Acts 28:17-31

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Conclusion: Paul’s Final Word to the Jews & His House Arrest
Acts 28:17-31
 
 
17 And it came to pass after three days, that he called together those who were the chief of the Jews; and when they had come together he said to them, Brethren, “I” having done nothing against the people or the customs of our forefathers, have been delivered a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans, 18 who having examined me were minded to let me go, because there was nothing worthy of death in me. 19 But the Jews speaking against it, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar, not as having anything to accuse my nation of. 20 For this cause therefore I have called you to me to see and to speak to you; for on account of the hope of Israel I have this chain about me. 21 And they said to him, For our part, we have neither received letters from Judaea concerning thee, nor has any one of the brethren who has arrived reported or said anything evil concerning thee. 22 But we beg to hear of thee what thou thinkest, for as concerning this sect it is known to us that it is everywhere spoken against. 23 And having appointed him a day many came to him to the lodging, to whom he expounded, testifying of the kingdom of God, and persuading them concerning Jesus, both from the law of Moses and the prophets, from early morning to evening. 24 And some were persuaded of the things which were said, but some disbelieved. 25 And being disagreed among themselves they left; Paul having spoken one word, Well spoke the Holy Spirit through Esaias the prophet to our fathers, 26 saying, Go to this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear and not understand, and seeing ye shall see and not perceive. 27 For the heart of this people has become fat, and they hear heavily with their ears, and they have closed their eyes; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them. 28 Be it known to you therefore, that this salvation of God has been sent to the nations; “they” also will hear it. 29 And he having said this, the Jews went away, having great reasoning among themselves. 30 And he remained two whole years in his own hired lodging, and received all who came to him, 31 preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ, with all freedom unhinderedly.  
 

It would appear that Paul, after being placed under house-arrest for two years in Rome (Acts 28), was later allowed to make another missionary journey under some level of supervision. This journey would have taken place between AD 63 and 65. We gather that this journey took place because of the persons and places mentioned in Titus and 2 Timothy, and also from statements as in Philemon v.22, where Paul, writing from prison in Rome, tells Philemon, "prepare me also a lodging". We know from the greetings of Colossians, Philemon, and Philippians that Timothy was with Paul when those epistles were written from Rome. At some point Timothy himself was imprisoned, and Paul mentions his release in Heb. 13:23, and indicated that he would make a journey with Timothy; "if he should come soon, I will see you". Nevertheless, God chose that the book of Acts should conclude where it did, and if Luke wrote a third letter to Theophilus it is unknown. A detailed description of one or more subsequent missionary journeys was not included in the canon of holy scripture.

 
  1. Crete (Titus 1:5)
  2. Miletus (2 Tim. 4:20)
  3. Colosse (Phm. 22)
  4. Macedonia (1 Tim. 1:3)
  5. Corinth (2 Tim. 4:20)
  6. Nicopolis (Titus 3:12)
  7. --- PAUL IS ARRESTED ---
  8. Rome, Nero (2 Timothy 4:16)
 
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