Acts 28
Paul Arrives at Rome
11 After three months we set sail in a ship that had wintered in the island, a ship of Alexandria, with the twin gods as a figurehead. 12 Putting in at Syracuse, we stayed there for three days. 13 And from there we made a circuit and arrived at Rhegium. And after one day a south wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli. 14 There we found brothers and were invited to stay with them for seven days. And so we came to Rome. 15 And the brothers there, when they heard about us, came as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns to meet us. On seeing them, Paul thanked God and took courage. 16 And when we came into Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier who guarded him.
Paul in Rome
17 After three days he called together the local leaders of the Jews, and when they had gathered, he said to them, “Brothers, though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans. 18 When they had examined me, they wished to set me at liberty, because there was no reason for the death penalty in my case. 19 But because the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar—though I had no charge to bring against my nation. 20 For this reason, therefore, I have asked to see you and speak with you, since it is because of the hope of Israel that I am wearing this chain.” 21 And they said to him, “We have received no letters from Judea about you, and none of the brothers coming here has reported or spoken any evil about you. 22 But we desire to hear from you what your views are, for with regard to this sect we know that everywhere it is spoken against.”
23 When they had appointed a day for him, they came to him at his lodging in greater numbers. From morning till evening he expounded to them, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus both from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets. 24 And some were convinced by what he said, but others disbelieved. 25 And disagreeing among themselves, they departed after Paul had made one statement: “The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet:
26 “ ‘Go to this people, and say,
“You will indeed hear but never understand,
and you will indeed see but never perceive.”
27 For this people’s heart has grown dull,
and with their ears they can barely hear,
and their eyes they have closed;
lest they should see with their eyes
and hear with their ears
and understand with their heart
and turn, and I would heal them.’
28 Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen.”
30 He lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him, 31 proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.
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Paul under house arrest in Rome
(28:11–31)
After spending the winter on the island of Malta, they sail again for Italy via Sicily. After all the delays, they cover the last 200 miles in a single day.
‘And so we came to Rome’ (28:14). The Christians in Rome hear that Paul has landed. They travel thirty-five miles to meet him at the Three Taverns and greet him as an honoured leader. Paul has longed to see these people, having written to them from Corinth before his fateful journey to Jerusalem. They escort him along the Appian Way to Rome.
Once in Rome, Paul is kept under house arrest. He lives in his own rented home, guarded by a soldier. He immediately invites the leaders of the Jewish community to meet him. He explains to them that neither the Jewish nor the Roman authorities have any case against him.
Rome
Rome is the capital city of the mighty Roman empire. With its well-disciplined soldiers and skilful engineers, Rome has conquered the world. Her navy has rid the seas of pirates, her judges have established Roman law and her governors provide firm and fair administration to a host of races and communities.
Of course, the Roman empire is far from perfect. There is widespread superstition and corruption, cruelty and vice. In the book of Revelation, Rome is a powerful, blasphemous beast. But as Luke writes, the ‘Roman Peace’ is providing an ideal climate for the spread of the gospel and the growth of the Christian church.
Luke always portrays Roman officials as honest and good. He also shows, by his account of Paul’s adventures, that God is shifting the focus of the church from Jerusalem to Rome. It is in Rome that he closes his record of Paul—leaving him boldly preaching the gospel at the heart of the empire.
The Jews return, bringing others, and talk all day. As Paul has found before, there are those who accept his message and those who reject it. God told Isaiah that people would look and listen but deliberately resist salvation (Isaiah 6:9–10).
Paul, as always, has first explained the gospel to his fellow Jews. Now he will tell it to the Gentiles. As he knows from experience, they will listen. Luke tells us that Paul lives in Rome for two years, sharing the good news of Jesus with all comers.
At this point Luke draws his story to a close. He has compiled a thorough account of Paul’s career, including a detailed record of five trials. One of the aims of this book may be to show that Paul was innocent of the charges brought against him.
From Paul’s later letters we guess that he was released and continued his missionary travels. But when he writes his last letter to Timothy he is again under arrest in Rome and awaiting death. It is thought that Paul was executed in AD 67.
There has never been another missionary like Paul. He bravely proclaimed and tirelessly defended the gospel. And in his own life he reflected the single-mindedness and sufferings of the Lord he loved and served so well.