Taverns, Three
Biblical Narrative and Location
The Three Taverns is mentioned only once in Scripture, in Acts 28:15. The Apostle Paul, having survived a shipwreck on Malta, was traveling as a prisoner from Puteoli to Rome along the famous Appian Way. Upon hearing of his approach, Christians from Rome traveled to meet him. One group went as far as the Forum of Appius (Appii Forum), about 43 miles from Rome, while another group, perhaps less able to travel the full distance, waited at Three Taverns, approximately 33 miles from the city. The text notes that when Paul saw these believers, "he thanked God and was encouraged" (Acts 28:15). This encounter marked his official welcome to Italy by the fledgling church.
Historical and Geographical Context
Three Taverns (Latin: Tres Tabernae) was not merely an inn but a significant waystation and postal stop on the Appian Way, the main highway from Rome to southern Italy. Ancient itineraries place it at the 33rd Roman milestone from Rome (about 30.5 English miles). It served as a convergence point for traffic, including a road from the coastal city of Antium. The name likely originated from a cluster of inns, shops, and stables that served travelers. Its location was just before the road entered the more difficult and marshy Pontine region, making it a natural last stop for refreshment before a challenging stretch or a first major stop for those approaching Rome.
Significance in Paul's Journey to Rome
Paul's journey to Rome, culminating in his meeting with believers at Three Taverns and Appii Forum, was the fulfillment of a divine promise and a turning point in Christian history. Years earlier, the Lord had told Paul he would testify in Rome (Acts 23:11). His arrival as a prisoner, yet greeted by a welcoming party of Christians, underscores a central theme of Acts: the unstoppable spread of the gospel. The meeting transformed a state-controlled prisoner transfer into a triumphal procession of faith. The believers' initiative to travel a significant distance demonstrated their courage (associating with a prisoner) and their deep respect for Paul as an apostle.
Theological and Communal Implications
The event at Three Taverns is rich with theological meaning. First, it demonstrates the reality of the universal church. Paul had never been to Rome, yet a community there loved him and recognized his authority because of their shared faith in Christ. This reflects the unity of the body of Christ across geographical and cultural boundaries. Second, it highlights mutual encouragement within the Christian community. Paul, though the great apostle, was personally encouraged by the sight of these believers. This models the interdependence of all members of the church, where even the strongest need the support of others. Finally, it shows God's providence in using ordinary travel routes and waystations to accomplish his purposes and foster Christian fellowship.
Biblical Context
The Three Taverns appears exclusively in Acts 28:15 within the narrative of the Apostle Paul's journey to Rome as a prisoner appealing to Caesar. It plays a specific, localized role as the meeting point for one of two groups of Roman Christians who traveled out from the city to welcome and encourage Paul. This brief mention is part of the concluding travelogue of Acts, connecting Paul's missionary journeys to his final destination of Rome.
Theological Significance
The encounter at Three Taverns teaches about the nature of the Christian community. It illustrates the tangible bonds of love and fellowship that transcend physical absence, as Roman believers who knew Paul only by reputation risked association with a prisoner to encourage him. It demonstrates that God's encouragement often comes through the presence of other believers (1 Thessalonians 5:11). The event also signifies the fulfillment of God's promise to bring Paul to Rome (Acts 23:11) and symbolizes the gospel's victorious arrival at the heart of the empire, not in power but through weakness and fellowship.
Historical Background
Extra-biblical sources confirm Three Taverns as a real location. Roman statesman Cicero mentions it in his letters (Ad Atticum i.13; ii.12, 13). Imperial itineraries like the Itinerarium Antonini and the Tabula Peutingeriana list it as a station on the Appian Way. Archaeological evidence suggests it was a developed settlement with facilities for travelers, not just three isolated inns. Its position made it a logical place for the Roman Christians, who may have included both Jewish and Gentile believers, to rendezvous with Paul's party traveling from the south.