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21 verses · KJV · every verse read aloud

Rome in the Bible

What does the Bible say about Rome?

Rome was the capital of the empire ruling the New Testament world, and is not named in the Old Testament. Visitors from Rome heard Peter at Pentecost (Acts 2:10), Paul wrote to "all that be in Rome" (Romans 1:7), the Lord told him he must "bear witness also at Rome" (Acts 23:11), and he preached there two years (Acts 28:30-31).

  1. Paul's road to Rome
  2. Paul a prisoner in Rome
  3. The church at Rome

Rome in the Bible: Paul's road to Rome

Paul longed to see Rome, and the Lord sent him there as a prisoner.

7 verses

Acts 23:11

KJV
King James Version

And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about Me in Jerusalem, so also you must testify in Rome.”

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Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Acts 23:11

Acts 19:21

KJV
King James Version

After these things were ended, Paul purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also see Rome.

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

After these things had happened, Paul resolved in the Spirit to go to Jerusalem, passing through Macedonia and Achaia. “After I have been there,” he said, “I must see Rome as well.”

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Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Acts 19:21

Acts 22:25

KJV
King James Version

And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said unto the centurion that stood by, Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman, and uncondemned?

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

But as they stretched him out to strap him down, Paul said to the centurion standing there, “Is it lawful for you to flog a Roman citizen without a trial?”

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Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Acts 22:25

Acts 25:11-12

KJV
King James Version

11For if I be an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them. I appeal unto Caesar. 12Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, Hast thou appealed unto Caesar? unto Caesar shalt thou go.

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

If, however, I am guilty of anything worthy of death, I do not refuse to die. But if there is no truth to their accusations against me, no one has the right to hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar!” Then Festus conferred with his council and replied, “You have appealed to Caesar. To Caesar you will go!”

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Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Acts 25:11-12

Acts 27:1

KJV
King James Version

And when it was determined that we should sail into Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners unto one named Julius, a centurion of Augustus' band.

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

When it was decided that we would sail for Italy, Paul and some other prisoners were handed over to a centurion named Julius, who belonged to the Imperial Regiment.

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Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Acts 27:1

Acts 28:14-15

KJV
King James Version

14Where we found brethren, and were desired to tarry with them seven days: and so we went toward Rome. 15And from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appii forum, and The three taverns: whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage.

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

There we found some brothers who invited us to spend the week with them. And so we came to Rome. The brothers there had heard about us and traveled as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns to meet us. When Paul saw them, he was encouraged and gave thanks to God.

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Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Acts 28:14-15

Acts 28:16

KJV
King James Version

And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard: but Paul was suffered to dwell by himself with a soldier that kept him.

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

When we arrived in Rome, Paul was permitted to stay by himself, with a soldier to guard him.

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Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Acts 28:16

Rome in the Bible: Paul a prisoner in Rome

Even in chains, Paul kept preaching Christ. Philippians and 2 Timothy are traditionally read as written from Rome.

6 verses

Acts 28:30

KJV
King James Version

And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him,

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

Paul stayed there two full years in his own rented house, welcoming all who came to visit him.

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Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Acts 28:30

Acts 28:31

KJV
King James Version

Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

Boldly and freely he proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.

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Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Acts 28:31

Philippians 1:12-14

KJV
King James Version

12But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel; 13So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places; 14And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

Now I want you to know, brothers, that my circumstances have actually served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. And most of the brothers, confident in the Lord by my chains, now dare more greatly to speak the word without fear.

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Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Philippians 1:12-14

Philippians 4:22

KJV
King James Version

All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Caesar's household.

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

All the saints send you greetings, especially those from the household of Caesar.

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Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Philippians 4:22

2 Timothy 1:16-17

KJV
King James Version

16The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain: 17But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me.

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he has often refreshed me and was unashamed of my chains. Indeed, when he arrived in Rome, he searched diligently until he found me.

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Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about 2 Timothy 1:16-17

2 Timothy 4:21

KJV
King James Version

Do thy diligence to come before winter. Eubulus greeteth thee, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren.

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

Make every effort to come to me before winter. Eubulus sends you greetings, as do Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers.

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Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about 2 Timothy 4:21

Rome in the Bible: The church at Rome

Paul's letter greets believers already well known for their faith.

5 verses

Romans 1:7

KJV
King James Version

To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

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Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Romans 1:7

Romans 1:8

KJV
King James Version

First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being proclaimed all over the world.

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Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Romans 1:8

Romans 1:15

KJV
King James Version

So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome.

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Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Romans 1:15

Romans 15:23-24

KJV
King James Version

23But now having no more place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come unto you; 24Whensoever I take my journey into Spain, I will come to you: for I trust to see you in my journey, and to be brought on my way thitherward by you, if first I be somewhat filled with your company.

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

But now that there are no further opportunities for me in these regions, and since I have longed for many years to visit you, I hope to see you on my way to Spain. And after I have enjoyed your company for a while, you can equip me for my journey.

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Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Romans 15:23-24

Romans 16:3-5

KJV
King James Version

3Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus: 4Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. 5Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my well-beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ.

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who have risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them. Greet also the church that meets at their house. Greet my beloved Epenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in the province of Asia.

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Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Romans 16:3-5

Rome in the Bible: Rome and the Romans in the New Testament world

3 verses

John 11:48

KJV
King James Version

If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation.

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

If we let Him go on like this, everyone will believe in Him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.”

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Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about John 11:48

Acts 2:10

KJV
King James Version

Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes,

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome,

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Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Acts 2:10

Acts 18:2

KJV
King James Version

And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them.

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

There he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to visit them,

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Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Acts 18:2

What the first Christians said about Rome

Exact words from our library of the early church writers. Each one opens at the place it was written.

“I do not, as Peter and Paul, issue commands to you. They were apostles; I am merely a condemned man.”

Ignatius of AntiochLetter to the Romans 4
Read and listen to Ignatius of Antioch

The Greek and Hebrew words for Rome

The words behind the English. Each word page has a Listen button for how it is said.

Questions people ask about Rome in the Bible

Is Rome mentioned in the Bible?

Yes, in the New Testament. Acts, Romans and 2 Timothy name the city (Acts 28:16; Romans 1:7; 2 Timothy 1:17). Rome is not named in the Old Testament, but Roman rule is the background of the Gospels (John 11:48).

Listen: Acts 28:16 · Romans 1:7

Why did Paul go to Rome?

Paul had long wanted to preach in Rome (Acts 19:21; Romans 1:15). After his arrest in Jerusalem, the Lord told him he must witness at Rome too (Acts 23:11). As a Roman citizen he appealed to Caesar, so he was sent there as a prisoner (Acts 25:11-12).

Listen: Acts 23:11 · Acts 25:11-12

How long was Paul in Rome?

Acts ends with Paul living two whole years in his own rented house in Rome, under guard, welcoming everyone and preaching the kingdom of God with no one stopping him (Acts 28:30-31). In 2 Timothy he is again a prisoner there (2 Timothy 1:17).

Listen: Acts 28:30-31

Who started the church in Rome?

The Bible does not name a founder. Visitors from Rome were in Jerusalem at Pentecost (Acts 2:10), and by the time Paul wrote, the Roman church's faith was spoken of "throughout the whole world" (Romans 1:8). Irenaeus (about AD 180) wrote of the church "founded and organized at Rome by the two most glorious apostles, Peter and Paul."

Listen: Acts 2:10 · Romans 1:8

Is "Babylon" in 1 Peter and Revelation really Rome?

The early Christians read it as Rome. Tertullian wrote that "in our own John, Babylon is a figure of the city Rome, because it is likewise great, proud in its rule, and triumphant over the saints." Peter's greeting from "the church that is at Babylon" (1 Peter 5:13) was read the same way.

Listen: 1 Peter 5:13