Paul and his companions

Paul

Also called Saul

Apostle and traveling missionary, also called Saul

108
Events: 60
Places: 9
Journeys

Editorial summary

Acts introduces him as Saul, a young man who consented to Stephen’s death and persecuted the church until the Lord appeared to him on the road to Damascus. It then follows his journeys from Antioch across Asia Minor, Macedonia and Greece, and finally to Rome as a prisoner; Acts first calls him Paul at Paphos.

Scripture

Journeys

Where their story unfolds

From: Tarsus ()

Where they appear

108

Stephen’s speech and death
Stephen, who did great wonders, was seized and brought before the council, where false witnesses accused him of speaking against the temple and the law. He answered with a long account of Israel’s history. Enraged, they threw him out of the city and stoned him as he prayed, and Saul consented to his death.
Persecution scatters the church
A great persecution arose against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered through the regions of Judea and Samaria. Devout men buried Stephen, while Saul entered house after house and dragged men and women off to prison. Those who were scattered went about preaching the word.
Saul on the road to Damascus
Saul was nearing Damascus with letters from the high priest to bring followers of the Way to Jerusalem bound, when a light from the sky shone around him and a voice told him it was Jesus, whom he was persecuting. Led into the city unable to see, for three days he neither ate nor drank.
Ananias lays hands on Saul
In a vision the Lord sent Ananias, a disciple at Damascus, to Saul at the house of Judah on the street called Straight. Ananias had heard of the evil Saul had done, but he went and laid hands on him; something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he received his sight and was baptized.
Escape over the Damascus wall
At Damascus Saul at once proclaimed the Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God, and confounded the Jews who lived there. After many days a plot was made to kill him and the gates were watched day and night, but his disciples let him down through the wall in a basket.
Saul with the apostles in Jerusalem
When Saul came to Jerusalem the disciples were afraid of him, but Barnabas brought him to the apostles and told how he had seen the Lord on the way and preached boldly at Damascus. Saul was with them, preaching boldly and disputing with the Hellenists, who were seeking to kill him.
Sent off to Tarsus
When the brothers learned that the Hellenists were seeking to kill him, they brought Saul down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.
First called Christians at Antioch
The church in Jerusalem sent Barnabas to Antioch, and he exhorted the believers to remain near to the Lord. He then went to Tarsus to look for Saul and brought him to Antioch, where for a whole year they taught many people. At Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.
Agabus foretells a famine
Prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch, and one of them, Agabus, foretold by the Spirit a great famine over all the world, which came in the days of Claudius. The disciples, each as he had plenty, sent relief for the brothers in Judea to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.
Barnabas and Saul take John Mark
In the WEB text, Barnabas and Saul returned to Jerusalem when they had fulfilled their service, taking with them John who was called Mark.
Barnabas and Saul are sent out
As the prophets and teachers in the church at Antioch served the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit called for Barnabas and Saul to be set apart. After fasting and prayer they laid their hands on them and sent them away.
Sailing for Cyprus
Barnabas and Saul went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus.
Preaching in the synagogues of Salamis
At Salamis they proclaimed God’s word in the Jewish synagogues, with John as their assistant.
The proconsul believes
At Paphos the sorcerer Elymas tried to turn the proconsul Sergius Paulus from the faith. Saul, also called Paul, declared that Elymas would be blind for a time, and the proconsul believed.
John Mark returns to Jerusalem
Paul and his company sailed from Paphos to Perga in Pamphylia, where John left them and returned to Jerusalem.
Paul’s address in the synagogue
Invited to speak on the Sabbath, Paul recounted Israel’s history and proclaimed Jesus. A week later almost the whole city gathered; when some opposed them, Paul and Barnabas turned to the Gentiles, and persecution drove them out.
A divided city
A great multitude of Jews and Greeks believed, and the apostles stayed a long time. But the city was divided, and when an attempt was made to stone them, they fled.
Healing at Lystra
Paul healed a man who had never walked. The crowds called Barnabas Jupiter and Paul Mercury, and the apostles could hardly stop them from offering sacrifices.
Paul is stoned
Opponents from Antioch and Iconium won over the crowds and stoned Paul, dragging him out of the city, supposing he was dead. He got up and went back into the city.
Many disciples at Derbe
Paul and Barnabas preached the Good News in Derbe and made many disciples.
Strengthening the new churches
Retracing their route through Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, they encouraged the disciples to continue in the faith and appointed elders in every church.
Speaking the word in Perga
Passing through Pisidia into Pamphylia, Paul and Barnabas spoke the word in Perga.
Sailing home from Attalia
From Perga they went down to Attalia and sailed back to Antioch.
Reporting to the church
Back in Antioch they gathered the church and told how God had opened a door of faith to the nations. They stayed there a long time.
Dispute over circumcision at Antioch
Men who came down from Judea taught the brothers that they could not be saved unless they were circumcised after the custom of Moses. After much dispute, Paul, Barnabas and some others were appointed to go up to the apostles and elders in Jerusalem about the question.
Through Phoenicia and Samaria
Sent on their way by the church, Paul and Barnabas passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, telling of the conversion of the Gentiles, which brought great joy to all the brothers.
The council at Jerusalem
At Jerusalem some believing Pharisees said Gentile believers must be circumcised and keep the law of Moses. After Peter, Barnabas and Paul spoke, James judged that Gentiles turning to God should not be troubled, only asked to abstain from a few things. Judas called Barsabbas and Silas were chosen to carry the letter to Antioch.
The letter delivered at Antioch
At Antioch the messengers gathered the believers and delivered the letter, and they rejoiced at its encouragement. Judas and Silas, who were prophets, encouraged and strengthened the brothers and after some time were sent back in peace, while Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord.
Paul and Barnabas part ways
Paul proposed revisiting every city where they had preached. A sharp disagreement over taking John Mark led Barnabas to sail to Cyprus with Mark, while Paul chose Silas and went through Syria and Cilicia.
Back to Derbe and Lystra
Paul came again to Derbe and Lystra, revisiting the churches founded on the first journey.
Timothy joins Paul
Timothy, a disciple well spoken of by the believers in Lystra and Iconium, joined Paul. As they traveled through the cities they delivered the decisions of the apostles and elders, and the churches grew daily.
The vision of the man of Macedonia
Kept by the Spirit from speaking in Asia and from entering Bithynia, the travelers came down to Troas. There Paul saw a vision of a man of Macedonia begging him to come and help, and they set out at once.
A straight course to Samothrace
Setting sail from Troas, they made a straight course to Samothrace.
Landing at Neapolis
The next day they reached Neapolis, and from there went on to Philippi.
Lydia is baptized
On the Sabbath, by a riverside place of prayer outside the city, Lydia, a seller of purple from Thyatira, listened to Paul. She and her household were baptized, and she persuaded the travelers to stay at her house.
Prison, earthquake and the jailer
After Paul cast a spirit of divination out of a slave girl, her owners dragged Paul and Silas before the magistrates, who had them beaten and imprisoned. At midnight, as they prayed and sang, an earthquake opened the doors; the jailer and all his household were baptized, and he rejoiced with his household, having believed in God.
Through Amphipolis and Apollonia
Leaving Philippi, Paul and Silas passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia on the way to Thessalonica.
Uproar in Thessalonica
For three Sabbaths Paul reasoned from the Scriptures in the synagogue, and many were persuaded. Opponents gathered a crowd, set the city in an uproar and dragged Jason before the rulers.
The Bereans examine the Scriptures
The Jews of the synagogue at Berea received the word eagerly and examined the Scriptures daily; many believed, along with prominent Greek women and men. When opponents came from Thessalonica, the believers sent Paul away toward the sea while Silas and Timothy stayed.
Paul at the Areopagus
Troubled by the city’s idols, Paul reasoned in the synagogue and the marketplace. Brought to the Areopagus, he spoke of an altar to an unknown god; some mocked, but Dionysius, Damaris and others believed.
A year and a half in Corinth
Paul lived and worked as a tentmaker with Aquila and Priscilla. After Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia and the synagogue opposed him, he left it for the house of Justus next door; Crispus believed with his household, and after a vision in the night Paul stayed a year and six months, teaching.
Before Gallio’s judgment seat
Opponents brought Paul before Gallio, proconsul of Achaia, who refused to judge questions about their own law and drove them from the judgment seat. Sosthenes was then beaten in front of it.
A vow at Cenchreae
Paul sailed from Cenchreae for Syria with Priscilla and Aquila. Acts adds, “He shaved his head in Cenchreae, for he had a vow.” Most readers take this to be Paul; some take it to be Aquila.
A brief first visit to Ephesus
Paul left Priscilla and Aquila at Ephesus and reasoned in the synagogue. Asked to stay longer, he declined but promised to return if God willed.
Greeting the church
From Caesarea Paul went up and greeted the church before going down to Antioch.
Landing at Caesarea
Sailing from Ephesus, Paul landed at Caesarea.
Back to Antioch
Paul went down to Antioch and spent some time there before setting out again.
Setting out again
Paul left Antioch and went through the region of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples.
About twelve disciples at Ephesus
Paul found about twelve disciples who knew only John’s baptism. They were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus, and when Paul laid his hands on them the Holy Spirit came on them.
Two years in the school of Tyrannus
After three months in the synagogue, Paul taught daily in the school of Tyrannus for two years, so that all who lived in Asia heard the word. Many who had practiced magic burned their books publicly.
Timothy and Erastus are sent to Macedonia
Paul resolved in the Spirit to pass through Macedonia and Achaia and go to Jerusalem, saying that afterward he must also see Rome. He sent two of those who served him, Timothy and Erastus, into Macedonia, while he himself stayed in Asia for a while.
The silversmiths’ riot
Demetrius, a silversmith who made shrines of Artemis, stirred up the craftsmen against Paul. The city filled with confusion, and the crowd seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul’s Macedonian companions in travel, and rushed into the theater, shouting for about two hours until the town clerk quieted them.
Encouraging the churches of Macedonia
After the uproar Paul left Ephesus for Macedonia, encouraging the believers with many words as he went.
Three months in Greece
Paul spent three months in Greece. When a plot was made against him as he was about to sail for Syria, he decided to return through Macedonia.
Sailing from Philippi
Because of a plot against him as he was about to sail for Syria, Paul returned through Macedonia. After the days of Unleavened Bread, Paul and the narrator sailed from Philippi and came to Troas in five days.
Companions waiting at Troas
Acts names those who accompanied Paul as far as Asia: Sopater of Beroea, Aristarchus and Secundus of the Thessalonians, Gaius of Derbe, Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus of Asia. They had gone ahead and were waiting at Troas, where Paul’s party joined them and stayed seven days.
Eutychus falls from the window
As Paul talked until midnight, a young man named Eutychus fell asleep and fell from the third story and was taken up dead. Paul embraced him, and the young man was brought in alive.
Overland to Assos
The others sailed ahead while Paul chose to go by land; he met the ship at Assos and they took him aboard.
Calling at Mitylene
With Paul aboard, the ship came to Mitylene.
Opposite Chios
The next day the ship came opposite Chios.
Touching at Samos
The following day the ship touched at Samos.
Staying at Trogyllium
In the WEB text, the ship stayed at Trogyllium before going on to Miletus.
Farewell to the Ephesian elders
Hurrying to reach Jerusalem by Pentecost, Paul sent for the elders of Ephesus. He reminded them of his ministry, warned and encouraged them, and they wept and prayed together before he boarded the ship.
A straight course to Cos
Leaving Miletus, the ship ran a straight course to Cos.
Reaching Rhodes
The next day the ship reached Rhodes.
A ship for Phoenicia
At Patara they found a ship crossing over to Phoenicia and went aboard.
Seven days at Tyre
Passing Cyprus on the left, the ship landed at Tyre to unload cargo. The travelers stayed seven days with the disciples there, who urged Paul not to go up to Jerusalem; they parted after praying on the beach.
A day at Ptolemais
Finishing the voyage from Tyre, they greeted the believers at Ptolemais and stayed one day.
Agabus’ warning
Paul’s company stayed with Philip the evangelist. The prophet Agabus bound his own hands and feet with Paul’s belt, saying the owner would be bound in Jerusalem; Paul replied that he was ready to die there for the name of the Lord Jesus.
Arrival in Jerusalem
Disciples from Caesarea went up to Jerusalem with the travelers, bringing Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple with whom they were to stay. In Jerusalem the believers received them gladly.
Paul reports to James and the elders
The next day Paul reported to James and all the elders what God had done among the Gentiles. Because believers zealous for the law had heard that he taught Jews among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, they urged him to purify himself with four men under a vow, and he went into the temple with them.
Paul is seized in the temple
Near the end of the seven days, Jews from Asia saw Paul in the temple and stirred up the crowd, claiming he had brought Greeks into it, since they had seen Trophimus the Ephesian with him in the city. The crowd dragged Paul out to kill him, but the commanding officer came with soldiers and arrested him.
Paul’s defense on the stairs
With the commanding officer’s permission, Paul spoke to the crowd in Hebrew, telling how he had persecuted the Way until Jesus spoke to him near Damascus. When he spoke of being sent to the Gentiles, the crowd called for his death. About to be scourged, he said he was a Roman, and the examiners withdrew.
Paul before the council
The commanding officer set Paul before the chief priests and the council, and the high priest Ananias ordered him struck on the mouth. When Paul cried out that he was a Pharisee on trial concerning the resurrection of the dead, Pharisees and Sadducees fell into dispute, and soldiers took him back to the barracks by force.
The Lord stands by Paul
The following night the Lord stood by Paul and told him to take courage: as he had testified in Jerusalem, so he must testify also in Rome.
The plot and Paul’s nephew
More than forty men swore not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul and planned an ambush. Paul’s nephew heard of it and told Paul and then the commanding officer, who ordered a large guard to take Paul to Felix the governor by night and wrote Felix a letter about the case.
By night to Antipatris
Following their orders, the soldiers brought Paul by night to Antipatris. The next day they returned to the barracks, leaving the horsemen to go on with him.
Delivered to Felix at Caesarea
The horsemen reached Caesarea, delivered the letter to the governor and presented Paul to him. Learning that Paul was from Cilicia, Felix said he would hear him when his accusers arrived and ordered him kept in Herod’s palace.
Trial before Felix
The high priest Ananias came down with some elders and an orator, Tertullus, who accused Paul before Felix of stirring up insurrection and trying to profane the temple. Paul answered that he had gone up to Jerusalem to worship and to bring gifts to his nation. Felix put off the case and kept Paul in custody.
Felix and Drusilla hear Paul
Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, and heard Paul speak about faith in Christ Jesus; when Paul reasoned about righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was terrified and sent him away. Hoping for money, Felix often talked with him, and when Festus succeeded him after two years, he left Paul in bonds.
Paul appeals to Caesar
At Caesarea, Jews from Jerusalem brought many serious charges against Paul that they could not prove, and Paul denied any offense against the law, the temple or Caesar. When Festus asked whether he would go up to Jerusalem to be judged, Paul appealed to Caesar, and Festus said that to Caesar he would go.
Paul before Agrippa and Bernice
King Agrippa and Bernice came to Caesarea, and Festus had Paul brought before them. Paul told of his former life, his persecution of believers and his vision on the road to Damascus. Afterward they agreed he had done nothing worthy of death or bonds, and Agrippa said he could have been freed had he not appealed to Caesar.
Handed to the centurion Julius
When it was decided that they should sail for Italy, Paul and other prisoners were handed over to a centurion named Julius, and they put to sea in a ship of Adramyttium.
Visiting friends at Sidon
At Sidon, Julius treated Paul kindly and allowed him to go to his friends to be cared for.
An Alexandrian ship at Myra
Sailing under the shelter of Cyprus because of contrary winds, they came to Myra in Lycia, where the centurion put them aboard a ship of Alexandria bound for Italy.
Slow going off Cnidus
After sailing slowly for many days, they came with difficulty opposite Cnidus, the wind not letting them go further.
Under the shelter of Crete
They sailed under the shelter of Crete, opposite Salmone.
Paul’s warning at Fair Havens
Sailing had already become dangerous, since the Fast was past. Paul warned that the voyage would bring loss to the cargo, the ship and their lives, but the centurion followed the ship’s master instead, and they set out hoping to winter at Phoenix.
Caught by the storm
A violent wind called Euroclydon drove the ship along. Under the shelter of the small island of Cauda the crew secured the ship’s boat and reinforced the hull with cables, fearing the sandbars of Syrtis.
Fourteen days adrift
With no sun or stars for many days, all hope was abandoned. Paul told those on board that an angel had assured him that no life would be lost, and on the fourteenth night they neared land; he urged everyone to eat, and they took courage.
The shipwreck
At daybreak they made for a beach, but the ship ran aground where two seas met; the bow stuck fast and the stern began to break up. The centurion stopped the soldiers from killing the prisoners, and all 276 on board escaped safely to land.
The viper and the healing of Publius’ father
The islanders showed unusual kindness. A viper fastened on Paul’s hand but he was unharmed, and he healed the father of Publius, the chief man of the island; after three months the travelers set sail again.
Three days at Syracuse
Sailing in an Alexandrian ship that had wintered at the island, they stayed three days at Syracuse.
Waiting for the wind at Rhegium
They circled around to Rhegium; a day later a south wind sprang up.
Believers at Puteoli
At Puteoli they found believers and stayed with them seven days. Then they went on toward Rome.
Welcomed on the road to Rome
Hearing of their arrival, believers from Rome came out to meet them as far as the Market of Appius and the Three Taverns. When Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage.
Two years in Rome
Paul was allowed to live by himself with a soldier guarding him. He met the leaders of the Jewish community and, for two whole years in his own rented house, received all who came to him, teaching boldly without hindrance.
Timothy sent to Corinth
Writing to the assembly at Corinth, Paul said he had sent Timothy, his beloved and faithful child in the Lord, to remind them of his ways in Christ, as he taught everywhere in every assembly.
Titus reaches Paul in Macedonia
When Paul came into Macedonia he had no rest, with conflicts outside and fears within. God comforted him by the coming of Titus, who told him of the Corinthians’ longing, mourning and zeal for Paul.
Into Arabia and back to Damascus
In his letter to the Galatians, Paul writes that when God revealed his Son in him, he did not immediately consult anyone or go up to Jerusalem to the apostles, but went away into Arabia and then returned to Damascus.
Fifteen days with Peter
Paul writes that three years later he went up to Jerusalem to visit Peter and stayed with him fifteen days, seeing none of the other apostles except James, the Lord’s brother. He adds that before God he is not lying.
To the regions of Syria and Cilicia
Paul writes that he then came to the regions of Syria and Cilicia. The churches of Judea still did not know him by face; they only heard that their former persecutor was preaching the faith he once tried to destroy, and they glorified God.
Titus goes up to Jerusalem
After fourteen years Paul went up again to Jerusalem by revelation with Barnabas, taking Titus with him, and laid out the Good News he preached among the Gentiles, privately before those who were respected. Titus, a Greek, was not compelled to be circumcised.
Paul hopes to send Timothy to Philippi
Paul and Timothy wrote together to the saints at Philippi. Paul told them he hoped to send Timothy to them soon, as soon as he saw how things would go with him, for Timothy had served with him in the Good News as a child serves a father.
Timothy sent to Thessalonica
Paul wrote to the Thessalonians that when they could bear it no longer, “we thought it good to be left behind at Athens alone,” and sent Timothy to establish and comfort them in their faith amid afflictions. Timothy had since come back with good news of their faith and love.
Only Luke is with Paul
Paul urged Timothy to come to him soon: Demas had left him and gone to Thessalonica, Crescens had gone to Galatia and Titus to Dalmatia, and only Luke was with him. He asked Timothy to bring Mark, who was useful to him for service.
Trophimus left sick at Miletus
Paul told Timothy that he had left Trophimus sick at Miletus.
Titus left in Crete
Paul wrote to Titus that he had left him in Crete to set in order what was lacking and to appoint elders in every city, as Paul had directed him.

Paul

Scripture

Journeys

Where their story unfolds

Where they appear

Stephen’s speech and death

Persecution scatters the church

Saul on the road to Damascus

Ananias lays hands on Saul

Escape over the Damascus wall

Saul with the apostles in Jerusalem

Sent off to Tarsus

First called Christians at Antioch

Agabus foretells a famine

Barnabas and Saul take John Mark

Barnabas and Saul are sent out

Sailing for Cyprus

Preaching in the synagogues of Salamis

The proconsul believes

John Mark returns to Jerusalem

Paul’s address in the synagogue

A divided city

Healing at Lystra

Paul is stoned

Many disciples at Derbe

Strengthening the new churches

Speaking the word in Perga

Sailing home from Attalia

Reporting to the church

Dispute over circumcision at Antioch

Through Phoenicia and Samaria

The council at Jerusalem

The letter delivered at Antioch

Paul and Barnabas part ways

Back to Derbe and Lystra

Timothy joins Paul

The vision of the man of Macedonia

A straight course to Samothrace

Landing at Neapolis

Lydia is baptized

Prison, earthquake and the jailer

Through Amphipolis and Apollonia

Uproar in Thessalonica

The Bereans examine the Scriptures

Paul at the Areopagus

A year and a half in Corinth

Before Gallio’s judgment seat

A vow at Cenchreae

A brief first visit to Ephesus

Greeting the church

Landing at Caesarea

Back to Antioch

Setting out again

About twelve disciples at Ephesus

Two years in the school of Tyrannus

Timothy and Erastus are sent to Macedonia

The silversmiths’ riot

Encouraging the churches of Macedonia

Three months in Greece

Sailing from Philippi

Companions waiting at Troas

Eutychus falls from the window

Overland to Assos

Calling at Mitylene

Opposite Chios

Touching at Samos

Staying at Trogyllium

Farewell to the Ephesian elders

A straight course to Cos

Reaching Rhodes

A ship for Phoenicia

Seven days at Tyre

A day at Ptolemais

Agabus’ warning

Arrival in Jerusalem

Paul reports to James and the elders

Paul is seized in the temple

Paul’s defense on the stairs

Paul before the council

The Lord stands by Paul