Paul's Missionary Journeys

Base & Sending Churches

Inland Cities

Port Cities & Islands

1st Journey (Acts 13–14)

Jerusalem Council (Acts 15)

2nd Journey (Acts 15–18)

3rd Journey (Acts 18–21)

Journey to Rome (Acts 21–28)

Antioch in Syria

Seleucia

Salamis (Cyprus)

Paphos (Cyprus)

Perga in Pamphylia

Antioch in Pisidia

Iconium

Lystra

Derbe

Attalia

Jerusalem

Syria and Cilicia

Troas

Samothrace

Neapolis

Philippi

Amphipolis

Apollonia

Thessalonica

Beroea

Athens

Corinth

Cenchreae

Ephesus

Galatia and Phrygia

Assos

Mitylene

Chios

Samos

Miletus

Cos

Rhodes

Patara

Tyre

Ptolemais

Caesarea

Sidon

Myra

Cnidus

Fair Havens (Crete)

Cauda

Melita (Malta)

Syracuse (Sicily)

Rhegium

Puteoli

The Market of Appius

Rome

1st Journey Begins: Antioch in Syria (Acts 13:1–3)

The church at Antioch acts on direct instructions from the Holy Spirit.

Commissioning of Barnabas and Saul

As the prophets and teachers of the church minister to the Lord and fast, the Holy Spirit says: “Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.” After fasting, praying, and laying hands on them, the church sends them away.

Seleucia (Acts 13:4)

The team goes down to Antioch's seaport.

Coastal Departure

Sent forth by the Holy Spirit, Barnabas and Saul go down to Seleucia, Antioch's seaport near the mouth of the Orontes, and from there sail for Cyprus.

Salamis (Cyprus) (Acts 13:5)

The missionaries land on Cyprus and preach in the synagogues.

To the Jew First

At Salamis they proclaim the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews — a pattern Paul follows in city after city. John (Mark) is with them as their attendant.

Paphos (Cyprus) (Acts 13:6–12)

A sorcerer opposes them before the Roman proconsul.

Elymas Blinded & The Name 'Paul'

They go through the whole island to Paphos. There Bar-Jesus (Elymas), a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet, is with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, and tries to turn him away from the faith.

Saul — “who is also called Paul” — rebukes him, and Elymas is struck blind for a season.

• The Name of Paul: From here on, Acts calls him Paul rather than Saul.
• The Proconsul Believes: Sergius Paulus believes, “being astonished at the teaching of the Lord.”

Perga in Pamphylia (Acts 13:13)

The team sails to the mainland, where John Mark leaves them.

John Mark Departs

Setting sail from Paphos, Paul and his company come to Perga in Pamphylia, a few miles up the river Cestrus. There John departs from them and returns to Jerusalem — a parting that later divides Paul and Barnabas (Acts 15:37–39).

Antioch in Pisidia (Acts 13:14–52)

Paul preaches in the synagogue, then turns to the Gentiles.

Synagogue Sermon & Opposition

On the Sabbath, Paul preaches a sermon tracing Israel's history to Jesus, quoting Psalm 2, Isaiah 55, and Psalm 16: “through this man is proclaimed unto you remission of sins.”

The next Sabbath almost the whole city gathers. When some of the Jews contradict and blaspheme, Paul and Barnabas answer boldly:

“Seeing ye thrust it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.”

The Gentiles rejoice, but the opponents stir up the devout women of honorable estate and the chief men of the city, and Paul and Barnabas are driven out of their borders.

Iconium (Acts 14:1–7)

Preaching divides the city, and a plot forces them to flee.

A Divided City

In Iconium a great multitude of both Jews and Greeks believe, but the Jews who do not believe stir up the Gentiles against them.

The city is divided — some hold with the Jews, some with the apostles. When both Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, move to mistreat and stone them, Paul and Barnabas flee to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia.

Lystra (Acts 14:8–20)

Paul is hailed as a god, then stoned and left for dead.

Hailed as Gods, Then Stoned

In Lystra, Paul heals a man lame from birth. The crowd cries out in the speech of Lycaonia, “The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men,” calling Barnabas Jupiter and Paul Mercury, because he is the chief speaker. The priest of Jupiter brings oxen and garlands to sacrifice to them. Paul and Barnabas tear their garments and rush in among the crowd, urging them to turn to the living God who made heaven and earth.

Then Jews come from Antioch and Iconium, win over the crowds, and stone Paul, dragging him out of the city, “supposing that he was dead.” But as the disciples stand around him, “he rose up, and entered into the city.”

• Timothy: Timothy, from this region, later recalls what Paul suffered “at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra” (2 Timothy 3:11) — he may have come to faith during this visit.

Derbe (Acts 14:20–21)

The farthest point of the journey; many disciples are made.

The Turning Point

The day after the stoning, Paul leaves with Barnabas for Derbe. They preach the gospel there and make many disciples — then, instead of continuing on, they turn back.

Back Through Lystra (Acts 14:21–22)

They return to the very city where Paul was stoned.

Retracing Their Steps

Rather than taking a direct road home, they go back through Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, “confirming the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that through many tribulations we must enter into the kingdom of God.”

Back Through Iconium (Acts 14:21–23)

Strengthening the disciples in a city that had plotted against them.

Back Through Antioch in Pisidia (Acts 14:21–23)

Elders are appointed in every church.

Appointing Elders

In each church they appoint elders, and with prayer and fasting commend them to the Lord on whom they had believed.

Preaching in Perga (Acts 14:24–25)

Through Pisidia to Pamphylia, where they speak the word in Perga.

Through Pisidia to the Coast

They pass through Pisidia and come to Pamphylia. This time they speak the word in Perga before going down to the coast.

Attalia (Acts 14:25–26)

The seaport where they take ship for home.

1st Journey Ends: Reporting to Antioch (Acts 14:26–28)

Paul and Barnabas report back to the church that sent them.

The Door of Faith Opened

They sail back to Antioch, where they had been committed to the grace of God for the work now fulfilled. Gathering the church, “they rehearsed all things that God had done with them, and that he had opened a door of faith unto the Gentiles.” They stay there no little time with the disciples.

The Jerusalem Council (Acts 15:1–29)

The apostles and elders decide what Gentile believers must keep.

Circumcision Debate and the Apostolic Letter

Men come down from Judea to Antioch teaching that Gentile believers cannot be saved unless they are circumcised after the custom of Moses. Paul and Barnabas are sent up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders about this question.

• The Council: Paul and Barnabas report what God had done among the Gentiles. Peter recalls how God gave the Holy Spirit to the Gentiles at the house of Cornelius. James then gives his judgment that they should not trouble the Gentiles who turn to God.
• The Letter: The council writes to the Gentile believers that it seemed good “to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things” — to abstain from things sacrificed to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from fornication. Circumcision is not required. Judas called Barsabbas and Silas are chosen to go with Paul and Barnabas.

The Letter Delivered at Antioch (Acts 15:30–35)

The church at Antioch rejoices at the council's letter.

Encouragement at Antioch

The messengers gather the church at Antioch and deliver the letter, and the believers rejoice at its encouragement. Judas and Silas, being prophets themselves, exhort and strengthen the brethren. Paul and Barnabas stay in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord.

2nd Journey Begins: Paul and Silas Through Syria and Cilicia (Acts 15:36–41)

A sharp disagreement over John Mark splits the original team.

Paul Chooses Silas

Paul suggests to Barnabas that they revisit the brethren in every city where they had preached. Barnabas wants to take John Mark, but Paul thinks it unwise to take one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia.

The contention is so sharp that they part. Barnabas takes Mark and sails to Cyprus, while Paul chooses Silas and, commended by the brethren to the grace of the Lord, goes through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.

Derbe (Acts 16:1)

Paul returns to Derbe, the farthest point of his first journey.

Lystra: Timothy Joins the Team (Acts 16:1–5)

Timothy joins Paul as they deliver the council's decrees.

Timothy Joins Them

At Lystra, Paul meets a disciple named Timothy, the son of a believing Jewish woman and a Greek father, well reported of by the brethren at Lystra and Iconium.

• Timothy Circumcised: Paul wants Timothy to travel with him and circumcises him “because of the Jews that were in those parts: for they all knew that his father was a Greek.” It is not a condition of salvation — the council had just ruled that out — but a way to keep the door open among the Jews.
• Growth: As they go through the cities, they deliver the decrees of the apostles and elders, and the churches are strengthened in the faith and increase in number daily.

Troas: The Macedonian Vision (Acts 16:6–10)

The Holy Spirit redirects the team toward Europe; Luke's “we” begins.

'Come Over into Macedonia'

They go through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, “having been forbidden of the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia.” When they try to go into Bithynia, “the Spirit of Jesus suffered them not,” and passing by Mysia they come down to Troas.

• The Vision: In the night Paul sees a man of Macedonia beseeching him: “Come over into Macedonia, and help us.”
• The 'We' Sections Begin: Here the narrative shifts from “they” to “we” — commonly taken to mean that Luke, the author, joins the team at Troas.

Samothrace (Acts 16:11)

A straight course across the northern Aegean.

A Straight Course

Setting sail from Troas, they make a straight course to the island of Samothrace.

Neapolis (Acts 16:11)

The next day they land at Neapolis — the gospel reaches Europe.

Philippi (Acts 16:12–40)

The first church in Europe is founded amid imprisonment and an earthquake.

Lydia, the Jailer, and Roman Citizenship

Philippi is a Roman colony. On the Sabbath they go outside the gate by a riverside, where prayer is customarily made, and speak to the women gathered there. Lydia, a seller of purple from Thyatira, listens; the Lord opens her heart, and she and her household are baptized.

• Beaten and Imprisoned: Paul casts a spirit of divination out of a slave girl, and her masters, seeing their gain gone, drag Paul and Silas before the magistrates. They are beaten with rods and put in the inner prison with their feet in the stocks.
• The Earthquake: At midnight, as Paul and Silas pray and sing hymns, an earthquake opens the doors. The jailer, supposing the prisoners have fled, draws his sword to kill himself; Paul stops him, and he and all his household are baptized that same hour of the night.
• Roman Citizens: In the morning the magistrates send word to let them go quietly. Paul refuses: “They have beaten us publicly, uncondemned, men that are Romans … let them come themselves and bring us out.” The magistrates come, beseech them, bring them out, and ask them to leave the city.

Amphipolis (Acts 17:1)

West along the Via Egnatia.

Macedonian Transit

Leaving Philippi, Paul and Silas pass through Amphipolis and Apollonia — both stations on the Roman highway known as the Via Egnatia — on their way to Thessalonica.

Apollonia (Acts 17:1)

The next stage of the road to Thessalonica.

Thessalonica (Acts 17:1–9)

Synagogue preaching wins many but sparks a riot.

Jason Caught in the Crossfire

For three Sabbaths Paul reasons with them from the Scriptures that the Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead. Some Jews are persuaded, “and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few.”

Others gather a mob and set the city in an uproar. Not finding Paul and Silas, they drag Jason and some brethren before the rulers, crying that these men “act contrary to the decrees of Cæsar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus.” Jason gives security, and the brethren send Paul and Silas away by night.

• Future Letters: This church later receives 1 & 2 Thessalonians.

Beroea (Acts 17:10–15)

The Beroeans examine the Scriptures daily.

Examining the Scriptures Daily

At Beroea, Paul and Silas go into the synagogue. The Beroeans “were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of the mind, examining the Scriptures daily, whether these things were so.” Many believe, including Greek women of honorable estate and not a few men.

When Jews from Thessalonica come to stir up the crowds, the brethren send Paul “to go as far as to the sea,” while Silas and Timothy stay behind.

Athens (Acts 17:15–34)

Paul addresses the philosophers at the Areopagus.

The Areopagus Discourse

Those escorting Paul bring him to Athens — most likely by ship, since he was first sent “to go as far as to the sea.” Waiting there for Silas and Timothy, his spirit is provoked by the city full of idols. He reasons in the synagogue and daily in the marketplace, and some Epicurean and Stoic philosophers take him to the Areopagus.

Pointing to an altar inscribed “TO AN UNKNOWN GOD,” and quoting their own poets, Paul proclaims the Creator who made the world, calls all men to repent, and announces the coming judgment by the man God raised from the dead. Some mock at the resurrection; others want to hear more. A few believe, among them “Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris.”

Corinth: Eighteen Months (Acts 18:1–17)

Paul settles in Corinth, working alongside Aquila and Priscilla.

Aquila, Priscilla, and Gallio

In Corinth, Paul finds Aquila and Priscilla, lately come from Italy “because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome.” They share the trade of tentmaking, and Paul stays and works with them.

• Vision of Reassurance: When Silas and Timothy come down from Macedonia, Paul devotes himself to the word. Facing opposition, he hears the Lord in a vision: “Be not afraid, but speak and hold not thy peace … for I have much people in this city.” He stays a year and six months.
• The Trial Before Gallio: The Jews bring Paul before the proconsul Gallio, who refuses to judge what he calls questions about words and names and their own law. Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, is beaten before the judgment-seat.
• Letters: 1 & 2 Thessalonians are generally dated to this stay.

Cenchreae (Acts 18:18)

A vow fulfilled at Corinth's eastern port.

A Vow

After many more days, Paul takes leave of the brethren and sails for Syria with Priscilla and Aquila, “having shorn his head in Cenchreae; for he had a vow.”

Ephesus (Brief Initial Stop) (Acts 18:19–21)

A short first visit; Aquila and Priscilla stay behind.

A Promise to Return

They cross the Aegean to Ephesus. Paul reasons with the Jews in the synagogue, and they ask him to stay longer, but he declines, saying, “I will return again unto you if God will.”

He leaves Aquila and Priscilla at Ephesus, where they will soon play a part in the next chapter of the story.

Landing at Caesarea (Acts 18:22)

Paul sails from Ephesus and lands at Caesarea.

Greeting the Church (Acts 18:22)

He “went up and saluted the church” — generally understood as Jerusalem.

2nd Journey Ends: Back to Antioch (Acts 18:22–23)

Paul goes down to Antioch, concluding his second journey.

Completing the Second Circuit

Having landed at Caesarea and greeted the church, Paul goes down to Antioch in Syria, where he spends some time before setting out again.

3rd Journey Begins: Galatia and Phrygia (Acts 18:23)

Paul sets out again overland to strengthen the churches.

Strengthening the Churches

After spending some time in Antioch, Paul departs and goes “through the region of Galatia, and Phrygia, in order, establishing all the disciples.”

Ephesus: The Three-Year Centerpiece (Acts 18:24–19:41)

Apollos is instructed, then Paul's longest ministry: miracles, and a riot.

Apollos, the Hall of Tyrannus, Miracles, and the Silversmiths' Riot

• Apollos (before Paul arrives): While Paul travels inland, Apollos, an eloquent Jew of Alexandria, comes to Ephesus. He teaches accurately the things concerning Jesus but knows only the baptism of John. Priscilla and Aquila take him aside and expound the way of God more accurately, and he goes on to Achaia, powerfully showing from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ.
• Twelve Disciples of John: Having passed through the upper country, Paul comes to Ephesus and finds about twelve disciples who know only John's baptism. They are baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus, and when Paul lays his hands on them the Holy Spirit comes upon them.
• The School of Tyrannus: After three months in the synagogue, Paul reasons daily in the school of Tyrannus for two years, “so that all they that dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord.” In all, he spends three years at Ephesus (Acts 20:31).
• Special Miracles: Handkerchiefs and aprons carried from Paul's body to the sick heal diseases and drive out evil spirits.
• The Sons of Sceva: Seven sons of a Jewish chief priest try to cast out a demon in Jesus' name. The evil spirit answers, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?” and they flee naked and wounded.
• Books Burned: Many who practiced magical arts burn their books publicly — worth “fifty thousand pieces of silver.”
• The Riot: Demetrius, a silversmith who makes silver shrines of Diana, rouses the craftsmen against Paul. The city fills with confusion and a crowd rushes into the theater, dragging two of Paul's companions, until the town clerk quiets them.
• Letters & the Collection: 1 Corinthians is written from Ephesus (1 Corinthians 16:8), and Paul organizes a collection for the poor saints in Jerusalem (1 Corinthians 16:1–4).

Troas: An Open Door (2 Corinthians 2:12–13)

On the way to Macedonia, Paul finds an open door at Troas but moves on.

Waiting for Titus

After the uproar, Paul sets out for Macedonia (Acts 20:1). His letters add that he came to Troas to preach the gospel and “a door was opened unto me in the Lord” — but finding no rest because Titus was not there, he went on to Macedonia.

Macedonia (Acts 20:1–2)

Paul goes through Macedonia with much exhortation and writes 2 Corinthians.

Through Macedonia

Paul crosses into Macedonia and, “when he had gone through those parts, and had given them much exhortation,” comes into Greece. Acts does not name the cities, but the churches he had founded — Philippi, Thessalonica, and Beroea — were in this region. 2 Corinthians is written from Macedonia during this time (2 Corinthians 7:5; 9:2).

Greece (Corinth): Writing Romans (Acts 20:2–3)

Three months in Greece; Romans is generally dated to this stay.

A Plot Uncovered

Paul comes into Greece and stays three months — most likely at Corinth. The Letter to the Romans is generally dated to this stay (compare Romans 15:25–26; 16:1, 23).

As he is about to sail for Syria, a plot is laid against him by the Jews, so he decides to return through Macedonia instead.

Back Through Macedonia to Philippi (Acts 20:3–6)

Paul returns overland; his companions go ahead to Troas.

Delegates from the Churches

Paul is accompanied by representatives of the churches — Sopater of Beroea, Aristarchus and Secundus of Thessalonica, Gaius of Derbe, Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus of Asia. They go ahead to Troas, while Paul and Luke sail from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread.

Troas: The Raising of Eutychus (Acts 20:6–12)

A long night of teaching and a young man restored to life.

Falling Asleep at Midnight

After five days' sailing, Paul rejoins his companions at Troas and stays seven days.

On the first day of the week, the disciples gather to break bread, and Paul speaks until midnight. A young man named Eutychus, sitting in the window, sinks into a deep sleep and falls from the third story, and is “taken up dead.” Paul goes down, embraces him, and says, “Make ye no ado; for his life is in him.” Paul talks with them until daybreak, and they bring the young man home alive.

Assos: Paul Goes on Foot (Acts 20:13–14)

The ship sails ahead; Paul walks to Assos to meet it.

By Land to Assos

The others go ahead by ship to Assos, “intending to take in Paul: for so had he appointed, intending himself to go by land.” At Assos they take him aboard.

Mitylene (Acts 20:14)

The chief city of Lesbos.

Off Chios (Acts 20:15)

The next day they come over against Chios.

Samos (Acts 20:15)

The following day they touch at Samos.

Miletus: Farewell to the Ephesian Elders (Acts 20:15–38)

Paul delivers his final charge to the elders of Ephesus.

The Whole Counsel of God

Paul has decided to sail past Ephesus, hastening to be at Jerusalem by the day of Pentecost if possible. From Miletus he sends for the elders of the church at Ephesus.

• Innocent of Blood: He declares himself pure from the blood of all men, “For I shrank not from declaring unto you the whole counsel of God.”
• Grievous Wolves: He warns that “grievous wolves shall enter in among you, not sparing the flock,” and charges them to shepherd the church of God.
• A Final Goodbye: He tells them they will see his face no more. They all weep, embrace him, and bring him to the ship.

Cos (Acts 21:1)

A straight course to Cos.

Rhodes (Acts 21:1)

Patara: Changing Ships (Acts 21:1–2)

The team finds a ship crossing over to Phoenicia.

A Ship for Phoenicia

From Rhodes they come to Patara, where they find a ship crossing over to Phoenicia, go aboard, and set sail.

Tyre: Prayer on the Beach (Acts 21:3–6)

Disciples warn Paul through the Spirit not to go to Jerusalem.

Kneeling on the Beach

Sighting Cyprus and “leaving it on the left hand,” they sail to Syria and land at Tyre, where the ship is to unload her cargo. Finding the disciples, they stay seven days, and the disciples tell Paul “through the Spirit” not to set foot in Jerusalem.

When the days are over, they all — with wives and children — escort Paul out of the city, and kneeling down on the beach they pray before parting.

Ptolemais (Acts 21:7)

The voyage ends at Ptolemais, where they greet the brethren for a day.

Caesarea: The Prophecy of Agabus (Acts 21:8–14)

Agabus binds himself with Paul's girdle to foretell his arrest.

Philip the Evangelist & Paul's Resolve

At Caesarea they stay in the house of Philip the evangelist, “who was one of the seven” (Acts 6:3–5). He has four virgin daughters who prophesy.

• The Girdle: A prophet named Agabus comes down from Judea, takes Paul's girdle, binds his own feet and hands, and says: “Thus saith the Holy Spirit, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.”
• Ready to Die: His companions and the local believers beg him not to go up, but Paul answers: “I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”

3rd Journey Ends: Arrival and Arrest in Jerusalem (Acts 21:15–23:30)

Paul reports to James and the elders, is seized in the temple, and is taken into Roman custody.

Arrival

The brethren in Jerusalem receive them gladly. The next day Paul goes in to James and all the elders and rehearses one by one what God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. (Later, before Felix, Paul says he came “to bring alms to my nation, and offerings” — Acts 24:17.)

Arrest

While completing purification rites in the temple, Paul is seen by Jews from Asia, who accuse him of bringing Greeks into the temple. The city is stirred up and Roman soldiers rescue him from the crowd. Paul makes his defense before the people and the Sanhedrin. When more than forty men bind themselves by an oath to kill him, the commander sends him to Caesarea under heavy guard.

Two Years' Imprisonment at Caesarea (Acts 23:31–26:32)

Paul testifies before Felix and Festus, appeals to Caesar, and speaks before King Agrippa.

Hearings Before Governors and a King

Taken by night through Antipatris to Caesarea, Paul makes his defense before Governor Felix, who keeps him in custody for two years. When Festus succeeds Felix and proposes a trial in Jerusalem, Paul, a Roman citizen, appeals to Caesar — and so must be sent to Rome. Before he goes, he tells his story to King Agrippa, who remarks that he might have been set free had he not appealed to Caesar.

Sailing from Caesarea — Sidon (Acts 27:1–3)

Julius the centurion lets Paul visit his friends.

Under Julius the Centurion

Paul and other prisoners are delivered to Julius, a centurion of the Augustan band. At Sidon, Julius treats Paul kindly and lets him go to his friends to be cared for.

Myra: An Alexandrian Ship (Acts 27:4–6)

Under the lee of Cyprus, then onto a ship bound for Italy.

Contrary Winds

Because the winds are contrary, they sail “under the lee of Cyprus,” then across the sea off Cilicia and Pamphylia to Myra in Lycia. There the centurion finds a ship of Alexandria sailing for Italy and puts them aboard.

Slow Sailing to Cnidus (Acts 27:7)

Many days of slow sailing bring them with difficulty off Cnidus.

Warning at Fair Havens (Acts 27:7–12)

Paul warns against sailing on, but the officers press toward a better harbor.

Ignored Warning

The wind not allowing them further, they sail under the lee of Crete, off Salmone, and with difficulty reach a place called Fair Havens. With the season growing dangerous, Paul warns that the voyage will bring loss “not only of the lading and the ship, but also of our lives.” The centurion trusts the master and the owner of the ship instead, and the majority decide to try to reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete, to winter there.

Euraquilo: Caught by the Storm (Acts 27:13–17)

A tempestuous wind seizes the ship; under the lee of Cauda they secure the boat.

The Storm Strikes

When a gentle south wind blows, they weigh anchor and sail along close to Crete. Soon a tempestuous wind called Euraquilo beats down, and the ship, unable to face the wind, is driven along. “Running under the lee of a small island called Cauda,” they manage with difficulty to secure the boat and undergird the ship.

Driven Across the Sea of Adria — Shipwreck on Melita (Acts 27:18–28:10)

Fourteen days adrift, then shipwreck; all 276 aboard reach land, and Paul survives a viper bite.

Fourteen Days Adrift

The crew throw out the cargo and the ship's tackle. For many days neither sun nor stars appear and all hope is taken away. An angel stands by Paul and assures him that no life will be lost, only the ship. On the fourteenth night, as they are “driven to and fro in the sea of Adria,” the sailors sense land is near.

Shipwreck and Ministry

The ship runs aground and the stern is broken up by the waves, yet “two hundred threescore and sixteen souls” all escape safely to land. Then “we knew that the island was called Melita.” A viper fastens on Paul's hand as he gathers sticks for a fire, but he shakes it off and suffers no harm. He heals the father of Publius, the chief man of the island, and many others during a three-month stay.

Resuming the Voyage — Syracuse (Acts 28:11–12)

After three months they sail on another Alexandrian ship and stay three days at Syracuse.

Rhegium (Acts 28:13)

Around to Rhegium at the toe of Italy, then a south wind speeds them north.

Landing at Puteoli (Acts 28:13–14)

Paul finds brethren here and stays seven days before the last stage overland.

Brethren Meet Paul on the Appian Way (Acts 28:15)

Believers from Rome come out to meet him; he thanks God and takes courage.

Encouragement on the Road

The brethren in Rome hear that Paul is coming and travel out along the Appian Way “as far as The Market of Appius and The Three Taverns; whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage.”

Arrival in Rome (Acts 28:16–31)

Paul preaches openly in Rome under guard for two whole years.

Rome at Last

After years of mission, persecution, trials, storm, and shipwreck, Paul reaches Rome. He is allowed to live by himself with the soldier who guards him. He calls together the leaders of the Jews and testifies to them of the kingdom of God. For two whole years he receives all who come to him, “preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, none forbidding him.” Acts ends here, with the gospel proclaimed at the heart of the empire.

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