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 28:8 mean?

Explanation

In Acts 28:8, the author Luke documents an event where Paul, a preeminent apostle in the early Christian church, performs a miraculous healing. Paul is on the island of Malta after being shipwrecked on his way to Rome, where he is a prisoner destined to stand trial before Caesar.

The verse describes how Publius, the leading official of the island, had a father who was suffering from both a fever and dysentery, very serious and potentially life-threatening illnesses in ancient times. Paul visits the ailing man, prays, lays his hands on him, and heals him.

The literal meaning is clear: Paul, through divine power, heals a sick man.

Deeper meanings may include the demonstration of God's compassion and power through His servants, the establishment of Paul's authority and legitimacy as an apostle, and the sign that the message of the Gospel comes with tangible demonstrations of God's kingdom breaking into the world.

Top Rated Acts Books

Historical Context

The events in Acts 28 occur around AD 60.

Paul is journeying to Rome as a prisoner after appealing to Caesar, which was his right as a Roman citizen.

The shipwreck on Malta was part of Paul's perilous voyage.

During this time, the Christian church was still in its infancy, and miracles such as healings were seen as both signs and wonders to validate the apostolic message and to demonstrate God's power.

Moreover, hospitality to strangers was an important cultural virtue in the Mediterranean world, and Publius hosting Paul and the other shipwreck survivors reflects these cultural values.

Theological Insights

From a theological viewpoint, different traditions read this verse through varying lenses:

Pentecostal and Charismatic Christians might emphasize the continuation of spiritual gifts and the power of healing through faith.
Catholic and Orthodox believers might see this as an example of the power of saints (in this case, St.

Paul) and the tradition of apostolic succession where the authority and gifts are passed down through the laying on of hands.

Protestant/Evangelical Christians often interpret this as a testament to God’s power to perform miracles and the authority given to the apostles, adding weight to their message.
Skeptical or liberal theologians might understand the verse as a symbolic story illustrating the presence and spread of Christianity or question the historical validity, suggesting it was added to promote faith.

Practical Applications

This verse can inspire believers in a few ways:

The importance of prayer and faith: Believers are encouraged to pray and have faith in times of trouble, illness, or despair.
The value of caring for others: Just as Paul cared for the father of Publius, individuals could be inspired to look after the sick and needy.
Being a witness: The healing performed by Paul served as a testament to God's power, suggesting that believers' actions can be powerful witnesses to their faith.

Cross-References

Some related verses from the King James Version of the Bible are:

Mark 16:17-18: "And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name...they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover."
James 5:14-15: "Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord."
Acts 5:12: "And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people."
Acts 9:34: "And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed.

And he arose immediately."

Language Study

The key words in the original Greek text include:

"Sick" (ἠσθένει): Typically means to be weak or infirm, indicating a state of physical illness.
"Fever" (πυρετοῖς): This term signifies a fever, which was understood to be a common serious symptom of many illnesses.
"Bloody flux" (δυσεντερίῳ): Dysentery, an inflammatory disorder of the intestines, especially of the colon, which resulted in severe diarrhea with blood.

The healing is conveyed with the phrase "laid his hands on him" (ἐπιθείς τὰς χεῖρας αὐτῷ), a common practice in the early Christian community indicating a personal and direct action intended to confer a blessing or to heal.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In the Greco-Roman culture, healings were often attributed to various gods and were part of the narratives surrounding figures like Asclepius, the god of healing.

In the Jewish tradition, healings could be associated with the intervention of God or attributed to the work of prophets, such as Elijah and Elisha.

The healing by Paul in Acts reflects similarities to these cultural narratives but is distinct in that it is done in the name of Jesus Christ and is a direct action of the apostle through the power of the Holy Spirit, rather than invoking any other deity or intermediary.

Scientific Perspectives

From a modern scientific perspective, the conditions described (fever and dysentery) are medically recognized and could be life-threatening without proper treatment, especially in ancient times.

While contemporary medicine relies on the use of antibiotics and rehydration therapy for such ailments, the account of miraculous healing in Acts 28:8 does not have a parallel in modern medical science, which operates based on natural explanations and does not account for supernatural interventions.

Commentaries

Biblical scholars and theologians offer diverse perspectives on this verse:

Classic commentaries, like Matthew Henry's, often view this healing as evidence of God's grace and mercy, using Paul's imprisonment as a means to spread the Gospel.
Modern critical scholars may focus on the textual and historical analysis, understanding this event in light of the socio-religious context of the time, emphasizing the narrative's role in the spread of Christian faith among the Gentiles.
Pentecostal and Charismatic commentators might interpret the passage as a prescriptive model, supporting the belief in spiritual gifts and divine healing as active and available for believers today.
Skeptical scholars, such as Bart Ehrman, might suggest the story to be a later addition intended to embellish Paul’s narrative and solidify the supernatural credentials of Christian leaders.

These interpretations vary widely, illustrating the richness and complexity of biblical hermeneutics and the diverse understandings that can emerge from a single verse.

Acts 28

Acts 28

What does Acts 28:8 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 28:8 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?