Where the Apostles Slept: Lodging in the New Testament Era

In the nascent days of the New Covenant, when the glorious light of the Gospel began to pierce the darkness of the world, those chosen by the Lord to spread His truth—the Apostles—found their rest not in grand palaces or established inns, but largely within the humble embrace of private homes. Their lodging, indeed, was a testament to the power of hospitality, a virtue deeply ingrained in the culture of the Bible lands and vital to the burgeoning Christian movement.

When Jesus first dispatched His twelve disciples, He gave them a remarkable instruction: "Take nothing for your journey—no staff, no bag, no bread, no money; and do not have two tunics. Whatever house you enter, stay there, and from there depart." (Luke 9:3-4). This directive was not a test of hardship alone, but a profound lesson in dependence—dependence upon God's provision through the willing hearts of others. It underscored that their ministry was to be received as a gift, and in turn, their presence was a blessing to their hosts.

The narrative of the book of Acts provides ample witness to this practice. When Peter and John went forth, they were often welcomed into the homes of believers, or those who were open to the message. In Joppa, Peter lodged for many days with Simon, a tanner, by the sea (Acts 9:43). This was not a public inn, but a private residence, where the apostle found not only shelter but also a base for his ministry.

Paul, the tireless Apostle to the Gentiles, likewise relied heavily on the hospitality of others. In Philippi, after Lydia, a seller of purple goods, heard his message and was baptized, she earnestly invited him and his companions into her home, saying, "If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house and stay." And she prevailed upon them (Acts 16:15). Her house became a sanctuary, a place of fellowship, and likely, a gathering point for the nascent church in Philippi.

Similarly, in Corinth, Paul stayed with Aquila and Priscilla, fellow tentmakers, laboring alongside them by day and ministering by night (Acts 18:3). This shared roof provided not just a bed, but a partnership in the Gospel. Later, in Ephesus, he again found himself under the same roof as this faithful couple (Acts 18:19).

Even in moments of great peril, hospitality shone forth. When Paul and Silas were miraculously freed from the Philippian jail, the jailer himself, converted by their testimony, "took them to his house and set food before them; and he rejoiced greatly, with his entire household believing in God" (Acts 16:34). Here, the immediate offering of a home for rest and refreshment was an outpouring of new-found faith.

The "Upper Room," where Jesus shared the Last Supper with His disciples, was likely a large guest room in a private dwelling, willingly made available for such a significant gathering (Mark 14:14-15). This was not a commercial space, but a consecrated one, made so by the willingness of its owner.

The reliance on private homes meant that the apostles often slept on simple mats on the floor, or in a shared room, truly living among the people they sought to serve. This fostered deep relationships, allowing for intimate teaching, mutual encouragement, and the visible demonstration of Christian fellowship. It showed that the Gospel was not a distant philosophy, but a living, breathing reality that transformed daily life, beginning with the simple act of sharing a home.

Thus, the sleeping places of the apostles were not grand structures but humble hearths and welcoming roofs, consecrated by the presence of God's messengers and the faithful hearts of those who opened their doors. Their journeys, marked by the kindness of strangers and the devotion of new believers, underscore a profound truth: that in the spreading of God's kingdom, the most powerful acts often begin with the simple, sacred practice of welcoming one another into the very heart of our homes.