We made a circuit (περιελθοντες). Second aorist active of περιερχομα, to go around, old verb, already in Acts 19:13. See also Hebrews 11:37; 1. Timothy 5:13. But Westcott and Hort read περιελοντες after Aleph B (from περιαιρεω) as in Acts 27:40, though here it could only mean casting loose, for which no other authority exists. At any rate the ship had to tack to reach Rhegium and was not able to make a straight course (ενθυδρομεω, Acts 16:11).

Rhegium (Ρηγιον) is from ρηγνυμ, to break off, the place where the land breaks off, the southern entrance to the straits of Messina.

A south wind sprang up (επιγενομενου νοτου). Genitive absolute again, and for all the world like that fatal south wind in Acts 27:13, but with no bad results this time, though the weather was plainly treacherous at this early season.

On the second day (δευτεραιο). This is the classical use of the predicate adjective, "We second day men" as in Luke 24:22; John 11:39; Philippians 3:5 instead of the adverb (Robertson, Grammar, p. 657).

To Puteoli (εις Ποτιολους). It was 182 miles from Rhegium and would require 26 hours (Page). It was eight miles northwest from Neapolis (Naples) and the chief port of Rome, the regular harbour for the Alexandrian ships from Rome. Portions of the great mole are said to be still visible.

Acts:14

Where we found brethren (ου ευροντες αδελφους). Possibly from Alexandria, but, as Blass observes, it is no more strange to find "brethren" in Christ in Puteoli when Paul arrives than in Rome. There was a large Jewish quarter.

Seven days (ημερας επτα). Accusative of extent of time. Paul and his party remained so long at the urgent request of the brethren. He was still a prisoner, but clearly Julius was only too glad to show another courtesy to Paul to whom they all owed their lives. It was 130 miles by land from Puteoli to Rome over one of the great Roman roads.

And so we came to Rome (κα ουτως εις την Ρομην ηλθαμεν). So at last. Luke is exultant as Page observes: Paulus Romae captivus: triumphus unicus. It is the climax of the book of Acts (Acts 19:21; Acts 23:11), but not the close of Paul's career. Page rightly remarks that a new paragraph should begin with verse Acts 28:15, for brethren came from Rome and this part of the journey is touched with the flavour of that incident. The great event is that Paul reached Rome, but not as he had once hoped (Romans 15:22-29).