Definition: And they said unto him, We neither received letters out of Judaea concerning thee, neither any of the brethren that came shewed or spake any harm of thee.

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from Acts 28:21. It’s a really important passage about Paul’s journey and how he’s being treated. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse tells us that people in Jerusalem – the Jewish community – didn't send Paul any letters or news about him, and they weren't telling anyone good things about him. Let’s unpack it word by word: “And they said unto him…” - This is a way of saying "Paul said to him..." It's like a conversation. “We neither received letters out of Judaea concerning thee…” – “We didn’t receive any letters from Jerusalem about you.” This means that the people in Jerusalem weren't interested in reporting anything good or bad about Paul. They weren’t sending him any news, messages, or requests for help. “neither any of the brethren that came shewed or spake any harm of thee.” – “Neither did any of the friends or helpers who came to show him good things about you say anything bad.” This is where it gets a little more nuanced. "Brothers" refers to Paul’s companions, and "came shewed” means they brought news or something positive. The phrase "spake any harm" means they were telling negative stories or gossip. So, what does this tell us about Paul? He was being ignored: This verse suggests that the people in Jerusalem weren’t interested in Paul's mission or his work. They were focused on other things and didn’t want to share any good news about him. It's a challenge: This could be seen as a challenge for Paul to continue spreading the Gospel (the good news of Jesus). He needs to keep doing what he’s doing, even if people aren't sharing their good news with him. Why is this important? This verse highlights a significant issue in early Christianity. It shows that sometimes, people can be skeptical or dismissive of those who are trying to share the message of Jesus. It emphasizes the importance of perseverance and faith – staying true to one’s mission despite opposition. --- Do you want me to: Explain a specific part in more detail? Connect this verse to a larger story or theme in the Bible?