Acts 28:15

“And from thence, etc.] That is, from Rome, whither they were going: when the brethren heard of us; when the Christians at Rome heard that the apostle and his friends were landed at Puteoli, and were on their journey to Rome: these were the members of the church at Rome; for there was a church state here before this time. The apostle had before this written a letter to them, called the Epistle to the Romans, in which he treats them as a church. The Papists say that the Apostle Peter was the first bishop of it, and pretend an uninterrupted succession from him; though it is questionable whether he ever was at Rome; and if he was, it is not probable that he should take upon him the care of a…”

“And from thence, when the brethren--of Rome heard of us--by letter from Puteoli, and probably by the same conveyance which took Julius' announcement of his arrival. they came to meet us as far as Appii Forum--a town forty-one miles from Rome. and the Three Taverns--thirty miles from Rome. Thus they came to greet the apostle in two parties, one stopping short at the nearer, the other going on to the more distant place. whom when Paul saw, he thanked God--for such a welcome. How sensitive he was to such Christian affection all his Epistles show (Rom 1:9, &c.). and took courage--his long-cherished purpose to "see Rome" (Act 19:21), there to proclaim the unsearchable riches of Christ, and the…”

“And from thence - From Puteoli. When the brethren heard of us - The Christians who wore at Rome. As far as the Appii Forum - This was a city about 56 miles from Rome. The remains of an ancient city are still seen there. It is on the borders of the Pontine Marshes. The city was built on the celebrated Appian Way, or the road from Rome to Capua. The road was made by Appius Claudius, and probably the city was founded by him also. It was called the forum or market-place of Appius, because it was a convenient place for travelers on the Appian Way to stop for purposes of refreshment. It was also a famous resort for peddlers and merchants. See Horace, book i. Sat. 5, 3. And the Three Taverns - This…”

“The brethren - That is, the Christians, came out thence to meet us - It is remarkable that there is no certain account by whom Christianity was planted at Rome. Probably some inhabitants of that city were at Jerusalem on the day of pentecost, Act 2:10; and being then converted themselves, carried the Gospel thither at their return. Appii - Forum was a town fifty - one miles from Rome; the Three Taverns about thirty. He took courage - He saw Christ was at Rome also, and now forgot all the troubles of his journey. Acts 28:16”

“28:15 Paul was greeted by brothers and sisters who met his party on the way up to Rome.”

“when: Act 10:25, Act 21:5; Exo 4:14; Joh 12:13; Rom 15:24; Gal 4:14; Heb 13:3; Jo3 1:6-8 Appii forum: Appii Forum, now Borgo Longo, was an ancient city of the Volsci, fifty miles s of Rome. The three taverns: The Three Taverns was a place in the Appian Way, thirty miles from Rome. he thanked: Jos 1:6, Jos 1:7, Jos 1:9; Sa1 30:6; Psa 27:14; Co1 12:21, Co1 12:22; Co2 2:14, Co2 7:5-7; Th1 3:7 Acts 28:16”