Acts 28 14

Acts 28:14 kjv

Where we found brethren, and were desired to tarry with them seven days: and so we went toward Rome.

Acts 28:14 nkjv

where we found brethren, and were invited to stay with them seven days. And so we went toward Rome.

Acts 28:14 niv

There we found some brothers and sisters who invited us to spend a week with them. And so we came to Rome.

Acts 28:14 esv

There we found brothers and were invited to stay with them for seven days. And so we came to Rome.

Acts 28:14 nlt

There we found some believers, who invited us to spend a week with them. And so we came to Rome.

Acts 28 verses

Acts 28 14 Meaning

This verse details Paul's journey to Rome, specifically his stop at Puteoli, a significant port city. Here, Paul and his companions encountered fellow believers and were urged to stay with them for seven days. This interlude allowed for a time of fellowship and rest before they completed the final leg of their divinely appointed mission to Rome. The verse emphasizes Christian fellowship, hospitality, and the providential progression of Paul's ministry despite hardships.

Acts 28 14 Context

Acts 28 marks the culmination of Paul's journey towards Rome, which had been prophesied (Acts 23:11) and was a long-held desire of his (Rom 1:13). After a dramatic shipwreck on Malta (Acts 27-28:10), Paul and his companions continued their voyage. They sailed from Malta, landed at Syracuse, then Rhegium, and finally reached Puteoli, a major port on the Bay of Naples, known for its busy trade routes to Rome. This verse specifically describes their time at Puteoli, which was a customary point of disembarkation for those traveling to Rome by sea. The discovery of "brethren" highlights the widespread presence of Christian communities even in this bustling commercial center, prior to Paul's arrival in Rome. This pause signifies not a delay, but a divinely ordained period of refreshment and spiritual unity before Paul faces his final challenges in the imperial capital.

Acts 28 14 Word analysis

• καὶ (kai): "and." A common conjunction, it serves to connect this new phase of the journey, following the stops at Syracuse and Rhegium, showing a smooth continuation of the narrative.
• εὑρόντες (heurontes): "having found." From the verb heurisko, meaning "to find, discover." It suggests an encounter, potentially one that was unexpected but providentially guided. It implies an act of divine leading rather than just a casual discovery.
• ἀδελφοὺς (adelphous): "brothers." The plural accusative of adelphos, referring specifically to fellow Christians. In the early church, believers considered themselves a spiritual family, transcending social and ethnic barriers (Gal 3:28). This term underscores the immediate bond and familial welcome they received.
• παρεκλήθημεν (pareklēthēmen): "we were invited" or "we were entreated/implored." This is a passive aorist of parakaleō, a strong verb meaning "to call alongside, encourage, comfort, urge, invite." The passive voice emphasizes that the initiative for the stay came from the believers in Puteoli, reflecting their eager hospitality and strong desire for fellowship with Paul.
• παρ' αὐτοῖς (par' autois): "with them." This prepositional phrase indicates close proximity and shared dwelling, signifying genuine fellowship and intimacy in their time together.
• ἐπιμεῖναι (epimeinai): "to remain/stay." This infinitive implies a conscious decision to linger or abide for a specific period. It is more than a fleeting stop; it denotes a settled, though temporary, stay.
• ἡμέρας ἑπτά (hēmeras hepta): "seven days." A specific duration, likely chosen by mutual agreement or custom. The number seven often carries symbolic weight in the Bible, representing completeness, rest, or sacred time (e.g., the Creation week, Sabbaths, feast durations). In this context, it could signify a complete period for rest, fellowship, and recuperation.
• καὶ οὕτως (kai houtōs): "and thus" or "and so." This transitional phrase indicates a consequence or the next logical step. Having completed the seven days of stay, the journey naturally continued.
• εἰς τὴν Ῥώμην ἤλθομεν (eis tēn Rhōmēn ēlthen): "to Rome we came." This phrase marks the successful arrival at the ultimate destination Paul had longed to reach and where his divine mission was to culminate. It represents the fulfillment of prophecies and Paul's personal ambition for ministry.

Acts 28 14 Bonus section

• The fact that believers were found in Puteoli before Paul's arrival in Rome testifies to the active and grassroots evangelization occurring throughout the Roman Empire, beyond the direct work of the apostles documented in Acts. It shows the widespread presence of early Christian communities.
• This pause at Puteoli, involving the fellowship with local believers, provides a glimpse into the interconnectedness and mutual support network of the nascent Christian movement across the Mediterranean. It contrasts sharply with the often hostile or indifferent external world.
• The meticulous detailing of Paul's journey in Acts, including the specific stops and the interactions at each, emphasizes the providential hand of God guiding every step towards His ultimate purpose of taking the Gospel to the heart of the Roman Empire. No step, even a short stay, was without significance.

Acts 28 14 Commentary

Acts 28:14 encapsulates profound themes vital to early Christian life and the unfolding of God's redemptive plan. After perilous voyages and miraculous deliverances, Paul and his companions found unexpected and gracious fellowship in Puteoli. The presence of "brethren" in this busy port city demonstrates the early, organic spread of the Gospel even into unexpected urban centers, likely through trade and travel, prior to the arrival of prominent apostles. The immediate and fervent "invitation" to stay highlights the inherent hospitality and communal spirit of the early Church, where believers readily opened their homes to fellow followers of Christ, especially those traveling for the Gospel. The "seven days" period was not merely a convenient break but likely a sacred and purposeful time for spiritual replenishment, shared worship, and strengthening before the final leg of their arduous journey. This verse serves as a microcosm of God's faithful provision, ensuring that His servants are refreshed and encouraged through the fellowship of other believers before facing significant challenges, ultimately demonstrating His sovereignty in bringing Paul to Rome for the glory of His name, exactly as foretold.