Safe on Malta
28:1-10
Everyone on board survived the shipwreck and managed to get to shore on the island of Malta. As Paul had prophesied, no one was killed, but the ship was lost.
The people of the island were kind. they built a fire to keep the wet survivors warm. Paul worked with them gathering wood. He was bitten by a viper that was in the wood. The islanders, who were pagans, first believed that Paul was a murderer , and the goddess Justice had arranged to kill him when the sea did not. However, when Paul did not die, they changed their minds and claimed he was a god.
God did not let a shipwreck stop his plan.
God did not let a snake bite stop his plan.
The ruler of the island, called the chief man or chief official, also treated the survivors kindly, providing for them for three days. (7) This man’s father was very sick, so Paul went to him, prayed, laid hands on him, and healed him. (8) When this became known, the people brought all of their sick to Paul and all were healed. (9) This is similar to the event when Jesus healed the mother in law of Peter, resulting in the whole town bringing their sick to Jesus to be healed. (Luke 4) The people were very grateful, and gave Paul and his friends provisions for the rest of the journey.
From Malta to Rome
28:11-16
After three months, winter passed and it was safe to sail again. It was probably in March of A.D. 60. The centurion found another ship that had stayed the winter in the harbor of Malta, and put Paul and his companions on it. It was another ship from Alexandria, so was likely another grain ship. Luke described it as having the twin gods as a figurehead.
A figurehead is a carved decoration at the front, or prow, of a ship. It was believed to protect the ship and its sailors. The twin gods were Castor and Pollux, who were the protectors of sailors. The constellation Gemini was believed to be the twins after death. Again we see great detail in Luke’s historical account. We can also see that Luke expected Romans and Greeks to read his book, because he did not see the need to name the "twin gods", assuming his readers would know who he meant.
The ship traveled from Malta to Syracuse, a port on the eastern side of Sicily. From Syracuse, they sailed north to Rhegium on the extreme southern tip of Italy. Then they made their way north along the western coast of Italy to Puteoli. There were Christians there and they hosted Paul and his friends for seven days.
At the end of the seven days, they traveled overland to Rome. A few miles from Puteoli, they were able to get on the Appian Way, one of the great Roman roads. As they made their way toward Rome, Christians from Rome came to greet them and accompany them into Rome. This welcome from believers gave Paul courage and he thanked God for it. (15)
When Paul came into Rome, he entered through the Porta Capena, the gate that marked the entrance onto the Appian Way.
Paul was allowed to stay on his own in Rome instead of in prison. This shows the regard the Romans had developed for him. These Christian friends likely provided for his needs while he was there.
Speaking to the Jews
28:17-29
Paul did not waste much time before beginning a new ministry. He began as always, speaking first to the Jews. He could not go to the synagogues, though, because he was a prisoner. So, he called the local leaders, probably elders, to come and see him.
Paul explained to them how he got to Rome, being wrongfully accused and appealing to Caesar to prevent bad treatment at the hand of the Jews. He emphasized that he, on the other hand, did not make a charge against the Jews. (19)
Finally, Paul said he was in chains because of the hope of Israel, the Messiah. (20) These Jews were fair minded and stated their willingness to hear his views even though people spoke against “this sect”, or Christianity. (22)
The Jews came back, and brought others with them, and Paul spoke to them all day. He used both the Pentateuch (law of Moses, the first five books of the Bible) and the Prophets. As he had done in the synagogues, he used scripture to argue that Jesus of Nazareth was the Messiah and that they should believe in him. (23)
Luke wrote that Paul spoke of the kingdom of God, meaning he believed the first coming of Jesus was the coming of the kingdom.
Some, in fact, did believe. (24) Others rejected Paul’s message.
As they left, Paul gave them a scriptural condemnation, quoting Isaiah 6:9-10. Isaiah 6 records the event where Isaiah saw the Lord in the temple and was commissioned to go and speak for the LORD. The message Isaiah was to speak was that the Jews would not accept God’s word of coming judgment.
Jesus applied this scripture to his teaching in parables, saying the secrets of the kingdom were given to the disciples but not to the Jews at large. (Matthew 13) Jesus said the Jews rejection of his proclamation of the kingdom was a fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy. In our text, Paul did the same thing, applying the words of Isaiah to the Roman Jews rejection of his message. (26-27)
And, as Paul had done before, he said this message of salvation had gone to the Gentiles who would listen.
Paul lived two years in Rome. He was under guard, but able to see guests and preach and teach to them. He had to provide his own food and necessities, likely with the help of local believers. But God provided for him to preach boldly without hinderance from the Roman government. Paul wrote “I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known through the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ.” (Philippians 1:12)
That is the end of Luke’s story. We do not know why he did not write more. Although some believe this imprisonment ended in Paul’s death, history indicates otherwise.
Evidently, Paul was freed at some point, possibly after a hearing before the emperor. He may have made it to Spain as he desired. (Romans 15:24) Clement wrote that Paul preached to the limits of the west. (1 Clement 5:7). Eusebius (circa 325) wrote that Paul was released and ministered until he was again arrested and executed.
Paul wrote Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians and Philemon during this first imprisonment. He wrote 1 Timothy and Titus after his release, then wrote 2 Timothy during his second imprisonment.
Writing to Timothy, during the last imprisonment, Paul said “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing”. (2 Timothy 4:6-8)
Paul is a great example to us of the believer who was faithful to the end, regardless of circumstances.
The Book of Acts shows us that God had and has a plan for the gospel to be preached all over the world and he cannot be stopped.
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