Acts 28:16

“And when we came to Rome, etc.] To the city itself: the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard; or general of the army; or, as some think, the governor of the “praetorian” band of soldiers, who attended the emperor as his guards: his name is thought to have been Burrhus Afranius; to him Julius the centurion delivered all the prisoners he brought from Caesarea, excepting Paul, to be disposed of by him, in the several prisons, or jails, to whom it belonged to take care of such persons: this clause is wanting in the Alexandrian copy, and in the Vulgate Latin and Syriac versions: but Paul was suffered to dwell by himself with a soldier that kept him: this was owing, either…”

“when we came to Rome--the renowned capital of the ancient world, situated on the Tiber. the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard--the PrÃ&brvbrtorian Prefect, to whose custody, as commander of the PrÃ&brvbrtorian guard, the highest military authority in the city, were committed all who were to come before the emperor for trial. Ordinarily there were two such prefects; but from A.D. 51 to 62, one distinguished general--Burrus Aframus, who had been Nero's tutor--held that office; and as our historian speaks of "the captain," as if there were but one, it is thought that this fixes the apostle's arrival at Rome to be not later than the year 62 [WIES]. But even though…”

“The captain of the guard - The commander of the Praetorian cohort, or guard. The custom was, that those who were sent from the provinces to Rome for trial were delivered to the custody of this guard. The name of the prefect or captain of the guard at this time was Burrhus Afranius (Tacitus, History, 12, 42, 1). But Paul was suffered ... - Evidently by the permission of the centurion, whose favor he had so much conciliated on the voyage. See Acts 27:43. With a soldier that kept him - That is, in the custody of a soldier to whom he was chained, and who, of course, constantly attended him. See Acts 24:23; Acts 12:6. return to 'Top of Page'”

“With the soldier - To whom he was chained, as the Roman custom was. Acts 28:17”

“28:16 Paul was allowed to have his own . . . lodging, apparently in private facilities, though he was guarded by a soldier. Though Paul was traveling in chains, “the word of God cannot be chained” (2 Tim 2:9). Paul was possibly treated so well because of his social status or Roman citizenship (cp. Acts 16:37-38; 22:25-28).”

“Rome: Rome, the capital of Italy, and once of the whole world, is situated on the banks of the Tiber, about sixteen miles from the sea; 410 miles sse of Vienna, 600 se of Paris, 730 e by n of Madrid, 760 w of Constantinople, and 780 se of London. Act 2:10, Act 18:2, Act 19:21, Act 23:11; Rom 1:7-15, Rom 15:22-29; Rev 17:9, Rev 17:18 the centurion: Act 27:3, Act 27:31, Act 27:43 captain: Gen 37:36; Kg2 25:8; Jer 40:2 but: Act 28:30, Act 28:31, Act 24:23, Act 27:3; Gen 39:21-23 Acts 28:17”