X-Dreamers · Lab sheet

Paul's Roads

Every journey of Paul on one map, from the road to Damascus to two years under guard in Rome, with a timeline, his co-workers and his thirteen letters.

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Key facts

Acts describes three missionary journeys from Antioch in Syria, then the voyage to Rome as a prisoner; the numbering is a later convention.
The church in Antioch sent out Barnabas and Saul after prayer and fasting (Acts 13:1–3).
The journeys ran roughly from AD 46 to 57; the voyage to Rome was about AD 59–60.
The firmest date is the Gallio inscription at Delphi, which puts Gallio in Corinth about AD 51–52 (Acts 18:12).
On the way to Rome a storm drove the ship for fourteen days until it ran aground on Malta (Acts 27–28).
Acts ends with Paul in Rome for two years, preaching “with all confidence, no man forbidding him” (Acts 28:30–31).

Key verses

2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. 3 And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.
Acts 13:2–3 · King James Version

23 But now having no more place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come unto you; 24 Whensoever 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.
Romans 15:23–24 · King James Version

30 And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, 31 Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.
Acts 28:30–31 · King James Version

Talk about it

Paul rarely travelled alone. Looking at his co-workers, what does that say about how the gospel spread?
Paul planned to go to Spain but ended up in chains in Rome. How do you respond when your plans and God's leading don't match?
Pick one letter and find where it was sent on the map. How does knowing the place change how you read it?

How sure can we be?

The Bible says

The stops of each journey and the voyage to Rome are told in Acts 13–28; Paul's letters add details such as his time in Arabia.
His plan to visit Spain (Romans 15:24, 28).

Our reconstruction

The lines follow known Roman roads and sailing routes; distances are estimates along those routes.
Dates are counted from the Gallio inscription and are approximate.

Still debated

Where some letters were written (Galatians and the prison letters), and whether Paul reached Spain after Acts ends.
Six of the thirteen letters have disputed authorship.