Malta’s Hospitality
1 Once safely ashore, we 28:1 Ac 16:10; 27:1 then learned that the island was called Malta. 28:1 Ac 27:26,392 The local people 28:2 Rm 1:14; 1Co 14:11; Col 3:11 showed us extraordinary kindness. They lit a fire and took us all in, since it was raining and cold. 3 As Paul gathered a bundle of brushwood and put it on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened itself on his hand. 4 When the local people saw the snake hanging from his hand, they said to one another, "This man, no doubt, is a murderer. Even though he has escaped the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live." 28:4 Lk 13:2,4; Jn 9:25 But he shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no harm. 28:5 Mk 16:18; Lk 10:196 They expected that he would begin to swell up or suddenly drop dead. After they waited a long time and saw nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god. 28:6 Ac 8:10; 14:11
Ministry in Malta
7 Now in the area around that place was an estate belonging to the leading man of the island, named Publius, who welcomed us and entertained us hospitably for three days. 8 Publius’s father was in bed suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went to him, and praying and laying his hands on him, he healed him. 28:8 Ac 9:40; Jms 5:14–159 After this, the rest of those on the island who had diseases also came and were healed. 10 So they heaped many honors on us, and when we sailed, they gave us what we needed.
Rome at Last
11 After three months we set sail in an Alexandrian ship that had wintered at the island, with the Twin Gods 28:11 Gk Dioscuri, twin sons of Zeus, Castor and Pollux as its figurehead. 12 Putting in at Syracuse, we stayed three days. 13 From there, after making a circuit along the coast, 28:13 Other mss read From there, casting off, we reached Rhegium. After one day a south wind sprang up, and the second day we came to Puteoli. 14 There we found brothers and sisters 28:14 Jn 21:23; Ac 1:16 and were invited to stay a week with them. And so we came to Rome. 15 Now the brothers and sisters from there had heard the news about us and had come to meet us as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns. When Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage. 16 When we entered Rome, 28:16 Other mss add the centurion turned the prisoners over to the military commander; but Paul was allowed to live by himself with the soldier who guarded him. 28:16 Ac 24:23; 27:3
Paul’s First Interview with Roman Jews
17 After three days he called together the leaders of the Jews. When they had gathered he said to them, "Brothers, although I have done nothing against our people or the customs of our ancestors, I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans. 28:17 Ac 6:14; 25:818 After they examined me, they wanted to release me, since there was no reason for the death penalty in my case. 28:18 Ac 22:24; 23:29; 26:3119 Because the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar; 28:19 Ac 25:11; 26:32 even though I had no charge to bring against my people. 20 For this reason I’ve asked to see you and speak to you. In fact, it is for the hope of Israel that I’m wearing this chain." 28:20 Ac 21:33; 26:6–7,29; Eph 6:20; 2Tm 1:16
21 Then they said to him, "We haven’t received any letters about you from Judea. None of the brothers has come and reported or spoken anything evil about you. 22 But we want to hear what your views are, since we know that people everywhere are speaking against this sect." 28:22 Lk 2:34; Ac 24:5; 1Pt 2:12; 4:14
The Response to Paul’s Message
23 After arranging a day with him, many came to him at his lodging. From dawn to dusk he expounded and testified about the kingdom of God. He tried to persuade them about Jesus from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets. 28:23 Ac 8:35; 17:3; 19:8; 26:22; Phm 2224 Some were persuaded by what he said, but others did not believe. 28:24 Ac 14:4; 19:9
25 Disagreeing among themselves, they began to leave after Paul made one statement: 28:25 Or after they began to leave, Paul made one statement "The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your 28:25 Other mss read our ancestors through the prophet Isaiah 26 when he said,
Go to these people and say:
You will always be listening,
but never understanding;
and you will always be looking,
but never perceiving.
27 For the hearts of these people
have grown callous,
their ears are hard of hearing,
and they have shut their eyes;
otherwise they might see with their eyes
and hear with their ears,
understand with their heart
and turn,
and I would heal them. 28:26–27 Is 6:9–10, 28:26–27 Ps 119:70; Is 6:9–10; Mt 13:14–15; Mk 4:12; Lk 8:10; Jn 12:40; Rm 11:8
28 Therefore, let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen." 28:28 Some mss include v. 29: After he said these things, the Jews departed, while engaging in a vigorous debate among themselves.
Paul’s Ministry Unhindered
30 Paul stayed two whole years in his own rented house. And he welcomed all who visited him, 31 proclaiming the kingdom of God 28:31 Mt 4:23; Ac 20:25; 28:23 and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness 28:31 Ac 4:29,31; 2Tm 2:9 and without hindrance.