What's easily missed here is that Aquila and Priscilla weren't just forced out of Rome; they were likely part of a broader Jewish community experiencing significant internal strife, possibly over the claims of Jesus as the Messiah. This upheaval, not just a random decree, uprooted them and ultimately led them into Paul's path.
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, and because he was of the same trade he stayed with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade.
English Standard Version (ESV)
While in Corinth, Paul encounters Aquila and Priscilla, a Jewish couple who had recently fled Rome due to an imperial decree. Emperor Claudius had expelled all Jews from the city, likely because of disturbances and disputes surrounding the proclamation of Jesus as the Christ, which the Romans couldn't distinguish from Jewish unrest. Paul, a tentmaker like Aquila, finds them and begins to associate with them, a connection that will prove significant for both their lives and the early church.
Imagine your life suddenly uprooted by an emperor's decree. That's exactly what happened to Aquila and Priscilla, forcing them to leave their home in Rome.
The Emperor's Decree
Claudius, the Roman emperor, expelled all Jews from Rome around 49 AD. The exact reasons are debated, but historical accounts suggest it was due to internal Jewish disturbances, possibly related to early followers of Christ. This wasn't an isolated incident; Jews in Rome faced various periods of persecution and expulsion.
An Unexpected Journey
This expulsion forced Aquila and Priscilla, who were likely established in Rome, to relocate. They ended up in Corinth, a bustling trade city, where they met the Apostle Paul. This wasn't just a personal tragedy; it was a pivotal moment for the spread of the Gospel. Their displacement directly led to their partnership with Paul in ministry.
Paul didn't just find lodging with Aquila and Priscilla; he found colleagues. Their shared profession became the foundation for a powerful ministry.
The Tent-Making Connection
Aquila and Priscilla were tent-makers, just like Paul. This shared trade wasn't just a way to make a living; it was a crucial element of Paul's ministry strategy. By working alongside them, Paul could support himself without being a financial burden on the young church in Corinth.
Ask a follow-up
Partnership in Ministry
This shared profession naturally led to a deep partnership. Aquila and Priscilla welcomed Paul into their home and business. More importantly, they eventually embraced the Christian faith, becoming vital collaborators with Paul. Their home became a place of ministry, and they played a significant role in instructing others, like Apollos.
Aquila and Priscilla carried names that told a story of cultural blending, yet their identity was deeply rooted in their Jewish heritage.
A Name to Remember
Aquila, meaning "eagle" in Latin, was likely a Roman name adopted by their family. Priscilla, a diminutive of Prisca, also suggests a connection to Roman society. This practice of taking on Roman names was common for Jews living in the Roman Empire, reflecting their integration into the wider culture.
Identity in the Dispersion
Despite their Roman names and residence in Italy, Aquila and Priscilla were Jews from Pontus, a region in Asia Minor. They were part of the Jewish Diaspora – communities of Jews living outside of Israel. Their story highlights the diverse backgrounds of those who encountered the early Christian message. They weren't just locals; they were global citizens, carrying their heritage with them across empires.
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 expulsion of Jews from Rome by Emperor Claudius wasn't just a minor political event; it directly impacted the lives of Aquila and Priscilla, forcing them to relocate and eventually cross paths with Paul, a pivotal moment that shaped the spread of Christianity.
c. 41-54 AD— this verse
Claudius's Edict Expelling Jews from Rome
Roman Emperor Claudius issued a decree expelling Jews from Rome, likely due to internal disturbances and disputes, possibly related to the early Christian movement. This forced many Jews, including Aquila and Priscilla, to leave the city.
c. 44 AD
Herod Agrippa I Dies
The death of Herod Agrippa I, a Jewish king in Roman territories, may have contributed to increased unrest and political instability, potentially influencing Roman policies towards Jewish communities.
c. 49 AD
Aquila and Priscilla Settle in Corinth
Following their expulsion from Rome, Aquila and Priscilla, tentmakers by trade, established themselves in Corinth, where they would later meet the Apostle Paul.
c. 50-52 AD
Paul's Ministry in Corinth
The Apostle Paul spent a significant amount of time in Corinth, working alongside Aquila and Priscilla in their tentmaking trade and sharing the Gospel, leading to the formation of a strong Christian community.
c. 54 AD
Claudius Dies, Nero Becomes Emperor
The death of Claudius and the succession of Nero to the Roman throne brought changes in imperial policy, and under Nero, the ban on Jews in Rome was likely lifted, allowing Aquila and Priscilla to return.
c. 57 AD
Aquila and Priscilla in Ephesus
While Paul was in Ephesus, Aquila and Priscilla were also there, having established a house church, demonstrating their continued commitment and influence within the early Christian movement.
c. 64 AD
Great Fire of Rome and Persecution of Christians
Under Emperor Nero, Rome suffered a devastating fire, after which Christians were scapegoated and persecuted. Aquila and Priscilla are mentioned as being back in Rome by this time.
This passage mentions people from Pontus being present in Jerusalem at Pentecost, indicating a significant Jewish population there, which helps explain Aquila's origin as a 'man of Pontus'.
Romans 16:3-4Paul sends greetings to Priscilla and Aquila, referring to them as his 'fellow workers' and stating that they 'risked their own necks' for him, highlighting their later deep involvement with the early church and Paul's ministry.
1 Corinthians 16:19The churches of Asia send greetings through Aquila and Priscilla, showing they were established in Ephesus during Paul's ministry there, demonstrating their ongoing connection and support of the apostolic mission.
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…
What's easily missed here is that Aquila and Priscilla weren't just forced out of Rome; they were likely part of a broader Jewish community experiencing significant internal strife, possibly over the claims of Jesus as the Messiah. This upheaval, not just a random decree, uprooted them and ultimately led them into Paul's path.
While in Corinth, Paul encounters Aquila and Priscilla, a Jewish couple who had recently fled Rome due to an imperial decree. Emperor Claudius had expelled all Jews from the city, likely because of disturbances and disputes surrounding the proclamation of Jesus as the Christ, which the Romans couldn't distinguish from Jewish unrest. Paul, a tentmaker like Aquila, finds them and begins to associate with them, a connection that will prove significant for both their lives and the early church.
While in Corinth, Paul encounters Aquila and Priscilla, a Jewish couple who had recently fled Rome due to an imperial decree. Emperor Claudius had expelled all Jews from the city, likely because of disturbances and disputes surrounding the proclamation of Jesus as the Christ, which the Romans couldn't distinguish from Jewish unrest. Paul, a tentmaker like Aquila, finds them and begins to associate with them, a connection that will prove significant for both their lives and the early church.
"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, and because he was of the same trade he stayed with…" — What's easily missed here is that Aquila and Priscilla weren't just forced out of Rome; they were likely part of a broader Jewish community experiencing significant internal strife, possibly over the…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026
