The account of Paul’s voyage to Rome is recorded in Acts 27-28. After Paul had appealed to Caesar and Festus had determined that Paul should be sent to Rome, arrangements were made for Paul to sail there under guard. The voyage did not go smoothly, however, and Paul faced several trials along the way.
Paul and some other prisoners were put under the charge of a Roman centurion named Julius. They boarded a ship from Adramyttium that was going to make stops at ports along the coast of Asia Minor. One of Paul’s traveling companions was Aristarchus, a believer from Thessalonica (Acts 27:2). After stopping at Sidon, they sailed to Myra in Lycia. There they transferred to an Alexandrian ship headed for Italy (Acts 27:5-6).
The sailing was slow for many days because the wind was against them. They came with difficulty off Cnidus and had to sail under the shelter of Crete off Salmone. Sailing along the coast, they came to Fair Havens, near the city of Lasea (Acts 27:7-8). Much time had passed and sailing had become dangerous because it was already after the Day of Atonement, meaning it was late September to October and sea travel would soon stop for the winter (Acts 27:9).
Paul advised them not to continue the journey yet or they would incur harm and much loss, but the centurion followed the advice of the pilot and ship owner rather than Paul’s. Because the harbor was not suitable for the ship to winter in, they decided to make for Phoenix farther up the coast so they could spend the winter there (Acts 27:10-12).
When a gentle south wind began blowing, they weighed anchor, thinking they could make it to Phoenix. But soon after they had sailed close along Crete, a fierce wind called the northeaster swept down. They were caught in the storm and could not head into the wind, so they gave way and were driven along. Passing with difficulty the small island Cauda, they hoisted aboard the ship’s boat. The crew then passed ropes around the hull of the ship to strengthen it. Because they were afraid of running aground on Syrtis, they lowered the sea anchor and were driven along (Acts 27:13-17).
The next day, they began throwing the cargo overboard to lighten the ship. On the third day, they threw the ship’s tackle overboard. For many days neither sun nor stars appeared and the storm continued raging. Finally all hope of being saved was abandoned (Acts 27:18-20).
After the men had gone a long time without food, Paul stood up and urged them to take heart because there would be no loss of life, only loss of the ship. For an angel of God had appeared to Paul, telling him to not be afraid and that he must stand trial before Caesar. God had graciously granted safety to all those sailing with Paul. Paul told them they must run aground on some island (Acts 27:21-26).
On the fourteenth night they were drifting in the Adriatic Sea. About midnight the sailors sensed they were nearing land. Taking soundings, they found the water was 120 feet deep, and later 90 feet deep. Fearing they might run aground, they dropped four anchors and prayed for daylight. Some of the sailors tried to escape on the ship’s boat, but Paul told the centurion and soldiers that unless the sailors stayed, they could not be saved. So the soldiers cut away the ropes and let the boat fall off (Acts 27:27-32).
As day was about to dawn, Paul urged them all to eat for their survival. He took bread, gave thanks to God before them all, and began to eat. They were encouraged and ate as well. There were 276 persons aboard. When they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship further by throwing the wheat into the sea (Acts 27:33-38).
When daylight came, they did not recognize the land but saw a bay with a beach. They planned to run the ship aground if possible. Cutting loose the anchors, they left them in the sea as they untied the ropes of the rudders. Hoisting the foresail to the wind, they made for the beach. But they struck a sandbar and ran the ship aground. The bow stuck fast and remained immovable while the stern was being broken up by the waves (Acts 27:39-41).
The soldiers planned to kill the prisoners so none could swim away and escape. But Julius the centurion wanted to spare Paul’s life and kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and get to land. The rest used planks and debris from the ship. In this way all reached land safely (Acts 27:42-44).
They learned that the island was called Malta. The native people showed them unusual kindness. As it was raining and cold, they welcomed them and built a fire. Paul gathered a bundle of sticks for the fire but a viper came out because of the heat and fastened itself on his hand. Seeing the creature hanging from his hand, the people assumed Paul was a murderer whom justice would not allow to live. But he shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no ill effects. The people then changed their minds and said he was a god (Acts 28:1-6).
The leading man of the island, Publius, welcomed and entertained them courteously for three days. Publius’ father was sick with fever and dysentery. Paul visited him, prayed, and laid his hands on him and healed him. The rest of the sick on the island also came and were healed. They honored Paul and his companions in many ways, supplying their needs when they left (Acts 28:7-10).
After three months, they set sail on a ship from Alexandria that had wintered at the island. The ship had the Twin Brothers as its figurehead. Putting in at Syracuse, they stayed three days and from there sailed to Rhegium. After one day a south wind sprang up and they came the next day to Puteoli in Italy. Finding brothers there, they were invited to stay with them for seven days. And so they went on to Rome (Acts 28:11-14).
In Rome, the brothers had heard about them and came to meet them at the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns. At seeing them, Paul thanked God and took courage. Upon their arrival in Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself with the soldier guarding him (Acts 28:15-16).
After three days, Paul called together the local Jewish leaders. He told them he had done nothing against the Jewish people or contrary to their ancestral customs, yet he was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into Roman hands. They expressed interest in hearing from him about this sect spoken against everywhere. So they arranged to come later and hear him (Acts 28:17-22).
On the appointed day many came to Paul’s lodging. From morning till evening he explained the kingdom of God and tried to convince them about Jesus from the Law of Moses and the Prophets. Some were convinced and some disbelieved. They disagreed among themselves and began to leave after Paul had made one final statement: “The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet: Go to this people and say, You will be ever hearing but never understanding, and you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. For this people’s heart has grown dull, and their ears are hard of hearing, and they have shut their eyes; lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn for me to heal them.” (Acts 28:23-27, quoting Isaiah 6:9-10) Paul explained that God’s salvation had been sent to the Gentiles, and they would listen! (Acts 28:28)
For two whole years Paul stayed in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance (Acts 28:30-31).