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III. THE WITNESS TO THE UTTERMOST PART OF THE EARTH 9:32--28:31 >
D. The extension of the church to Rome 19:21-28:31 >
2. Ministry in Jerusalem 21:17-23:32 >
Paul's defense before the Jewish mob 21:37-22:21 >
The Jews' response 22:22
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22:22 Jews had taken messages from God to Gentiles many times in Israel's past (e.g., Jonah; the Pharisees, Matt. 23:15; et al.). That revelation could not have been what infuriated Paul's audience. What upset them was that Paul was approaching Gentiles directly about the Messiah without first introducing them to Judaism and its institutions. This was equivalent to placing Gentiles on the same footing before God as Jews, and this was the height of apostasy to the traditional Jewish mind. This is why Paul's hearers reacted so violently and allowed him to say no more.