Summary of Paul's Shipwreck and Arrival in Rome
Paul's Shipwreck and Arrival in Rome
The narrative of Paul's journey to Rome, including his shipwreck on the island of Malta, is detailed in Acts 27-28. This voyage was undertaken as Paul was being transported to Rome as a prisoner, appealing his case to Caesar [1].
The journey began in Caesarea, where Paul was handed over to a centurion named Julius, who was tasked with delivering him to Rome. They initially sailed on an Adramyttian ship, which took them as far as Myra in Lycia. From there, they transferred to an Alexandrian grain ship bound for Italy, which was much larger and more suitable for the long journey ahead [1].
As they sailed, Paul warned the crew and passengers of an impending storm, but his warnings were not heeded. The ship was eventually caught in a severe storm, known as a "Northeaster," which lasted for many days. Despite the dire conditions, Paul reassured the crew that they would survive, citing a vision he had received from God [4].
The storm ultimately drove the ship off course, and it ran aground on the island of Malta, where it was wrecked. All on board, including Paul, made it to shore safely. The Maltese people received them hospitably, kindling a fire to warm them. As Paul gathered sticks for the fire, a viper came out and fastened onto his hand. The locals believed this to be a sign of divine retribution, but Paul shook off the snake without harm, leading them to reconsider their judgment [3].
After spending some time on Malta, during which Paul healed the father of Publius, the chief official on the island, they set sail again on another Alexandrian ship that had wintered on the island. They sailed to Syracuse, where they stayed for three days, and then continued on to Rhegium. From there, they sailed to Puteoli, where they disembarked and began their journey to Rome by land along the Appian Way [2].
The reception of Paul in Rome is noted in Acts 28:14-16, where it is written that the brethren in Rome came out to meet him as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns. This reception highlights the existing Christian community in Rome and their eagerness to welcome Paul.
The early Christian interpreters saw Paul's journey and shipwreck as part of a larger narrative of God's providence and Paul's mission. For instance, John Calvin notes the significance of Paul's arrival in Rome, highlighting that it occurred as a prisoner, yet still allowed him to fulfill his missionary work [6].
The historical and geographical details provided in Acts 27-28 have been subject to various interpretations across different Christian traditions. The Patristic tradition, for example, emphasizes the miraculous elements of the narrative, such as Paul's survival of the shipwreck and his encounter with the viper [5].
Sources
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Ship — No one writer in the whole range of Greek and Roman literature has supplied us with so much information concerning the merchant-ships of the ancients as St. Luke in the narrative of St. Paul's voyage to Rome. Acts 27,28. It is important to remember that he accomplished it in three ships: first, the Adramyttian vessel which took him from Caesarea to Myra, and which was probably a coasting-vessel of no great size, (Acts 27:1-6) secondly, the large Alexandrian corn-ship, in which he was wrecked on the coast of Malta (Acts 27:6-28) :1; and thirdly, another large Al”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Puteoli — A city on the coast of Campania, on the north shore of a bay running north from the Bay of Naples, at which Paul landed on his way to Rome, from which it was distant 170 miles. Here he tarried for seven days (Acts 28:13, 14). This was the great emporium for the Alexandrian corn ships. Here Paul and his companions began their journey, by the "Appian Way," to Rome. It is now called Pozzuoli. The remains of a huge amphitheatre, and of the quay at which Paul landed, may still be seen here.”
- Acts (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Acts 28 (introduction): St. Paul, and the rest of the crew, getting safely ashore, find that the island on which they were shipwrecked is called Melita, Act 28:1. They are received with great hospitality by the inhabitants, Act 28:2. A viper comes out of the bundle of sticks, laid on the fire, and seizes on Paul's hand, Act 28:3. The people, seeing this, suppose him to be a murderer, and thus pursued by Divine vengeance, Act 28:4. Having shook it off his hand, without receiving any damage, they change their minds, and suppose him to be a god, Act 28:5, Act 28:6. Publius, the gov”
- Acts (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Acts 27 (introduction): This whole chapter is taken up with an account of Paul's voyage towards Rome, when he was sent thither a prisoner by Festus the governor, upon his appeal to Caesar. I. The beginning of the voyage was well enough, it was calm and prosperous (Act 27:1-8). II. Paul gave them notice of a storm coming, but could not prevail with them to lie by (Act 27:9-11). III. As they pursued their voyage, they met with a great deal of tempestuous weather, which reduced them to such extremity that they counted upon nothing but being cast away (Act 27:12-20). IV. Paul assu”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 6: Gregory Thaumaturgus, Dionysius, Julius Africanus, Methodius, Arnobius — AN EXPOSITION OF THE CHAPTERS OF THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES.(1) (part 5): and the voice of God that befell him once in the temple. *And that when Paul was about to be beaten for these words, on declaring that he was a Roman, he was let go. GG. What Paul endured, and what he said, and what he did exactly(5) when he came down into the council. HH. Of the ambush planned by the Jews against Paul, and its discovery to Lysias;* and that Paul was sent to Caesareia to the governor with soldiers and with a letter. II. Of ”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 88: years after the death of Christ, and afterwards came to Antioch. 563 563 110 D110 Calvin apparently believed that Paul’s conversion occurred about three years after the death of Christ; that Paul visited Peter in Jerusalem three years later ( Gal. 1:18 ; Acts 9:26 ); that Paul saw Peter again at the Jerusalem Council fourteen years later ( Gal. 2:1, 2 :9; Acts 15:1-11 ); and that these three numbers were meant to be added together. He therefore locates Peter at Jerusalem about twenty years after the death of Christ. How long he rem”