Bible Commentaries
Acts 28

Verse 1

28:1 And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called {a} Melita.

(a) That place which we today call Malta.

Verse 3

28:3 {1} 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.

(1) The godly are sure to have danger upon danger, but they alway have a glorious outcome.

Verse 4

28:4 {2} 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 {b} vengeance suffereth not to live.

(2) Although adversity is the punishment of sin, yet seeing that God in punishing men does not always punish because of sin, they judge rashly who either do not wait for the end, or who judge and esteem of men according to prosperity or adversity.

(b) Right and proper.

Verse 6

28:6 Howbeit they looked when he should have {c} swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: {3} 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.

(c) The Greek word signifies to be inflamed or to swell: moreover, Dioscorides in his sixth book, chap. 38, witnesses that the biting of a viper causes a swelling of the body, and so says Nicander, in his remedies against poisons.

(3) There are none who are more changing in every way than they who are ignorant of true religion.

Verse 7

28:7 {4} 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.

(4) It never yet was a regret to any man who received the servant of God, were he ever so miserable and poor.

Verse 9

28:9 {5} So when this was done, others also, which had diseases in the island, came, and were healed:

(5) Although Paul was a captive, yet the power of God was not captive.

Verse 10

28:10 {6} Who also honoured us with many honours; and when we departed, they laded [us] with such things as were necessary.

(6) God does well to strangers for his children’s sake.

Verse 11

28:11 {7} And after three months we departed in a ship of Alexandria, which had wintered in the isle, whose {d} sign was Castor and Pollux.

(7) Idols do not defile the saints, who do in no way give consent of them.

(d) So they used to deck the front part of their ships, because of which their ships were called by such names.

Verse 14

28:14 {8} Where we found brethren, and were desired to tarry with them seven days: and so we went toward Rome.

(8) God bows and bends the hearts even of profane men, as it pleases him to show favour to his own.

Verse 15

28:15 {9} And from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us as far as {e} Appii forum, and The three taverns: whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage.

(9) God never allows his own to be afflicted beyond their strength.

(e) Appius was a paved road made by Appius the blind, with the help of his soldiers, long and broad, and it ran out towards the sea, and there were three taverns on it.

Verse 16

28:16 And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard: but Paul was suffered to dwell by {f} himself with a soldier that kept him.

(f) Not in a common prison, but in a house which he rented for himself.

Verse 17

28:17 {10} 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.

(10) Paul in every place remembers himself to be an apostle.

Verse 19

28:19 {11} But when the Jews spake against [it], I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar; not that I had ought to accuse my nation of.

(11) We may use the means which God gives us, but in such a way that we seek the glory of God, and not of ourselves.

Verse 23

28:23 {12} And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into [his] lodging; to whom he expounded and {g} 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.

(12) The Law and the Gospel agree well together.

(g) With good reasons, and proved that the kingdom of God foretold to them by the Prophets had come.

Verse 24

28:24 {13} And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not.

(13) The Gospel is a taste of life to those that believe, and a taste of death to those that are disobedient.

Verse 26

28:26 {14} Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive:

(14) The unbelievers willingly resist the truth, and yet not by chance.

Verse 27

28:27 For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they {h} 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.

(h) They made as though they did not see that which they saw against their desires: yea, they did see, but they would not see.

Verse 28

28:28 {15} Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and [that] they will hear it.

(15) The unbelief of the reprobate and castaways cannot cause the truth of God to be of no effect.

Verse 29

28:29 {16} And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great reasoning among themselves.

(16) Not the Gospel, but the contempt of the Gospel is the cause of strife and debate.

Verse 30

28:30 {17} And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him,

(17) The word of God cannot be bound.