Back to Acts 28

Acts 28:1-10

When we had escaped, then they learned that the island was called Malta. The natives showed us uncommon kindness; for they kindled a fire and received us all, because of the present rain and because of the cold. 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. 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 from the sea, yet Justice has not allowed to live.” However he shook off the creature into the fire, and wasn’t harmed. But 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.

Now 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. The father of Publius lay sick of fever and dysentery. Paul entered in to him, prayed, and laying his hands on him, healed him. Then when this was done, the rest also who had diseases in the island came and were cured. They also honored us with many honors, and when we sailed, they put on board the things that we needed.

World English Bible · Public Domain

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Parallel Translations

  • WEB World English Bible

    When we had escaped, then they learned that the island was called Malta.

    The natives showed us uncommon kindness; for they kindled a fire and received us all, because of the present rain and because of the cold.

    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.

    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 from the sea, yet Justice has not allowed to live.”

    However he shook off the creature into the fire, and wasn’t harmed.

    But 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.

    Now 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.

    The father of Publius lay sick of fever and dysentery. Paul entered in to him, prayed, and laying his hands on him, healed him.

    Then when this was done, the rest also who had diseases in the island came and were cured.

    They also honored us with many honors, and when we sailed, they put on board the things that we needed.

  • TYNDALE Tyndale New Testament (1534)

    And when they were scaped then they knewe that the yle was called Milete.

    And the people of the countre shewed vs no lytell kyndnes: for they kyndled a fyre and receaved vs every one because of the present rayne and because of colde.

    And when Paul had gaddered a boundle of stickes and put them into the fyre ther came a viper out of the heet and lept on his honde.

    When the men of the contre sawe the worme hange on his honde they sayde amonge the selves: this man must nedes be a mortherer. Whome (though he have escaped the see) yet vengeaunce suffreth not to lyve.

    But he shouke of the vermen into the fyre and felt no harme.

    Howbeit they wayted when he shuld have swolne or fallen doune deed sodenly. But after they had loked a greate whyle and sawe no harme come to him they chaunged their myndes and sayde that he was a God.

    In the same quarters the chefe man of the yle whose name was Publius had a lordshippe: the same receaved vs and lodged vs thre dayes courteously.

    And it fortuned that the father of Publius laye sicke of a fiever and of a bluddy flixe. To who Paul entred in and prayde and layde his hondes on him and healed him.

    When this was done other also which had diseases in the yle came and were healed.

    And they dyd vs gret honoure. And when we departed they laded vs with thinges necessary.

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  • GNV Geneva Bible (1599)

    And when they were come safe, then they knewe that the Yle was called Melita.

    And the Barbarians shewed vs no litle kindnesse: for they kindled a fire, and receiued vs euery one, because of the present showre, and because of the colde.

    And when Paul had gathered a nomber of stickes, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heate, and leapt on his hand.

    Nowe when ye Barbarians saw the worme hang on his hand, they said among themselues, This man surely is a murtherer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet Vengeance hath not suffered to liue.

    But he shooke off the worme into the fire, and felt no harme.

    Howbeit they wayted whe he should haue swolne, or fallen downe dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and sawe no inconuenience come to him, they changed their mindes, and said, That he was a God.

    In the same quarters, the chiefe man of the Yle (whose name was Publius) had possessions: the same receiued vs, and lodged vs three dayes courteously.

    And so it was, that the father of Publius lay sicke of the feauer, and of a bloodie flixe: to whom Paul entred in, and when he prayed, he laide his hands on him, and healed him.

    When this then was done, other also in the Yle, which had diseases, came to him, and were healed,

    Which also did vs great honour: and when we departed, they laded vs with things necessarie.

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Examined in Scripture Analysis

Cross-references (99)

  • Luke 10:19 (v5) Behold, I give you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy. Nothing will in any way hurt you.
  • Mark 16:18 (vv5, 8) they will take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it will in no way hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will…
  • Acts 9:40 (v8) Peter sent them all out, and knelt down and prayed. Turning to the body, he said, “Tabitha, get up!” She opened her eyes, and when she saw…
  • Psalms 91:13 (v5) You will tread on the lion and cobra. You will trample the young lion and the serpent underfoot.
  • Mark 6:5 (v8) He could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people, and healed them.
Show all 96 cross-references
  • Luke 13:2 (v4) Jesus answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered such things?
  • Acts 27:26 (v1) But we must run aground on a certain island.”
  • Matthew 9:18 (v8) While he told these things to them, behold, a ruler came and worshiped him, saying, “My daughter has just died, but come and lay your hand…
  • Matthew 23:33 (v3) You serpents, you offspring of vipers, how will you escape the judgment of Gehenna?
  • Luke 13:4 (v4) Or those eighteen, on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them; do you think that they were worse offenders than all the men who dwell…
  • Romans 1:14 (v2) I am debtor both to Greeks and to foreigners, both to the wise and to the foolish.
  • Colossians 3:11 (v2) where there can’t be Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bondservant, or free person; but Christ is all,…
  • Hebrews 13:2 (v2) Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for in doing so, some have entertained angels without knowing it.
  • James 5:14-16 (v8) Is any among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the assembly, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the…
  • Acts 28:4 (vv2–3) 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…
  • Matthew 10:8 (v8) Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, and cast out demons. Freely you received, so freely give.
  • Acts 27:44 (v1) and the rest should follow, some on planks, and some on other things from the ship. So they all escaped safely to the land.
  • 2 Corinthians 11:27 (v2) in labor and travail, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, and in cold and nakedness.
  • 1 Thessalonians 2:6 (v10) nor seeking glory from men (neither from you nor from others), when we might have claimed authority as apostles of Christ.
  • Acts 28:2 (vv4, 7) The natives showed us uncommon kindness; for they kindled a fire and received us all, because of the present rain and because of the cold.
  • Numbers 21:6-9 (v5) Yahweh sent venomous snakes among the people, and they bit the people. Many people of Israel died. The people came to Moses, and said, “We…
  • Proverbs 24:11-12 (v2) Rescue those who are being led away to death! Indeed, hold back those who are staggering to the slaughter! If you say, “Behold, we didn’t…
  • Matthew 4:24 (v9) The report about him went out into all Syria. They brought to him all who were sick, afflicted with various diseases and torments,…
  • Matthew 6:31-34 (v10) “Therefore don’t be anxious, saying, ‘What will we eat?’, ‘What will we drink?’ or, ‘With what will we be clothed?’ For the Gentiles seek…
  • Matthew 10:1 (v8) He called to himself his twelve disciples, and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and…
  • Matthew 10:40-41 (v7) He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives him who sent me. He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet will…
  • Matthew 10:42 (v2) Whoever gives one of these little ones just a cup of cold water to drink in the name of a disciple, most certainly I tell you he will in no…
  • Matthew 12:34 (v3) You offspring of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.
  • Mark 6:54-56 (v9) When they had come out of the boat, immediately the people recognized him, and ran around that whole region, and began to bring those who…
  • Luke 13:13 (v8) He laid his hands on her, and immediately she stood up straight and glorified God.
  • John 7:24 (v4) Don’t judge according to appearance, but judge righteous judgment.”
  • Acts 5:12 (v9) By the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. They were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch.
  • Acts 5:15 (v9) They even carried out the sick into the streets, and laid them on cots and mattresses, so that as Peter came by, at the least his shadow…
  • Acts 12:22 (v6) The people shouted, “The voice of a god, and not of a man!”
  • Acts 19:11-12 (v8) God worked special miracles by the hands of Paul, so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were carried away from his body to the sick, and the…
  • Acts 27:39 (v1) When it was day, they didn’t recognize the land, but they noticed a certain bay with a beach, and they decided to try to drive the ship…
  • Acts 28:5 (v4) However he shook off the creature into the fire, and wasn’t harmed.
  • 1 Corinthians 12:9 (v8) to another faith, by the same Spirit; and to another gifts of healings, by the same Spirit;
  • 1 Corinthians 12:28 (v8) God has set some in the assembly: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracle workers, then gifts of healings, helps,…
  • 1 Corinthians 14:11 (v2) If then I don’t know the meaning of the sound, I would be to him who speaks a foreigner, and he who speaks would be a foreigner to me.
  • Philippians 4:11-12 (v10) Not that I speak because of lack, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content in it. I know how to be humbled, and I also know…
  • Philippians 4:19 (v10) My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
  • Revelation 9:3-4 (v5) Then out of the smoke came locusts on the earth, and power was given to them, as the scorpions of the earth have power. They were told that…
  • Leviticus 19:34 (v2) The stranger who lives as a foreigner with you shall be to you as the native-born among you, and you shall love him as yourself; for you…
  • 2 Kings 8:9 (v10) So Hazael went to meet him, and took a present with him, even of every good thing of Damascus, forty camels’ burden, and came and stood…
  • Ezra 7:27 (v10) Blessed be Yahweh, the God of our fathers, who has put such a thing as this in the king’s heart, to beautify Yahweh’s house which is in…
  • Isaiah 43:20 (v4) The animals of the field, the jackals and the ostriches, shall honor me, because I give water in the wilderness and rivers in the desert,…
  • Matthew 10:8-10 (v10) Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, and cast out demons. Freely you received, so freely give. Don’t take any gold, silver, or brass in your…
  • Matthew 15:5-6 (v10) But you say, ‘Whoever may tell his father or his mother, “Whatever help you might otherwise have gotten from me is a gift devoted to God,”…
  • Matthew 23:35 (v4) that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zachariah son of…
  • Luke 4:40 (v8) When the sun was setting, all those who had any sick with various diseases brought them to him; and he laid his hands on every one of them,…
  • Luke 9:1-3 (v8) He called the twelve together, and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. He sent them out to preach God’s…
  • Luke 10:8-9 (v8) Into whatever city you enter, and they receive you, eat the things that are set before you. Heal the sick who are there, and tell them,…
  • Luke 19:6-9 (v7) He hurried, came down, and received him joyfully. When they saw it, they all murmured, saying, “He has gone in to lodge with a man who is a…
  • John 3:14-15 (v5) As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him should not perish,…
  • John 9:1-2 (v4) As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born…
  • Acts 13:7 (v7) who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of understanding. This man summoned Barnabas and Saul, and sought to hear the word of God.
  • Acts 18:12 (v7) But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews with one accord rose up against Paul and brought him before the judgment seat,
  • Acts 23:24 (v7) He asked them to provide animals, that they might set Paul on one, and bring him safely to Felix the governor.
  • Acts 27:3 (v2) The next day, we touched at Sidon. Julius treated Paul kindly, and gave him permission to go to his friends and refresh himself.
  • 2 Corinthians 8:2-6 (v10) how in much proof of affliction, the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded to the riches of their generosity. For…
  • 2 Corinthians 9:5-11 (v10) I thought it necessary therefore to entreat the brothers that they would go before to you and arrange ahead of time the generous gift that…
  • 2 Corinthians 11:23 (v3) Are they servants of Christ? (I speak as one beside himself.) I am more so: in labors more abundantly, in prisons more abundantly, in…
  • 1 Timothy 5:3-4 (v10) Honor widows who are widows indeed. But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them learn first to show piety toward their own…
  • 1 Timothy 5:17-18 (v10) Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and in teaching. For the Scripture…
  • Genesis 3:1 (v4) Now the serpent was more subtle than any animal of the field which Yahweh God had made. He said to the woman, “Has God really said, ‘You…
  • Genesis 4:8-11 (v4) Cain said to Abel, his brother, “Let’s go into the field.” While they were in the field, Cain rose up against Abel, his brother, and killed…
  • Genesis 9:5-6 (v4) I will surely require accounting for your life’s blood. At the hand of every animal I will require it. At the hand of man, even at the hand…
  • Genesis 42:21-22 (v4) They said to one another, “We are certainly guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the distress of his soul, when he begged us, and…
  • Leviticus 19:18 (v2) “ ‘You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people; but you shall love your neighbor as yourself. I…
  • Numbers 35:31-34 (v4) “ ‘Moreover you shall take no ransom for the life of a murderer who is guilty of death. He shall surely be put to death. “ ‘You shall take…
  • 1 Kings 17:20-22 (v8) He cried to Yahweh, and said, “Yahweh my God, have you also brought evil on the widow with whom I am staying, by killing her son?” He…
  • Ezra 10:9 (v2) Then all the men of Judah and Benjamin gathered themselves together to Jerusalem within the three days. It was the ninth month, on the…
  • Job 20:16 (v3) He will suck cobra venom. The viper’s tongue will kill him.
  • Proverbs 28:17 (v4) A man who is tormented by life blood will be a fugitive until death; no one will support him.
  • Isaiah 26:21 (v4) For, behold, Yahweh comes out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity. The earth also will disclose her…
  • Isaiah 30:6 (v3) The burden of the animals of the South. Through the land of trouble and anguish, of the lioness and the lion, the viper and fiery flying…
  • Isaiah 41:24 (v3) Behold, you are nothing, and your work is nothing. He who chooses you is an abomination.
  • Isaiah 59:5 (v3) They hatch adders’ eggs, and weave the spider’s web. He who eats of their eggs dies; and that which is crushed breaks out into a viper.
  • Zephaniah 2:15 (v4) This is the joyous city that lived carelessly, that said in her heart, “I am, and there is no one besides me.” How she has become a…
  • Matthew 3:7 (v3) But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for his baptism, he said to them, “You offspring of vipers, who warned you to…
  • Matthew 21:9 (v6) The multitudes who went in front of him, and those who followed, kept shouting, “Hosanna to the son of David! Blessed is he who comes in…
  • Matthew 27:25 (v4) All the people answered, “May his blood be on us, and on our children!”
  • Mark 1:30-31 (v8) Now Simon’s wife’s mother lay sick with a fever, and immediately they told him about her. He came and took her by the hand, and raised her…
  • Mark 5:23 (v8) and begged him much, saying, “My little daughter is at the point of death. Please come and lay your hands on her, that she may be made…
  • Mark 7:32 (v8) They brought to him one who was deaf and had an impediment in his speech. They begged him to lay his hand on him.
  • Luke 10:30-37 (v2) Jesus answered, “A certain man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who both stripped him and beat him, and…
  • John 18:18 (v2) Now the servants and the officers were standing there, having made a fire of coals, for it was cold. They were warming themselves. Peter…
  • Acts 9:17-18 (v8) Ananias departed and entered into the house. Laying his hands on him, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord, who appeared to you on the road by…
  • Acts 14:11-13 (v6) When the multitude saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voice, saying in the language of Lycaonia, “The gods have come down to us…
  • Acts 16:10 (v1) When he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go out to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the Good News…
  • Romans 2:14-15 (v2) (for when Gentiles who don’t have the law do by nature the things of the law, these, not having the law, are a law to themselves, in that…
  • Romans 2:27 (v2) Won’t the uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfills the law, judge you, who with the letter and circumcision are a transgressor of…
  • Romans 16:20 (v5) And the God of peace will quickly crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
  • 2 Corinthians 6:9 (v3) as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and not killed;
  • Revelation 21:8 (v4) But for the cowardly, unbelieving, sinners, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their part is in…

96 distinct cross-references across this passage (99 total citations).

Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)

Explain this passage (31 sources)

Historical commentary, presented as a primary source — not an endorsement.

John Calvin 1540 · Public Domain On vv1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 1. That doleful spectacle is described in the beginning…

1. That doleful spectacle is described in the beginning of the chapter, when so many men being wet, and also all berayed with the foam and filth of the sea, and stiff with cold, did with much ado crawl to the shore; for that was all one as if they had been cast up by the sea to die some other death. After that, Luke declareth that they were courteously entertained of the barbarians, that they kindled a fire that they might dry their clothes, and refresh their joints, which were stiff with cold, and at length that they were saved from the shower. Therefore, in that Paul commendeth these duties, he showeth his thankfulness; and so great liberality toward strangers is for good causes advanced, whereof there be rare examples in the world. And though common nature doth wring out of the barbarous Gentiles some affection of mercy in so great necessity; yet undoubtedly it was God which caused the men of Melita to handle these men so courteously, that his promise might be sure and certain, which might seem imperfect if the shipwreck had caused the loss of any man’s life.

A viper coming out of the heat. The very event did prove that Paul was a true and undoubted prophet of God. Now, that God may make him famous as well by land as by sea, he sealeth the former miracles with a new miracle; and so he ratifieth his apostleship among the men of Melita. And though there were not many which did profit thereby, yet the majesty of the gospel did shine even among the unbelievers; also this did greatly confirm the oracles to the mariners, which they had not sufficiently reverenced. Neither did the viper come out of the sticks by chance; but the Lord did direct her by his secret counsel to bite Paul, because he saw it would turn to the glory of his gospel.

John Calvin's Commentaries (1540-1563) — public domain. Text from the Calvin Translation Society English edition (1840s-50s) via the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (ccel.org). Calvin's coverage is partial (roughly two-thirds of the Bible); uncommented books and verses are honest gaps, never fabricated. The 19th-century editor's footnotes and remarks are omitted so the notes are faithfully Calvin's own voice.

Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On vv1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10 That is it which at this day we call…
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv1–10 1 And when they were escaped, then they knew…
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On vv1–10 The island; this was foretold by Paul, Act 27:26;…
William Burkitt 1703 · Public Domain On vv1, 7 After a long and dangerous voyage, recorded in the…
Matthew Henry 1710 · Public Domain On v1 What a great variety of places and circumstances do…
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv2–10 And the barbarous people showed us no little kindness,....…
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain On vv1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7 Melita or Malta, is about twelve miles broad, twenty…
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On vv1–10 St. Paul, and the rest of the crew, getting…
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain On vv1, 2, 3, 5, 7 Act 28:1. When they were escaped, they knew —…
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain On vv1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10 They knew - Either from their former acquaintance with…
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain On vv1, 4, 6 Melita, now called Malta, famous for being the residence…
John Nelson Darby 1862 · Public Domain On v1 Acts Chapter 28
Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures 1864 · Public Domain On v1 B.—Experiences And Acts Of The Apostle At Malta
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain On vv2–10 the barbarous people--so called merely as speaking neither the…
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On vv1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8 Paul on the Isle of Malta, Act_28:1-11.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv1–9 Act_28:1-10. The shipwrecked company hospitably entertained in Malta. Paul,…
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On vv1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 (1) Then they knew that the island was called…
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv1–10 We for they, A.V. and T.R. (twice). Was called.…
The Biblical Illustrator 1887 · Public Domain On vv1, 2, 3, 7 And when they were escaped then they knew.
B. W. Johnson 1891 · Public Domain On vv1, 7 1–6. The island was called Melita. They had no…
The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary 1892 · Public Domain On v1 Act_28:1. The best authorities read, “And when we were…
William B. Godbey 1900 · Public Domain On vv1, 7 1. The island of Malta, as they told me…
The Sermon Bible 1900 · Public Domain On v1 We have here:—
Alexander MacLaren 1905 · Public Domain On v1 Act 28:1 - Act 28:16.
J. R. Dummelow 1909 · Public Domain On v1 St. Paul a Prisoner at Rome
J. W. McGarvey 1914 · Public Domain On vv1–10 XXVIII: 1, 2. (1) “ And after they had…
Arno C. Gaebelein 1922 · Public Domain On v1 1. In the Island of Melita (Act 28:1-10).
Paul E. Kretzmann 1924 · Public Domain On vv1, 7 The Journey from Melita to Rome.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv1, 3, 5, 7 Connecting Statement:
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv1, 3, 8, 10 28:1 Malta was a major island under Roman control,…
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