The pronoun that beginning verse 20 refers back to all of the preceding events. In some languages this may be more appropriately rendered as “because of all that had happened, I asked to see you” or “these are the reasons why I have asked to see you.”

There is a problem in translating the conjunction because which introduces the expression I have this chain on me. If translated literally, in some languages it would mean “I wish to talk with you because I have this chain on me.” This is, of course, not the meaning. The Greek conjunction which is rendered because in this context often points out merely some type of logical sequence, without indicating that it is specifically causal. A more appropriate transition might be “in fact, I have this chain on me for the sake of him for whom the people of Israel hope.” This would act as a kind of link between the recounting of the previous events and Paul’s claim that the real issue is his preaching of the resurrection or of the Messianic fulfillment in Jesus Christ.

I have this chain on me is equivalent to “I am here a prisoner” or “I am chained as a prisoner.”

For the sake of him for whom the people of Israel hope is taken by the Good News Translation and certain commentaries as a reference to the Jewish Messianic hope. Other commentaries take this as a reference to the Jewish belief in the resurrection (see 23.6). The Greek expression is literally “for the sake of the hope of Israel” and may support either of these interpretations. Most translators prefer to leave this phrase ambiguous (see New English Bible “for the sake of the hope of Israel”). One may render this final expression, for the sake of him for whom the people of Israel hope, as “for the sake of the one in whom the people of Israel have placed their hope” or “for the sake of the one the people of Israel look forward to with confidence.”

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on The Acts of the Apostles. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1972. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .