Puteoli lay on the Bay of Naples in Campania, about 150 miles south of Rome. Long before the imperial harbor at Ostia was dredged, Puteoli served as Rome’s principal seaport. Egyptian grain ships, Spanish metals, and eastern spices were routinely unloaded there; its massive breakwater and volcanic stone quarries made it one of the busiest commercial hubs of the first century. The city had a mixed population of Romans, Greeks, Jews, and various traders—an ideal environment for rapid dissemination of new ideas, including the gospel.

Puteoli in Acts Narrative

Luke records only one mention—Acts 28:13-14—yet the context is rich:

“From there, we circled round and came to Rhegium. After one day a south wind sprang up, and on the second day we reached Puteoli. There we found some brothers who invited us to spend a week with them. And so we came to Rome.” (Berean Standard Bible)

The port marks the completion of Paul’s long sea voyage after the shipwreck off Malta and serves as the land gateway to Rome via the famous Appian Way.

Paul’s Ministry and the Seven-Day Stay

Though still a prisoner under Julius the centurion, Paul is granted liberty to accept the hospitality of local believers for “seven days.” The timeframe mirrors earlier ministry pauses such as Troas (Acts 20:6-12) and Tyre (Acts 21:3-6), indicating an apostolic pattern: brief, intentional stops used for teaching, encouragement, and strengthening fledgling congregations. This week in Puteoli likely included exposition of Scripture, eyewitness testimony of Christ’s resurrection, and pastoral counsel, sowing seeds that would bear fruit throughout Campania.

Evidence of an Established Church in Southern Italy

Luke’s casual note—“we found some brothers”—implies the gospel had reached Puteoli well before Paul’s arrival (circa A.D. 60). Possible conduits include Jewish pilgrims from Pentecost (Acts 2:10 lists “visitors from Rome”), merchants traveling the grain route from Alexandria, and believers migrating after the Claudian expulsion of Jews from Rome (Acts 18:2). Their presence confirms Paul’s earlier observation: “your faith is being proclaimed all over the world” (Romans 1:8).

Strategic Port for the Spread of the Gospel

1. Commercial crossroads: Maritime traffic carried news of Christ to three continents.
2. Connectivity: The Via Campana and Appian Way linked Puteoli directly to Rome, facilitating both correspondence and missionary travel.
3. Diaspora synagogue network: Large Jewish colonies provided immediate venues for proclamation, mirroring Paul’s pattern elsewhere (Acts 17:1-4).

Interplay with the Roman Legal Process

Julius’s willingness to allow a prisoner seven days’ leave among local Christians illustrates both Paul’s integrity and Rome’s flexible custodial practices for citizens awaiting trial. The stop provided practical respite, medical care after months at sea, and preparation for Paul’s forthcoming defense before Caesar (Acts 27:24).

Theological and Pastoral Reflections

• Providence: God guided every leg of the voyage, culminating in safe harbor exactly where believers could minister to His apostle (Psalm 107:23-30).
• Fellowship: The church’s instinctive hospitality embodies Hebrews 13:1-2 and demonstrates how early Christians cared for traveling ministers.
• Mission: Even under chains, Paul advances the kingdom (Philippians 1:12-14), turning a legal transfer into a ministry opportunity.

Legacy in Church History

Patristic sources mention bishops from Puteoli by the second century, suggesting the Acts 28 gathering matured into a stable congregation. Ruins of early Christian catacombs and inscriptions near modern Pozzuoli further attest to a lasting witness.

Lessons for Contemporary Believers

1. Leverage strategic places—ports, universities, digital platforms—as launching pads for the gospel.
2. Offer practical hospitality to servants of the Word; short stays can yield long-term fruit.
3. Trust God’s sovereignty amid detours; what seems like a layover may be pivotal in His redemptive plan.