The Meaning of Acts 28:15 Explained

Acts 28:15

KJV: And from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appii forum, and The three taverns: whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage.

YLT: and thence, the brethren having heard the things concerning us, came forth to meet us, unto Appii Forum, and Three Taverns -- whom Paul having seen, having given thanks to God, took courage.

Darby: And thence the brethren, having heard about us, came to meet us as far as Appii Forum and Tres Tabernae, whom when Paul saw, he thanked God and took courage.

ASV: And from thence the brethren, when they heard of us, came to meet us as far as The Market of Appius and The Three Taverns; whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And from thence,  when the brethren  heard  of  us,  they came  to meet  us  as far as  Appii  forum,  and  The three  taverns:  whom  when Paul  saw,  he thanked  God,  and took  courage. 

What does Acts 28:15 Mean?

Study Notes

Appii
the market of Appius.

Verse Meaning

News of Paul"s arrival preceded him to Rome. An entourage of believers travelled down the Appian Way, one of the major roads in Italy, 33miles south to the Three Taverns, a resting spot. There some of them waited while the more energetic among them proceeded another10 miles to Appii Forum, a market town. There Paul met his first Roman Christians. He had sent them his epistle to the Romans three years earlier (in A.D57) from Corinth during his third missionary journey. This group of greeters would have been a great encouragement to Paul who had looked forward so long to ministering in Rome ( Romans 15:22-29). Their reception led Paul to thank God. The trip from Malta probably took three weeks. [1]
"It [2] becomes almost a triumphal procession [3]." [4]
Paul would have passed the tomb of the Roman poet Virgil between Puteoli and Neapolis. In his poems Virgil anticipated a savior, and Paul came with the message that God had provided one. [5]
These last verses bring Luke"s account of the spread of the gospel to a climax. It had gone from Jerusalem to Judea and Samaria, and now to the uttermost part of the earth ( Acts 1:8). Paul was now able to bear witness in the capital of the empire.
Tannehill suggested that Luke"s purpose in his account of Paul"s voyage to Rome was to illustrate the cooperative relationships that are possible between Christianity and pagan society. [6] This may have been part of his purpose. The journey from Caesarea to Rome probably covered about2 ,250 miles and took well over four months. [7]

Context Summary

Acts 28:11-20 - Still Seeking His Own Kinsmen
Paul went toward Rome, as we have seen, under very different circumstances from those that he originally anticipated; but, after all, they gave him the greatest opportunity of his life. The things that befell him were for the furtherance of the gospel. In no other way could he have approached or touched such men as the centurion, or the members of Caesar's household, or Publius, or Nero himself.
It was very good of Julius to give Paul seven days' rest in the lovely bay of Puteoli, at the foot of Vesuvius. The little towns of Pompeii and Herculaneum were not yet overwhelmed. What teaching and what happy fellowship the little church now enjoyed! Forty-three miles from Rome, at Appii Forum, a body of Christians awaited the Apostle with greetings, and ten miles farther on, at the Three Taverns, was another group. If Paul had entertained fears about his reception, they were immediately dispelled. The Apostle thanked God and took courage.
How he had longed to see mighty Rome! He was now allowed to live in his own house, chained to a soldier. In these circumstances he was secure from the hatred and plottings of the Jews, who in every city had endangered his life and impeded his labors. [source]

Chapter Summary: Acts 28

1  Paul, after his shipwreck, is kindly entertained on Malta
5  The snake on his hand hurts him not
8  He heals many diseases in the island
11  They depart toward Rome
17  He declares to the Jews the cause of his coming
24  After his preaching some were persuaded, and some believed not
30  Yet he preaches there two years

Greek Commentary for Acts 28:15

When they heard of us [ακουσαντες τα περι ημων]
How “they heard the things concerning us” we do not know. Good news had its way of travel even before the days of telegraph, telephone, daily papers. Possibly Julius had to send on special couriers with news of his arrival after the shipwreck. Possibly some of the brethren in Puteoli at once (beginning of the week) sent on news to the brethren in Rome. The church in Rome had long ago received Paul‘s letter from Corinth at the hands of Phoebe. [source]
To meet us [εις απαντησιν ημιν]
Idiomatic phrase, “for meeting with us” (associative instrumental case). Koiné{[28928]}š word απαντησις — apantōsis from verb απανταω — apantaō to meet, in N.T. only here; Matthew 25:6; 1 Thessalonians 4:17. Use after neisn rather than infinitive like a translation Hebraism (Robertson, Grammar, p. 91). As far as the Market of Appius (εις — achri Appiou Phorou). The Forum of Appius, 90 miles from Puteoli, 40 from Rome, on the great Appian Way. The Censor Appius Claudius had constructed this part of the road, b.c. 312. Paul probably struck the Appian Way at Capua. Portions of this great stone highway are still in use. If one wishes to tread where Paul trod, he can do it here. Appii Forum had a bad reputation, the haunt of thieves, thugs, and swindlers. What would this motley crowd think of Paul chained to a soldier? Three Taverns Genitive case after Τριων Ταβερνων — achri like αχρι — Appiou Phorou About 30 miles from Rome. Tres Tabernae. Whom (Αππιου Πορου — hous). Two groups of the disciples came (one Gentile, one Jewish, Rackham thinks), one to Appii Forum, the other to Three Taverns. It was a joyous time and Julius would not interfere. Took courage The old substantive ελαβε ταρσος — tharsos is here alone in the N.T. Jesus himself had exhorted Paul to be of good courage Paul had passed through enough to cause depression, whether he was depressed or not, but he deeply appreciated this kindly sympathy. [source]
As far as the Market of Appius [εις]
The Forum of Appius, 90 miles from Puteoli, 40 from Rome, on the great Appian Way. The Censor Appius Claudius had constructed this part of the road, b.c. 312. Paul probably struck the Appian Way at Capua. Portions of this great stone highway are still in use. If one wishes to tread where Paul trod, he can do it here. Appii Forum had a bad reputation, the haunt of thieves, thugs, and swindlers. What would this motley crowd think of Paul chained to a soldier? [source]
Three Taverns [αχρι Αππιου Πορου]
Genitive case after Τριων Ταβερνων — achri like αχρι — Appiou Phorou About 30 miles from Rome. Tres Tabernae. Whom (Αππιου Πορου — hous). Two groups of the disciples came (one Gentile, one Jewish, Rackham thinks), one to Appii Forum, the other to Three Taverns. It was a joyous time and Julius would not interfere. Took courage The old substantive ελαβε ταρσος — tharsos is here alone in the N.T. Jesus himself had exhorted Paul to be of good courage Paul had passed through enough to cause depression, whether he was depressed or not, but he deeply appreciated this kindly sympathy. [source]
Whom [Αππιου Πορου]
Two groups of the disciples came (one Gentile, one Jewish, Rackham thinks), one to Appii Forum, the other to Three Taverns. It was a joyous time and Julius would not interfere. [source]
Took courage [ους]
The old substantive ελαβε ταρσος — tharsos is here alone in the N.T. Jesus himself had exhorted Paul to be of good courage Paul had passed through enough to cause depression, whether he was depressed or not, but he deeply appreciated this kindly sympathy. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Acts 28:15

John 16:33 That in me ye may have peace [ινα εν εμοι ειρηνην εχητε]
Present active subjunctive of εχω — echō “that ye may keep on having peace in me,” even when I am put to death, peace to be found nowhere save in me (John 14:27). Be of good cheer Imperative active from ταρσος — tharsos courage (Acts 28:15). A word for courage in the face of danger, only here in John, but see Matthew 9:2, Matthew 9:22; Mark 10:49. I have overcome the world Perfect active indicative of τετελεσται — nikaō to be victorious, to conquer. Always of spiritual victory in the N.T. See 1 John 5:4. This majestic proclamation of victory over death may be compared with υπερνικωμεν — tetelestai (It is finished) in John 19:30 as Christ died and with Paul‘s hupernikōmen (we are more than conquerors) in Romans 8:37. [source]
John 16:33 Be of good cheer [ταρσειτε]
Imperative active from ταρσος — tharsos courage (Acts 28:15). A word for courage in the face of danger, only here in John, but see Matthew 9:2, Matthew 9:22; Mark 10:49. I have overcome the world Perfect active indicative of τετελεσται — nikaō to be victorious, to conquer. Always of spiritual victory in the N.T. See 1 John 5:4. This majestic proclamation of victory over death may be compared with υπερνικωμεν — tetelestai (It is finished) in John 19:30 as Christ died and with Paul‘s hupernikōmen (we are more than conquerors) in Romans 8:37. [source]
Acts 28:14 Seven days [ημερας επτα]
Accusative of extent of time. Paul and his party remained so long at the urgent request of the brethren. He was still a prisoner, but clearly Julius was only too glad to show another courtesy to Paul to whom they all owed their lives. It was 130 miles by land from Puteoli to Rome over one of the great Roman roads. And so we came to Rome (και ουτως εις την ομην ηλταμεν — kai houtōs eis tēn Romēn ēlthamen). So at last. Luke is exultant as Page observes: Paulus Romae captivus: triumphus unicus. It is the climax of the book of Acts (Acts 19:21; Acts 23:11), but not the close of Paul‘s career. Page rightly remarks that a new paragraph should begin with Acts 28:15, for brethren came from Rome and this part of the journey is touched with the flavour of that incident. The great event is that Paul reached Rome, but not as he had once hoped (Romans 15:22-29). [source]
Acts 28:14 And so we came to Rome [και ουτως εις την ομην ηλταμεν]
So at last. Luke is exultant as Page observes: Paulus Romae captivus: triumphus unicus. It is the climax of the book of Acts (Acts 19:21; Acts 23:11), but not the close of Paul‘s career. Page rightly remarks that a new paragraph should begin with Acts 28:15, for brethren came from Rome and this part of the journey is touched with the flavour of that incident. The great event is that Paul reached Rome, but not as he had once hoped (Romans 15:22-29). [source]

What do the individual words in Acts 28:15 mean?

And from there the brothers having heard the things concerning us came out to meet us as far as of Appius [the] market and [the] Three Taverns whom having seen - Paul having given thanks to God took courage
Κἀκεῖθεν οἱ ἀδελφοὶ ἀκούσαντες τὰ περὶ ἡμῶν ἦλθαν εἰς ἀπάντησιν ἡμῖν ἄχρι Ἀππίου Φόρου καὶ Τριῶν Ταβερνῶν οὓς ἰδὼν Παῦλος εὐχαριστήσας τῷ Θεῷ ἔλαβε θάρσος

Κἀκεῖθεν  And  from  there 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: κἀκεῖθεν  
Sense: of place.
ἀδελφοὶ  brothers 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: ἀδελφός  
Sense: a brother, whether born of the same two parents or only of the same father or mother.
ἀκούσαντες  having  heard 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Participle Active, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: ἀκουστός 
Sense: to be endowed with the faculty of hearing, not deaf.
τὰ  the  things 
Parse: Article, Accusative Neuter Plural
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
περὶ  concerning 
Parse: Preposition
Root: περί 
Sense: about, concerning, on account of, because of, around, near.
ἡμῶν  us 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive 1st Person Plural
Root: ἐγώ  
Sense: I, me, my.
ἦλθαν  came  out 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Plural
Root: ἔρχομαι  
Sense: to come.
ἀπάντησιν  meet 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: ἀπάντησις  
Sense: to meet one.
ἡμῖν  us 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Dative 1st Person Plural
Root: ἐγώ  
Sense: I, me, my.
ἄχρι  as  far  as 
Parse: Preposition
Root: ἄχρι  
Sense: until, unto, etc.
Ἀππίου  of  Appius 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: Ἄππιος  
Sense: a town in Italy, 39 miles (60 km) from Rome on the Appian Way.
Φόρου  [the]  market 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Neuter Singular
Root: φόρον  
Sense: Appius Forum, a town in Italy, 43 Roman miles (70 km) from Rome on the Appian Way.
Τριῶν  [the]  Three 
Parse: Adjective, Genitive Feminine Plural
Root: τρεῖς 
Sense: three.
Ταβερνῶν  Taverns 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Plural
Root: ταβέρναι  
Sense: taverns.
οὓς  whom 
Parse: Personal / Relative Pronoun, Accusative Masculine Plural
Root: ὅς 
Sense: who, which, what, that.
ἰδὼν  having  seen 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Participle Active, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: εἶδον 
Sense: to see with the eyes.
  - 
Parse: Article, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
Παῦλος  Paul 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: Παῦλος  
Sense: Paul was the most famous of the apostles and wrote a good part of the NT, the 4 Pauline epistles.
εὐχαριστήσας  having  given  thanks 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Participle Active, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: εὐχαριστέω  
Sense: to be grateful, feel thankful.
Θεῷ  God 
Parse: Noun, Dative Masculine Singular
Root: θεός  
Sense: a god or goddess, a general name of deities or divinities.
ἔλαβε  took 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: λαμβάνω  
Sense: to take.
θάρσος  courage 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Neuter Singular
Root: θάρσος  
Sense: courage, confidence.