The In-Dept Study of the Bible
Apostles 28
1 When we had escaped, then they†
learned that the island was called Malta.
2 The natives showed us uncommon
kindness; for they kindled a fire
and received us all, because of
the present rain 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 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 from the
sea, yet Justice has not allowed to live.”
5 However he shook off the creature into
the fire, and wasn’t harmed.
6 But they expected that he would have
swollen or fallen down dead suddenly,
but when they watched for a long time
and saw nothing bad happen to him, they
changed their minds and said that he was
a god.
7 Now in the neighborhood of that place
were lands belonging to the chief man
of the island, named Publius, who
received us and courteously entertained us
for three days.
8 The father of Publius lay sick of fever
and dysentery. Paul entered in to him,
prayed, and laying his hands on him,
healed him.
9 Then when this was done, the rest also
who had diseases in the island came and
were cured.
10 They also honored us with many honors;
and when we sailed, they put on board
the things that we needed.
11 After three months, we set sail in a
ship of Alexandria which had wintered
in the island, whose figurehead was “The
Twin Brothers.”
12 Touching at Syracuse, we stayed there
three days.
13 From there we circled around and
arrived at Rhegium. After one day, a south
wind sprang up, and on the second day we
came to Puteoli,
14 where we found brothers,‡ and were
entreated to stay with them for seven days.
So we came to Rome.
15 From there the brothers, when they
heard of us, came to meet us as far as The
Market of Appius and The Three Taverns.
When Paul saw them, he thanked God and
took courage.
16 When we entered into Rome, the centurion
delivered the prisoners to the captain of
the guard, but Paul was allowed
to stay by himself with the soldier who
guarded him.
17 After three days Paul called together
those who were the leaders of the Jews.
When they had come together, he said
to them, “I, brothers, though I had done
nothing against the people or the customs
of our fathers, still was delivered prisoner
from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans,
18 who, when they had examined me,
desired to set me free, because there was
no cause of death in me.
19 But when the Jews spoke against it, I
was constrained to appeal to Caesar, not
that I had anything about which to accuse
my nation.
20 For this cause therefore I asked to see
you and to speak with you. For because
of the hope of Israel I am bound with this
chain.”
21 They said to him, “We neither received
letters from Judea concerning you, nor did
any of the brothers come here and report
or speak any evil of you.
22 But we desire to hear from you what
you think. For, as concerning this sect, it is
known to us that everywhere it is spoken
against.”
23 When they had appointed him a day,
many people came to him at his lodging.
He explained to them, testifying about
God’s Kingdom, and persuading them
concerning Jesus, both from the law
of Moses and from the prophets,from morning
until evening.
24 Some believed the things which were
spoken, and some disbelieved.
25 When they didn’ t agree among themselves,
they departed after Paul had spoken one
message: “The Holy Spirit spoke rightly
through Isaiah the prophet to our fathers,
26 saying, ‘Go to this people and say,
in hearing, you will hear, but will in no way understand.
In seeing, you will see, but will in no way perceive.
27 For this people’ s heart has grown callous.
Their ears are dull of hearing. Their eyes they have closed.
Lest they should see with their eyes,
hear with their ears, understand with their heart,
and would turn again, then I would heal them.’
28 “Be it known therefore to you that the
salvation of God is sent to the nations, and
they will listen.”
29 When he had said these words, the
Jews departed, having a great dispute
among themselves. §
30 Paul stayed two whole years in his
own rented house and received all who
were coming to him,
31 preaching God’ s Kingdom and teaching
the things concerning the Lord Jesus
Christ with all boldness, without hindrance.