PAUL ON MALTA

Passage: Acts 28:1-10

Key verse: 8b

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.

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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.

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Footnotes
  1. Acts 28:2 Greek barbaroi (that is, non–Greek speakers); also verse 4
  2. Acts 28:4 Or justice
  3. Acts 28:10 Greek honored us with many honors
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. Paul survived a snake bite (1-6) The island they landed on was Malta. The islanders were kind to the shipwrecked group, They built a bonfire for them to keep them warm and dry. Paul helped by fetching wood for the fire. While gathering wood, a poisonous viper bit him. The islanders thought Paul must have been a murderer, who was being punished by Justice. But God protected Paul from any ill effects, fulfilling Jesus' words in Mark 16:18. Because of this and the islanders thought Paul was a god. 2. Paul heals others (7-1 ) Publius, the chief official of the island, brought all of them to his home and entertained them for three days. While there, Paul healed Publius' father of fever and dysentery. After this, Paul began a healing ministry on the island, healing all who came to him. The grateful islanders supplied them with everything they needed for their voyage to Rome. Through Paul, the islanders came to know the life-giving powers of God.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your healing power. Help me to lead others to Jesus' healing.

One Word: Jesus heals