Acts 28:16

Came to Rome. The reader of the closing chapter of the book of Acts fervently wishes that a more complete account of Paul’s experiences in Rome might have been given. Perhaps Luke intended to add further details, or to begin another volume with Paul’s arrival there.

The centurion delivered. Important textual evidence may be cited (cf. p. 10) for the omission of the entire clause beginning with these words. The fact stated, however, is certainly true.

Captain of the guard. Probably the praefectus praetorii, the chief of the Praetorian, or Imperial, Guard. It was his duty to take custody of those brought in from the provinces to appear before the emperor (see Pliny Letters x. 57). At this time the Praetorian prefect was Burrus, a man of good reputation. In A.D. 62, while Paul was doubtless still a prisoner, Burrus’ place was taken by Tigellinus, an infamous favorite of Nero.

Dwell by himself. The consideration shown in housing Paul was no doubt due in part to the centurion Julius, who was probably still in charge of Paul at the time of his arrival at Rome. Paul had largely been responsible for the success of the emergency landing at Malta, and this, together with other evidences of his high character, marked wisdom, and spiritual power, had earned for him the favor and gratitude of the centurion. All this was no doubt included in the report concerning Paul, along with the statement of his case from Festus.

Kept him. That is, guarded him. The soldier would probably be chained to Paul (see v. 20), the fetter running from a wrist of the guard to a wrist of Paul. To this chain Paul makes frequent allusion in the epistles written during his imprisonment at Rome: Eph. 6:20; Phil. 1:7, 13, 14, 16; Col. 4:3, 18; cf. Acts 28:20. What must have been the effect upon a heathen soldier of being chained hour after hour to the apostle Paul? What would be the effect upon a heathen, thus chained to one of us? As the guards were frequently changed, whatever effect Paul’s life produced during the two years of his imprisonment must have spread widely through the whole corps of guards (see on Phil. 1:13).