11After three months we set sail in a ship that had wintered at the island, an Alexandrian ship with a figurehead of the Twin Brothers. [28:12] Putting in at Syracuse, we stayed there three days. [28:13] From there we made a circuit and arrived at Rhegium. After one day a south wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli. [28:14] There we found brothers and were urged to stay with them for seven days. And so we came to Rome. [28:15] The brothers there, when they heard about us, came to meet us as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns. When Paul saw them, he gave thanks to God and took courage.
ACT 28:11-15
Paul Arrives in Italy
In the world it was spoken into
In the 1st century, maritime travel was fraught with danger, especially during winter months when ships often remained in port. The mention of a ship from Alexandria with a figurehead of the Dioscuri (Castor and Pollux) would have signaled both its origin and its divine protection, as the Dioscuri were revered as guardians of sailors. The journey from Syracuse to Rhegium and then to Puteoli highlights the strategic ports along the Mediterranean trade routes. Puteoli, a major port near Naples, was a hub for grain shipments from Egypt and a center of early Christian activity. The warm reception by local believers, who entreated Paul to stay for seven days, reflects the hospitality and mutual encouragement typical of early Christian communities. The brothers from Rome traveling to meet Paul at Appii Forum and Three Taverns underscores the significance of his arrival, akin to a formal reception for a dignitary. This journey and its reception would have resonated with readers familiar with the risks of travel and the solidarity of the Christian network.
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How other translations render this
ACT 28:11
- KJV
- And after three months we departed in a ship of Alexandria, which had wintered in the isle, whose sign was Castor and Pollux.
- BSB
- After three months we set sail in an Alexandrian ship that had wintered in the island. It had the Twin Brothers as a figurehead.
- Koinōnos
- After three months we set sail in a ship that had wintered at the island, an Alexandrian ship with a figurehead of the Twin Brothers.
ACT 28:12
- KJV
- And landing at Syracuse, we tarried there three days.
- BSB
- Putting in at Syracuse, we stayed there three days.
- Koinōnos
- Putting in at Syracuse, we stayed there three days.
ACT 28:13
- KJV
- And from thence we fetched a compass, and came to Rhegium: and after one day the south wind blew, and we came the next day to Puteoli:
- BSB
- From there we weighed anchor and came to Rhegium. After one day, a south wind came up, and on the second day we arrived at Puteoli.
- Koinōnos
- From there we made a circuit and arrived at Rhegium. After one day a south wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli.
ACT 28:14
- KJV
- Where we found brethren, and were desired to tarry with them seven days: and so we went toward Rome.
- BSB
- There we found some brothers who invited us to spend the week with them. And so we came to Rome.
- Koinōnos
- There we found brothers and were urged to stay with them for seven days. And so we came to Rome.
ACT 28:15
- KJV
- And from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appii forum, and The three taverns: whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage.
- BSB
- The brothers there had heard about us and traveled as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns to meet us. When Paul saw them, he was encouraged and gave thanks to God.
- Koinōnos
- The brothers there, when they heard about us, came to meet us as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns. When Paul saw them, he gave thanks to God and took courage.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
ACT 28:11
- we set out:The word translated 'we set out' here specifically refers to putting out to sea from a harbor or port, emphasizing the beginning of a sea voyage.
- with a figurehead of:The phrase 'with a figurehead of' indicates that the ship had a distinctive emblem or sign on its prow, often a carved image of a deity or mythical creature, which served as its name or identification.
ACT 28:14
- we were entreated:The word translated 'we were entreated' carries a sense of being strongly urged or invited, often with an element of comfort or encouragement, rather than just a simple request.
ACT 28:15
- meet:The word translated 'meet' often implies a formal or official reception, or going out to welcome someone, rather than just a casual encounter.