaccusative of time extentδιετία: 'a two-year period'; from δύο + ἔτος; only here and Acts 24:27 in the NT.
ὅληνwhole / entireAccusativeadjective (modifying διετίαν, emphatic)ὅλος: 'whole, entire'; διετίαν ὅλην emphasizes the completeness — the full two years without interruption.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (location)
ἰδίῳhis ownDativepossessive adjective (attributive to μισθώματι)ἴδιος: 'one's own, private'; Paul's own rented quarters — not a state prison cell.
μισθώματιrented dwellingDativeobject of ἐνμίσθωμα: 'rented place, hired quarters'; from μισθόω ('to hire'); a hapax in the NT; confirms Paul's custodia militaris arrangement allowed private accommodation.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἀπεδέχετοwas welcomingImpf Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἀποδέχομαιmain verb→ descriptive imperfect (ongoing welcome, repeated action)ἀποδέχομαι: 'receive, welcome'; the imperfect pictures a continuing open-door policy over the two years.
πάνταςallAccusativedirect object (universal)πᾶς: 'all'; πάντας τοὺς εἰσπορευομένους = everyone without exception who came.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle
εἰσπορευομένουςcoming inPres Mid Ptc Acc Pl Masc · εἰσπορεύομαιsubstantival participle (object of ἀπεδέχετο)→ descriptive present (repeated arrivals)εἰσπορεύομαι: 'come in, enter'; the present participle captures the repeated, ongoing stream of visitors.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction)
αὐτόνhimAccusativeobject of πρός
31

κηρύσσων τὴν βασιλείαν τοῦ θεοῦ καὶ διδάσκων τὰ περὶ τοῦ κυρίου Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ μετὰ πάσης παρρησίας ἀκωλύτως.

proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, unhindered.

Summation / programmatic endingasyndetonThe book ends mid-sentence — no new main verb, only two participles (κηρύσσων, διδάσκων) hanging from ἀπεδέχετο. This open-ended syntax is theologically intentional: the activity does not stop, the sentence does not close, the story continues beyond the page. The dual content — βασιλεία τοῦ θεοῦ (kingdom of God) and τὰ περὶ τοῦ κυρίου Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ (the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ) — summarizes the whole gospel: kingdom theology from the Hebrew scriptures, fulfilled in Jesus as Lord and Christ. μετὰ πάσης παρρησίας ('with all boldness') echoes the prayer of Acts 4:29–31 and the defining quality of apostolic speech throughout Acts. And then the final word: ἀκωλύτως — 'unhindered.' The adverb carries the full weight of Acts' narrative: every opponent, every chain, every mob, every storm has failed to stop the word. The gospel arrives in Rome with no lock on its door.
κηρύσσωνproclaimingPres Act Ptc Nom Sg Masc · κηρύσσωattendant-circumstance participle (continuing from v.30)→ descriptive present (ongoing proclamation)κηρύσσω: 'herald, proclaim'; the official public announcement of a herald; Paul's proclamation is not private persuasion but public heralding.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
βασιλείανkingdomAccusativedirect object of κηρύσσωνβασιλεία: 'kingdom, reign'; βασιλεία τοῦ θεοῦ is Acts' and Jesus' central proclamation: God's sovereign rule arriving in history.
τοῦofGenitivearticle
θεοῦGodGenitivegenitive of possession
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
διδάσκωνteachingPres Act Ptc Nom Sg Masc · διδάσκωattendant-circumstance participle (parallel to κηρύσσων)→ descriptive present (ongoing instruction)διδάσκω: 'teach'; where κηρύσσω announces, διδάσκω instructs — proclamation and catechesis together.
τὰthe thingsAccusativearticle (substantive)
περὶaboutpreposition + genitive (reference)
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
κυρίουLordGenitivegenitive (object of περί; title)κύριος: 'Lord'; the confession of Jesus' lordship is the content of the teaching; in LXX usage κύριος = יהוה — the title applied to Jesus is the highest possible claim.
ἸησοῦJesusGenitivegenitive (apposition to κυρίου)
ΧριστοῦChristGenitivegenitive (apposition — name-title)Χριστός: 'Anointed, Messiah'; the full title 'Lord Jesus Christ' closes Acts as it opened the Pentecost sermon (2:36): 'both Lord and Christ God has made him.'
μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (manner)
πάσηςallGenitiveadjective (modifying παρρησίας)
παρρησίαςboldnessGenitiveobject of μετά (manner: with all boldness)παρρησία: 'boldness, frankness, free speech'; originally the Athenian citizen's right to speak freely in the assembly; in Acts the defining quality of the apostolic witness (4:13, 29, 31; 9:27–28; 13:46; 14:3; 18:26; 19:8; 26:26). μετὰ πάσης παρρησίας = with the fullest, most unrestrained boldness possible.
ἀκωλύτωςunhinderedadverb of manner (final word of Acts)ἀκωλύτως: 'without hindrance, unhindered'; a hapax legomenon — found nowhere else in the NT or LXX, though common in Greek legal and administrative language for action that has not been obstructed. The word is the book's final statement and its theological verdict: no emperor, no mob, no storm, no viper, no chain has been able to stop the proclaimed word. The gospel stands open. The sentence — and Acts — ends not with a period but with a liberation. The adverb's placement as the absolute last word is a deliberate literary choice: after everything narrated in twenty-eight chapters, this is where Luke leaves us.