Acts 28:15-31 Lesson 284

Acts 28:15-31
Lesson 284

Read both the "King James Bible" and the "New Living Translation."

In this lesson:

Paul arrives in Rome in chains.

Paul in Rome.

A woodcut engraving after a drawing by the German artist Julius Schnoor (1794-1872)

Where was -

Appii forum -
Appii Forum was the market district of Appius. Appius was a town located on the Appian Way ninety miles north of Puteoli and forty-three miles south of Rome. Home to thieves and con men, the town had an infamous reputation. Paul's group stopped here on the way to Rome (28:15).

Three Taverns -
A village thirty-five miles south of Rome, it offered food and lodging to travelers (28:15).

Study Tip:

Remember to check the margin notes in blue and to click on the links.

The Acts of the Apostles

The King James Bible

Acts 28:15-31
Paul teaches Rome

15 And from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appii forum, and The three taverns: whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage.

16 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.

17 And it came to pass, that after three days Paul called the chief of the Jews together: and when they were come together, he said unto them, Men and brethren, though I have committed nothing against the people, or customs of our fathers, yet was I delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.

18 Who, when they had examined me, would have let me go, because there was no cause of death in me.

19 But when the Jews spake against it, I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar; not that I had ought to accuse my nation of.

20 For this cause therefore have I called for you, to see you, and to speak with you: because that for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.

21 And they said unto him, We neither received letters out of Judaea concerning thee, neither any of the brethren that came shewed or spake any harm of thee.

22 But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, we know that every where it is spoken against.

23 And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening.

24 And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not.

25 And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers,

26 Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive:

27 For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

28 Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.

29 And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great reasoning among themselves.

30 And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him,

31 Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.

Margin notes:

"When the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us." (28:15) - There were Christians living in Rome, and they came out to greet Paul on the road.

"We came to Rome." (28:16) - Luke writes "we" because he was still with Paul.

"Paul was suffered to dwell by himself with a soldier that kept him." (28:16) - "Paul was allowed to live by himself (under house arrest) with a soldier that guarded him."

"Chief of the Jews." (28:17) - Jews were once again allowed to live in Rome. Emperor Claudius had expelled Jews from Rome in AD 49 (18:2), but they slowly returned after his death in AD 54.

"I have committed nothing against the people, or customs of our fathers." (28:17) - Paul had not committed any crimes against the Jewish people or the traditions of their ancestors (24:12; 25:25; 26:30-31).

"I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar; not that I had ought to accuse my nation of." (28:19) - "I was compelled to appeal to Caesar (25:11), not that I had anything to accuse my own people of."

"The hope of Israel." (28:20) - "The Messiah."

"I am bound with this chain." (28:20) - Paul was in chains so often he once referred to himself as "an ambassador in bonds" (Ephesians 6:20).

"We neither received letters...neither any of the brethren...spake any harm of thee." (28:21) - This means the Jews in Rome were not aware of any charges brought by the Jews in Jerusalem against Paul.

"Concerning this sect." (28:22) - "Concerning Christianity."

"Persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets." (28:23) - Paul used The Old Testament, revered by Jews, to persuade them that Jesus was the Messiah.

"Some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not." (28:24) - Paul had faced this problem before (14:4). Even today, some believe, and some don't.

"Go unto this people..."(28:26) - Paul is paraphrasing the prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 6:9-10) to prove that Jesus was the promised Messiah. Isaiah 6:9-10 is an important passage, John quotes it in John 12:39-40, and Jesus referred to it in Matthew 13:14-15; Mark 4:12 and Luke 8:10.

"The heart of this people is waxed gross." (28:27) - "The heart of these people has grown hard."

"The salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles." (28:28) - This is the third time Paul tells a Jewish audience that Jesus is both their and the Gentile's Messiah (see also 13:46; 18:6; and Romans 11:11).

"Had great reasoning among themselves." (28:29) - This means they (Jews) argued amongst themselves over Paul's teachings.

"Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house." (28:30) - "Paul lived two whole years in his rented house." Paul accomplished much during these two years in Rome. He preached and wrote the epistles (letters) to the Philippians, the Ephesians, the Colossians, and to Philemon. Luke stayed with Paul during this time (2 Timothy 4:11), and Timothy visited him repeatedly (Philippians 1:1; Colossians 1:1; Philemon 1:1).

New Living Translation

Acts 28:15-31

15 The brothers and sisters in Rome had heard we were coming, and they came to meet us at the Forum on the Appian Way. Others joined us at The Three Taverns. 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.

Paul Preaches at Rome under Guard

17 Three days after Paul's arrival, he called together the local Jewish leaders. He said to them, "Brothers, I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Roman government, even though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our ancestors.

18 The Romans tried me and wanted to release me, because they found no cause for the death sentence.

19 But when the Jewish leaders protested the decision, I felt it necessary to appeal to Caesar, even though I had no desire to press charges against my own people.

20 I asked you to come here today so we could get acquainted and so I could explain to you that I am bound with this chain because I believe that the hope of Israel-the Messiah-has already come."

21 They replied, "We have had no letters from Judea or reports against you from anyone who has come here.

22 But we want to hear what you believe, for the only thing we know about this movement is that it is denounced everywhere."

23 So a time was set, and on that day a large number of people came to Paul's lodging. He explained and testified about the Kingdom of God and tried to persuade them about Jesus from the Scriptures. Using the law of Moses and the books of the prophets, he spoke to them from morning until evening.

24 Some were persuaded by the things he said, but others did not believe.

25 And after they had argued back and forth among themselves, they left with this final word from Paul: "The Holy Spirit was right when he said to your ancestors through Isaiah the prophet,

26 'Go and say to this people:
   When you hear what I say,
you will not understand.
   When you see what I do,
you will not comprehend.

27 For the hearts of these people are hardened,
      and their ears cannot hear,
      and they have closed their eyes-
   so their eyes cannot see,
      and their ears cannot hear,
      and their hearts cannot understand,
   and they cannot turn to me
      and let me heal them.'

28 So I want you to know that this salvation from God has also been offered to the Gentiles, and they will accept it."

30 For the next two years, Paul lived in Rome at his own expense. He welcomed all who visited him, 31 boldly proclaiming the Kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ. And no one tried to stop him.

This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."

Today's Question:

1. What are the key events in Paul's trip to Rome?

Questions? I'll do my best to answer them.

Answer: (Do you agree?)

1. The key events of Paul's trip to Rome are:

First, Paul is compelled by the Holy Spirit to go to Rome via Jerusalem (19:21).

Paul arrives in Jerusalem, where a riot ensues, and he is arrested (21:30-33).

Claudius Lysias decides to beat a confession out of Paul, but his Roman citizenship saves him (22:24-26).

Paul stands before the Jewish Council (22:30).

To save Paul from being murdered, the Romans transfer him to Caesarea (23:21-24).

Paul remains in prison until his accusers arrive for the trial (23:35).

Paul is incarcerated by Governor Felix for two years while he awaits the resolution of his case (24:25-27).

Charges are finally brought against Paul (25:1-10).

The new governor Festus grants Paul's wish to be sent to Rome (25:12).

Prisoner Paul leaves for Rome (27:1-2).

Paul's ship is tossed by a storm (27:14-20).

Paul receives assurances from an angel that he will survive the storm and see Rome (27:23-24).

Shipwrecked (27:40-44).

Bitten by a viper (28:3).

Finally, miraculously, four months after leaving Caesarea, Paul arrives in Rome (28:16).

Application thought for the day:

Are you pleased with your spiritual development?
Now is a good time to refresh your memory of important applications and to renew your efforts applying them to your life.  While concentrating on the changes you want to make in your life, go back and review past lessons.

This is the final lesson on the "The Acts of the Apostles."
Please don't let your studies end here.
I'm going to take a few days to gather my thoughts and then
begin studying "The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Romans."

I'll send you the first lesson in a few days.

God Bless!

Thanks to the writings and commentary of John Wesley and Adam Clarke. Also, "The Layman's Bible Study Notebook" by Irving Jensen published by Harvest House Publishing, Irvine, California; the "Life Change Series" published by NavPress books, Colorado Springs, Colorado; the "Life Application Study Bible" published by Tyndale House Publishing, Carol Stream, Illinois; the "Quest Study Bible" published by The Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "Robertson's New Testament Word Studies;" "The MacArthur Bible Commentary" by John MacArthur published by Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee; "Wisdom of the Bible" CD by Topics Entertainment, Inc., Renton, Washington for their inspiring pictures; "My utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers published by Barbour Publishing, Inc., Uhrichsville, Ohio; The "Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge" by Reuben Archer Torrey; "Hope For Each Day" by Billy Graham published by J. Countryman, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee; "Easton's Bible Dictionary" by Matthew George Easton; "Unger's Bible Dictionary" by Merrill F. Unger, published by Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois; "Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "The Everyday Bible" published by World Wide Publications, Minneapolis, Minnesota; "The Living New Testament" published by Tyndale house; "The New Living Translation" published by Tyndale House; "The New Testament" translated from the Latin Vulgate, published by Guild Press, New York, New York; BibleGateway.com for all their wonderful links; and of course the "King James Bible." All were critical in putting these lessons together.
© 2024 evolke

Subscribe for Free Bible Lessons