Acts 28:14 - Exposition

Intreated for desired, A.V.; came to for went toward, A.V. Brethren . It is very interesting to find the gospel already planted in Italy. The circumstances of Purcell as the great emporium of African wheat made it a likely place for Christianity to reach, whether from Rome or from Alexandria (see Acts 18:24 ). Luke calls them ἀδελφοί , not χριστιανοί ( Acts 11:26 ). Perhaps the name of Christian was still rather the name given by those without, and that of "brethren," or "disciples," the name used by the Christians among themselves. What a joy it must have been to Paul and his companions to find themselves among brethren! Seven days . Surely that they might take part in the service and worship of the next Sunday (see Acts 20:6 , Acts 20:7 ). It is implied that the philanthropy of Julius ( Acts 27:3 ) did not now fail. So we came to Rome . The R.V. is undoubtedly right. 'We can trace in the anticipatory form of speech here used by St. Luke, simple as the words are, his deep sense of the transcendent interest of the arrival of the apostle of the Gentiles at the colossal capital of the heathen world. Yes; after all the conspiracies of the Jews who sought to take away his life, after the two years' delay at Caesarea, after the perils of that terrible shipwreck, in spite of the counsel of the soldiers to kill the prisoners, and in spite of the "venomous beast,"—Paul came to Rome. The word of God," Thou must bear witness also at Rome" ( Acts 23:11 ), had triumphed over all "the power of the enemy" ( Luke 10:19 ). And doubtless the hearts both of Paul and Luke beat quicker when they first caught sight of the city on the seven hills.