Tyndale Open Study NotesActs 28

• The graphic language describing sailing in the story of Paul's journey to Rome provides one of the best accounts of an ancient sea journey.

• This is the last "we" section in Acts (see also 16:10–17; 20:5–15; 21:1–18). During Paul's two years of imprisonment, Luke probably researched his gospel throughout Judea and Galilee. Here, as part of Paul's sailing group, he had a personal witness of the dangers at sea.

Malta was a large island controlled by the Romans, located about 100 kilometers (60 miles) south of Sicily.

The people of Malta believed that justice was a personal power or a god who punished criminals. When nothing bad happened to Paul, they changed their minds. They saw that he was not harmed by the snake. So they thought he had power over snakes and said that he must be a god (compare 14:11–12).

But this was not true. Paul did not have special power in himself. Instead, his survival showed that God was protecting him (compare Mark 16:17–18).

Compare with Luke 4:38–40.

Showing their gratefulness, the people supplied the ship’s company with what they needed.

Luke was on this journey and described Paul's route from Malta to Rome with great geographical detail (see study note on 27:1–28:16).

Another Egyptian ship from Alexandria took Paul and his companions on board after an interval of three months and the worst of the winter had passed.

Syracuse was the capital of the eastern half of Sicily.

• They sailed across the Straits of Messina to Rhegium at the southern tip of Italy. This seaport was a stop for ships traveling from Italy's west coast to the eastern Mediterranean.

• Puteoli (modern Pozzuoli) was a major entry port for large ships bringing grain and supplies from the east to Rome. Paul spent a week here with local Christians before continuing to Rome.

The brothers there: The Christians in that place welcomed Paul and the group as they traveled to Rome.

They allowed Paul to have private quarters, with a soldier to guard him. Even though Paul traveled in chains, “the word of God cannot be chained!” (2 Timothy 2:9). Paul was possibly treated well because of his social status or Roman citizenship (compare Acts 16:37–38; 22:25–28).

Paul knew that the gospel should be shared with the Jews first (13:46; Romans 1:16). He was also concerned that false charges against him might have already reached Rome. So he called together the local Jewish leaders and explained his life and work. He insisted that he had not committed any crime.

But strong opposition from other Jews had forced him to appeal to the emperor. Paul said he had nothing against his own people. Instead, he wanted to explain his deep conviction that the Messiah (God’s promised king) they were waiting for had already come in Jesus of Nazareth.

The Jewish leaders assured Paul that they had received no reports against him, and they wanted to hear his explanation of this movement.

Paul explained how Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament hopes for the kingdom of God. This was the main theme of the preaching of Jesus (Mark 1:14–15; see Matthew 4:12–17; Luke 4:14–21, 43). Paul used the Old Testament Scriptures to show that Jesus was the promised Messiah.

Paul spoke to them all day, but the people responded in different ways, just as people had done in other places (for example, 13:40–51; 17:11–14).

As Paul left, he gave a warning from Scripture. These words are often used in the New Testament to explain why many Jews did not accept the good news about Jesus (compare Matthew 13:14–15; Mark 4:12; Luke 8:10; John 12:38–40; see Romans 11:1–12, 25–32).

Since Jews everywhere had the chance to accept the faith, it was now time to offer this salvation to the Gentiles (13:46; see Romans 1:16).

• Even though Paul was under house arrest, he boldly proclaimed the kingdom message (the good news about God’s rule; 28:16).

• freely (Greek akōlutōs, meaning “without restriction”): This Greek word is the last word in the book of Acts and helps show its meaning. God’s word cannot be chained, even when his messengers are (2 Timothy 2:9; see Philippians 1:12–14).

  The book of Acts tells the story of a message of good news that extends to everyone worldwide. This includes Jews and Gentiles (non-Jews), converts to Judaism, the rich, and the poor. The mission to spread this message is done through the power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8).

  It reaches:

  • Jews (3:1–5:42),

  • Samaritans (8:1–25),

  • converts to Judaism (2:11; 13:43),

  • “God-fearers” (8:26–40; 9:32–11:18), and

  • Gentiles (13:1–28:28).

• Luke ends his account with Paul still under house arrest in Rome (around AD 60–62). They later released Paul and he traveled again. Tradition says Paul was imprisoned again in Rome around AD 64. He died as a martyr (a witness for Christ) during Emperor Nero’s persecution of Christians.