What does Acts 28:15 mean?
Paul, Luke, and Aristarchus are on the last leg of a very arduous journey to Rome. Their ship landed at Puteoli where the trio met other Christ-followers who invited them to stay. A week later, they finished their journey (Acts 28:11–14).The Forum of Appius was a small town about 40 miles, or 64 kilometers, south of Rome. Three Taverns is about a quarter that to the north. Paul had not yet been to Rome, but the church was already well established (Romans 1:8). In AD 49, the emperor drove out the large settlement of Jews from the city. Shortly after, Paul met two of these Jews, Priscilla and Aquila, in Corinth (Acts 18:2). By the time Paul wrote his letter to the Romans, about three years before his arrival, Priscilla and Aquila had returned to Rome (Romans 16:3–4), undoubtedly either starting or building up the church there. It's also likely some of the Jews who heard Peter's message at Pentecost returned to share Jesus' offer of salvation with their friends and families (Acts 2:10–11).
Paul will face a somewhat different response from the Roman Jews who do not follow Jesus. Despite his careful explanation of how Jesus fulfills the law of Moses and the prophecies found in Jewish Scriptures, only a few will accept his argument and recognize Jesus as their Messiah. Paul will, once again, turn his focus to the Gentiles. He'll spend two years under house arrest in a private apartment, preaching to visitors and writing Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon (Acts 28:16–31).
Acts 28:11–16 records the final steps of Paul's arduous journey to Rome. He, Aristarchus, and Luke survived a fierce tempest and a shipwreck before spending three months in the care of the people of Malta (Acts 27:1—28:10). Now Paul and his friends board another ship that takes them to Puteoli, Italy. There, Christ-followers provide a warm welcome. As they walk toward Rome, more believers meet them and give them encouragement for the last few miles. Paul spends two years in Rome, under house arrest, but free to teach anyone who will listen about Jesus (Acts 28:30–31).
Acts 28 records Paul's three-month stay on the island of Malta and two-year house arrest in Rome. On Malta, God empowers Paul to perform healing miracles which endear him to the locals. Once he reaches the shores of Italy, many other believers accompany him on his last leg to Rome. In Rome, he finds the Jews just as accepting of Jesus as elsewhere; some believe, but many don't. Paul reaffirms his mission to the Gentiles and spends his time preaching while under house arrest.
