Snakes on an Island

Acts 28

Once we had been saved from danger, we learned that the island was called Malta. The islanders showed us uncommon kindness, building us a fire and taking us all in because it was raining and cold. But when Paul had gathered a bundle of brushwood and was pitting them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened itself on his hand. When the islanders saw the snake hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “This man must be a murderer. Even though he was saved from the sea, yet Justice has not allowed him to live.”

But then Paul shook the snake into the fire and wasn’t harmed in any way. They were expecting him to swell up or fall down dead suddenly, but when they watched for a long time and saw nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.

Now in the area around that place was an estate that belonged to the chief official of the island, named Publius, who welcomed us and treated us hospitably for three days. Publius’s father was bedridden, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him, and while praying for him and laying hands on him, he healed him. After this happened, the rest of those on the island who were sick came and were cured. They also bestowed many honors on us, and when we were setting sail, they gave us the supplies we needed.

Paul Arrives in Rome

After three months, we set sail on an Alexandria ship that had wintered on the island, with the “The Twin Gods” as its figurehead. We put in at Syracuse and stayed there three days. From there we circled around and arrived at Rhegium. The next day, a south wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli, where we found siblings who invited us to stay a week with them. And in this way, we came to Rome. The siblings from that place heard about us, and they came to meet us as far as the Forum of Appius and The Three Taverns. When Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage. When we entered Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself with the soldier who guarded him.

Paul Preaches to the End

After three days had passed, Paul called together the leaders of the Jews. When they had assembled, he said to them, “Brothers, although I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our ancestors, I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans. When they heard my case, they wanted to set me free, because there was no reason to give me the death penalty. But the Jews objected, so I was compelled to appeal to Caesar, though I don’t have a charge to bring against my own ethnic group. This is the reason I have asked to see y’all and to speak with y’all. For I am bound with this chain because of the hope of Israel.”

Then they said to him, “We haven’t received any letters about you from Judea, nor have any of the sibling come to report or say anything bad about you. But we would like to hear about your views from you, for we know that people everywhere are speaking against this sect.”

After appointing a day for him, they came to his lodging in even larger numbers. He explained to them from morning until evening, testifying about the Empire of God, working to persuade them about Jesus from the law of Moses and the prophets. Some were convinced by what he said, but others would not believe. They didn’t agree among themselves, and they began to leave when Paul made one particular statement: “The Holy Spirit spoke rightly through Isaiah the prophet of our ancestors, saying,

‘Go to these people and say, Y’all will keep on listening, but y’all won’t ever understand. Y’all will keep on looking but y’all won’t ever see.

For the heart of this people has become callous.

Their ears have difficulty hearing, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they would see with their eyes, hear with their ears, comprehend with their heart, and turn, and I would heal them.’+Isa 6:9-10

“Therefore let it be known to y’all that the salvation of God has been sent to the other ethnic groups, and they will listen.” .+28:28 Some manuscripts include verse 29: After he said this, the Jews departed and had a great dispute among themselves.

For two whole years, Paul remained in his own rented quarters. He welcomed all who came to see to him, preaching the Empire of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.