Acts 28 15

Acts 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.

Acts 28:15 nkjv

And from there, when the brethren heard about us, they came to meet us as far as Appii Forum and Three Inns. When Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage.

Acts 28:15 niv

The brothers and sisters there had heard that we were coming, and they traveled as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns to meet us. At the sight of these people Paul thanked God and was encouraged.

Acts 28:15 esv

And the brothers there, when they heard about us, came as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns to meet us. On seeing them, Paul thanked God and took courage.

Acts 28:15 nlt

The brothers and sisters in Rome had heard we were coming, and they came to meet us at the Forum on the Appian Way. Others joined us at The Three Taverns. When Paul saw them, he was encouraged and thanked God.

Acts 28 verses

Acts 28 15 Meaning

Acts 28:15 describes the enthusiastic welcome Paul received from the Roman believers as he approached the city, inspiring gratitude in him towards God and renewed courage for his impending challenges. It illustrates divine providence in arranging fellowship and human need for encouragement, affirming the power of Christian community to strengthen and refresh.

Acts 28 15 Context

Acts chapter 28 recounts the final leg of Paul’s journey to Rome as a prisoner. Having survived a shipwreck on Malta (Acts 27:41-28:10), Paul and his companions depart from the island after three months. They sail to Syracuse, then Rhegium, and finally land at Puteoli, a significant port city (Acts 28:11-13). There, they find "brothers" (Christian believers) who host them for seven days. After this stop, they begin the overland journey to Rome. Verse 15 describes an advance party of Roman believers who came out on the famous Appian Way to meet Paul, indicating their fervent anticipation and love for him. This spontaneous display of fellowship provided Paul with much-needed encouragement as he neared the imperial capital and the climax of his mission.

Acts 28 15 Word analysis

• And: (kai, καί) A conjunction linking this event to Paul's journey from Puteoli, emphasizing narrative continuity.
• from there: Refers to Puteoli (Acts 28:13), the port where they disembarked and stayed for a week.
• when the brothers: (hoi adelphoi, οἱ ἀδελφοί) Christian believers, signifying a spiritual family or community. This term highlights their shared faith in Christ and fraternal bond with Paul, despite his prisoner status.
• heard about us: (akousantes ta peri hēmōn, ἀκούσαντες τὰ περὶ ἡμῶν) Implies communication networks among early Christians, likely through merchants or fellow travelers who quickly relayed news of Paul's arrival and identity to Rome.
• they came to meet us: (exēlthon eis apantēsin hēmin, ἐξῆλθον εἰς ἀπάντησιν ἡμῖν) This phrase, 'to come out for a meeting,' carried a semi-official nuance. It suggests a delegation going out from the city to formally welcome or escort an important person or official approaching the city, demonstrating the high regard the Roman believers had for Paul, despite his arrival as a prisoner.
• as far as Appii Forum: (Achri Appiou Phorou, ἄχρι Ἀππίου Φόρου) Appii Forum, or Forum of Appius, was a bustling market town on the Appian Way, about 43 miles south of Rome. It was a common staging post for travelers and goods. The distance covered signifies the depth of their commitment.
• and Three Taverns: (Kai Treis Tabernas, καὶ Τρεῖς Ταβέρνας) A second, smaller stopping place on the Appian Way, approximately 33 miles from Rome and 10 miles closer than Appii Forum. Mentioning both locations underscores the extent of the believers' journey to greet Paul, reflecting their eagerness and the large number of individuals involved.
• When Paul saw them: Paul's personal observation of this act of kindness. The visual confirmation triggered his emotional and spiritual response.
• he thanked God: (eucharistēsas tō theō, εὐχαριστήσας τῷ θεῷ) Paul's characteristic and immediate response of gratitude, directed to God, not just the individuals. He attributes this blessing of fellowship and support to divine provision and providence, seeing God's hand in orchestrating the encounter.
• and took courage: (kai tharsos labōn, καὶ θάρσος λαβών) "Having taken courage." This signifies renewed boldness, confidence, or fortitude. Paul, though an apostle, was still human; the hardships of his journey (shipwreck, imprisonment) could drain his spirit. The loving reception from the believers, a visible sign of God's care and the widespread growth of the church, invigorated him for the upcoming challenges in the imperial capital.

Words-group Analysis:

• "When the brothers heard about us, they came to meet us...": This entire phrase depicts the rapid spread of information within the early Christian network and the strong bond of koinonia (fellowship) among believers, motivating them to action to welcome a respected apostle. It highlights practical love and mutual care.
• "as far as Appii Forum and Three Taverns": The mention of these specific, geographically distinct places along the Appian Way serves to ground Luke's narrative in verifiable historical and geographical reality. It also quantifies the significant effort and distance these Roman believers traveled, demonstrating their extraordinary commitment and eager anticipation of Paul's arrival.
• "When Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage.": This short sentence encapsulates Paul's deep spiritual life. His gratitude is first to God for the blessing received through people. The resultant "courage" suggests that human encouragement, when recognized as God-sent, has a powerful effect, renewing one’s spirit for the work of the Kingdom. This response speaks to Paul's humanity, dependence on God, and the sustaining power of fellowship for Christian service.

Acts 28 15 Bonus section

• The Appian Way (Via Appia): This was a major Roman highway, well-maintained and heavily traveled. Its mention by Luke underscores the historical authenticity of his narrative. Paul's journey along this road with military escort was common for prisoners of his status.
• Significance of the greeting (Apantēsis): The act of citizens coming out to meet an approaching dignitary (even if Paul was a prisoner, he was highly respected) was an act of honor and hospitality. For the Roman church, this demonstrated their welcome to Paul as an emissary of Christ, implicitly validating his apostleship even before he taught them directly in Rome.
• Paul's humanity: This verse often highlights Paul’s real human need for fellowship and encouragement. It dispels any notion of a superhuman apostle who never falters or needs support. Despite divine promises (Acts 23:11, 27:24), visible, tangible support from the church was vital for his emotional and spiritual resilience.
• Proof of Christianity's spread: The existence of such a robust Christian community in Rome, able to send out delegations, before Paul's arrival demonstrates that the Gospel had significantly taken root independently of Paul’s direct missionary work in that city.

Acts 28 15 Commentary

Acts 28:15 stands as a testament to the powerful reality of Christian community and divine providence. After an arduous and life-threatening journey, Paul, a prisoner yet an apostle on a mission, finds a deep spiritual upliftment through the tangible expression of love from fellow believers. The Roman Christians' effort to meet Paul far from the city, not just in one location but two, showcases their extraordinary commitment and respect, embodying practical hospitality. Paul’s response—gratitude to God first, and then renewed courage—reveals his constant God-centered perspective and acknowledges his own humanity; even a seasoned apostle draws strength from visible acts of God's care channeled through His people. This encounter affirmed God's faithfulness in bringing Paul to Rome and infused him with fresh resolve for the demanding ministry ahead in Caesar's city.