Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Acts 28:13
And from thence we fetched a compass, and came to Rhegium: and after one day the south wind blew, and we came the next day to Puteoli:
13. we fet a compass ] [ R.V. “made a circuit”] The old English phrase of the A. V. is not uncommon, cp. 2Sa 5:23; 2Ki 3:9. They made this winding course because the favourable wind, for which they had probably been waiting during the three days’ stay at Syracuse, did not come. “Fet” is the old preterite of “fetch” and is found often in the version of 1611, but has been changed by modern printers.
came to [ R. V. arrived at] Rhegium ] The modern Reggio situated at the southern point of Italy, on the straits of Messina. At this place Caligula designed to construct a harbour for these corn ships coming from Egypt to Italy, but his intention was never carried out.
the south wind blew ] Better (with R. V.) “a south wind sprang up.” Thus by a change of wind they were able to go speedily forward, instead of tacking as they had been obliged to do from Syracuse to Rhegium.
to Puteoli ] This is the modern Pozzuoli, near Naples. In St Paul’s day it was a principal port of Rome, and to it came most of the corn supply from Egypt.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
We fetched a compass – We coasted about; or we sailed along the eastern side of Sicily.
And came to Rhegium – This was a city of Italy, in the kingdom of Naples, on the coast near the southwest extremity of Italy. It was nearly opposite to Messina, in Sicily. It is now called Reggio.
The south wind – A wind favorable for their voyage.
To Puteoli – The wells. This place was celebrated for its warm baths, and from these and its springs it is supposed to have derived its name of The Wells. It is now called Pozzuoli, and is in the campania of Naples, on the north side of the bay, and about 8 miles northwest from Naples. The town contains at present (circa 1880s) about 10,000 inhabitants.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 13. We fetched a compass] , Whence we coasted about. This will appear evident, when the coast of Sicily is viewed on any correct map, of a tolerably large scale.
Rhegium] A city and promontory in Calabria, in Italy, opposite to Sicily. It is now called Reggio. It had its name, , Rhegium, from the Greek , to break off; because it appears to have been broken off from Sicily.
The south wind blew] This was the fairest wind they could have from Syracuse, to reach the straits of Rhegium.
The next day to Puteoli] This place, now commonly called Pozzuoli, is an ancient town of Naples in the Terra di Lavoro; and is supposed to have been founded by the Samians, about 470 years before Christ. Within this city are several warm baths, very highly celebrated; and from these, and its springs in general, it seems to have had its ancient name Puteoli, from PUTEI, wells or pits; though some derive it from putor, a stench, or bad smell, because of the sulphureous exhalations from its warm waters. Varro gives both these etymologies, lib. iv. de Ling. Lat. cap. 5. It is famous for its temple of Jupiter Serapis, which is built, not according to the Grecian or Roman manner, but according to the Asiatic. Near this place are the remains of Cicero’s villa, which are of great extent. The town contains, at present, about 10,000 inhabitants. Long. 14. 40′. E., lat. 41. 50′. N.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Rhegium; a city in the kingdom of Naples, over against Messina in Sicily; so called because that Sicily was believed to be thereabouts rent and plucked from the main land, unto which they held it to have been formerly joined, until by a tempest it became an island.
Puteoli is a sea town not far from Naples.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
13. from thence we fetched acompassthat is, proceeded circuitously, or tacked,working to windward probably, and availing themselves of thesinuosities of the coast, the wind not being favorable [SMITH].What follows confirms this.
and came to RhegiumnowReggio, a seaport on the southwest point of the Italian coast,opposite the northeast point of Sicily, and at the entrance of thenarrow straits of Messina.
after one day the south windblewa south wind having sprung up; being now favored with afair wind, for want of which they had been obliged first to staythree days at Syracuse, and then to tack and put in for a day atRhegium.
the next day to PuteolinowPozzuoli, situated on the northern part of the magnificent bayof Naples about one hundred eighty miles north of Rhegium, a distancewhich they might make, running before their “south wind,”in about twenty-six hours. The Alexandrian corn ships enjoyed aprivilege peculiar to themselves, of not being obliged to striketheir topsail on landing. By this they were easily recognized as theyhove in sight by the crowds that we find gathered on the shore onsuch occasions [HOWSON].
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And from thence we fetched a compass,…. About the isle of Sicily, from Syracuse to Pachinus, the promontory of the island:
and came to Rhegium; a city in Calabria, called by Ptolomy k Regium Julium; it was built, as Solinus l says, by the Chalcidensians, and was formerly a city of the Brutians m; it is now called Reggio: it is said n to have its name from its being broken off from the main continent, for it lies in the straits of Sicily; and formerly Sicily was joined to Italy, but was separated from it by the violence of the sea at this place:
and after one day the south wind blew; they stayed one day at Rhegium, and when they departed from thence, they had a south wind, which was favourable to them: whether the apostle preached here, or no, is not certain, since his stay was so short; some Popish writers tell some idle stories about the apostle’s preaching; how that the fishes came to the shore to hear him; that the grasshoppers were commanded by him to be silent, and have never been seen in that place since; that a stone pillar was set on fire by the flame of a candle, by which miracle the inhabitants present were converted and baptized; and one Stephen, that was in company, was made by him their first bishop: but in ecclesiastical history we meet with no account of any church in this place, until the fifth century; when the bishop of it, with others, subscribed a letter of Leo the First, sent into the east; and about the year 440, there was a synod of thirteen bishops convened in this place, on account of a certain ordination; and in the “seventh” century, a bishop of the church at Rhegium was present in the sixth council at Constantinople; in the “eighth”, Constantine, bishop of Rhegium, was in the Nicene synod o:
and we came the next day to Puteoli; the Syriac version adds, “a city of Italy”; it was formerly called Dicearchia p, from the strict justice used in the government of it: it had its name of Puteoli, either “a putore”, from the rankness and ill smell of the waters of it, through the “sulphur” and “alum” in them; or “a puteis”, from the wells about it, the waters of which, by Pausanias, are said q to be so hot, as in time to melt the leaden pipes through which they flow, who calls it a town of the Tyrrhenians; by Pliny r it is placed in Campania, and so Jerom s says, Puteoli a city, a colony of Campania, the same that is called Dicearchia. Josephus t also speaks of it as in the same country; for he says, that Herod and Herodias both came to Dicearchia, (or Puteoli), and found Caius (the emperor) at Baiai, which is a little town in Campania, about five furlongs from Dicearchia; and he also in another u place says, the Italians call Dicearchia, , “Potioli”; which is the same word the apostle here uses, and which is the Latin “Puteoli” corrupted; it is said to be first built by the Samians: frequent mention is made by writers w, of “pulvis Puteolanus”, the dust of Puteoli; which being touched by the sea water, hardens into a stone; and was therefore used to bank the sea, break the waves, and repel the force of them: that it was a place by the sea side, may be learned from the sea being called after its name, “mare Puteolanum” x, the sea of Puteoli; so Apollonius Tyaneus is said y to sail from this place to Rome, whither he came in three days; to this port the ships of Alexandria particularly used to come, and hither persons were wont to go to take shipping for Alexandria z; it is now called by the Italians Pozzuolo, and lies about eight miles from Naples; and according to the following story of the Jews’, must be an hundred and twenty miles from Rome; who tell us a, that
“Rabban Gamaliel, and R. Eleazar ben Azariah, and R. Joshua, and R. Akiba, went to Rome, and they heard the noise of the multitude at Rome, from Puteoli, an hundred and twenty miles:”
the story is a fable designed to signify the vast number of people at Rome, and the noise, hurry, and tumult there; but perhaps the distance between the two places may not be far from truth: and as fabulous is the account which R. Benjamin b gives of this place Puteoli, when he says it was called Surentum, a great city which Tzintzan Hadarezer built, when he fled for fear of David.
k Geograph. l. 3. c. 1. l Polyhistor. c. 8. m Mela, l. 2. c. 11. n Philo quod mundus, &c. p. 963. & de mundo, p. 1171. Vid. Justin. l. 4. c. 1. & Sallust. fragment. p. 147. o Ib. cent. 5. c. 2. p. 7. c. 9. p. 508. cent. 7. c. 2. p. 5. cent. 8. c. 2. p. 5. p Plin. l. 3. c. 5. q Pausan. Messenica vel. 1. 4. p. 285. & Arcadica vel. l. 8. p. 465. r Nat. Hist. l. 31. c. 2. s De locis Hebraicis, fol. 76. G. t Antiqu. l. 18. c. 8. sect. 2. u In Vita sua, sect. 3. p. 905. w Plin. l. 35. c. 13. Alex. ab Alex. l. 5. c. 9. Isidor. de origin l. 16. c. 1. p. 135. x A. Gell. noct. Attic. l. 7. c. 9. y Philostrat. Vit. Apollon. l. 7. c. 8. z Philo in Flaccum, p. 968. & de leg. ad Caium, p. 1018. Senec. cp. 77. a Echa Rabbati, fol. 59. 4. & T. Bab. Maccot, fol. 24. 1. b Itinerar. p. 14.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
We made a circuit (). Second aorist active of , to go around, old verb, already in 19:13. See also Heb 11:37; 1Tim 5:13. But Westcott and Hort read after Aleph B (from ) as in 27:40, though here it could only mean casting loose, for which no other authority exists. At any rate the ship had to tack to reach Rhegium and was not able to make a straight course (, 16:11).
Rhegium () is from , to break off, the place where the land breaks off, the southern entrance to the straits of Messina.
A south wind sprang up ( ). Genitive absolute again, and for all the world like that fatal south wind in 27:13, but with no bad results this time, though the weather was plainly treacherous at this early season.
On the second day (). This is the classical use of the predicate adjective, “We second day men” as in Luke 24:22; John 11:39; Phil 3:5 instead of the adverb (Robertson, Grammar, p. 657).
To Puteoli ( ). It was 182 miles from Rhegium and would require 26 hours (Page). It was eight miles northwest from Neapolis (Naples) and the chief port of Rome, the regular harbour for the Alexandrian ships from Rome. Portions of the great mole are said to be still visible.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
1) “And from thence we fetched a compass,” (hothen perielthontes) “From there when we had gotten a compass,” for keeping direction in sailing, for “tacking” or altering course of sailing, and the “set of sail,” according to the gale and destination of the ship.
2) “And came to Rhegium: (katentesamen eis Hregion) “We arrived in Rheguim,” for our next stop; unable to sai I directly, by good seamanship, frequent altering, tacking, manipulating the sails they worked their way up to Rhegium, a circuitous direction to Reggio, a seaport now in Italy, off the north east end of Sicily.
3) “And after one day the south wind blew,” (kai meta mian hemeran epigenomenou notou) “And after one day, as a south wind came on, or arose,” a favorable wind in contrast to the previous wind, for the direction they desired to sail on toward Rome.
4) “And the next day we came to Puteoli: (deuteraioi elthomen eis Patiolous) “We came into Puteoli on the second day,” a distance of about 180 miles, that could have been reached in about 26 hours of favorable sailing at seven knots per hour.
It was a great harbor for trade with Egypt, Syria, and Spain, located on what is now known as the Bay of Naples, one of the then loveliest trade centers on earth, 8 miles south west of Naples or Neapolis.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
13.
AT RHEGIUM. Act. 28:13 a.
Act. 28:13
And from thence we made a circuit, and arrived at Rhegium:
14.
IN PUTEOLI. Act. 28:13 b, Act. 28:14.
Act. 28:13 b
and after one day a south wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli;
Act. 28:14
where we found brethren, and were entreated to tarry with them seven days: and so we came to Rome.
Act. 28:13 b, Act. 28:14 Puteoli was eight miles northwest of Naples and the greatest port of Italy, especially for wheat from Egypt, the grainary of Rome, 140 miles away. Here stood a large pier of twenty-five arches, of which thirteen ruined ones remain. At this pier the vessels discharged their passengers and cargo. Curious crowds commonly came to see the sight. (ibid, p. 263)
In the crowd that came to the pier were some followers of the Way. How glad was Paul to see these brethren and how happy they were to see him. He was prevailed upon by them to stay seven days. During this time they doubtless had preaching and fellowship.
1012.
How far to Rome from Puteoli? How long did they stay in Puteoli?
Fuente: College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
(13) From thence we fetched a compass.The phrase, now somewhat obsolete, was formerly in common use for a circuitous route by land or sea from one point to another. (Comp. 2Sa. 5:23; 2Ki. 3:9, and
For tis his custom, like a creeping fool,
To fetch a compass of a mile about,
in Heywoods Fair Maid of the Exchange, ii. 3.) It is found in most of the English versions, but Wiclif gives we sailed about, and the Rhemish, compassing by the shore. The latter, however, hardly expresses the fact, which was that the wind being probably from the west, they were compelled to tack so as to stand out from the shore to catch the breeze, instead of coasting.
Came to Rhegium.This town, now Reggio, was in Italy, on the southern opening of the Straits of Messina. Ships from Alexandria to Italy commonly touched there, and Suetonius relates that the Emperor Titus, taking the same course as St. Paul, put in there on his way from Juda to Puteoli, and thence to Rome. Caligula began the construction of a harbour at Rhegium for the corn-ships of Egypt; but this work, which the Jewish historian notes as the one great and kingly undertaking of his reign, was left unfinished (Ant. xix. 2, 5).
The south wind blew.More accurately, when a breeze from, the south had sprung, the form of the Greek verb implying a change of wind. The south wind was, of course, directly in their favour, and they sailed without danger between the famous rocks of Scylla and the whirlpool of Charybdis.
We came the next day to Puteoli.As the distance was about one hundred and eighty miles, the ship was clearly making good way before the wind. Puteoli (more anciently Dikarchia, now Pozzuoli) lies in a sheltered recess, forming the northern part of the Bay of Naples. It was at this time the chief port of Rome, and was, in particular, the great emporium for the corn ships of Alexandria, upon which the people of Rome largely depended for their food, and the arrival of which was accordingly eagerly welcomed. A pier on twenty-five arches was thrown out into the sea for the protection of the harbour. It may be noted further that but a few months prior to St. Pauls arrival it had been raised to the dignity of a colonia (Tac. Ann. xiv. 27). It is hardly necessary to describe the well-known beauties of the bay, but the reader may be reminded that as the ship entered it the eye of St. Paul must have rested on the point of Misenum, to the north, behind which was stationed the imperial fleet; on Vesuvius, to the south; on the town of Neapolis (= New-town), now Naples, which had taken the place of the old Parthenope; on the islands of Capre, Ischia, and Procida.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
13. A compass A curve in the ship’s course. According to Mr. Lewin the wind was from the west; but Mount Etna obstructing the breeze left them becalmed, and obliged them to make an outward circuit in order to fill their sails.
Rhegium Here, as the north wind blowing down through the strait made navigation impossible, they were detained for one day, after which the favourable south wind blew, and the next day, after a sail of one hundred and eighty-two miles, they arrived at Puteoli.
A corn ship now arrives at Puteoli, the earliest of the spring! It was always a great arrival, and of all that sailed into this the great Roman harbour, the Alexandrian ship alone was not required reverently to lower her topsail, but might sail into port in towering triumph.
It was the bay still renowned as the Bay of Naples into which Paul now sailed. Celebrated for its beauty, this wonderful bay had another celebrity derived from its performing the office (for which the small port of Ostia at the month of the Tiber was wholly insufficient) of harbour to the imperial city. Through this harbour of Puteoli passed the great current of intercourse by sea between Rome and the whole world.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Act 28:13. And from thence we fetched a compass, From thence we coasted round, and came over against Rhegium, a city and promontory in the southernmost part of Italy; from which, as the name of the place implies, it was supposed the island of Sicily was broken off; for Rhegium comes from the verb , or , to break. It is now called Reggio, is an archbishop’s see, and a considerable place for trade. Puteoli, now commonly called Pozzuoli, is a city in the Terra di Lavoro, a province in the kingdom of Naples, situated upon a hill, in a creek of the sea, and just opposite Baiae. Within this city are five-and-thirty natural warm baths, celebrated for the cure of several diseases; and from these baths, wells, or pits of water, called in Latin Putei, the name of the town is said to be derived. It is a bishop’s see, and was till lately under the archbishop of Naples.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
13 And from thence we fetched a compass, and came to Rhegium: and after one day the south wind blew, and we came the next day to Puteoli:
Ver. 13. Came to Rhegium ] Which hath its name of breaking, from , rumpo; because, say some, there the sea broke off Sicily from Italy, which was before but one continent. The like they report concerning France and England.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
13. ] apparently denotes the roundabout course of a vessel tacking with an adverse wind. That the wind was not favourable, follows from below. Mr. Lewin’s account is, “as the wind was westerly, and they were under shelter of the high mountainous range of Etna on their left, they were obliged to stand out to sea in order to fill their sails, and so came to Rhegium by a circuitous sweep.” And he cites a case of a passage from Syracuse to Rhegium, in which a similar circuit was taken for a similar reason, p. 736. The day at Rhegium, as perhaps the three at Syracuse before, was spent probably in waiting for the wind.
. . ] the South wind having sprung up , succeeded the one which blew before.
] viz. after leaving Rhegium : a distance of about 180 nautical miles.
] Puteoli (anciently Dicarchia, Strab. Act 28:4 , now Puzzuoli) was the most sheltered part of the bay of Naples. It was the principal port of Southern Italy, and, in particular, formed the great emporium for the Alexandrian wheat ships. Strabo, xvii. 1. Seneca (Ep. 77) gives a graphic account (cited by Smith, p. 117) of the arrival of the Alexandrine fleet at Puteoli: “Subito nobis hodie Alexandrin naves apparuerunt, qu prmitti solent et nuntiare secutur classis adventum; tabellarias vocant. Gratus illarum adspectus Campani est. Omnis in pilis Puteolorum turba constitit, et ex ipso genere velorum, Alexandrinas quamvis in magna turba navium intelligit, solis enim licet supparum ( the topsail ) intendere quod in alto omnes habent naves. Nulla enim res quo adjuvat cursum, quam summa pars veli; illinc maxime navis urgetur. Itaque quoties ventus increbuit majorque est quam expedit, antenna submittitur, minus habet virium flatus ex humili: cum intrare capreas et promontorium ex quo ‘Alta procellos speculatur vertice Pallas,’ cter velo jubentur esse content, supparum Alexandrinarum insigne est.”
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Act 28:13 . : so A. and R.V., but latter in margin , see critical note. Ramsay also following T.R. points out that the latter reading could hardly signify more than “cast off” (“cast loose,” margin, R.V.), unnecessary here although important information in Act 27:40 , where . is added, and the meaning is evidently different. Ramsay renders “by tacking” (the verb referring to the frequent alteration of the ship’s course); they worked up to Rhegium by good seamanship as they could not go straight across, J. Smith, C. and H., p. 663, small edit. Mr. Lewin, St. Paul , 2, p. 736, takes a different view, and thinks that they were obliged to stand out to sea to fill their sails, and so to come to Rhegium by a circuitous sweep. R.V. renders simply “made a circuit,” so Grimm-Thayer. W.H [428] , ii., p. 226, explain their rendering “weighed anchor” by the use of the verb in Act 27:40 (but see Blass above), the elliptic employment of transitive verbs being common in Greek nautical language as in English, and by the opinion that the run from Syracuse to Rhegium could not be described as circuitous, unless the ship was thrown out by contrary winds (but see above); Mr. Rendall supports W.H [429] , Mr. Page the opposite, following T.R., so Smith, p. 156, fourth edit., and see critical note above, and Wendt (1899), p. 418. A.V. “fetched a compass,” so Tyndale, which formerly meant that they made a circuit, but the phrase is now obsolete, cf. 2Sa 5:23 , 2Ki 3:9 , same Greek verb in LXX. : Reggio , Titus put in here on his way from Juda to Puteoli bound for Rome, Suet., Tit. , 5; and we learn from Jos., Ant. , xix., 2, 5, that Caligula began to construct a harbour for the corn-ships of Egypt, although he never finished it. The place was situated at the southern entrance to the Straits of Messina, here little more than a few miles in breadth between it and the city Messina (on its name from , because Sicily was at this point rent away from Italy, see Grimm-Thayer, sub v. , and Wetstein). St. Paul was said to have visited Messina, and to have given the Christians a bishop, Acta Petri, Acta Pauli , Lipsius, p. ix. (Zckler). The coins show us that here too the Dioscuri were the patron deities. . only in Luke and Paul, see Act 16:1 , cf. 2Ma 4:44 . .: “a south wind sprang up,” R.V., here only in N.T., cf. Thuc., iii., 74, iv., 30; Xen., Hell. , iii., 2, 17, oborto Austro , Blass, or it may mean coming after or in succession to, , the previous adverse wind. , cf. , Act 20:6 , Blass in [430] , Joh 11:39 , Phi 3:5 , so in classical Greek. The distance is about 180 miles, and J. Smith, p. 217, 4th edit., points out that if we suppose the ship to sail at seven knots an hour the voyage would take about twenty-six hours, and St. Luke’s account is shown to be very accurate; see also Ramsay and Hackett for examples of the ancient rate of sailing quite in accordance with the facts before us. ( Pozzuoli ), in earlier days Dicaearchia; its new name was Latin, probably from the mineral springs in the neighbourhood a puteis , or perhaps a putendo (C. and H.). It was not only a great landing-place for travellers from the East, but the great harbour for Alexandrian corn-ships, as also for the trade from Syria and Spain (Renan, Saint Paul , p. 558). Seneca, Epist. , 77, gives us a vivid description of the interest taken in the arrival of the corn-ships, since the people of Rome depended so much upon this cargo for food. The importance gained by the place is shown by the fact that it gave its name to the bay, once the Bay of Cum, now the Bay of Naples, but in St. Paul’s day Sinus Puteolanus . Here St. Ignatius desired to land that he might follow the footsteps of St. Paul to Rome ( Martyr. , v.), see further Jos., Ant. , xvii., 12, 1, xviii., 7, 2; Strabo, xvii., 1, 7, and Wetstein’s references. For modern writers cf. also Lewin, St. Paul , ii. 218, and Farrar, ii., 386; their description shows how the Apostle’s eyes now rested upon “one of the loveliest of earthly scenes”.
[428] Westcott and Hort’s The New Testament in Greek: Critical Text and Notes.
[429] Westcott and Hort’s The New Testament in Greek: Critical Text and Notes.
[430] R(omana), in Blass, a first rough copy of St. Luke.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
fetched a compass = having tacked about. Greek. perierchomai. See Act 19:13. Figure of speech Idioma. App-6.
and came = arrived. Greek. katantao. See Act 16:1.
Rhegium. Now Reggio, on the Straits of Messina.
the south wind blew, and = a south wind having sprung up. Greek. epiginomai. Only here.
the next day = the second day. Greek. deuteraios. Only here.
Puteoli. On the Bay of Naples. It was here Josephus and his shipwrecked companions were landed. Now Pozzuoli.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
13.] apparently denotes the roundabout course of a vessel tacking with an adverse wind. That the wind was not favourable, follows from below. Mr. Lewins account is, as the wind was westerly, and they were under shelter of the high mountainous range of Etna on their left, they were obliged to stand out to sea in order to fill their sails, and so came to Rhegium by a circuitous sweep. And he cites a case of a passage from Syracuse to Rhegium, in which a similar circuit was taken for a similar reason, p. 736. The day at Rhegium, as perhaps the three at Syracuse before, was spent probably in waiting for the wind.
. .] the South wind having sprung up,-succeeded the one which blew before.
] viz. after leaving Rhegium: a distance of about 180 nautical miles.
] Puteoli (anciently Dicarchia, Strab. Act 28:4, now Puzzuoli) was the most sheltered part of the bay of Naples. It was the principal port of Southern Italy, and, in particular, formed the great emporium for the Alexandrian wheat ships. Strabo, xvii. 1. Seneca (Ep. 77) gives a graphic account (cited by Smith, p. 117) of the arrival of the Alexandrine fleet at Puteoli: Subito nobis hodie Alexandrin naves apparuerunt, qu prmitti solent et nuntiare secutur classis adventum; tabellarias vocant. Gratus illarum adspectus Campani est. Omnis in pilis Puteolorum turba constitit, et ex ipso genere velorum, Alexandrinas quamvis in magna turba navium intelligit, solis enim licet supparum (the topsail) intendere quod in alto omnes habent naves. Nulla enim res quo adjuvat cursum, quam summa pars veli; illinc maxime navis urgetur. Itaque quoties ventus increbuit majorque est quam expedit, antenna submittitur, minus habet virium flatus ex humili: cum intrare capreas et promontorium ex quo Alta procellos speculatur vertice Pallas, cter velo jubentur esse content, supparum Alexandrinarum insigne est.
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Act 28:13. , coasting around) along the curve.-, the south wind) An appropriate and pleasant termination to their voyage.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
Rhegium: Rhegium, now Reggio, was a maritime city and promontory in Italy, opposite Messina.
the south: Act 27:13
Puteoli: Puteoli, now Puzzuoli, is an ancient sea-port of Campania, in the kingdom of Naples, about eight miles sw of that city, standing upon a hill in a creek opposite to Baiae.
Reciprocal: Job 9:9 – General
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Act 28:13. From thence we fetched a compass. The meaning of this English phrase is (as in 2Ki 3:9), that they did not sail in a straight course; and from the mention of a fair wind presently afterwards which enabled them to do so, it is natural to conclude that they were forced to tack or beat against an unfavourable wind.
Came to Rhegium. This is a town on the Italian side of the Straits, nearly opposite to Messina on the Sicilian side. See the Excursus on the Apocryphal Acts. It is a curious coincidence that the ancient coins of Rhegium exhibit Castor and Pollux as twin brothers, with stars above their heads (see note on Act 28:11).
After one day the south wind blew. This was the most favourable wind for carrying the vessel through the Faro; and if she was rigged with a great square sail, she would go very rapidly before it.
We came the next day to Puteoli. The distance is about 122 miles; and if the ship sailed about seven knots, she would have accomplished the voyage in twenty-six hours. Puteoli (the modern Pozzuoli) was, next after Ostia, the most important harbour of Western Italy; and especially it was the customary port for the Alexandrian corn ships. A very animated account of the arrival of these corn ships is given in a contemporary document, one of Senecas letters. Puteoli, it is to be observed, was close to the north-western point of the bay of Naples; and Seneca tells us that trading vessels, on coming into sight round the island of Capri, were required to strike their topsails, with the exception of these Alexandrian corn ships, which were thus easily recognised. Then the philosopher describes how the people crowded down to the pier, to welcome their arrival. Thus we have some help for imagining the scene correctly, when St. Paul first set foot on Italian ground. But a further help is supplied to us by visible and tangible remains. Seventeen piers still survive of the mole upon which his foot was set. In fact, the most perfect ruin existing of any ancient Roman harbour is that which is for ever connected with the memory of St. Pauls arrival in ltalv.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
Act 28:13-15. From thence we fetched a compass Coasted round the eastern shore of Sicily; and came to Rhegium A town on the Italian shore, opposite to Messina in Sicily; and after one day Having a favourable gale, we pursued our voyage; and came to Puteoli A great seaport town of Campania, not far from Naples. Here finding Christian brethren To whom Paul was known, at least by his fame; we were desired to stay with them seven days That they might have an opportunity of hearing Paul and conversing with him. And Julius was so good as to grant their request. After which he set out with the prisoners and soldiers for Rome, by land. And now the brethren in that city, to whom Paul was well known by his letter lately written to the Romans, hearing that he was on the road, came out to meet him Not being ashamed of his bonds; and some of them came as far as the town of Appii Forum Which was fifty-one miles from the city, and others to the Three Taverns, a town at the distance of thirty miles. This unlooked-for testimony of respect from the brethren at Rome, making a strong impression upon the apostles mind, he thanked God for it, and took courage Finding Christ was at Rome also, and being greatly refreshed by the company and conversation of such affectionate friends. After which they all went forward to the city, where, it is supposed, they arrived in the February of A.D. 63. It is remarkable that there is no certain account by whom Christianity was planted at Rome. Probably some inhabitants of that city were at Jerusalem on the day of pentecost, (Act 2:10,) and being then converted themselves, carried the gospel thither at their return.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
See notes on verse 11
Fuente: McGarvey and Pendleton Commentaries (New Testament)
13. Puteoli is now the city of Naples, the metropolis of Italy.
Fuente: William Godbey’s Commentary on the New Testament
Verse 13
Puteoli; on the coast of Italy.
Fuente: Abbott’s Illustrated New Testament
The site of Rhegium (modern Reggio di Calabria) was near the tip of the "toe" of Italy’s "boot" opposite Sicily, about 75 miles from Syracuse. It, too, was an important harbor. Puteoli (Modern Pozzuoli) stood about 200 miles farther north on the "shin" of the "boot." Its site occupied the most protected part of the bay of Naples. It was a very large port and the final destination of many Egyptian wheat ships at that time. There dock-hands unloaded the cargo.