Why did the people on Malta first think Paul was a murderer and then a god?

The islanders saw a snake fasten onto Paul’s hand and assumed it was divine punishment. In their minds, if he had escaped drowning but was bitten, some higher power was finally catching him. When he simply shook the snake into the fire and did not swell up or die, they watched for a long time, expecting him to fall. When nothing happened, they swung to the opposite extreme and said he was a god. This shows how people can judge quickly from outward events without really knowing God’s ways.

What is the point of Paul surviving the viper bite with no harm?

Paul’s survival shows God’s special protection over him as His servant. Humanly, a viper’s bite should have caused swelling or sudden death, and the islanders knew that. Instead, Paul calmly shook the snake into the fire and suffered no harm. This fits with God’s promise to protect His messengers so they can finish their work. It also opened a door for the people on Malta to listen to him and see that the God he served was real and powerful, not like their old ideas about fate.

Who was Publius in this passage, and why is his role important?

Publius is called the chief man of the island, likely a local ruler or main official on Malta. He welcomed Paul and the other survivors and hosted them kindly for three days. When his father lay sick with fever and a bloody flux, Paul went in, prayed, laid hands on him, and he was healed. After this, many other sick people on the island came and were healed too. Publius’ hospitality led to blessing for his own household and opened the way for the whole island to see God’s mercy in action.

What does this passage show about God’s providence and care for Paul?

All through this passage, we see that God is guiding events, even through hardship. A shipwreck leads to shelter on Malta, where strangers show kindness. A snake bite becomes a sign of God’s power, not of curse. Sickness around Paul turns into occasions for healing. Later, on the way to Rome, Paul finds fellow believers and gains courage as they come out to meet him. In Rome he is still a prisoner, yet allowed to live in a rented house and preach freely. Nothing can stop God from carrying out His purpose.

What does Paul mean when he says he is bound "for the hope of Israel"?

When Paul says he is bound for the hope of Israel, he is talking about the promised salvation and king that Israel had been waiting for. He is in chains because he preaches that this hope is fulfilled in Jesus. Paul tells the Jewish leaders he has done nothing against their people or customs, but that his message about Jesus as the promised one led to his arrest and appeal to Caesar. So his chains are not for a crime, but for preaching the very hope their own Scriptures pointed to.

Why did some who heard Paul in Rome believe his message and others did not?

The passage says that some believed the things Paul spoke, and some did not. Paul spent a whole day explaining and testifying about God’s kingdom and trying to persuade them about Jesus from Moses and the prophets. The different responses show that the same message can soften some hearts and be resisted by others. Paul then quoted words given by the Holy Ghost through Isaiah about people hearing but not understanding and closing their eyes. Those who refused were not lacking information; they were hardening themselves against what they heard.

What does the quote about hearing and not understanding teach about unbelief?

The quote speaks of people who hear but do not understand and see but do not truly perceive. Their heart is described as grown dull, their ears heavy, and their eyes closed. This shows that unbelief is not only about lack of evidence. It can be a willful shutting of the eyes and ears to what God is saying. The words warn that when people keep refusing the light they are given, their hearts become harder. It is a sober reminder not to treat God’s word lightly or ignore it when we hear it.

Why does Paul say that the salvation of God is sent to the Gentiles?

After the Jewish leaders in Rome disagree among themselves and some reject his message, Paul tells them that God’s salvation is sent to the Gentiles and that they will hear it. This does not mean Jews are shut out from salvation, but it shows that the good news is not limited to one nation. Since many of his own people resisted the message, Paul turns again to non-Jews, confident that many among them will receive it. God’s plan is wider than one group and reaches out to all who will listen.

How can believers today relate to Paul preaching under guard in his own house?

Paul lived two whole years in a rented house, chained to a soldier, yet the text says he received all who came to him and preached God’s kingdom and taught about Jesus with confidence, with no one stopping him from speaking. Believers today can see that outward limits do not stop God’s word. Even when our freedom, health, or situation is restricted, God can still use us to point others to Jesus. Paul’s example encourages us to be faithful where we are, trusting God to open doors in ways we might not expect.

Acts.28.1

Acts 28:1

KJV

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

Ashore on Malta

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

2 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.

3 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.

4 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.

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

6 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.

7 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.

8 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.

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

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

Paul Arrives in Italy

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

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

13 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:

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

15 And 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.

Paul Preaches at Rome

16 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.

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.

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

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

20 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.

21 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.

22 But 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.

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

25 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,

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

27 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.

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

29 And 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,

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

Cross References

No cross references available for this verse.