{But we desire} (axioumen de). Old verb axio(935c), to deem
worthy, to think right or proper as in  15:38  which see. They
think it only fair to hear Paul's side of his case. {Concerning
this sect} (peri t(8873) hairese(9373) taut(8873)). Paul had identified
Christianity with Judaism (verse  20 ) in its Messianic hope. The
language seems to imply that the number of Christians in Rome was
comparatively small and mainly Gentile. If the edict of Claudius
for the expulsion of the Jews from Rome ( Ac 18:2 ) was due to
disturbance over Christ (Chr(8873)tus), then even in Rome the Jews
had special reason for hostility towards Christians. {Everywhere
spoken against} (pantachou antilegetai). Cf. verse  19 . The
line of cleavage between Jew and Christian was now sharply drawn
everywhere.