Then they said to him, “We neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor have any of the brethren who came reported or spoken any evil of you. Acts 28:21

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A literal reading says, “And they said to him, ‘We neither received letters concerning you from Judea nor any of the brothers having come reported or said anything evil concerning you’” (CG).

Paul just finished explaining why he had called the Jews to meet with him. During that time, he noted that the Jews spoke against him and his message. In response to this, Luke records, “And they said to him, ‘We neither received letters concerning you from Judea.’”

It may seem surprising that it appears from their words that the leaders in Jerusalem simply gave up on the attempt to kill him. However, it would be contrary to their existence to be caught attempting to have a Roman citizen killed in Rome itself, especially over a religious matter.

Further, they may never have expected Paul to even call upon the Jews in Rome. As he was bound as a prisoner, they may have assumed that he wouldn’t have the opportunity to even make a case among the Jews of the dispersion.

No matter what, they were more concerned about their own dealings in Israel and in Jerusalem than they were with what went on in the nations. This is evident because these Jews continue, saying, “nor any of the brothers having come reported or said anything evil concerning you.”

It would be hard to imagine no Jews had arrived from Jerusalem over the past months, and yet nobody showed up at the synagogue to speak badly about Paul or the Christian message that was being carried to the nations.

But their words seem to mean that, apparently, Jews had arrived since Paul’s voyage began, and it may be that they had even talked about Paul, but not in a negative way. About him, there was no word of either caution or concern, even if there was talk about his faith. It is this to which these Jews will next comment.

Life application: It is evident from the words of this verse that the Jewish leaders who were so against Paul’s message concerning Jesus were more interested in keeping their local position and power than they were in dealing with real transgressions. If Paul was a murderer, it is certain they would have sent out letters telling the Roman authorities to find this guy and deal with him.

However, the matter that bothered them about Paul was that he was telling the Gentiles a message of a personal relationship with God apart from going through the law that they administered. To pursue Paul outside of Israel would have brought in many questions concerning the “exclusivity” of their faith that would then put them at further odds with the rulers of the Roman empire.

And so, they simply dropped the matter about Paul in order to keep themselves from controversy. But being leaders of the people, they spoke for the people. Like during the times of the kings, when there was a good king, the people were blessed by the Lord. When there was an evil king, the people faced the Lord’s wrath.

Israel rejected Jesus because the leaders first rejected Him. This is what brought their condemnation upon them, and it is what continues to keep them at enmity with God even to this day. Until they (those in the leadership positions of Israel) acknowledge Jesus as Lord, they will continue to suffer. The book is written. The outcome is certain. And the pattern is set.

Even though the nations of the world are not in the same covenant relationship with the Lord as Israel is, it is evident that the Lord is judging nations based on the actions of their leaders. Be sure when you vote, not to choose a leader who is a pervert, degenerate, etc. Things cannot go well for a nation when the leader is doing what is contrary to what God would have that nation doing.

Lord God, may our lives as citizens of the nations in which we live be honoring of You. If the leaders we choose are godly, we can expect things will go better for the nation than if we choose someone who is morally corrupt. Help us wake up to this truth and to appoint over us leaders who will act rightly before You. Amen.