Acts 28:1–31
📖Full NKJV Scripture Reading📚
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.
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.
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.
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.”
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.
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.
👣Traces of Jesus’ Ministry👣
🕊️ Paul’s healing of Publius’s father mirrors the Lord’s compassion for the sick and suffering.
🔥 His calm after the viper’s bite recalls Christ’s power over deadly harm—“They will take up serpents, and it will not hurt them.”
💙 The kindness of strangers on Malta echoes the Good Samaritan’s mercy—God’s love reflected through unexpected hearts.
🏠 Paul’s “own rented house” becomes his final pulpit, where the gospel flows unhindered—like Jesus teaching in humble homes.
🌿 Though chained, Paul’s spirit is free; the gospel ends Acts not with a period, but with an open door.
📜From the Early Church📜
💬 Chrysostom wrote that the snake on Paul’s hand was “a symbol of the devil’s defeat”—its venom powerless against God’s servant.
🌿 The fathers saw Malta as a living parable: pagan hearts warmed by divine love before the gospel ever reached Rome.
🔥 Paul’s home in Rome was called “the free prison”—a place of chains and yet, more liberty than any palace.
🕊️ The final word of Acts in Greek, akōlytōs—“without hindrance”—reminds us that no power can silence God’s Word.
⏳Historical and Cultural Background⌛️
🏝️ Malta (Melita) was a small island strategically located between Sicily and North Africa, famous for its safe harbors.
🐍 The viper likely refers to a venomous species native to the region, used here as a sign of divine protection.
🏛️ Publius is remembered in early Christian tradition as the first bishop of Malta.
⚓️ The “Twin Brothers” (Castor and Pollux) were sons of Zeus, revered by sailors as patrons of safe voyages—ironic, given Paul’s true Deliverer.
🏠 Roman law often permitted noble prisoners to rent lodging under guard while awaiting trial—Paul’s ministry continued freely.
🗝️Key Word Studies🔑
“Kindness” (φιλανθρωπία, philanthrōpia) 💗 — Strong’s G5363: “love of mankind”; from philos (friend) and anthrōpos (man). The same root where we get “philanthropy.”
“Healed” (ἰάομαι, iaomai) 🌿 — Strong’s G2390: to make whole, spiritually and physically; used of Jesus and His apostles.
“Confidence” (παρρησία, parrēsia) 🔥 — Strong’s G3954: boldness of speech, open freedom; the fearless expression of faith.
“Unhindered” (ἀκωλύτως, akōlytōs) 🕊️ — Strong’s G889: without restraint, freely. The final word of Acts—a declaration that God’s Word will never be chained.
🔍Theological Themes
🌿 The Triumph of Grace — Even shipwreck and chains become channels of divine purpose.
🔥 Power Over Evil — The serpent’s defeat shows the supremacy of Christ’s power through His servant.
💙 The Ministry of Healing — The gospel restores both body and soul; compassion reveals God’s heart.
🕊️ The Unhindered Word — Acts ends, but the story continues; the gospel moves freely across every barrier.
🏛️ The Church in the World — From Jerusalem to Rome, the Spirit of God fills all nations with truth and peace.
🔗Old Testament Connections🏛️
🐍 Genesis 3:15 — The serpent’s defeat foretold; now fulfilled in the gospel’s victory through Christ’s people.
🔥 Isaiah 61:1 — “He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives.”
🌊 Psalm 107:20 — “He sent His word and healed them.”
🏠 Jeremiah 29:7 — Even in captivity, God’s people are called to bless and to build peace.
⁉️Thoughtful Reflection Questions⍰
🌿 How has God turned my hardships into opportunities for ministry?
🔥 What “serpents” in life have I been called to shake off in faith, trusting His protection?
💙 Do I believe that even my confinement or waiting seasons can glorify Christ?
🕊️ In what ways am I called to proclaim the gospel “without hindrance”?
🌅 Closing Reflection — The Word Unhindered
And so the story closes not with an ending, but a dawn.
Paul remains under watch, yet his words move freely — grace flowing past walls, hearts opening where bars once stood.
The Gospel, like the morning light beyond his window, travels quietly and steadily into every nation, every home, every heart willing to receive it.
We, too, are part of that sunrise.
Each act of faith, each word of love, each hand extended in kindness carries forward the same message Paul spoke in chains — that Christ has come, and nothing can hinder His light. ☀️
📚References 📚
Free Online Sources:
Blue Letter Bible — https://www.blueletterbible.org
Bible Hub — https://biblehub.com
NET Bible Notes — https://netbible.org
🖼️ Image References
- The Gospel’s Dawn — A serene watercolor of a Roman city glowing in early light beyond Paul’s window.Style: Watercolor PastoralFilename: A_watercolor_painting_depicts_a_view_through_an_ar.png
- Paul and the Viper on Malta — A watercolor painting depicting Paul shaking off a viper near the fire as islanders look on.Style: Watercolor PastoralFilename: A_watercolor_painting_depicts_an_elderly_bearded_m.png
- Paul Praying for Publius’s Father — Paul kneeling beside a sick man’s bed as light gently falls across the room.Style: Watercolor PastoralFilename: A_watercolor_painting_depicts_an_elderly_bearded_m.png
- Arrival on Malta — Survivors gathering by a seaside fire beneath gray skies after the shipwreck.Style: Watercolor PastoralFilename: A_watercolor_painting_depicts_the_arrival_of_survi.png
- Paul Teaching in Rome — The Apostle teaching visitors in his rented home with a guard standing by.Style: Watercolor PastoralFilename: A_watercolor_painting_depicts_Saint_Paul_teaching_.png
- Chains Falling Away — Symbolic ink-and-wash illustration of Paul’s chains slipping from his wrists as light spills across open scrolls.Style: Ink & Wash ScrollFilename: A_watercolor_painting_depicts_an_aged_scroll_with_.png
Artificial Intelligence Assistance:
ChatGPT. “🌸Paul on Malta and in Rome🌻 — Acts 28:1–31.” OpenAI, 2025, https://chat.openai.com.
This post was prayerfully prepared in collaboration with ChatGPT 🤖 as part of Bonnie Moore’s ongoing study in the Book of Acts.
All Scripture quoted from the New King James Version (NKJV).
May this work glorify God and strengthen every reader’s faith. 🌸
Leave a Reply