Map
Paul's Journey to Rome
Follow Paul from Jerusalem to Rome through imprisonment, trials, a violent Mediterranean storm, shipwreck on Malta, and his final arrival in the capital of the Roman Empire (Acts 21:17–28:31).
Paul's Journey to Rome
Major cities
Ports
Trials & imprisonment
Islands
Journey under guard
Storm-driven voyage
Jerusalem (Acts 21:17–23:30)
Paul is seized in the temple after false accusations and rescued by Roman soldiers.
Arrest in Jerusalem
Paul reports to James and the elders what God had done among the Gentiles. While completing purification rites in the temple, he is accused by Jews from Asia of bringing Greeks into the temple, and the city is stirred up. Roman troops rescue him, and he makes his defense before the crowd and the Sanhedrin. When more than forty men bind themselves by an oath to kill him, the commander sends him to Caesarea under guard.
Caesarea (Acts 23:31–26:32)
Two years in custody; Paul testifies before Felix, Festus, and Agrippa, and appeals to Caesar.
Hearings Before Governors and a King
Brought by night through Antipatris to Caesarea, Paul makes his defense before Governor Felix, who keeps him in custody for about two years. Before Governor Festus, Paul, a Roman citizen, appeals to Caesar, so he must be sent to Rome. He then tells his story to King Agrippa, who says he might have been set free had he not appealed to Caesar.
Sidon (Acts 27:1–3)
Julius the centurion treats Paul kindly and lets him go to his friends to be cared for.
Myra (Acts 27:4–6)
After sailing under the lee of Cyprus against contrary winds, they board an Alexandrian ship bound for Italy.
Cnidus (Acts 27:7)
After many days of slow sailing they come with difficulty off Cnidus; the wind turns them south toward Crete.
Fair Havens (Acts 27:7–12)
Paul warns that sailing on will end in disaster, but the officers decide to press on.
Ignored Warning
Sailing under the lee of Crete off Salmone, they reach Fair Havens with difficulty. Paul warns that the voyage will bring loss “not only of the lading and the ship, but also of our lives.” The centurion follows the master and the owner of the ship instead, and the majority decide to try to reach Phoenix to winter there.
Cauda (Acts 27:13–17)
The tempestuous wind Euraquilo seizes the ship; under the lee of Cauda they secure the boat.
The Storm Strikes
Soon after they set out along the coast of Crete, a tempestuous wind called Euraquilo beats down on the ship. “Running under the lee of a small island called Cauda,” they manage with difficulty to secure the boat and undergird the ship before being driven on.
Melita (Malta) (Acts 27:18–28:10)
After fourteen days adrift in the sea of Adria, the ship is wrecked; all aboard reach land, and Paul survives a viper bite.
Fourteen Days Adrift, Then Shipwreck
For many days neither sun nor stars appear. An angel assures Paul that no life will be lost, only the ship. On the fourteenth night, “driven to and fro in the sea of Adria,” they near land. The ship runs aground and breaks up, but all “two hundred threescore and sixteen souls” escape safely — “the island was called Melita.”
A viper fastens on Paul's hand, but he suffers no harm. He heals the father of Publius and many other sick islanders during a three-month stay.
Syracuse (Acts 28:11–12)
Sailing on another Alexandrian ship, they stay three days at Syracuse on Sicily.
Rhegium (Acts 28:13)
A brief stop at the toe of Italy before a south wind carries them north.
Puteoli (Acts 28:13–14)
Paul finds brethren here and stays seven days before going on toward Rome.
The Market of Appius (Acts 28:15)
Believers from Rome come down the Appian Way to meet Paul.
Encouragement from the Brethren
The brethren in Rome come to meet Paul “as far as The Market of Appius and The Three Taverns; whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage.”
Rome (Acts 28:16–31)
Paul reaches the capital of the empire and proclaims Christ under guard for two years.
Rome at Last
Paul is allowed to live by himself with the soldier who guards him. 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 with the gospel proclaimed in the heart of the Roman Empire.