ON THE ISLE OF MALTA
Key verse: 9
NIV
Paul Ashore on Malta
28 Once safely on shore, we(A) found out that the island(B) was called Malta. 2 The islanders showed us unusual kindness. They built a fire and welcomed us all because it was raining and cold. 3 Paul gathered a pile of brushwood and, as he put it on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself on his hand. 4 When the islanders saw the snake hanging from his hand,(C) they said to each other, “This man must be a murderer; for though he escaped from the sea, the goddess Justice has not allowed him to live.”(D) 5 But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no ill effects.(E) 6 The people expected him to swell up or suddenly fall dead; but after waiting a long time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god.(F)
7 There was an estate nearby that belonged to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us to his home and showed us generous hospitality for three days. 8 His father was sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him and, after prayer,(G) placed his hands on him(H) and healed him.(I) 9 When this had happened, the rest of the sick on the island came and were cured. 10 They honored us(J) in many ways; and when we were ready to sail, they furnished us with the supplies we needed.
Cross references
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway
ESV
Paul on Malta
28 After we were brought safely through, (A)we then learned that (B)the island was called Malta. 2 (C)The native people[a] showed us unusual (D)kindness, for they kindled a fire and welcomed us all, because it had begun to rain and was cold. 3 When Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and put them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand. 4 When (E)the native people saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, (F)“No doubt this man is a murderer. Though he has escaped from the sea, (G)Justice[b] has not allowed him to live.” 5 He, however, (H)shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. 6 They were waiting for him to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But when they had waited a long time and saw no misfortune come to him, (I)they changed their minds and (J)said that he was a god.
7 Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the chief man of the island, named Publius, who received us and entertained us hospitably for three days. 8 It happened that the father of Publius lay sick with fever and dysentery. And Paul visited him and (K)prayed, and (L)putting his hands on him, healed him. 9 And when this had taken place, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases also came and were cured. 10 They also honored us greatly,[c] and when we were about to sail, they put on board whatever we needed.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Acts 28:2 Greek barbaroi (that is, non–Greek speakers); also verse 4
- Acts 28:4 Or justice
- Acts 28:10 Greek honored us with many honors
Cross references
- Acts 28:1 : [ch. 27:39]
- Acts 28:1 : ch. 27:26
- Acts 28:2 : ver. 4; Rom. 1:14; 1 Cor. 14:11; Col. 3:11
- Acts 28:2 : ch. 27:3
- Acts 28:4 : ver. 2
- Acts 28:4 : [Job 4:7; Luke 13:2, 4; John 9:2]
- Acts 28:4 : [Num. 32:23; Amos 5:19; 9:3]
- Acts 28:5 : Mark 16:18; Luke 10:19
- Acts 28:6 : [ch. 14:11, 19]
- Acts 28:6 : [ch. 8:10; 14:11]
- Acts 28:8 : ch. 9:40; [James 5:14, 15]
- Acts 28:8 : See Mark 5:23
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway
1. God's protection (1-6)
The islanders welcomed the shipwrecked refugees. Paul worked hard to help build a big bonfire. When a viper came out of the brushwood and bit him, everyone expected him to get sick and die. When nothing happened, they realized that he was a man of God. A potential tragedy became a sign of God's blessing, and a door was opened for the Apostle to do God's work (Mk 16:18).
2. A ministry of healing (7-10)
Publius, the chief official of the island, welcomed Paul and his party into his home. Paul prayed for his sick father, and God healed him. This triggered a healing ministry that kept Paul busy until they left--about three months later. God blessed the island that welcomed his servant. Dr. Luke was evidently an eyewitness.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for protecting your servants and blessing those who welcome them. Help me to be a blessing wherever I am.
One Word: God blesses the world through his servants
