The context

Paul is now on his way from Caesarea to Rome. Along the way, he has encountered many hardships. (1) He was caught in a great storm, and the ship drifted. (2) The ship ran aground. (3) He was bitten by a viper on the island of Malta. Yet, Paul’s life has been preserved. And finally, he arrives in Rome.

From Malta to Puteoli

“After three months we set sail on an Alexandrian ship which had wintered at the island, and which had the Twin Brothers for its figurehead. After we put in at Syracuse, we stayed there for three days. From there we sailed around and arrived at Rhegium, and a day later a south wind came up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli.” (1) Paul and his companions waited for three months on the island of Malta. When spring arrived, sailing became possible again. From Malta to Rome, there was still a distance of 208 miles (335 km). (2) The centurion was able to secure a ship that had spent the winter on Malta. This ship was a grain vessel from Alexandria. (3) This was an Alexandrian ship with a figurehead of the “Dioscuri” on its bow. The “Dioscuri” were the guardian deities of sailors, referring to Castor and Pollux, the twin gods of Greek mythology. During the Roman era, many ships sailing the Mediterranean had the “Dioscuri” displayed on their bows. (4) Luke’s mention of a ship with the figurehead of the “Dioscuri” carries a sense of irony. He likely wrote this to remind us of the true guardian. The only one who protects us in the stormy seas is the God who created heaven and earth. After departing from Malta, the journey proceeded as follows: (1) Syracuse: a prosperous port city on the east coast of Sicily. The ship stayed here for three days. (2) Rhegium: a port city located at the toe of the Italian Peninsula. (3) Puteoli: 224 miles (360 km) further north, located at the shin of the Italian Peninsula. Most ships unloaded their cargo at this port city. Let’s recall the writing plan of the Acts of the Apostles, as stated in Acts 1:8. “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and Samaria, and as far as the remotest part of the earth.” (1) The spread of the gospel began in Jerusalem. (2) Through the ministry of Peter and the apostles, the gospel spread to Judea. (3) Through the ministry of Philip, the gospel reached Samaria. (4) Through the ministry of Paul, the gospel continued to spread to the ends of the earth. We are the successors of Paul’s mission.