Acts 28

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

And 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.

And 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.

And 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.

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

Howbeit 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.

In 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.

And 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.

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

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

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

And landing at Syracuse, we tarried there three days.

And 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:

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

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

And 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.

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.

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

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

For 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.

And 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.

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

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.

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

And 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,

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

For 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.

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

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

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

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

What does Acts 28:18 mean?

Explanation

[Acts 28:18] falls near the end of the Book of Acts, which chronicles the early church's expansion and the apostle Paul's missionary journeys.

The verse is part of Paul's recounting of his trials before the Roman authorities.

In this verse, he explains to the leaders of the Jewish community in Rome that, during his judicial examination by local authorities in Judea, they found no legitimate reason to sentence him to death.

The verse emphasizes Paul's claim of innocence in the face of accusations likely made by Jewish leaders, who had opposed his teaching and ministry.

Top Rated Acts Books

Historical Context

The Book of Acts was authored by Luke, a companion of Paul.

Acts 28:18 takes place at the tail end of Paul's journey to Rome, where he is to stand trial before Caesar as a Roman citizen.

This right was invoked by Paul to appeal the decision of a lower court in Judea.

The historical backdrop of the verse is the tension between the nascent Christian community and the established Jewish leadership, as well as the Roman legal system's role in adjudicating such disputes.

Theological Insights

This verse illustrates the Christian belief in Paul's apostolic authority and innocence in response to Jewish accusations.

It is also a testament to the Roman legal system's capacity for justice, as they did not find Paul guilty of a capital offense.

Theologically, this asserts the theme of divine providence, suggesting that God was protecting Paul to ensure that his missionary work could continue.

Practical Applications

This verse can inspire believers to have faith in divine justice and to persevere in witnessing their faith, even amid false accusations.

It emphasizes the importance of integrity and maintaining one's innocence in the face of unjust charges.

For modern readers, it could also serve as encouragement to trust in lawful processes and to seek the truth.

Cross-References

Acts 25:11: "For if I be an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them.

I appeal unto Caesar."

Acts 23:29: "Whom I perceived to be accused of questions of their law, but to have nothing laid to his charge worthy of death or of bonds."
Acts 26:31-32: "And when they were gone aside, they talked between themselves, saying, This man doeth nothing worthy of death or of bonds.

Then said Agrippa unto Festus, This man might have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed unto Caesar."

Language Study

The key phrases within Acts 28:18 are "examined me" and "no cause of death in me".

The original Greek words for "examined" (anakrinō) and "cause of death" (aitia thanatou) reflect a legal scrutiny and a justification for a capital sentence.

Paul is emphasizing that upon legal examination, no just cause for execution was found in his case.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In ancient times, various cultures had systems for examining criminal accusations, much like the Roman legal system.

In Jewish law, for example, careful procedures were implemented for determining a person's guilt, with a strong emphasis on justice and preserving life.

Comparatively, in Roman culture, a citizen like Paul had the right to appeal to the emperor, which indicates a procedure for ensuring justice that was unique to Roman citizenship.

Scientific Perspectives

While there isn't a direct scientific perspective on this verse, the modern field of forensic science resonates with the theme of examination and determining the cause of events.

Just as Paul was examined for any wrongdoing, in contemporary times, forensic science is applied to analyze and find evidence to prove or disprove accusations in legal settings.

Commentaries

Various Bible commentaries provide insight into Acts 28:18.

Matthew Henry's commentary suggests that the impartiality of the Roman governors, despite their other corruptions, shines out in Paul's case.

The Jameison-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary points out that the Roman governors, Felix, Festus, and Agrippa, had all expressed the opinion that Paul had done nothing worthy of death or of imprisonment.

John Gill's Exposition of the Bible emphasizes the injustice of the Jews in demanding Paul's confinement or death, seeing that even the Roman authorities found no merit in their claims.

These perspectives highlight the theme of Paul's undeserved persecution and the acknowledgement of his innocence by secular authorities.

Acts 28

Acts 28

What does Acts 28:18 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Acts Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Acts 28:18 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Acts Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?