But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, we know that every where it is spoken against.
But we desire, [ axioumen ( G515 )] - 'we deem it proper,' or 'due,'
To hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, we know that everywhere it is spoken against. This statement has been pronounced incredible; and believing critics (as Tholuck) have thought that these Jews here dishonestly concealed the truth, while rationalistic critics make it a handle against the authenticity of the history itself. But the distinction which they make between Paul himself, against whom they had heard nothing, and his "sect," as everywhere spoken against, is a presumption in favour of their sincerity; and, as Meyer well says, until the apostle appealed to Caesar, the Jews of Palestine would have no occasion to send information to Rome against him, while the unexpected turn which the case took by his appeal to Caesar occurred so late, that no information on the subject would travel from Jerusalem to Rome in advance of the apostle himself. The apparent freedom from prejudice here expressed is best explained by reference to the danger which the Jews of Rome felt themselves to be in of fresh persecution, should any disturbances break out among themselves-which a keen collision between them and the Christians would be sure to provoke. It was this, probably, that induced the Jewish community of Rome, as a body, to ignore the Christianity which was springing up in the capital around them; and the same motive would now induce them to express themselves with such prudent reserve as they do here. (So Humphry, Philippi, Hackett, and substantially Lechler.)
Second Interview with the Jews of Rome-His exposition of the Christian Faith to them continued from day to day-The two-fold issue of this, and the apostle's final testimony to his countrymen (28:23-29)