Acts 18:2
And he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. And he went to see them,
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The mention of Aquila and Priscilla being "from Pontus, recently come from Italy" highlights their status as refugees driven out by Claudius's decree. This wasn't just a relocation; it was an expulsion, forcing them to start anew with Paul in Corinth due to Roman political upheaval.
The Apostle Paul, arriving in Corinth, seeks out a Jewish couple, Aquila and Priscilla, who have recently been expelled from Rome. Emperor Claudius had ordered all Jews to leave the city, likely due to internal disturbances among them that were misunderstood or misattributed by the Romans. Paul finds them because they share his trade of tentmaking, a connection that will lead to a significant partnership in ministry.
Ever felt like an outsider, forced to leave everything behind? For Aquila and Priscilla, this wasn't a minor inconvenience, but a Roman decree that reshaped their lives.
This verse introduces us to Aquila and Priscilla, a Jewish couple living in Rome. But their presence there was abruptly ended by Emperor Claudius's command for all Jews to leave the city.
The 'Why'
This expulsion wasn't just a relocation; it was a disruption that likely tested their faith and resilience, scattering them to new places where they'd encounter figures like the Apostle Paul.
What if your everyday job was also your spiritual calling? For Aquila and Priscilla, their trade wasn't just a way to make a living; it was a vital connection to Paul and the early church.
The text identifies Aquila and Priscilla not just by their origin and circumstances, but by their profession: tentmaking. This wasn't a trivial detail; it was foundational to their relationship with Paul and their ministry.
The Significance of Tentmaking
Understand the original words
Ioudaios · Greek Noun
A person of Jewish descent, belonging to the covenant people of God through Abraham. Theologically, it signifies one who belongs to the nation chosen by God to receive His revelation and be the conduit of the Messiah.
The Claudian expulsion of Jews from Rome in AD 49, mentioned in this verse, was a pivotal event that scattered Jewish communities, including Aquila and Priscilla, across the Roman Empire and unexpectedly brought them into Paul's ministry.
c. AD 41
Claudius Becomes Emperor
Claudius, following the assassination of Caligula, became the fourth Roman emperor. His reign would see significant shifts in Roman policy, including towards Jewish communities.
c. AD 49— this verse
Expulsion of Jews from Rome
Emperor Claudius, possibly due to unrest or disturbances among the Jewish population linked to 'Chrestus' (likely a reference to Christ or Christian/Jewish disputes), issues an edict expelling all Jews from Rome. This forces many, including Aquila and Priscilla, to leave the city.
c. AD 49-50
Paul Arrives in Corinth
The Apostle Paul arrives in Corinth during his second missionary journey, a bustling Roman colony known for its trade and diverse population. He would soon encounter Aquila and Priscilla here.
c. AD 50-52
Aquila and Priscilla Meet Paul in Corinth
Paul finds Aquila and Priscilla, also tentmakers, and lodges with them. They become key companions and fellow laborers in the Gospel during Paul's ministry in Corinth.
This passage describes Jews from Pontus, among other regions, who were present in Jerusalem at Pentecost, highlighting the widespread Jewish diaspora that would later lead to individuals like Aquila living in places like Rome.
Romans 16:3-5Paul sends greetings to Priscilla and Aquila, referring to them as his 'fellow workers in Christ Jesus' and mentioning that the church gathers in their home, showing their significant role and later presence back in Rome.
1 Corinthians 16:19In this letter, Paul also sends greetings from Priscilla and Aquila, indicating they were with him in Ephesus at the time, further illustrating their itinerant lives and close relationship with Paul.
ellicottActs 18:2: "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."
(2) And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus. —The name presents some interesting associations. Strictly speaking, the Greek form is Ahylas, but this is undoubtedly the transliterated form of the Latin Aquila (= Eagle). The name appears in a yet more altered form in Onkelos, the tra…
pooleActs 18:2: "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."
Pontus; a country between Cappadocia and the Black Sea, Acts 2:9 , whither the progenitors of Aquila, in one of the dispersions, might flee from Judea to inhabit there. Claudius; the Roman emperor, who, at the beginning of his reign, gave liberty to the Jews freely to exercise their religion, b…
The mention of Aquila and Priscilla being "from Pontus, recently come from Italy" highlights their status as refugees driven out by Claudius's decree. This wasn't just a relocation; it was an expulsion, forcing them to start anew with Paul in Corinth due to Roman political upheaval.
The Apostle Paul, arriving in Corinth, seeks out a Jewish couple, Aquila and Priscilla, who have recently been expelled from Rome. Emperor Claudius had ordered all Jews to leave the city, likely due to internal disturbances among them that were misunderstood or misattributed by the Romans. Paul finds them because they share his trade of tentmaking, a connection that will lead to a significant partnership in ministry.
The Apostle Paul, arriving in Corinth, seeks out a Jewish couple, Aquila and Priscilla, who have recently been expelled from Rome. Emperor Claudius had ordered all Jews to leave the city, likely due to internal disturbances among them that were misunderstood or misattributed by the Romans. Paul finds them because they share his trade of tentmaking, a connection that will lead to a significant partnership in ministry.
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c. AD 52
Paul Departs Corinth
After a significant period in Corinth, Paul leaves for Ephesus, and Aquila and Priscilla likely accompany him or follow shortly after, as they are later found there.
c. AD 57
Aquila and Priscilla in Ephesus
When Paul writes his first letter to the Corinthians, Aquila and Priscilla are in Ephesus. They have established a house church there, demonstrating their deep commitment and influence.
c. AD 62-64
Aquila and Priscilla Return to Rome
By the time Paul writes his letter to the Romans, Aquila and Priscilla appear to have returned to Rome, where they are greeted and continue to serve the church, having possibly re-established ties severed by Claudius's earlier decree.
"And he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. And he went to see them," — The mention of Aquila and Priscilla being "from Pontus, recently come from Italy" highlights their status as refugees driven out by Claudius's decree. This wasn't just a relocation; it was an expulsi…
