Acts Chapter 28

From The Open Bible Project

28:1 When we had escaped, then [81] they [See Acts Footnotes 81] learned that the island was called Malta.

• (a) That place which we today call Malta.

28:2 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.

28:3 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.

• (1) The godly are sure to have danger upon danger, but they alway have a glorious outcome.

28:4 When the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said one to another, "No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped from the sea, yet Justice has not allowed to live."

• (2) Although adversity is the punishment of sin, yet seeing that God in punishing men does not always punish because of sin, they judge rashly who either do not wait for the end, or who judge and esteem of men according to prosperity or adversity.

(b) Right and proper.

28:5 However he shook off the creature into the fire, and wasn't harmed.

28:6 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.

• (c) The Greek word signifies to be inflamed or to swell: moreover, Dioscorides in his sixth book, chap. 38, witnesses that the biting of a viper causes a swelling of the body, and so says Nicander, in his remedies against poisons. (3) There are none who are more changing in every way than they who are ignorant of true religion.

28:7 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.

• (4) It never yet was a regret to any man who received the servant of God, were he ever so miserable and poor.

28:8 It happened that the father of Publius lay sick of fever and dysentery. Paul entered in to him, prayed, and laying his hands on him, healed him.

28:9 Then when this was done, the rest also who had diseases in the island came, and were cured.

• (5) Although Paul was a captive, yet the power of God was not captive.

28:10 They also honored us with many honors, and when we sailed, they put on board the things that we needed.

• (6) God does well to strangers for his children’s sake.

28:11 After three months, we set sail in a ship of Alexandria which had wintered in the island, whose sign was "The Twin Brothers."

• (7) Idols do not defile the saints, who do in no way give consent of them.
• (d) So they used to deck the front part of their ships, because of which their ships were called by such names.

28:12 Touching at Syracuse, we stayed there three days.

28:13 From 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,

28:14 where we found [82] brothers, [See Acts Footnotes 82] and were entreated to stay with them for seven days. So we came to Rome.

• (8) God bows and bends the hearts even of profane men, as it pleases him to show favour to his own.

28:15 From there the brothers, when they heard of us, came to receive us [See Acts Footnotes 83] as far as The Market of Appius and The Three Taverns. When Paul saw them, he thanked God, and took courage.

• (9) God never allows his own to be afflicted beyond their strength.
• (e) Appius was a paved road made by Appius the blind, with the help of his soldiers, long and broad, and it ran out towards the sea, and there were three taverns on it.

28:16 When 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.

• (f) Not in a common prison, but in a house which he rented for himself.

28:17 It happened that after 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,

• (10) Paul in every place remembers himself to be an apostle.

28:18 who, when they had examined me, desired to set me free, because there was no cause of death in me.

28:19 But when the Jews spoke against it, I was constrained to appeal to Caesar, not that I had anything about which to accuse my nation.

• (11) We may use the means which God gives us, but in such a way that we seek the glory of God, and not of ourselves.

28:20 For 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."

28:21 They 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.

28:22 But 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."

28:23 When they had appointed him a day, many people came to him at his lodging. He explained to them, testifying about the Kingdom of God, and persuading them concerning Jesus, both from the law of Moses and from the prophets, from morning until evening.

• (12) The Law and the Gospel agree well together.
• (g) With good reasons, and proved that the kingdom of God foretold to them by the Prophets had come.

28:24 Some believed the things which were spoken, and some disbelieved.

• (13) The Gospel is a taste of life to those that believe, and a taste of death to those that are disobedient.

28:25 When they didn't agree among themselves, they departed after Paul had spoken one word, "The Holy Spirit spoke rightly through Isaiah, the prophet, to our fathers,

28:26 saying, '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.

• (14) The unbelievers willingly resist the truth, and yet not by chance.

28:27 For 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, and I would heal them.'[84]

• (h) They made as though they did not see that which they saw against their desires: yea, they did see, but they would not see.

28:28 "Be it known therefore to you, that the salvation of God is sent to the nations. They will also listen."

• (15) The unbelief of the reprobate and castaways cannot cause the truth of God to be of no effect.

28:29 When he had said these words, the Jews departed, having a great dispute among themselves.

• (16) Not the Gospel, but the contempt of the Gospel is the cause of strife and debate.

28:30 Paul stayed two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who were coming to him,

• (17) The word of God cannot be bound.

28:31 preaching the Kingdom of God, and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, without hindrance.