Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

And had great reasoning – Great discussion or debates. That is, the part which believed that Jesus was the Messiah Act 28:24 discussed the subject warmly with those who did not believe. This whole verse is missing in the Syriac version, and in some Greek mss., and is supposed by Mill and Griesbach to be spurious.

Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible

Verse 29. And had great reasoning among themselves.] The believers contending with the unbelievers; and thus we may suppose that the cause of truth gained ground. For contentions about the truth and authenticity of the religion of Christ infallibly end in the triumph and extension of that religion.

Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible

Some accusing of Paul, others vindicating of him; some believing, as Act 28:24, others not believing; our Saviour, and his gospel too, being for the rising and falling of many.

Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole

29. the Jews departed, and hadgreat“much”

reasoning amongthemselves“This verse is wanting in many manuscripts [andomitted by several recent editors], but certainly without reason.Probably the words were regarded as superfluous, as they seem to tellus what we were told before, that Paul “departed” (see Ac28:25). But in Ac 28:25 itis the breaking off of the discourse that is meant, here the finaldeparture from the house” [OLSHAUSEN].

Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

And when he had said these words,…. Cited the prophecy of Isaiah, and declared the mission of the Gospel to the Gentiles, and their calling by it; both which must greatly gravel and disturb the unbelieving part of his audience:

the Jews departed; much displeased and uneasy:

and had great reasoning among themselves; not only with them that believed, but with others, that seemed to incline towards the apostle, and who espoused and undertook to defend some principles of his, against the rest, as the doctrine of the resurrection; and particularly they might take into consideration the passage in Isaiah, the apostle had recited to them at parting, and which was so appropriate to them; as well as the account he gave them of the preaching of the Gospel, and the success of it among the Gentiles, things which must be very grating to them: this whole verse is wanting in the Alexandrian copy, and in the Syriac version.

Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible

1) “And when he had said these words,” (completed his comments on the quotation from Isaiah and his reference to the law.)

2) “The Jews departed,” (turned and went away, like the rich young ruler), of their own will, accord, or choice.

3) “And they had great reasoning among themselves.” (and they continuing, as they turned away, jabbered, quarreled and contentiously reasoned with one another, in uncertainty, and mental confusion or disorientation, regarding what Paul had preached.) (This passage is omitted in older Greek manuscripts.) The passage Act 28:25; Act 28:27 is accurately taken from the Septuagint version, however, as found Isa 6:9-10.

Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary

−

29. Having much reasoning. No doubt, the wicked were more nettled because he cited the prophecy against them; for they are so far from waxing meek when they are reproved, that they are more inflamed with fury. This is the reason why they reasoned − (687) when they were gone out from Paul, because the more part would not be quiet. But seeing there was such disputing, it appeareth that some did so embrace those things which Paul had spoken, that they doubted not to defend and stoutly to avouch that which they believed. But it is in vain for any man to object thereupon, that the gospel of Christ is the seed of contention, which cometh undoubtedly from man’s pride and waywardness; and assuredly, if we will have peace with God, we must strive against − (688) those which contemn him. −

(687) −

“

Disceptaverunt,” disputed.

(688) −

“

Bellare necesse est,” we must of necessity war with.

Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary

(29) And when he had said these words . . .The whole verse is wanting in many of the earliest MSS. and versions. It may have been inserted, either by a transcriber, or by the historian himself in a revised copy in order to avoid the apparent abruptness of the transition from Act. 28:28-30. As far as it goes it confirms the statement of Act. 28:24-25, that some of those who had listened were converted.

Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)

29. Departed In an excitement of discussion, leaving the apostle to that deep grief which he expresses so profoundly at the commencement of Romans 9.

Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

‘And he abode two whole years in his own rented dwelling (or ‘at his own expense’), and received all that went in to him, preaching the Kingly Rule of God, and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, none forbidding him.’

These final summaries have a twofold purpose. To bring to a summation the passage that they follow, and to summarise all that has happened throughout the preceding section. This one is no different from the others, except that it also brings the whole of Acts to summation.

Firstly it points out that throughout the section which speaks of his journey to Jerusalem and his imprisonment he had preached the Kingly Rule of God and taught the things concerning Jesus with all boldness (as indeed we have seen).

And secondly it points out that in perfect peace and safety, under the very eye of the emperor, he has continued to teach and proclaim it in Rome, and not as under Rome but at his own expense. And he has done this for two years, two representing the completeness of witness. ‘Two years’ is regularly a picture of a complete testimony. Compare in Ephesus (Act 19:10) and in Caesarea (Act 24:27)

In other words having entered Rome in triumph, he has, as it were, been enthroned in his own rented ‘palace’ (his home is in Heaven) and now declared Jesus’ Kingly Rule over both the Jews and the nations, no one preventing him. The initial stage of God’s triumph is complete, and the word of God goes forth freely, even in Rome, to both Jew and Gentile. All who will may come.

But, someone may say, is he not bound with a chain to a Roman soldier? Yes, Paul triumphantly declares, BUT THE WORD OF GOD IS NOT BOUND (2Ti 2:9). And it continues to go forth like an ever-flowing stream. And as the final word in the book proclaim, it was ‘unhindered’.

Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett