Acts 28:16 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And when we came into Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier who guarded him.

NIV: When we got to Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself, with a soldier to guard him.

NASB: When we entered Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier who was guarding him.

CSB: When we entered Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself with the soldier who guarded him.

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

KJV: And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard: but Paul was suffered to dwell by himself with a soldier that kept him.

NKJV: Now when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard; but Paul was permitted to dwell by himself with the soldier who guarded him.

Over two years prior, Paul had returned to Jerusalem from his third missionary journey. He had accompanied several Gentiles from churches around the Aegean Sea: those who had brought support for the church in Jerusalem. While visiting the temple one day, non-Christian Jews from the same area wrongfully accused him of bringing one of his Gentile friends into the temple. They started a riot and incited a mob to drag Paul from the temple and beat him. The Roman tribune, the army officer assigned to the nearby Antonia Fortress, sent his soldiers to rescue Paul. After investigating for several days, the tribune realized two things: he would never understand why the Jews decided to beat Paul, and he would never be able to protect Paul from the murderous Sanhedrin. He sent Paul to the governor in Caesarea Maritima (Acts 21:27—23:35).

Governor Felix quickly realized that Paul was innocent but also understood that if he let him go free the Sanhedrin would cause problems. He kept Paul under house arrest in Caesarea for two years until he was recalled to Rome for cruelty (Acts 24). His successor, Governor Festus, also wanted to placate the Jewish leaders but didn't realize his efforts made Paul vulnerable to assassination. Paul settled the issue by appealing his case to Caesar, which was his right as a Roman citizen (Acts 25:1–12).

After a harrowing sea voyage (Acts 27), Paul has finally reached Rome, along with Aristarchus, who is also a prisoner (Colossians 4:10), and Luke. Because Paul is a Roman citizen and Festus sent no real charges against him, he settles under house arrest in an apartment he pays for himself. He does have a constant guard, possibly chained to him. But he is allowed to meet with whomever he wishes. During his two-year stay, he tries to bring the Jews in Rome to faith in Christ, he meets with several Gentiles, and he writes Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon. Presumably at the same time, Luke writes the book of Acts.

Acts 28:11–16 records the final steps of Paul's arduous journey to Rome. He, Aristarchus, and Luke survived a fierce tempest and a shipwreck before spending three months in the care of the people of Malta (Acts 27:1—28:10). Now Paul and his friends board another ship that takes them to Puteoli, Italy. There, Christ-followers provide a warm welcome. As they walk toward Rome, more believers meet them and give them encouragement for the last few miles. Paul spends two years in Rome, under house arrest, but free to teach anyone who will listen about Jesus (Acts 28:30–31).

Acts 28 records Paul's three-month stay on the island of Malta and two-year house arrest in Rome. On Malta, God empowers Paul to perform healing miracles which endear him to the locals. Once he reaches the shores of Italy, many other believers accompany him on his last leg to Rome. In Rome, he finds the Jews just as accepting of Jesus as elsewhere; some believe, but many don't. Paul reaffirms his mission to the Gentiles and spends his time preaching while under house arrest.

Acts 28 is the end of Luke's story of the witness of Jesus' story (Acts 1:8). After his wrongful imprisonment in Caesarea Maritima, Paul appealed his case to Caesar (Acts 25:1–12). He, Aristarchus, and Luke survived a raging winter storm before finally reaching Rome (Acts 27). Again under house arrest, Paul is able to share Jesus' offer of forgiveness with any who wish to visit. While there, he writes the letters Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon. After two years, Paul is released; tradition says he takes one more evangelistic tour before being arrested and eventually martyred around AD 67.

The summary of the book of Acts is provided in Jesus' words in Acts 1:8: ''But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.'' In Acts 2:1–13, the Christ-followers receive the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:14—7:60 describes the rapid growth of the church in Jerusalem. Chapters 8—12 find Jewish persecution inadvertently spreading the gospel throughout Judea and Samaria. And in chapters 13—28, Paul and his companions spread the good news throughout the Roman Empire.