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Commentary on Acts 28 verses 11–16
We have here the progress of Paul's voyage towards Rome, and his arrival there at length. A rough and dangerous voyage he had hitherto had, and narrowly escaped with his life; but after a storm comes a calm: the latter part of his voyage was easy and quiet.
Per varios casus, per tot discrimina rerum,
Tendimus ad Latium -
Through various hazards and events we move
To Latium.
Tendimus ad coelum.
We make for heaven.
- Dabit Deus his quoque finem.
To these a period will be fixed by Heaven.
We have here,
I. Their leaving Malta. That island was a happy shelter to them, but it was not their home; when they are refreshed they must put to sea again. The difficulties and discouragements we have met with in our Christian course must not hinder us from pressing forward. Notice is here taken, 1. Of the time of their departure: After three months, the three winter months. Better lie by, though they lay upon charges, than go forward while the season was dangerous. Paul had warned them against venturing to sea in winter weather, and they would not take the warning; but, now that they had learned it by the difficulties and dangers they had gone through, he needed not to warn them: their learning did them good when they had paid dearly for it. Experience is therefore called the mistress of fools, because those are fools that will not learn till experience has taught them. 2. Of the ship in which they departed. It was in a ship of Alexandria; so was that which was cast away, Act 27:6. This ship had wintered in that isle, and was safe. See what different issues there are of men's undertakings in this world. Here were two ships, both of Alexandria, both bound for Italy, both thrown upon the same island, but one is wrecked there and the other is saved. Such occurrences may often be observed. Providence sometimes favours those that deal in the world, and prospers them, that people may be encouraged to set their hands to worldly business; at other times Providence crosses them, that people may be warned not to set their hearts upon it. Events are thus varied, that we may learn both how to want and how to abound. The historian takes notice of the sign of the ship, which probably gave it its name: it was Castor and Pollux. Those little foolish pagan deities, which the poets had made to preside over storms and to protect seafaring men, as gods of the sea, were painted or graven upon the fore-part of the ship, and thence the ship took its name. I suppose this is observed for no other reason than for the better ascertaining of the story, that ship being well known by that name and sign by all that dealt between Egypt and Italy. Dr. Lightfoot thinks that Luke mentions this circumstance to intimate the men's superstition, that they hoped they should have better sailing under this badge than they had had before.
II. Their landing in or about Italy, and the pursuing of their journey towards Rome. 1. They landed first at Syracuse in Sicily, the chief city of that island. There they tarried three days, probably having some goods to put ashore, or some merchandise to make there; for it seems to have been a trading voyage that this ship made. Paul had now his curiosity gratified with the sight of places he had often heard of and wished to see, particularly Syracuse, a place of great antiquity and note; and yet, it should seem, there were no Christians there. 2. From Syracuse they came to Rhegium, a city in Italy, directly opposite to Messina in Sicily, belonging to the kingdom of Calabria or Naples. There, it seems they staid one day; and a very formal story the Romish legends tell of Paul's preaching here at this time, and the fish coming to the shore to hear him, - that with a candle he set a stone pillar on fire, and by that miracle convinced the people of the truth of his doctrine, and they were many of them baptized, and he ordained Stephen, one of his companions in this voyage, to be their bishop, - and all this, they tell you, was done in this one day; whereas it does not appear that they did so much as go ashore, but only came to an anchor in the road. 3. From Rhegium they came to Puteoli, a sea-port town not far from Naples, now called Pozzolana. The ship of Alexandria was bound for that port, and therefore there Paul, and the rest that were bound for Rome, were put ashore, and went the remainder of their way by land. At Puteoli they found brethren, Christians. Who brought the knowledge of Christ hither we are not told, but here it was, so wonderfully did the leaven of the gospel diffuse itself. God has many that serve and worship him in places where we little think he has. And observe, (1.) Though it is probable there were but few brethren in Puteoli, yet Paul found them out; either they heard of him, or he enquired them out, but as it were by instinct they got together. Brethren in Christ should find out one another, and keep up communion with each other, as those of the same country do in a foreign land. (2.) They desired Paul and his companions to tarry with them seven days, that is, to forecast to stay at least one Lord's day with them, and to assist them in their public worship that day. They knew not whether ever they should see Paul at Puteoli again, and therefore he must not go without giving them a sermon or two, or more. And Paul was willing to allow them so much of his time; and the centurion under whose command Paul now was, perhaps having himself friends or business at Puteoli, agreed to stay one week there, to oblige Paul. 4. From Puteoli they went forward towards Rome; whether they travelled on foot, or whether they had beasts provided for them to ride on (as Act 23:24), does not appear; but to Rome they must go, and this was their last stage.
III. The meeting which the Christians at Rome gave to Paul. It is probable that notice was sent to them by the Christians at Puteoli, as soon as ever Paul had come thither, how long he intended to stay there, and when he would set forward for Rome, which gave an opportunity for this interview. Observe,
1.The great honour they did to Paul. They had heard much of his fame, what use God had made of him, and what eminent service he had done to the kingdom of Christ in the world, and to what multitudes of souls he had been a spiritual father. They had heard of his sufferings, and how God had owned him in them, and therefore they not only longed to see him, but thought themselves obliged to show him all possible respect, as a glorious advocate for the cause of Christ. He had some time ago written a long epistle to them, and a most excellent one, the epistle to the Romans, in which he had not only expressed his great kindness for them, but had given them a great many useful instructions, in return for which they show him this respect. They went to meet him, that they might bring him in state, as ambassadors and judges make their public entry, though he was a prisoner. Some of them went as far as Appiiforum, which was fifty-one miles from Rome; others to a place called the Three Taverns, which was twenty-eight miles (some reckon it thirty-three miles) from Rome. They are to be commended for it, that they were so far from being ashamed of him, or afraid of owning him, because he was a prisoner, that for that very reason they counted him worthy of double honour, and were the more careful to show him respect.
2.The great comfort Paul had in this. Now that he was drawing near to Rome, and perhaps heard at Puteoli what character the emperor Nero now had, and what a tyrant he had of late become, he began to have some melancholy thoughts about his appeal to Caesar, and the consequences of it. He was drawing near to Rome, where he had never been, where there were few that knew him or that he knew, and what things might befall him here he could not tell; but he began to grow dull upon it, till he met with these good people that came from Rome to show him respect; and when he saw them, (1.) He thanked God. We may suppose he thanked them for their civility, told them again and again how kindly he took it; but this was not all: he thanked God. Note, If our friends be kind to us, it is God that makes them so, that puts it into their hearts, and into the power of their hands, to be so, and we must give him the glory of it. He thanked God, no doubt, for the civility and generosity of the barbarous people at Melita, but much more for the pious care of the Christian people at Rome for him. When he saw so many Christians that were of Rome, he thanked God that the gospel of Christ had had such wonderful success there in the metropolis of the empire. When we go abroad, or but look abroad, into the world, and meet with those, even in strange places, that bear up Christ's name, and fear God, and serve him, we should lift up our hearts to heaven in thanksgiving; blessed be God that there are so many excellent ones on this earth, bad as it is. Paul had thanked God for the Christians at Rome before he had ever seen them, upon the report he had heard concerning them (Rom 1:8): I thank my God for you all. But now that he saw them (and perhaps they appeared more fashionable and genteel people than most he had conversed with, or more grave, serious, and intelligent, than most) he thanked God. But this was not all: (2.) He took courage. It put new life into him, cheered up his spirits, and banished his melancholy, and now he can enter Rome a prisoner as cheerfully as ever he had entered Jerusalem at liberty. he finds there are those there who love and value him, and whom he may both converse with and consult with as his friends, which will take off much of the tediousness of his imprisonment, and the terror of his appearing before Nero. Note, it is an encouragement to those who are travelling towards heaven to meet with their fellow travellers, who are their companions in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ. When we see the numerous and serious assemblies of good Christians, we should not only give thanks to God, but take courage to ourselves. And this is a good reason why respect should be shown to good ministers, especially when they are in sufferings, and have contempt put upon them, that it encourages them, and makes both their sufferings and their services more easy. Yet it is observable that though the Christians at Rome were now so respectful to Paul, and he had promised himself so much from their respect, yet they failed him when he most needed them; for he says (Ti2 4:16), At my first answer, no man stood with me, but all men forsook me. They could easily take a ride of forty or fifty miles to go and meet Paul, for the pleasantness of the journey; but to venture the displeasure of the emperor and the disobliging of other great men, by appearing in defence of Paul and giving evidence for him, here they desire to be excused; when it comes to this, they will rather ride as far out of town to miss him as now they did to meet him, which is an intimation to us to cease from man, and to encourage ourselves in the Lord our God. The courage we take from his promises will never fail us, when we shall be ashamed of that which we took from men's compliments. Let God be true, but every man a liar.
IV. The delivering of Paul into custody at Rome, Act 28:16. He is now come to his journey's end. And, 1. He is still a prisoner. He had longed to see Rome, but, when he comes there, he is delivered, with other prisoners, to the captain of the guard, and can see no more of Rome than he will permit him. How many great men had made their entry into Rome, crowned and in triumph, who really were the plagues of their generation! But here a good man makes his entry into Rome, chained and triumphed over as a poor captive, who was really the greatest blessing to his generation. This thought is enough to put one for ever out of conceit with this world. 2. Yet he has some favour shown him. He is a prisoner, but not a close prisoner, not in the common jail: Paul was suffered to dwell by himself, in some convenient private lodgings which his friends there provided for him, and a soldier was appointed to be his guard, who, we hope, was civil to him, and let him take all the liberty that could be allowed to a prisoner, for he must be very ill-natured indeed that could be so to such a courteous obliging man as Paul. Paul, being suffered to dwell by himself, could the better enjoy himself, and his friends, and his God, than if he had been lodged with the other prisoners. Note, This may encourage God's prisoners, that he can give them favour in the eyes of those that carry them captive (Psa 106:46), as Joseph in the eyes of his keeper (Gen 39:21), and Jehoiachin in the eyes of the king of Babylon, Kg2 25:27, Kg2 25:28. When God does not deliver his people presently out of bondage, yet, if he either make it easy to them or them easy under it, they have reason to be thankful.
See, when the judgment is right, and not preoccupied by some passion, how immediately it gets right judgings, and gives sound verdicts. "And after three months we departed in a ship of Alexandria, which had wintered in the isle, whose sign was Castor and Pollux. And landing at Syracuse, we tarried there three days. And from thence we fetched a compass, and came to Rhegium: and after one day the south wind blew, and we came the next day to Puteoli."
The preaching had already reached Sicily. See how it ran: in Puteoli they found some brothers and met them and others. The affection of the brothers was such that they were not troubled by the fact that Paul was in chains.
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SUMMARY
Acts 28:13 meticulously chronicles a crucial segment of the Apostle Paul's divinely orchestrated voyage to Rome as a prisoner, detailing the maritime route from Syracuse to Rhegium and then, aided by a providential south wind, swiftly to Puteoli. This seemingly simple itinerary entry underscores the precise logistical challenges of ancient sea travel and subtly highlights the unwavering divine hand guiding Paul toward his ultimate mission destination in the heart of the Roman Empire.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: This verse is situated within the final chapter of the book of Acts, which narrates Paul's journey to Rome. It immediately follows the account of Paul's three-month stay on Malta after a harrowing shipwreck (compare Acts 27 with Acts 28:1-10). Having departed Malta on an Alexandrian ship named "Castor and Pollux" (reported in Acts 28:11), the narrative in Acts 28:12 recounts their initial stop at Syracuse on the island of Sicily. Acts 28:13 then details the subsequent legs of the journey, emphasizing the geographical progression and the providential wind that facilitated their travel, setting the stage for Paul's long-anticipated arrival in Rome, which is the climax of the book's narrative.
Historical & Cultural Context: Ancient maritime travel was heavily dependent on prevailing winds and geographical features. Ships typically sailed during daylight hours and often hugged coastlines, seeking safe harbors for the night or to wait out unfavorable weather. Rhegium (modern Reggio Calabria) was a strategically vital port located on the "toe" of Italy, at the narrowest point of the Strait of Messina, which separates Sicily from the Italian mainland. Navigating this strait was notoriously difficult due to strong currents and unpredictable winds, often requiring ships to wait for a favorable "south wind" (Greek: notos) to proceed northward. Puteoli (modern Pozzuoli), situated on the Bay of Naples, was the principal port of entry for Rome from the eastern Mediterranean, serving as the primary commercial and passenger harbor until Ostia's development. Most travelers, including prisoners, disembarked here and completed their journey to Rome by land, making this a pivotal final maritime stop for Paul.
Key Themes: Acts 28:13, though brief, contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Acts. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates Divine Providence and Guidance. Even as a prisoner, Paul's journey is meticulously overseen by God, as evidenced by the timely "south wind" that allowed for swift passage, ensuring Paul's progress toward his ultimate destination in Rome (a theme echoed in Proverbs 16:9). Secondly, it highlights Persistence in Mission. Despite imprisonment, a near-fatal shipwreck, and various delays, Paul's unwavering commitment to reaching Rome and proclaiming the gospel there is evident. Every step, even a forced one, serves God's larger redemptive plan. Finally, this verse, as part of Paul's journey to the imperial capital, symbolizes the Unstoppable Advance of the Gospel. Paul's arrival in Rome, the heart of the Roman Empire, fulfills the mandate given in Acts 1:8, demonstrating the gospel's inexorable spread to the "uttermost part of the earth."
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse employs Narrative Detail to meticulously recount the journey's specifics, lending verisimilitude to the account and grounding the spiritual narrative in tangible historical reality. The precise geographical locations (Rhegium, Puteoli) and temporal markers ("after one day," "the next day") contribute to this detailed realism. Furthermore, the mention of the "south wind blew" functions as a subtle yet potent instance of Divine Intervention or Providence. While not explicitly stated as a miracle, the timely and favorable change in wind, crucial for ancient sailing, is presented as an opportune event that facilitates Paul's progress, mirroring other instances in Acts where natural elements or circumstances align with God's purposes for His servants. This detail serves as a quiet affirmation of God's sovereign control over even the seemingly mundane aspects of life and travel.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 28:13, though a simple navigational report, carries profound theological weight, revealing God's meticulous providence in the seemingly ordinary details of life. It demonstrates that God's sovereign hand is not limited to grand miracles but extends to the daily circumstances, including weather patterns and travel logistics, to accomplish His divine purposes. The timely south wind, a natural phenomenon, becomes a clear sign of divine favor, ensuring Paul's progress towards Rome, where he was destined to bear witness to Christ before Caesar. This highlights that even when we face delays, detours, or imprisonment, God remains actively involved, orchestrating events to fulfill His will and advance His kingdom. Our journeys, no matter how mundane or challenging, are always under His watchful eye and within His perfect plan.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 28:13 offers a powerful reminder that God is intimately involved in the minutiae of our lives, even when we are in difficult or restricted circumstances. Just as He provided the specific "south wind" at the precise moment Paul needed it to continue his journey, God orchestrates events, opens doors, and provides resources for our paths. This verse encourages us to cultivate a deep trust in God's sovereignty, recognizing that even delays, detours, or seemingly mundane details are part of His larger, perfect plan for our lives and ministries. Our call is to remain faithful and persistent in our God-given mission, trusting that His timing and provision are impeccable, guiding us through every "leg" of our journey, ultimately bringing us to His intended destination and purpose. We are invited to see God's hand not just in the miraculous, but in the ordinary, everyday provisions that enable us to move forward.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does "fetched a compass" mean in the context of ancient sailing?
Answer: In the King James Version, "fetched a compass" (from the Greek periérchomai) does not refer to a navigational instrument like a modern compass. Instead, it means to "sail around," "make a circuit," or "veer." From Syracuse, Paul's ship likely had to sail around the eastern and northern coasts of Sicily to navigate the complex currents and winds of the Strait of Messina, rather than attempting a direct, potentially hazardous, route. This phrase describes a common, indirect sailing maneuver for ancient mariners.
Why was the "south wind" so important for Paul's journey from Rhegium to Puteoli?
Answer: The "south wind" (Greek notos) was crucial because Rhegium is located at the narrowest point of the Strait of Messina, which separates Sicily from the Italian mainland. To sail northward along the Italian coast towards Puteoli, a south wind was the most favorable and often necessary wind. Without it, ships could be delayed for days or even weeks, struggling against adverse winds or currents. The timely arrival of this specific wind, as noted in Acts 28:13, highlights a providential intervention that allowed Paul's ship to proceed swiftly to its next destination.
What was the significance of Puteoli as a port for travelers to Rome?
Answer: Puteoli (modern Pozzuoli) was the primary commercial and passenger port for Rome from the eastern Mediterranean during the first century AD. Located on the Bay of Naples, it served as the main disembarkation point for goods and travelers arriving from places like Egypt, Greece, and the Near East. From Puteoli, travelers would then proceed to Rome by land, typically via the Appian Way. For Paul, it was the final maritime stage of his long journey, marking his arrival on the Italian mainland and bringing him within walking distance of the imperial capital, the ultimate destination of his mission as recorded in Acts 23:11.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 28:13, though a seemingly mundane travel log, beautifully illustrates the overarching Christ-centered fulfillment woven throughout the narrative of Acts. Paul's journey to Rome, even as a prisoner, is not merely a personal ordeal but a divinely orchestrated mission to proclaim the gospel of Christ in the heart of the Roman Empire. The timely "south wind" is a subtle yet powerful testament to the sovereign Lordship of Christ, who, having all authority in heaven and on earth (Matthew 28:18), directs the very elements to ensure the advancement of His kingdom. Just as Christ commanded His disciples to be His witnesses to the "uttermost part of the earth" (Acts 1:8), His Spirit continually guides and empowers His servants, removing obstacles and opening pathways for the gospel. Paul's arrival in Puteoli, the final port before Rome, is a tangible step in the fulfillment of Christ's global mission, demonstrating that no human opposition, natural disaster, or imprisonment can thwart the unstoppable spread of the message of the crucified and risen King. This journey, culminating in Paul's witness in Rome, ultimately points to Christ as the Lord of history, whose redemptive work guarantees the triumph of His Church and the worldwide proclamation of His saving grace (Philippians 1:12-14).