THE ISLAND WAS CALLED MALTA. Also called Melita, but not to be confused with the Melita on the coast of Illyricum. This is the island south of Sicily. It is about sixty miles in circumference. THE NATIVES. BARBAROI does not mean barbarians as we use the word today, but simply means they could not sp... [ Continue Reading ]
THE CHIEF OF THE ISLAND. Publius is probably the Roman governor of the island. It would be his duty to take care of the Roman officer, soldiers, and their prisoners as well. He was kind and generous to them. PUBLIUS' FATHER WAS IN BED. Seriously ill. Paul uses his power to heal the man. [The apostle... [ Continue Reading ]
AFTER THREE MONTHS. This would be either February or March. The worst weather would be over. THE Twin GODS. This is the literal translation. Castor and Pollux were known as "The Twin Gods," and were favorite _sea-gods_ of the sailors. Their carved figures or images were mounted on the bow of the shi... [ Continue Reading ]
THE BROTHERS IN ROME HEARD ABOUT US. They already had Paul's Letter to the Romans, and probably there were some of his own converts in this group. His week in Puteoli gives them time to hear and come to meet him on the road. MARKET OF APPIUS is forty-three miles from Rome. THREE INNS is thirty-three... [ Continue Reading ]
AFTER THREE DAYS. Notice he could not "sit still." Likely the first three days had been spent visiting with the believers. Now he gets down to work! THE LOCAL JEWISH LEADERS. About the time Christ was born, there were 8,000 Jews in Rome. Emperor Claudius had ejected them in 50 A.D. (Acts 18:2), but... [ Continue Reading ]
SO THEY SET A DATE WITH PAUL. A large number came to hear what he would say. HE TRIED TO CONVINCE THEM. Paul used the Law of Moses and the writings of the prophets to preach Christ to them. SOME OF THEM WERE CONVINCED. Faith comes through the message about Christ (Romans 10:17). Each of them _respon... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR TWO YEARS PAUL LIVED THERE. Christians in Rome and other places supported Paul during this time (_compare_ Philippians 4:18_ and note)._ Paul was able to do a great work here at Rome! This was God's providence in action (_see note on_ Acts 28:16). Paul's career ends here in Acts. Traditional his... [ Continue Reading ]