Acts 28

King James Version

Full text for Acts Chapter 28

1¶ And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita.

2And the barbarous people shewed us no little kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold.

3And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid [them] on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand.

4And when the barbarians saw the [venomous] beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live.

5And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.

6Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.

7In the same quarters were possessions of the chief man of the island, whose name was Publius; who received us, and lodged us three days courteously.

8And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of a bloody flux: to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him.

9So when this was done, others also, which had diseases in the island, came, and were healed:

10Who also honoured us with many honours; and when we departed, they laded [us] with such things as were necessary.

11¶ And after three months we departed in a ship of Alexandria, which had wintered in the isle, whose sign was Castor and Pollux.

12And landing at Syracuse, we tarried [there] three days.

13And from thence we fetched a compass, and came to Rhegium: and after one day the south wind blew, and we came the next day to Puteoli:

14Where we found brethren, and were desired to tarry with them seven days: and so we went toward Rome.

15And from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appii forum, and The three taverns: whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage.

16And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard: but Paul was suffered to dwell by himself with a soldier that kept him.

17¶ And it came to pass, that after three days Paul called the chief of the Jews together: and when they were come together, he said unto them, Men [and] brethren, though I have committed nothing against the people, or customs of our fathers, yet was I delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.

18Who, when they had examined me, would have let [me] go, because there was no cause of death in me.

19But when the Jews spake against [it], I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar; not that I had ought to accuse my nation of.

20For this cause therefore have I called for you, to see [you], and to speak with [you]: because that for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.

21And they said unto him, We neither received letters out of Judaea concerning thee, neither any of the brethren that came shewed or spake any harm of thee.

22But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, we know that every where it is spoken against.

23¶ And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into [his] lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and [out of] the prophets, from morning till evening.

24And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not.

25And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers,

26Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive:

27For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with [their] eyes, and hear with [their] ears, and understand with [their] heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

28Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and [that] they will hear it.

29And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great reasoning among themselves.

30¶ And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him,

31Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

After a shipwreck, Paul and his companions landed on Melita, where Paul miraculously survived a viper's bite and healed many islanders. Continuing their journey, they arrived in Rome, where Paul met with Jewish leaders, explaining his appeal and testifying concerning Jesus. Despite some Jewish unbelief, Paul declared God's salvation would now go to the Gentiles. For two years, Paul freely preached the Kingdom of God in Rome, unhindered.

Medium Summary

Upon escaping shipwreck, Paul and his company found themselves on the island of Melita, where the inhabitants showed them kindness. Paul was bitten by a viper but suffered no ill effect, causing the islanders to first think him a murderer, then a god. He subsequently healed Publius's father and many others, earning their respect and provisions. After three months, they resumed their voyage, making stops before reaching Rome, where Paul was permitted to live under guard. He convened with the chief Jews, explaining his imprisonment was due to the "hope of Israel" and not any offense against their customs. Though some Jews believed his exposition of the Kingdom of God from the Scriptures, others did not, leading Paul to quote Isaiah regarding their hardened hearts and declare that salvation was now sent to the Gentiles. For two full years, Paul continued to preach the Kingdom of God and teach about the Lord Jesus Christ in Rome, unhindered.

Long Summary

The chapter opens with Paul and his fellow survivors landing on the island of Melita after their shipwreck, where the local "barbarous people" extended great kindness, kindling a fire for them in the cold rain. While gathering sticks, a viper fastened onto Paul's hand, leading the islanders to initially conclude he was a murderer whom vengeance pursued. However, when Paul shook off the beast and suffered no harm, their opinion shifted, and they declared him a god. During their three-month stay, Paul entered the house of Publius, the chief man of the island, and healed his father of a fever and bloody flux through prayer and the laying on of hands. This miracle led many other sick islanders to come and be healed, resulting in the company being honored and provided with necessities for their departure. They then set sail in an Alexandrian ship, stopping at Syracuse, Rhegium, and Puteoli, where they found brethren and tarried for seven days. As they approached Rome, brethren came to meet them, greatly encouraging Paul. Upon arrival in Rome, Paul was allowed to dwell separately with a soldier. After three days, he called the chief of the Jews together, explaining that he was delivered prisoner from Jerusalem not for any offense against their people or customs, but for the hope of Israel, and had appealed to Caesar only because the Jews opposed his release. The Roman Jews stated they had received no letters or negative reports concerning him, but desired to hear about "this sect." Paul then expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus from the Law and Prophets from morning till evening. While some believed, others did not. Paul, observing their disagreement, quoted Isaiah, lamenting their hardened hearts and closed eyes, and declared that the salvation of God was now sent to the Gentiles, who would hear it. Paul then dwelt two whole years in his own hired house in Rome, receiving all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no man forbidding him.

Core Concepts

  • Divine ProtectionPaul's miraculous survival of a viper's bite on Melita demonstrates God's protective hand over His servant, altering the islanders' perception from murderer to deity.
  • Miraculous HealingOn Melita, Paul heals Publius's father and many other sick islanders, showcasing the power of God through him and leading to the people's honor and provision for the travelers.
  • Paul's Appeal to CaesarPaul explains to the Roman Jews that his imprisonment and appeal were not due to any crime against his nation or customs, but a consequence of his witness concerning the "hope of Israel."
  • Jewish Division and UnbeliefIn Rome, Paul's preaching of the Kingdom of God and Jesus leads to a division among the Jews, with some believing and others rejecting his message, fulfilling prophetic warnings.
  • Salvation for the GentilesFollowing the Jewish leaders' mixed reception and partial unbelief, Paul explicitly declares that God's salvation is now sent to the Gentiles, who are receptive to the message.
  • Unhindered Gospel ProclamationThe chapter concludes with Paul dwelling in Rome for two years, freely and confidently preaching the Kingdom of God and teaching about Jesus Christ, with no one forbidding him, signifying the gospel's advance.