Chapter 25—Arrival at Rome
With the opening of navigation, the centurion and his prisoners
again set out on their journey. An Alexandrian ship, the Castor and
Pollux, had wintered at Melita, on her way to Rome, and in this the
travelers embarked. Though somewhat delayed by contrary winds,
the voyage was safely accomplished, and the ship cast anchor in the
beautiful harbor of Puteoli, on the coast of Italy.
There were a few Christians in this place, who entreated the apostle
to remain with them seven days, and the privilege was kindly granted
by the centurion. Since receiving Paul’s Epistle to the Romans, the
Christians of Italy had eagerly looked forward to a visit from the
apostle. They had little expected to see him in chains as a prisoner, but
his sufferings only endeared him to them the more. The distance from
Puteoli to Rome being but a hundred and forty miles, and the seaport
being in constant communication with the metropolis, the Roman
Christians were informed of Paul’s approach, and some of them started
to meet and welcome him.
On the eighth day after landing, the centurion and his prisoners set
out for Rome. Julius willingly granted the apostle every favor which
it was in his power to bestow; but he could not change his condition
as a prisoner, or release him from the chain that bound him to his
soldier guard. It was with a heavy heart that Paul went forward to
his long-expected visit to the world’s metropolis. How different the
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circumstances from what he had anticipated! How was he, fettered
and stigmatized as a criminal, to proclaim the gospel? His hopes
of winning many souls to the truth at Rome, seemed destined to be
disappointed.
The travelers reach Appii Forum, forty miles from Rome. As they
make their way through the crowds that throng the great thoroughfare,
the gray-haired old man, chained with a group of hardened-looking
criminals, receives many a glance of scorn, and is made the subject of
many a rude, mocking jest. Not one of all he meets bestows upon him
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