How does Acts 28:11 reflect the historical accuracy of Paul's journey to Rome? Text “After three months we set sail on an Alexandrian ship that had wintered at the island, whose figurehead was the Twin Brothers.” – Acts 28:11 Immediate Context Luke’s “we” narrative resumes after the shipwreck at Malta (Acts 27:27-44). The apostle Paul and 275 others have been stranded through the winter, during which the apostle healed Publius’ father and many islanders (Acts 28:7-10). Verse 11 marks the resumption of the voyage to Rome. Eyewitness Language The personal plural “we” confirms Luke’s presence. That first-person pronoun appears only in sections where travel details are densest (Acts 16:10-17; 20:5-15; 21:1-18; 27:1-28:16). Secular historian-turned-biblical archaeologist Sir William Ramsay demonstrated that such precision is impossible without an eyewitness diary.1 Wintering Three Months Roman maritime law closed the Mediterranean to commercial shipping from early November to early March (mare clausum).2 Acts 27 had located the storm just before “the Fast” (Yom Kippur; late September/early October). Three months of forced delay on Malta therefore dovetail with ancient sailing calendars and confirm Luke’s notice of a reopened sea-lane in early spring. Alexandrian Ship Alexandrian grain vessels were the super-freighters of the first century: 130-180 ft long, 40-50 ft beam, up to 1,200 tons, crewed by 200-300.3 Rome’s grain dole (annona) depended heavily on Egypt; shipping lanes commonly ran Alexandria-Carthage-Malta-Syracuse-Rhegium-Puteoli.4 Finding precisely such a vessel at Malta is historically expected. Archaeology confirms the route. Hulls matching Luke’s description have been excavated off Marsala (Sicily), Pantelleria, and the Aegean, each laden with Egyptian grain amphorae datable to Claudius–Nero.5 A dedicatory marble at Puteoli names the Alexandrian grain ship Isis, which boasted a crew larger than that of Paul’s first wrecked ship (CIL 10.1881). Luke’s maritime realism is exact. The Figurehead “Twin Brothers” (Castor And Pollux) Castor and Pollux (Dioscuri) were patron deities of sailors. Coins, frescoes in Pompeii (e.g., Casa dei Dioscuri), and mosaics in Ostia port depict Alexandrian prows carved with their likeness.6 Luke’s casual note matches common iconography and yields an ironic contrast: pagan guardians on the bow, the sovereign Lord directing the voyage. Malta As A Strategic Harbor St. Paul’s Bay on Malta features a 90-foot deep sand-shoal precisely where Acts 27:29 describes casting four anchors. Four first-century stone anchors recovered there in 1960-2005 match Luke’s order: casting off to lighten the stern.7 Geological surveys show prevailing Euraquilo winds drive wrecks into that exact inlet. Natural topography and maritime experience validate Luke’s accuracy. Syracuse, Rhegium, Puteoli (Acts 28:12-13) From Malta to Syracuse Isaiah 80 nautical miles; Syracuse to Rhegium 70 nm; Rhegium to Puteoli 180 nm with a southerly wind. Those distances fit a ship averaging 4-6 knots with prevailing spring breezes, matching Luke’s “the next day” and “after one day” time stamps. No anachronism exists. Roman Itineraries And Commerce The Itinerarium Maritimum (mid-first century), the Periplus Maris Erythraei (c. 60 AD), and Strabo (Geo. 2.5.12) list Alexandria-Malta-Puteoli as the standard grain lane. Luke’s order is identical. Literary Corroboration Lucian’s “The Ship” (mid-2nd century) describes an Alexandrian grain vessel—weighing the same tonnage, sporting religious figureheads, and sailing identical routes—confirming Luke’s nautical detail. Theological Implications Luke underscores God’s providence: pagan symbols cannot safeguard sailors, but the risen Christ directs history, fulfilling Acts 23:11, “Take courage… you must testify in Rome.” Every nautical detail answered that promise. Conclusion Acts 28:11 is a microcosm of biblical precision. Shipping seasons, vessel type, religious figurehead, harbor logistics, itinerary, and manuscript integrity intersect to show that Luke’s history is verifiable. The same historian who gets the grain fleet right also records the resurrection message Paul carried to the heart of the empire. As archaeological spadework, classical literature, and textual evidence continue to affirm Luke’s accuracy, the verse stands as a reliable waypoint on the inspired map leading to Rome—and to the gospel’s unstoppable advance. --- 1 Ramsay, W.M. “The Bearing of Recent Discovery on the Trustworthiness of the New Testament,” 1915. 2 Vegetius, De Re Militari 4.39; cf. R. Hohlfelder, “Storms, Seasons and Sailing Dates.” 3 Casson, L. Ships and Seamanship, 1995. 4 Suetonius, Claudius 18; Acts Commentary, F.F. Bruce. 5 Institute for Nautical Archaeology, Excavation Reports 2008-2018. 6 O. Wikander, “The Dioscuri in Roman Maritime Art,” 2011. 7 J. Wood, “Anchors Found in St. Paul’s Bay,” Biblical Archaeology Review 34. |
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