Acts 28:15

Acts 28:15

13 From there we circled round and reached Rhegium. And after one day the south wind blew; and the next day we came to Puteoli,

14 where we found ^abrethren, and were invited to stay with them seven days. And so we went toward Rome.

15 And from there, when the brethren heard about us, they came to meet us as far as Appii Forum and Three Inns. When Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage.

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

Paul’s Ministry at Rome

17 And it came to pass after three days that Paul called the leaders of the Jews together. So when they had come together, he said to them: “Men and brethren, ^athough I have done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, yet ^bI was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans,

18 who, ^awhen they had examined me, wanted to let me go, because there was no cause for putting me to death.

Commentaries:

Robertson's Word Pictures (NT)

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Acts 28:16 >>

When they heard of us (akousantev ta peri hmwn). How "they heard the things concerning us" we do not know. Good news had its way of travel even before the days of telegraph, telephone, daily papers. Possibly Julius had to send on special couriers with news of his arrival after the shipwreck. Possibly some of the brethren in Puteoli at once (beginning of the week) sent on news to the brethren in Rome. The church in Rome had long ago received Paul's letter from Corinth at the hands of Phoebe.

To meet us (eiv apanthsin hmin). Idiomatic phrase, "for meeting with us" (associative instrumental case). Koin‚ word apanthsiv from verb apantaw, to meet, in N.T. only here; Matthew 25:6; 4:17. Use after eiv rather than infinitive like a translation Hebraism (Robertson, Grammar, p. 91).

As far as the Market of Appius (axri Appiou Forou). The Forum of Appius, 90 miles from Puteoli, 40 from Rome, on the great Appian Way. The Censor Appius Claudius had constructed this part of the road, BC 312. Paul probably struck the Appian Way at Capua. Portions of this great stone highway are still in use. If one wishes to tread where Paul trod, he can do it here. Appii Forum had a bad reputation, the haunt of thieves, thugs, and swindlers. What would this motley crowd think of Paul chained to a soldier?

Three Taverns (Triwn Tabernwn). Genitive case after axri like Appiou Forou. About 30 miles from Rome. Tres Tabernae.

Whom (ouv). Two groups of the disciples came (one Gentile, one Jewish, Rackham thinks), one to Appii Forum, the other to Three Taverns. It was a joyous time and Julius would not interfere.

Took courage (elabe qarsov). The old substantive qarsov is here alone in the N.T. Jesus himself had exhorted Paul to be of good courage (qarsei Acts 23:11) as he had done the disciples (John 16:33). Paul had passed through enough to cause depression, whether he was depressed or not, but he deeply appreciated this kindly sympathy.

**Other Robertson's Word Pictures (NT) entries containing Acts 28:15:**

John 16:33
Acts 28:14

<< Acts 28:14

Acts 28:16 >>

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