Paul Reaches Rome
After wintering on Malta, Paul completes the voyage by way of Syracuse and Puteoli, and believers walk out along the Appian Way as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns to meet him — a detail Luke records because Paul took heart from it.
He is allowed to live by himself with the soldier guarding him. Within three days he calls the local Jewish leaders together, explains why he is in chains, and spends a full day arguing his case from the law and the prophets, with some convinced and some not.
Acts ends abruptly and without a verdict, on Paul in rented lodgings receiving all who came, preaching with all boldness and without hindrance — the last word of the book. He had wanted to visit Rome for years, as the letter to the Romans says; he arrived as a prisoner under appeal to Caesar.
Where in scripture
[11] After three months, we set sail in a ship of Alexandria which had wintered in the island, whose sign was “The Twin Brothers.” [12] Touching at Syracuse, we stayed there three days. [13] From there we circled around and arrived at Rhegium. After one day, a south wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli, [14] where we found brothers, and were entreated to stay with them for seven days. So we came to Rome. [15] From there the brothers, when they heard of us, came to meet us as far as The Market of Appius and The Three Taverns. When Paul saw them, he thanked God, and took courage. [16] When we entered into Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard, but Paul was allowed to stay by himself with the soldier who guarded him. …
Acts 28:11–31 — opening verses
[8] First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, that your faith is proclaimed throughout the whole world. [9] For God is my witness, whom I serve in my spirit in the Good News of his Son, how unceasingly I make mention of you always in my prayers, [10] requesting, if by any means now at last I may be prospered by the will of God to come to you. [11] For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, to the end that you may be established; [12] that is, that I with you may be encouraged in you, each of us by the other’s faith, both yours and mine. [13] Now I don’t desire to have you unaware, brothers, that I often planned to come to you, and was hindered so far, that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among the rest of the Gentiles. …
Romans 1:8–15 — opening verses
[6] For I am already being offered, and the time of my departure has come. [7] I have fought the good fight. I have finished the course. I have kept the faith. [8] From now on, there is stored up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to me on that day; and not to me only, but also to all those who have loved his appearing. [9] Be diligent to come to me soon, [10] for Demas left me, having loved this present world, and went to Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. [11] Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for service. [12] But I sent Tychicus to Ephesus. [13] Bring the cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus when you come, and the books, especially the parchments. …
2 Timothy 4:6–18 — opening verses
Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, a public-domain translation.
