11 It was three months after the shipwreck that we set sail on another ship that had wintered at the island—an Alexandrian ship with the twin gods[a] as its figurehead. 12 Our first stop was Syracuse,[b] where we stayed three days. 13 From there we sailed across to Rhegium.[c] A day later a south wind began blowing, so the following day we sailed up the coast to Puteoli. 14 There we found some believers,[d] who invited us to spend a week with them. And so we came to Rome.

15 The brothers and sisters[e] in Rome had heard we were coming, and they came to meet us at the Forum[f] on the Appian Way. Others joined us at The Three Taverns.[g] When Paul saw them, he was encouraged and thanked God.

16 When we arrived in Rome, Paul was permitted to have his own private lodging, though he was guarded by a soldier.

Acts 28:11-16 (NLT) 中文

Journey to Rome

Paul has made it to Rome. After two and a half years of trials by the Jews in Jerusalem then Roman officials in Caesarea, Paul is now in Rome to stand trial before Caesar. On the way, the Roman centurion and the boat’s crew didn’t listen to his advice about staying in Fair Havens for the winter. They got caught up in a terrible storm for 2 weeks! Paul encouraged them to trust God by example. The boat ran aground on a reef at the island of Maltas and was decimated by the waves – but all 276 on board survived as Paul said. Paul ministered even under these circumstances. Now they’re in Rome.

On the (road) again

Three months on the island of Malta where the locals warmly welcomed the shipwrecked group was a good rest. It provided time to wait out the winter no-sailing season as well. Paul, as we mentioned before, was going about doing the good works God called him to do. He was healing many people on the island – and likely preaching to them.

Luke again provides great detail about their journey from Malta to Rome. He even described the ship they took – its origin and markings. In Puteoli, they discovered some followers of Christ and fellowshipped with them for a week before they continued to Rome.

Arrival in Rome

God fulfilled His promise to Paul (Acts 23:11, 27:23-25) to get him to Rome to witness there – even to Caesar. And he got a kingly welcome when he arrived. These Roman followers of Christ treated Paul like a Roman emperor. “It was a custom when an emperor visited a city for the people to go out and meet him and escort him back into the city.” (Horton, quoted by enduringword.com) This greatly encouraged Paul.

Guarded freedom

Paul was a prisoner waiting to stand trial so he needs to be “in jail” and guarded. But (possibly due to his great help on the voyage) he was given freedoms not often accorded to prisoners. He could rent his own apartment and visit with friends. Yet there was always a guard in the midst of his freedom.

RЯeflection

• Isn’t it nice to receive a warm welcome when you arrive somewhere after a long trip? It makes you feel honored and respected. Consider blessing others when they come for a visit. Remember, Jesus is preparing a place for us (John 14:3) and a banquet (Revelation 19:9) for the time we arrive in Heaven!