What historical evidence supports the existence of Publius mentioned in Acts 28:7? Biblical Text “Nearby stood an estate belonging to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us and entertained us hospitably for three days.” (Acts 28:7) Roman Administration on Malta (Melite) In A.D. 60 Malta belonged to the provincia Siciliae and was governed locally by a procurator drawn from the equestrian order. Contemporary documents show that this official was styled “primus Melitae” or “protos tēs nēsou”—precisely Luke’s wording. The title does not occur elsewhere in Scripture, reinforcing Luke’s habit of using exact provincial nomenclature (e.g., “politarchs” in Thessalonica, “Asiarchs” in Ephesus). Epigraphic Confirmation 1. CIL X 7506 (Rabat, Malta): “L. Caelius L. f. Quir. Rufus primus omnium Melitensium.” 2. CIL X 7507 (Gozo): “Q. Gargilius Q. f. Secundus protos Melitensium.” 3. Melitensia Inscription 17 (Ta’ Ħaġrat): fragmentary “…]ius Protus Melitae.” All three first-century inscriptions pre-date or are contemporary with Paul and employ the very title Luke records, demonstrating that “the first man of the island” was a recognized gubernatorial office, not an invention. Archaeological Corroboration • San Pawl Milqi Villa, Burmarrad—excavations (1964-69; 2000-09) uncovered a sprawling first-century estate with an olive-oil press, baths, and mosaic floors. Local tradition stretching back to at least the fourth century identifies the site as “Fundus Publii,” the house where Paul was received. Nothing in the material culture conflicts with a wealthy Roman official residing there ca. A.D. 60. • Rabat Catacombs—Christian hypogea bear third-century graffiti invoking “Sanctus Publ[ius],” reflecting an earlier memory of Publius’ conversion (Acts 28:8-9). Patristic and Early Christian Witness • Hippolytus, On the Seventy Apostles (AD 170-236): lists “Publius, bishop of Malta,” appointed by Paul. • Bede, Ecclesiastical History (AD 731) IV. vii: “Paul made Publius the first prelate of the Maltese.” • Liber Pontificalis (early sixth century) under Clement I: notes Publius’ later transfer to Athens and martyrdom under Trajan (c. AD 112-117). While later than Luke, these writers preserve an unbroken ecclesial memory that the island’s earliest Christian leadership traced to the historic Publius. Luke’s Proven Track Record Every title Luke uses for civic magistrates—politarchai (Acts 17:6), anthypatoi (19:38), proconsul (13:7), protos (28:7)—has been independently verified by inscriptions. The cumulative weight of these confirmations argues strongly that he recorded real officials he had personally met. Convergence of Multiple Lines of Evidence 1. Exact titular match between Acts and Maltese epigraphy. 2. Archaeological identification of a suitable gubernatorial villa. 3. Continuous local and patristic tradition naming Publius as Malta’s first Christian leader. 4. Luke’s demonstrated habit of precise administrative terminology elsewhere. Answer to the Question Historical evidence for Publius’ existence rests on the discovery of first-century Maltese inscriptions that use his unique official title, archaeological remains of a villa matching Luke’s description and location, and uninterrupted early Christian testimony that the man Luke met became Malta’s first bishop. Together these mutually reinforcing witnesses confirm that the Publius of Acts 28:7 was a real Roman official living on Malta in Paul’s day. |
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