ACTS 28:1-6 1
Now when they had escaped, they then found out that the island was called
Malta. 2 And the
natives showed us unusual kindness; for they kindled a fire and made us all
welcome, because of the rain that was falling and because of the cold.
3 But 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.
4 So when 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 the sea, yet justice does not
allow to live.” 5
But he shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm.
6 However, they were
expecting that he would swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they
had looked for a long time and saw no harm come to him, they changed their
minds and said that he was a god.
Where is "Malta" (Acts 28:1)?
Malta is 60 miles south of, and was a part of the Roman province of Sicily, the large southern-most island of Italy.
How was the weather?
It was
"cold" (Acts 28:2),
"winter" (Acts 27:12) and the storm hadn't lifted:
"the rain that was falling"
(Acts 28:2).
After being bitten by the viper, why did Paul shake
"off the creature into the fire" (Acts 28:5)?
Had it let the viper live, someone else risked getting bitten.
Why didn't Paul immediately turn to Doctor Luke for
medical attention?
The Lord Himself had told him, "Be of good cheer,
Paul; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear
witness at Rome" (Acts 23:11), which means he wasn't
going to die in Malta. Paul trusted the Lord to deal with the viper venom.
Why would the Maltese call Paul "a god" (Acts 28:6)
and why would God let a viper bite Paul?
The original Greek word translated "justice"
(Acts 28:4) is Dike (pronounced "dee-kay"), who in pagan mythology
was the daughter of Jupiter and the goddess of justice. The Maltese were
especially into goddess worship and thought their goddess of justice isn't
allowing Paul "to live"
(Acts 28:4). When they realized that their goddess couldn't kill Paul, they
"changed their minds and said that he was a god"
(Acts 28:6). The Lord apparently had a ministry lined up for the Maltese and
was setting the platform for Paul, who undoubtedly told them about the true
God over the "three months"
(Acts 28:11) that he spent in Malta.
Besides "the natives" (Acts 28:2), who else should have
been paying homage to Paul on the shore?
Everyone who had been on the ship. Since Paul had prayed for and led all 276
passengers safely through the storm and the shipwreck so that
"they all escaped safely" (Acts
27:44), he easily could have been at the 'best seat' by the fire receiving
their gratitude and adulation.
What was Paul doing?
He was out gathering wood for the fire to warm everyone else:
"Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on
the fire" (Acts 28:3), displaying the servant
leadership that Jesus taught and exemplified:
"Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and
that He had come from God and was going to God, rose from supper and laid
aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. After that, He poured
water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them
with the towel with which He was girded... So when He had washed their feet,
taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, “Do you know what I
have done to you? You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I
am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought
to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you should
do as I have done to you." (John 13:3-5,12-15)
If you are a church pastor or elder, when is the
last time you cleaned your church toilets, which are cleaner today than feet
were back then?
...
ACTS 28:7-10 7
In that region there was an estate of the leading citizen of the island,
whose name was Publius, who received us and entertained us courteously for
three days. 8 And it
happened that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and dysentery. Paul
went in to him and prayed, and he laid his hands on him and healed him.
9 So when this was done,
the rest of those on the island who had diseases also came and were healed.
10
They also honored us in many ways; and when we departed,
they provided such things as were necessary.
Who was "Publius" (Acts 28:7)?
He was
"the leading citizen of" (Acts 28:7)
Malta.
Who are the "us" (Acts 28:7,10)?
Unless Publius was exceptionally rich and
"entertained" (Acts 28:7) and
"provided"
(Acts 28:10) for all 276 passengers from the ship, it is likely to have been
just Paul, about whose bout with the viper Publius may have heard about, and
Paul's companions, Luke and Aristarchus.
Who didn't heal Publius' father "of a fever and
dysentery" (Acts 28:8)?
Luke, who was a doctor.
Why did God have Paul heal him?
So
that
"the rest of those on the island who had diseases also came to be healed"
(Acts 28:9). The Lord was expanding Paul's ministry to the Maltese.
ACTS 28:11-16 11 After three months we
sailed in an Alexandrian ship whose figurehead was the Twin Brothers, which
had wintered at the island. 12
And landing at Syracuse, we stayed three days.
13 From there we circled
round and reached Rhegium. And after one day the south wind blew; and the
next day we came to Puteoli, 14
where we found brethren, and were invited to stay with them seven days. And
so we went toward Rome. 15
And from there, when the brethren heard about us, they came to meet us as
far as Appii Forum and Three Inns. When Paul saw them, he thanked God and
took courage. 16 Now
when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain
of the guard; but Paul was permitted to dwell by himself with the soldier
who guarded him.
What happened after "three months" (Acts 28:11)?
Spring arrived and the wind changed so that they could sail northward to
Italy.
Where are "Syracuse" (Acts 28:12) and "Rhegium" (Acts
28:13)?
Syracuse is a port city on the east coast of Sicily and is about 90 miles
northeast of Malta. Rhegium is a port city at the extreme southern tip -
right on the toe of the 'boot' - of Italy, another 90 miles north of
Syracuse.
Where is "Puteoli" (Acts 28:13)?
Puteoli is 250 miles north of Rhegium and right next to the modern Italian city of Naples.
"Puteoli" literally means "little wells", in reference to the many
hydrothermal wells that were in the city. Puteoli was also the cargo port
for Rome and the nearby Roman naval base at Misenum housed the largest naval
fleet in the ancient world. Earthquakes since have sunk most of Puteoli
under water.
Where are "Appii Forum and Three Inns" (Acts 28:15)?
Three Inns and Appi Forum were 30 and 40 miles, respectively, south of Rome.
When the Christians in Rome
"heard" (Acts 28:15)
that Paul was headed their way from Puteoli, 140 miles to the south, they
walked 30-40 miles to greet him.
"When Paul saw them, he
thanked God and took courage." (Acts 28:15)
Who established the church in Rome?
God used someone other than Paul, since this was Paul's first visit to Rome.
But Paul and the church in Rome weren't strangers. Before heading to
Jerusalem, most probably from Corinth -
"But now I am
going to Jerusalem to minister to the saints. For it pleased those from
Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the
saints who are in Jerusalem." (Romans 15:25-26) - Paul wrote to the
church in Rome and shared his prayers, now granted:
"To
all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and
peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. First, I thank my God
through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout
the whole world. For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the
gospel of His Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my
prayers, making request if, by some means, now at last I may find a way in
the will of God to come to you. For I long to see you, that I may impart to
you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established - that is, that I
may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me."
(Romans 1:7-12)
How many Christians did the Roman Christians greet?
Since the
"centurion" (Acts 28:16) was with Paul,
so were his soldiers and the other prisoners bound for Rome, as well as
perhaps other passengers from the ship who were bound for Rome. After what
they had witnessed, lived through and heard from Paul since leaving
Caesarea, it is highly likely that the Roman Christians greeted far more
Christians than just Paul, Luke and Aristarchus. The Lord most likely saved
many if not all passengers on the ship in more ways than one.
To whom did the centurion deliver the prisoners upon
arrival in Rome?
The head of the Praetorian guards -
"captain of the
guard" (Acts 28:16) - who guarded Caesar and his palace.
Why was Paul "permitted to dwell by himself with the
soldier who guarded him." (Acts 28:16)?
For one, he was an uncondemned Roman citizen. For another, the centurion may
have vouched for Paul, who was hardly a flight risk. After all, he had
requested to come to Rome.
Why then did the Lord have "soldiers" guard Paul?
To protect him during his ministry in Rome: "Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and received all
who came to him,
preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord
Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him."
(Acts 28:30-31)
What happened to the soldier guarding Paul?
God turned them into Christians, as Paul later wrote to the church in
Philippi: (the original Greek word translated "household" is oikia,
which can mean either "household" or "house", which for the Caesar is his
palace): "Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The
brethren who are with me greet you. All the saints greet you, but especially
those who are of Caesar’s household."
(Philippians 4:21-22)
What did Paul's guard do in turn?
Spread the gospel to the "whole" Praetorian guards, as Paul also wrote:
"But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which
happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel,
so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the
rest, that my chains are in Christ." (Philippians 1:12-13)
ACTS 28:17-20 17
And it came to pass after three days that Paul called the leaders of the
Jews together. So when they had come together, he said to them: "Men and
brethren, though I have done nothing against our people or the customs of
our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands
of the Romans, 18
who, when they had examined me, wanted to let me go, because there was no
cause for putting me to death. 19
But when the Jews spoke against it, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar, not
that I had anything of which to accuse my nation.
20 For this reason
therefore I have called for you, to see you and speak with you, because for
the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain."
Who did Paul call after "three days" (Acts 28:17) in Rome?
"The leaders of the Jews" (Acts
28:17). Being under house arrest, he couldn't go to them, so he had them
come to him.
Hadn't "Claudius ... commanded all the Jews to
depart from Rome" (Acts 18:2)?
Claudius expelled Jews from Rome in 49 AD and died, allegedly from
poisoning, in 54 AD, when a new reign began under Nero, the son of Claudius'
fourth wife and alleged murderer. Those Paul called were the leaders of the
Jews who had either hidden through Claudius' expulsion order or moved (back)
to Rome after his death.
What "chain" (Acts 28:19) was Paul talking about?
Being under Roman house arrest, Paul's right wrist would have been chained
to a Roman guard.
What did Paul first establish to the leaders of the Jews in
Rome?
His innocence:
"I have done nothing against our people
or the customs of our fathers ..."
(Acts 28:17)
Then why was he a prisoner?
"For the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain."
(Acts 28:19)
What is the "hope of Israel"?
The Messiah - i.e., Jesus.
ACTS 28:21-23 21 Then they said to him,
“We neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor have any of the
brethren who came reported or spoken any evil of you.
22 But we desire to hear
from you what you think; for concerning this sect, we know that it is spoken
against everywhere.” 23
So when they had appointed him a day, many came to him at his lodging, to
whom he explained and solemnly testified of the kingdom of God, persuading
them concerning Jesus from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets, from
morning till evening.
What did Paul want the leaders of the Jews to do?
Go and bring the Jews so that he can preach the Gospel to them:
"So when they had appointed him a day, many came to him at his lodging, to
whom he explained and solemnly testified of the kingdom of God, persuading
them concerning Jesus from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets, from
morning till evening." (Acts 28:23)
Why did the leaders bring the Jews?
While they had heard nothing negative concerning Paul, they had heard
negative things about Christianity, so they wanted to hear Paul's opinion on
the matter:
"We neither received letters from Judea
concerning you, nor have any of the brethren who came reported or spoken any
evil of you. But we desire to hear from you what you think; for concerning
this sect, we know that it is spoken against everywhere."
(Acts 28:21-22)
ACTS 28:24-31 24
And some were persuaded by the things which were spoken, and some
disbelieved. 25
So when they did not agree among themselves, they departed
after Paul had said one word: "The Holy Spirit spoke rightly through Isaiah
the prophet to our fathers, 26
saying, ‘Go to this people and say: “Hearing you will hear, and shall not
understand; And seeing you will see, and not perceive;
27 For the hearts of this
people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, And their eyes they
have closed, Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears,
Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should
heal them.” ’ 28
"Therefore let it be known to you that the salvation of God has been sent to
the Gentiles, and they will hear it!" 29
And when he had said these words, the Jews departed and had a great dispute
among themselves. 30
Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and received all
who came to him, 31
preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord
Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him.
To whom did Paul turn after this sermon, which lasted "from
morning till evening" (Acts 28:23)?
As has been typical for Paul in a new city, he first brought the good news
of Jesus Christ to those who knew the
"Law of Moses and
the Prophets"
(Acts 28:23) and had been waiting for the Messiah. Thereafter, he turned to
the Gentiles: "Therefore let it be known to you
that the salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will hear
it!" (Acts 28:28)
What did the Gospel do to the Jews who heard it?
It split them:
"Some were persuaded by the things which
were spoken, and some disbelieved." (Acts 28:24)
What will the Gospel do to you?
It will put you into one of two camps. Either you will believe it and be
saved for eternity, or you will disbelieve and end up in hell for eternity.
If you have yet to consider the Gospel, please (re)start with John 1.
What should you do if you know the Gospel but don't believe
it?
Cry out to Jesus to
open your mind, heart, eyes and ears
so that you will be among those who "see with
their eyes and hear with their ears ... understand with their hearts and
turn" (Acts 28:27) to Him.
What should you do if you know and believe the
Gospel?
Share it with those who don't, and never cease giving all credit, thanks,
praise, honor and glory to Jesus.