The Journey to Rome

After three months we put out to sea in a ship that had wintered in the island—it was an Alexandrian ship with the figurehead of the twin gods Castor and Pollux. We put in at Syracuse and stayed there three days. From there we set sail and arrived at Rhegium. The next day the south wind came up, and on the following day we reached Puteoli. There we found some brothers and sisters who invited us to spend a week with them. And so we came to Rome. The brothers and sisters 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 people Paul thanked God and was encouraged. When we got to Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself, with a soldier to guard him.

Acts 28:11-16

We continued following the apostle Paul’s journey to Rome. After leaving Malta, the narrative quickly jumps from place to place. Paul sailed until reaching Puteoli. Then they walked until reaching Rome. Imagine the encouragement he received when people came a day or two journey from Rome to come meet him and walk the last bit to Rome! What were those discussions like? How did Paul feel to finally make it to his longed-for destination?