From Malta To Rome
FROM MALTA TO ROME
ACTS 28:7-16
Even Paul needed encouragement, and he found it among his friends.
Verses 7-10. “One good turn deserves another.” On the one side, Publius extended to the apostle some friendly hospitality which lasted three days (28:7), and, on the other hand, he received the added happiness of seeing his father cured of gastric fever and dysentery, following the visit and prayer of Paul (28:8).
Paul’s healing ministry became widely known, and sick folk throughout the island saw a chance to be healed by this Christian leader whom the ocean had washed up on to their beach. They showed their gratitude by the offer of gifts and ship’s stores (28:10).
Luke doesn’t comment on any deeper spiritual significance of these incidents: did Paul preach the gospel as he exercised a ministry of prayer and healing? Were any Maltese won for Christ? Did the apostolic party leave behind a Christian community? The record is silent but we may surely believe that here was an evangelistic opportunity too good to be missed.
28:11-16. The Roman writer Pliny informs us that the winter season when the seas were closed for navigable traffic ended on February 7th; and we may infer that the three months’ stay on the island ended about that time of the year (28:11). The ship in which they resumed their journey was another Alexandrian grain-ship which bore as a figurehead the “Heavenly Twins” (Castor and Pollux, the patron saints of navigators in the ancient world).
The course led them at last to Puteoli in the Bay of Naples. In this flourishing seaport a Christian fellowship was contacted, and Paul and his company had a week with them. The last “leg” of the long journey brought them via the Appian Way to within sight of the imperial city.
Notes 28:7: “chief man of the island”—Luke’s accuracy is confirmed by inscriptions which show that this was the title of the Roman governor. Paul’s citizenship would be his passport to the governor’s residence. 28:10 could mean “paid us handsome fees” for the medical treatment received, as Luke the “dear doctor” (Colossians 4:14) may have observed. 28:15: Christian fellowship meant much to Paul, and he was obviously touched by this “welcome party” which came forty-three miles to greet him.