Acts28
New Living Translation
1Once we were safe on shore, we learned that we were on the island of Malta.
2The people of the island were very kind to us. It was cold and rainy, so they built a fire on the shore to welcome us.
3As Paul gathered an armful of sticks and was laying them on the fire, a poisonous snake, driven out by the heat, bit him on the hand.
4The people of the island saw it hanging from his hand and said to each other, “A murderer, no doubt! Though he escaped the sea, justice will not permit him to live.”
5But Paul shook off the snake into the fire and was unharmed.
6The people waited for him to swell up or suddenly drop dead. But when they had waited a long time and saw that he wasn’t harmed, they changed their minds and decided he was a god.
7Near the shore where we landed was an estate belonging to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us and treated us kindly for three days.
8As it happened, Publius’s father was ill with fever and dysentery. Paul went in and prayed for him, and laying his hands on him, he healed him.
9Then all the other sick people on the island came and were healed.
10As a result we were showered with honors, and when the time came to sail, people supplied us with everything we would need for the trip.
11It was three months after the shipwreck that we set sail on another ship that had wintered at the island—an Alexandrian ship with the twin gods as its figurehead.
12Our first stop was Syracuse, where we stayed three days.
13From there we sailed across to Rhegium. A day later a south wind began blowing, so the following day we sailed up the coast to Puteoli.
14There we found some believers, who invited us to spend a week with them. And so we came to Rome.
15The brothers and sisters in Rome had heard we were coming, and they came to meet us at the Forum on the Appian Way. Others joined us at The Three Taverns. When Paul saw them, he was encouraged and thanked God.
16When we arrived in Rome, Paul was permitted to have his own private lodging, though he was guarded by a soldier.
17Three days after Paul’s arrival, he called together the local Jewish leaders. He said to them, “Brothers, I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Roman government, even though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our ancestors.
18The Romans tried me and wanted to release me, because they found no cause for the death sentence.
19But when the Jewish leaders protested the decision, I felt it necessary to appeal to Caesar, even though I had no desire to press charges against my own people.
20I asked you to come here today so we could get acquainted and so I could explain to you that I am bound with this chain because I believe that the hope of Israel—the Messiah—has already come.”
21They replied, “We have had no letters from Judea or reports against you from anyone who has come here.
22But we want to hear what you believe, for the only thing we know about this movement is that it is denounced everywhere.”
23So a time was set, and on that day a large number of people came to Paul’s lodging. He explained and testified about the Kingdom of God and tried to persuade them about Jesus from the Scriptures. Using the law of Moses and the books of the prophets, he spoke to them from morning until evening.
24Some were persuaded by the things he said, but others did not believe.
25And after they had argued back and forth among themselves, they left with this final word from Paul: “The Holy Spirit was right when he said to your ancestors through Isaiah the prophet,
26‘Go and say to this people: When you hear what I say, you will not understand. When you see what I do, you will not comprehend.
27For the hearts of these people are hardened, and their ears cannot hear, and they have closed their eyes— so their eyes cannot see, and their ears cannot hear, and their hearts cannot understand, and they cannot turn to me and let me heal them.’
28So I want you to know that this salvation from God has also been offered to the Gentiles, and they will accept it.”
29
30For the next two years, Paul lived in Rome at his own expense. He welcomed all who visited him,
31boldly proclaiming the Kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ. And no one tried to stop him.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Acts 28.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: Paul kindly received at Melita. (1–10). He arrives at Rome. (11–16). His conference with the Jews. (17–22). Paul preaches to the Jews, and abides at Rome a prisoner. (23–31).
vv1-10
God can make strangers to be friends; friends in distress. Those who are despised for homely manners, are often more friendly than the more polished; and the conduct of heathens, or persons called barbarians, condemns many in civilized nations, professing to be Christians. The people thought that Paul was a murderer, and that the viper was sent by Divine justice, to be the avenger of blood. They knew that there is a God who governs the world, so that things do not come to pass by chance, no, not the smallest event, but all by Divine direction; and that evil pursues sinners; that there are good works which God will reward, and wicked works which he will punish. Also, that murder is a dreadful crime, one which shall not long go unpunished. But they thought all wicked people were punished in this life. Though some are made examples in this world, to prove that there is a God and a Providence, yet many are left unpunished, to prove that there is a judgment to come. They also thought all who were remarkably afflicted in this life were wicked people. Divine revelation sets this matter in a true light. Good men often are greatly afflicted in this life, for the trial and increase of their faith and patience. Observe Paul's deliverance from the danger. And thus in the strength of the grace of Christ, believers shake off the temptations of Satan, with holy resolution. When we despise the censures and reproaches of men, and look upon them with holy contempt, having the testimony of our consciences for us, then, like Paul, we shake off the viper into the fire. It does us no harm, except we are kept by it from our duty. God hereby made Paul remarkable among these people, and so made way for the receiving of the gospel. The Lord raises up friends for his people in every place whither he leads them, and makes them blessings to those in affliction.
vv11-16
The common events of travelling are seldom worthy of being told; but the comfort of communion with the saints, and kindness shown by friends, deserve particular mention. The Christians at Rome were so far from being ashamed of Paul, or afraid of owning him, because he was a prisoner, that they were the more careful to show him respect. He had great comfort in this. And if our friends are kind to us, God puts it into their hearts, and we must give him the glory. When we see those even in strange places, who bear Christ's name, fear God, and serve him, we should lift up our hearts to heaven in thanksgiving. How many great men have made their entry into Rome, crowned and in triumph, who really were plagues to the world! But here a good man makes his entry into Rome, chained as a poor captive, who was a greater blessing to the world than any other merely a man. Is not this enough to put us for ever out of conceit with worldly favour? This may encourage God's prisoners, that he can give them favour in the eyes of those that carry them captives. When God does not soon deliver his people out of bondage, yet makes it easy to them, or them easy under it, they have reason to be thankful.
vv17-22
It was for the honour of Paul that those who examined his case, acquitted him. In his appeal he sought not to accuse his nation, but only to clear himself. True Christianity settles what is of common concern to all mankind, and is not built upon narrow opinions and private interests. It aims at no worldly benefit or advantage, but all its gains are spiritual and eternal. It is, and always has been, the lot of Christ's holy religion, to be every where spoken against. Look through every town and village where Christ is exalted as the only Saviour of mankind, and where the people are called to follow him in newness of life, and we see those who give themselves up to Christ, still called a sect, a party, and reproached. And this is the treatment they are sure to receive, so long as there shall continue an ungodly man upon earth.
Key Words
καί (kaí): and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
διασώζω (diasṓzō): to save thoroughly, i.e. (by implication or analogy) to cure, preserve, rescue, etc.
τότε (tóte): the when, i.e. at the time that (of the past or future, also in consecution)
ἐπιγινώσκω (epiginṓskō): to know upon some mark, i.e. recognize; by implication, to become fully acquainted with, to acknowledge
ὅτι (hóti): demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
νῆσος (nēsos): an island
καλέω (kaléō): to "call" (properly, aloud, but used in a variety of applications, directly or otherwise)
Μελίτη (Melítē): Melita, an island in the Mediterranean
δέ (dé): but, and, etc.
βάρβαρος (bárbaros): a foreigner (i.e. non-Greek)
Cross References
Acts 28Direct quotation from Isaiah 6:9-10 regarding judicial blindness and spiritual hardness of Israel.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB
Fulfillment of Christ's promise that believers would take up serpents and not be harmed.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB
Fulfillment of authority to tread on serpents and scorpions without suffering hurt.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Parallels Lycaonians similarly changing their minds to view Paul as a pagan god.
Supported by John Calvin, JFB
Fulfillment of the Lord's promise that Paul must testify in Rome.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Refers back to Paul's arrival in Rome and his initial custody arrangement.
Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin, JFB
Parallels the common error of Job's friends, assuming calamity always implies hidden guilt.
Supported by John Calvin
Elaborates on 'the hope of Israel' for which Paul was bound.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Paul's parallel description of himself as 'an ambassador in bonds' or chains in Rome.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Fulfillment of Paul's prophecy that they must be cast upon a certain island.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Illuminates the term 'barbarian' used of those not speaking Greek or Latin.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Parallels Paul's practice of turning to the Gentiles after Jewish rejection of the Gospel.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB