And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great reasoning among themselves.

And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, having much disputing among themselves.

And when he had said these things, the Jews went out from him, having much reasoning among themselves.

And he having said this, the Jews went away, having great reasoning among themselves.

and he having said these things, the Jews went away, having much disputation among themselves;

And when he had said these things, the Jews went away from him, though they still had many questions among themselves.

[ Some later manuscripts add: After he said these things the Jews left, all the while engaging in a heated debate among themselves. ]

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 [1] 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 [2] those which contemn him.

Footnotes

1 - "Disceptaverunt," disputed.

2 - "Bellare necesse est," we must of necessity war with.

And had great reasoning - Great discussion or debates. That is, the part which believed that Jesus was the Messiah Acts 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.

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.

(16) And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great reasoning among themselves.
(16) Not the Gospel, but the contempt of the Gospel is the cause of strife and debate.

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.

the Jews departed, and had great--"much"
reasoning among themselves--"This verse is wanting in many manuscripts [and omitted by several recent editors], but certainly without reason. Probably the words were regarded as superfluous, as they seem to tell us what we were told before, that Paul "departed" (see Acts 28:25). But in Acts 28:25 it is the breaking off of the discourse that is meant, here the final departure from the house" [OLSHAUSEN].