What did Paul do between his third and fourth journeys?

Context of Paul’s Third Missionary Journey

Paul’s third missionary journey is detailed primarily in Acts 18:23–21:17. It began with Paul departing from Antioch in Syria to visit various churches he had founded or encouraged on previous journeys. His travels included extended ministry in Ephesus (Acts 19:1–10), where he taught daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. Scripture indicates that remarkable miracles occurred during this period—handkerchiefs that touched Paul reportedly brought healing to the sick (Acts 19:11–12). From there, he maintained contact with other communities, traveling through Macedonia and Greece, eventually returning by sea.

After bidding farewell to the Ephesian elders at Miletus (Acts 20:17–38), Paul pressed on to Jerusalem. Knowing opposition awaited him (Acts 20:22–23), he remained resolute, determined to complete the journey despite warnings of hardship. When he arrived in Jerusalem (Acts 21:17), his third missionary journey officially came to a close.

Arrival in Jerusalem and Growing Tensions

Upon reaching Jerusalem, Paul met with James and the other elders to share about the work among the Gentiles (Acts 21:18–19). Although many believers rejoiced, there were believers zealous for the Law who suspected Paul was teaching Jews to forsake the customs of Moses. To demonstrate respect for Jewish tradition, he participated in purification rituals with several men (Acts 21:20–26).

A tumult soon arose in the temple courts when certain Jews from Asia recognized Paul and accused him of bringing a Gentile into restricted areas of the temple (Acts 21:27–29). This false accusation triggered a violent outburst, and Paul was seized by the crowd. Roman soldiers intervened, led by the commander Claudius Lysias (Acts 21:31–33; cf. Acts 23:26 for his name). This moment set in motion a series of events in which Paul was placed in Roman custody, laying the groundwork for his eventual trip to Rome.

Arrest and Defense under Roman Authorities

After his arrest, Paul defended himself before a hostile crowd in Jerusalem (Acts 22:1–21). He recounted his miraculous conversion on the road to Damascus and his commission to spread the gospel to the Gentiles. When the crowd turned violent, the Roman commander brought Paul before the Sanhedrin to ascertain the nature of the accusations (Acts 22:30–23:10).

An assassination plot against Paul led the Roman commander to transfer him to the coastal city of Caesarea to stand trial before Governor Felix (Acts 23:12–24). Paul spent two years in prison there (Acts 24:27), continuing to testify about the resurrected Christ whenever he had opportunity (Acts 24:24–25). During this time, Paul wrote letters, conversed with visitors, and maintained his steadfast commitment to share the gospel, though Scripture does not list every detail of his activities in this prolonged detention.

Trial before Felix, Festus, and Agrippa

Governor Felix, who seemed both curious and ambivalent, left Paul in confinement when he was succeeded by Festus (Acts 24:27). Festus revisited the case soon after taking office (Acts 25:1–5). Paul, recognizing that local Jewish leaders were set on condemning him, appealed to Caesar—a legal right of Roman citizenship (Acts 25:10–12).

Before sending him to Rome, Festus consulted with King Agrippa II, who desired to hear Paul personally (Acts 25:13–22). Paul gave a powerful defense and again told of his supernatural encounter with the risen Lord (Acts 26:12–23). Agrippa famously stated, “In a short time you would persuade me to become a Christian!” (Acts 26:28). Although Agrippa and Festus found no grounds for execution, Paul’s appeal had to stand, so he remained in custody for transport to Rome (Acts 26:31–32).

Discovery and Historicity in Caesarea

Archaeological findings in Caesarea provide context for the events described in Acts. Inscriptions, such as the Pilate Stone discovered at Caesarea in 1961, corroborate the presence of Roman authority in the region and affirm that Luke’s record of Roman governance matches historical data. This consistency supports the trustworthiness of the Acts narrative. Additionally, excavations at the site have uncovered evidence of grand Roman administrative buildings and a harbor that could have accommodated ships bound for Rome—precisely the setting where Paul awaited transport.

Scholars of ancient manuscripts underscore the reliability of the Book of Acts. Surviving Greek manuscripts, such as portions of the Chester Beatty Papyri (P45), contain large sections of Acts that align consistently with later codices. This continuity in textual transmission adds weight to the contention that the events—Paul’s arrest, hearings, and transport—are documented with historical precision.

The Journey to Rome: Precursor to Paul’s Fourth Missionary Journey

Some identify Paul’s transport to Rome as part of his “fourth journey” (Acts 27–28), while others distinguish it merely as an extension of his legal process ending in house arrest. Regardless, his transfer on a ship bound for Rome began when Festus delivered Paul and other prisoners to a centurion named Julius (Acts 27:1).

Scripture details the turbulent voyage, including storms and a shipwreck on Malta (Acts 27:14–28:1). Even amid calamity, Paul’s faith and leadership shone, as he encouraged sailors and passengers and declared that God would preserve their lives (Acts 27:22–26). This period is a direct bridge from Paul’s post-third journey detention to his long-awaited arrival in Rome, culminating in two years of house arrest where he continued preaching “with all boldness and without hindrance” (Acts 28:31).

Ministry during Imprisonment

Between the end of his third journey and the traditional start of the fourth, Paul’s ministry did not cease. He wrote letters (the extent can be debated, though his prison epistles—Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon—are typically associated with his Roman imprisonment, Acts 28), encouraged believers who visited him (Acts 24:23, 28:30), and consistently shared the message of the resurrection.

His persistence reflects the transformative effect of encountering the risen Christ (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:8–10). The repeated affirmation of resurrection in Roman and Jewish courts not only highlights Paul’s convictions but contributes persuasive evidence of the early Christian claim that Jesus truly rose from the dead, a foundational tenet for believers across the centuries.

Summary of Activities and Significance

1. Return to Jerusalem: Paul arrived with offerings for the Jerusalem church and engaged in customary rites to dispel rumors of anti-Jewish sentiment.

2. Arrest and Two-Year Imprisonment in Caesarea: He gave multiple defenses of his faith before both Jewish and Roman officials.

3. Appeal to Caesar: Exercising his right as a Roman citizen, Paul appealed to the highest court, resulting in his eventual voyage to Rome.

4. Continued Ministry: Despite incarceration, he actively shared the gospel, wrote epistles (as circumstances allowed), and further established the doctrinal and historical basis of Christianity.

What Paul did in this interval underscores a central principle: no constraint—geographical or legal—hindered him from proclaiming the message of salvation through the risen Christ. His interactions with Roman authorities, local governors, and even a king highlight the spread of Christian testimony across multiple social and political strata.

Finally, the historical and archaeological corroboration in places like Jerusalem, Caesarea, and Rome lends credence to these Scriptural accounts. The continuity of manuscripts, discovered artifacts, and recorded political titles collectively reinforce the reliability of Paul’s experiences between his third and fourth journeys, affirming that even in the face of opposition and imprisonment, he remained an indefatigable witness to the gospel.