Paul's Voyage to Rome (concluded) (27:1-28:16)
I. The Journey Completed, (vv. 11-16)
v.11 After spending the winter on Malta, the prisoners are taken on board another ship of Alexandria. The ship was named for the "Twin Brothers", the gods of the heathen sailing men.
v.12 Malta to Syracuse- 80 miles due north. Syracuse was the principal city of the island of Sicily. The three days spent at Syracuse was either because of the weather or the ship had business there.
v.13 Syracuse to Rhegium and then to Puteoli. Rhegium was located on the "toe" of Italy and Puteoli was another 180 miles up the western coast. Puteoli was the principal port for the reception of the Alexandrian grain shipments.
v. 14 These brethren are the only ones mentioned in Italy, outside of Rome. The centurion allowed them to remain here seven days before completing the journey to Rome. Compare Paul's arrival in Rome to his projected plans of Rom. 15:22-29.
v.15 The brethren at Puteoli sent word ahead to Rome of Paul's arrival. One group of brethren came to meet him at the Market of Appius (43 miles) and another group came to the Three Taverns (33 miles). Paul was encouraged by this, knowing that the foothold of Christianity in Rome was strong. Puteoli to Rome- 150 miles.
v.16 Paul was put under house arrest and chained to a guard. From Phil. 1:12,13 we know Paul took opportunity to preach to his captive audience. Compare Paul's behavior while a prisoner to Joseph under Potiphor and in the Pharaoh's prison.
IV. Paul's Prison Labors in Rome, (28:17-31)
A. He Obtains an Interview with the Leading Jews, (vv. 17-22)
v.17 "Chief of the Jews" would include the rulers and elders of the synagogues, heads of principal families and scribes. There were seven synagogues in Rome at this time. The reason Paul called these Jewish leaders together was to explain his presence firsthand.
v.18 Paul was a prisoner of the Romans at the instigation of the Jews. The Romans had declared him innocent.
v.19 The appeal to Caesar came to save his own life from the Jews. Notice that Paul uses smooth words to relate this story so as not to upset the Roman Jews. Give examples.
v.20 More specifically, the reason he called the Jews was to clear himself of any charges that would follow him across the Great Sea. What is the "hope of Israel?" 1) A Messiah will come and 2) there is resurrection from the dead.
v.21 The Jews say that no official charges, whether written or oral had been preferred against Paul in Rome.
v.22 The Jews knew of Christianity and desired to hear more about it. The word sect comes from the Greek word meaning heresy.
B. A Second Interview with the Jews, (vv. 23-28)
v.23 They made a formal arrangement to come to Paul, so that a greater number might hear and more time could be devoted to what Paul had to say. He preached the kingdom and Jesus, using Moses and the prophets as his text.
v.24 Paul's preaching divides the company into two groups: 1) believers and 2) non-believers.
v.25 Even those who disbelieved, were not in harmony with themselves. Before the gathering is dismissed, Paul quotes Isa. 6:9,10. This makes the fifth quotation of this passage in the N.T.
v.26 The ears would hear physically what Paul would say, but the mind would not understand. They would be blind the same way. Why? Not because of a mental inability to understand, but because of a stubborn disposition of mind.
v.27 "Hearts waxed gross"- their minds had become fat, lazy, and dull. Their eyes and ears are closed, because they want them closed. Opening their eyes and ears would cause them to understand and repent and be saved.
v.28 Compare to Acts 13:46. If the Jews will not hear, then the Gentiles will receive the gospel.
C. Duration of the Imprisonment, and Continued Labors, (vv. 30,31)
v.29 The best manuscripts omit verse 29.
v.30 Paul has rented his own house and remains under arrest there for two years. During this time Paul wrote what have been termed the prison epistles: Ephesians, Colossians, Philippians and Philemon. For some unknown reason Paul's trial was delayed.
v.31 Besides his epistles, Paul used the opportunity and freedom of receiving any visitors as a means of spreading the gospel. Luke's purpose of writing to Theophilus has been fulfilled: Acts 1:1,2; Lu. 1:4. The gospel has been followed from the coming of Jesus through its spread throughout the civilized world.
ADDENDA: What of Paul's Appeal?
1) We know from Phil. 1:25; 2:23,24 and Phile. 22 that Paul expected to be released.
2) The epistles of Titus and I and II Timothy belong to a time period later than the close of Acts.
3) Early church history shows that Paul was released, probably preached as far west as Spain, returned again to Rome and was put to death by Nero.