We read, at the end of the book of Acts, about Paul’s arrival in Rome (as a political prisoner).
Paul’s journey to Rome was incredibly difficult. Ultimately the ship he was on was shipwrecked and the entire crew & passengers were washed ashore on the island of Malta. Here they stayed for 3 months (during the winter) while waiting for the weather to turn favorable.
In the early spring of AD 60, they set sail for Rome.
“After three months we put out to sea in a ship that had wintered in the island. It was an Alexandian ship with the figurehead of the twin gods Castor and Pollux.
“We put in at Syracuse and stayed there three days.” – Acts 28:11-12
“From there we set sail and arrived at Rhegium.” – Acts 28:13
The ancient city of “Rhegium” is today called “Reggio Calabria.”
Here you can see the exact view Paul would have had as he sailed from Syracuse, headed northeast towards Rhegium. This view is the very “toe” of the tip of Italy, just south of Rhegium.
Sailing up through the Strait of Messina towards Rhegium, this would have been what Paul would have seen.
“The next day the south wind came up, and on the following day we reached Puteoli.” – Acts 28:13-14
They did not stay long in Rhegium … probably just long enough to offload some trading goods, would be my guess. Then they left Rhegium, sailing north.
This would have been the exact view Paul would have seen as he looked back southwards towards Rhegium.
Then turning to look northward in the direction they were sailing, Paul would have seen this view here (minus the modern yacht … imagine instead an ancient, masted sailing vessel). The mainland of Italy is on the right.
Having just passed through this portion highlighted here, these are the views Paul would have had …
Looking back southward through the gap …
Italy’s coastline (looking east) having just come through the gap …
This is what Paul would have seen on his journey.
“… on the following day we reached Puteoli.” – Acts 28:13
Here is what Paul would have seen as he sailed up the southwest coast of Italy, headed for Puteoli.
“… we reached Puteoli.” – Acts 28:13
The ancient city of “Puteoli” is today called “Pozzuloi.”
Zooming in closer on my map app we can see that Puteoli (today’s Pozzuoli) is just around a point of land from Naples. Over on the far right of the map you can see a highlighted circle where Mt. Vesuvius is.
This would have been the exact view Paul would have had as he sailed into port in Puteoli. You can see Mt. Vesuvius in the distance … though the mountain had not yet erupted when Paul arrived in Puteoli. Paul’s view of Mt. Vesuvius would have been a whole, complete mountain with its top still in place.
“… we reached Puteoli. There we found some brothers [Christians] who invited us to spend a week with them.” – Acts 28:13-14
“And so we came to Rome. The brothers there had heard that we were coming, and they traveled as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns to meet us. At the sight of these men Paul thanked God and was encouraged.” – Acts 28:14-15
Here you can see the overland journey Paul would have taken (under Roman guard as a prisoner) from Puteoli to Rome.
“And so we came to Rome.” – Acts 28:14
“When we got to Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself, with a soldier to guard him.” – Acts 28:16
We can imagine the house Paul lived in might have been something like this.
Perhaps Paul’s house was down a street similar to this …
“For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.” – Acts 28:30-31
Paul finished well. Paul was faithful to the very end! Even though his life’s path did not go the way he had expected, he was faithful to what God had called and commissioned him to do, no matter what!
How you finish is more important than how you start!
