After three months we sailed in an Alexandrian ship whose figurehead was the Twin Brothers, which had wintered at the island. And landing at Syracuse, we stayed three days. From there we circled round and reached Rhegium. And after one day the south wind blew; and the next day we came to Puteoli, where we found brethren, and were invited to stay with them seven days. And so we went toward Rome. 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. Now when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard; but Paul was permitted to dwell by himself with the soldier who guarded him. Acts 28:11-16
Paul and the others were on the island of Malta for three months (probably November through January). It was about sixty-miles from Malta to Syracuse in Sicily, which could be traversed in a day. They boarded an Alexandrian ship and were off to Syracuse where they stayed three days; probably delayed due to adverse weather conditions once again. When they were able, they made the next short voyage to Puteoli. There were Christians in Puteoli who somehow heard that Paul was there, so they went to greet and receive Paul and his traveling companions for seven days.
A passing reminder that Christians are called to hospitality—even to the extent of housing those in need of a place to stay—even with little or no notice. It is rather sad that in our day, when our houses are nearly all larger than the common family dwelling in that day, we may be so private (stingy?) with our homes that this kind of hospitality is rare. Granted, we live in a different culture and in a different time, but let us be encouraged to give this matter of hospitality a little prayerful consideration. (Am I the only one who needs this reminder?)
Paul then departed toward to Rome, enjoying Christian fellowship and hospitality along the way—for which he gave thanks.
Once in Rome, Paul was handed over to other guards, reminding us that he was still imprisoned!
The good news is that Paul was allowed to be under house arrest, rather than in a dungeon! Why this special privilege? Though we cannot say for sure, some speculate that the charges against Paul, written by Festus and handed over by Julius, included the following facts: (1) Paul was innocent of any wrong-doing, (2) as a Roman citizen he had appealed to Caesar, (3) the reason for his imprisonment was not for breaking any Roman laws (it was a religious dispute with the Jews), and (4) Paul was exemplary during the voyage from Caesarea to Rome, to the extent that he helped save the people on board.