Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Acts 28:16

"And when we entered into Rome, Paul was suffered to abide by himself with the soldier that guarded him." — Acts 28:16 (ASV)

At Rome, Paul was allowed to live in private quarters, though a soldier guarded him at all times. The chain he wore (v.20) was probably attached to his wrists. Yet in Luke’s eyes Paul entered Rome in triumph. Through his coming the Gospel penetrated official circles in the capital of the empire, and God used his detention there for two years to spread the proclamation of the kingdom of God and the Lord Jesus Christ throughout the city (cf. vv.30–31).

With this verse, the last “we” section in Acts closes. To judge by Paul’s greetings in Col 4:10–14 and Phm 23–24 (assuming a Roman origin for these letters), Luke and Aristarchus remained with Paul through most—if not all—of his detention at Rome, being joined from time to time by such friends as Epaphras, John Mark, Demas, and Jesus (surnamed Justus).