Paul's transformation from prisoner to miracle-worker on Malta represents his only recorded healing ministry outside a synagogue or Christian community context.
Acts 28
Paul Ashore on Malta
1When we had escaped, then they learned that the island was called Malta.
2The natives showed us uncommon kindness; for they kindled a fire and received us all, because of the present rain and because of the cold.
3But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand.
4When the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped from the sea, yet Justice has not allowed to live.”
5However he shook off the creature into the fire, and wasn’t harmed.
6But they expected that he would have swollen or fallen down dead suddenly, but when they watched for a long time and saw nothing bad happen to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.
7Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the chief man of the island, named Publius, who received us and courteously entertained us for three days.
8The father of Publius lay sick of fever and dysentery. Paul entered in to him, prayed, and laying his hands on him, healed him.
9Then when this was done, the rest also who had diseases in the island came and were cured.
10They also honored us with many honors; and when we sailed, they put on board the things that we needed.
Paul's Arrival at Rome
11After three months, we set sail in a ship of Alexandria which had wintered in the island, whose figurehead was “The Twin Brothers.”
12Touching at Syracuse, we stayed there three days.
13From there we circled around and arrived at Rhegium. After one day, a south wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli,
14where we found brothers, and were entreated to stay with them for seven days. So we came to Rome.
15From there the brothers, when they heard of us, came to meet us as far as The Market of Appius and The Three Taverns. When Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage.
16When we entered into Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard, but Paul was allowed to stay by himself with the soldier who guarded him.
17After three days Paul called together those who were the leaders of the Jews. When they had come together, he said to them, “I, brothers, though I had done nothing against the people or the customs of our fathers, still was delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans,
18who, when they had examined me, desired to set me free, because there was no cause of death in me.
19But when the Jews spoke against it, I was constrained to appeal to Caesar, not that I had anything about which to accuse my nation.
20For this cause therefore I asked to see you and to speak with you. For because of the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.”
21They said to him, “We neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor did any of the brothers come here and report or speak any evil of you.
22But we desire to hear from you what you think. For, as concerning this sect, it is known to us that everywhere it is spoken against.”
23When they had appointed him a day, many people came to him at his lodging. He explained to them, testifying about God’s Kingdom, and persuading them concerning Jesus, both from the law of Moses and from the prophets, from morning until evening.
24Some believed the things which were spoken, and some disbelieved.
25When they didn’t agree among themselves, they departed after Paul had spoken one message: “The Holy Spirit spoke rightly through Isaiah the prophet to our fathers,
26saying, ‘Go to this people and say, in hearing, you will hear, but will in no way understand. In seeing, you will see, but will in no way perceive.
27For this people’s heart has grown callous. Their ears are dull of hearing. Their eyes they have closed. Lest they should see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their heart, and would turn again, then I would heal them.’
28“Be it known therefore to you that the salvation of God is sent to the nations, and they will listen.”
29When he had said these words, the Jews departed, having a great dispute among themselves.
30Paul stayed two whole years in his own rented house and received all who were coming to him,
31preaching God’s Kingdom and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, without hindrance.
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Theme
Paul concludes his journey to Rome after being shipwrecked on Malta, where he demonstrates God's power through miraculous protection from a viper bite and healing the sick. Upon reaching Rome, he is placed under house arrest and immediately begins his ministry to the Jewish leaders, explaining his circumstances and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom of God. The book ends with Paul freely preaching and teaching in Rome for two years, representing the gospel's triumphant arrival at the heart of the Roman Empire.
Context
This final chapter fulfills the book's trajectory from Jerusalem to Rome, completing Paul's mission as outlined in Acts 1:8 to be Christ's witness to the ends of the earth.
Key Themes
Outline
- 1-2 Arrival on Malta The shipwreck survivors discover they are on Malta and receive kind hospitality from the natives.
- 3-6 Paul and the Viper Paul survives a viper bite unharmed, causing the Maltese to view him first as a criminal, then as a god.
- 7-10 Healing Ministry on Malta Paul heals Publius's father and many others on the island, receiving honor and provisions for the journey.
- 11-16 Journey to Rome After three months, Paul travels through Syracuse and Puteoli to Rome, where he is placed under house arrest.
- 17-22 Meeting with Jewish Leaders Paul explains his situation to Rome's Jewish leaders and requests to share his message about Israel's hope.
- 23-31 Paul's Roman Ministry Paul preaches about Jesus and the kingdom of God for two years under house arrest, reaching both Jews and Gentiles.
Paul Ashore on Malta
28:1–28:10 narrative narration hopeful
After shipwreck, Paul and his companions are welcomed on Malta where Paul survives a viper bite and heals many sick people. The natives show great kindness and honor Paul for his miraculous works.
person_contrast
Paul's transformation from prisoner to miracle-worker on Malta represents his only recorded healing ministry outside a synagogue or Christian community context.
Paul's Arrival at Rome
28:11–28:31 narrative narration hopeful
Paul finally arrives in Rome where he meets with Jewish leaders and continues preaching about God's kingdom and Jesus. Despite being under house arrest, he boldly teaches all who come to him without hindrance.
quotation_chain
Luke's quotation of Isaiah 6:9 in Acts 28:26-27 creates a deliberate bookend with Jesus's parable explanations in the Gospels, framing the entire Christian mission as fulfilling Isaiah's prophecy of Jewish hardening and Gentile inclusion.
Insights
Luke's quotation of Isaiah 6:9 in Acts 28:26-27 creates a deliberate bookend with Jesus's parable explanations in the Gospels, framing the entire Christian mission as fulfilling Isaiah's prophecy of Jewish hardening and Gentile inclusion.
Cross-References
Connected passages across Scripture
Acts 28:2 1 reference
Acts 28:3 1 reference
Acts 28:4 5 references
Lexicals 5
Revelation 13:1 Lexical
Then I stood on the sand of the sea. I saw a beast coming up out of the sea, having ten horns and seven heads. On his ho…
Revelation 15:2 Lexical
I saw something like a sea of glass mixed with fire, and those who overcame the beast, his image, and the number of his…
Revelation 7:2 Lexical
I saw another angel ascend from the sunrise, having the seal of the living God. He cried with a loud voice to the four a…
Revelation 10:5 Lexical
The angel whom I saw standing on the sea and on the land lifted up his right hand to the sky
Revelation 20:4 Lexical
I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them. I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for…
Acts 28:6 2 references
Acts 28:7 4 references
Lexicals 4
John 16:26 Lexical
In that day you will ask in my name; and I don’t say to you that I will pray to the Father for you,
Acts 16:3 Lexical
Paul wanted to have him go out with him, and he took and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those parts, fo…
Hebrews 8:7 Lexical
For if that first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second.
Matthew 27:63 Lexical
saying, “Sir, we remember what that deceiver said while he was still alive: ‘After three days I will rise again.’
Acts 28:8 5 references
Lexicals 5
Luke 4:38 Lexical
He rose up from the synagogue and entered into Simon’s house. Simon’s mother-in-law was afflicted with a great fever, an…
Acts 6:6 Lexical
whom they set before the apostles. When they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.
Matthew 19:13 Lexical
Then little children were brought to him that he should lay his hands on them and pray; and the disciples rebuked them.
Acts 13:3 Lexical
Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.
Acts 19:6 Lexical
When Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them and they spoke with other languages and prophesied.
Acts 28:11 1 reference
Acts 28:12 1 reference
Acts 28:13 1 reference
Acts 28:14 2 references
Acts 28:15 4 references
Lexicals 4
Acts 23:1 Lexical
Paul, looking steadfastly at the council, said, “Brothers, I have lived before God in all good conscience until today.”
2 Thessalonians 2:13 Lexical
But we are bound to always give thanks to God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because God chose you from the beginn…
2 Thessalonians 1:3 Lexical
We are bound to always give thanks to God for you, brothers, even as it is appropriate, because your faith grows exceedi…
Acts 2:29 Lexical
“Brothers, I may tell you freely of the patriarch David, that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to th…
Acts 28:16 1 reference
Acts 28:17 5 references
Lexicals 5
Acts 21:11 Lexical
Coming to us and taking Paul’s belt, he bound his own feet and hands, and said, “The Holy Spirit says: ‘So the Jews at J…
Acts 25:16 Lexical
I answered them that it is not the custom of the Romans to give up any man to destruction before the accused has met the…
Acts 22:3 Lexical
“I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, instructed according…
Acts 23:27 Lexical
“This man was seized by the Jews, and was about to be killed by them when I came with the soldiers and rescued him, havi…
Acts 25:14 Lexical
As he stayed there many days, Festus laid Paul’s case before the king, saying, “There is a certain man left a prisoner b…
Acts 28:18 1 reference
Acts 28:19 2 references
Acts 28:21 3 references
Lexicals 3
Acts 11:1 Lexical
Now the apostles and the brothers who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God.
3 John 1:10 Lexical
Therefore, if I come, I will call attention to his deeds which he does, unjustly accusing us with wicked words. Not cont…
Luke 3:19 Lexical
but Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him for Herodias, his brother’s wife, and for all the evil things which Herod…
Acts 28:23 5 references
Lexicals 5
Luke 24:44 Lexical
He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you, that all things which are written in the law of Mo…
Acts 26:22 Lexical
Having therefore obtained the help that is from God, I stand to this day testifying both to small and great, saying noth…
Luke 16:31 Lexical
“He said to him, ‘If they don’t listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if one rises from the d…
John 1:45 Lexical
Philip found Nathanael, and said to him, “We have found him of whom Moses in the law and also the prophets, wrote: Jesus…
Hebrews 9:19 Lexical
For when every commandment had been spoken by Moses to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of the cal…
Acts 28:25 5 references
Lexicals 5
Acts 10:44 Lexical
While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all those who heard the word.
Acts 19:6 Lexical
When Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them and they spoke with other languages and prophesied.
2 Peter 3:2 Lexical
that you should remember the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets and the commandment of us, the apostles…
Acts 6:13 Lexical
and set up false witnesses who said, “This man never stops speaking blasphemous words against this holy place and the la…
Acts 5:32 Lexical
We are his witnesses of these things; and so also is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”
Acts 28:26 5 references
Lexicals 5
Matthew 13:14 Lexical
In them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says, ‘By hearing you will hear, and will in no way understand; Seein…
Mark 4:12 Lexical
that ‘seeing they may see and not perceive, and hearing they may hear and not understand, lest perhaps they should turn…
Matthew 13:15 Lexical
for this people’s heart has grown callous, their ears are dull of hearing, and they have closed their eyes; or else perh…
Matthew 13:13 Lexical
Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they don’t see, and hearing, they don’t hear, neither do they unde…
Luke 8:10 Lexical
He said, “To you it is given to know the mysteries of God’s Kingdom, but to the rest it is given in parables, that ‘seei…
Acts 28:27 5 references
Lexicals 5
Matthew 13:15 Lexical
for this people’s heart has grown callous, their ears are dull of hearing, and they have closed their eyes; or else perh…
1 Corinthians 2:9 Lexical
But as it is written, “Things which an eye didn’t see, and an ear didn’t hear, which didn’t enter into the heart of man,…
Mark 4:12 Lexical
that ‘seeing they may see and not perceive, and hearing they may hear and not understand, lest perhaps they should turn…
Luke 1:17 Lexical
He will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ and the di…
Acts 9:40 Lexical
Peter sent them all out, and knelt down and prayed. Turning to the body, he said, “Tabitha, get up!” She opened her eyes…
Acts 28:31 2 references
Interlinear
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