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. 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.” However he shook off the creature into the fire, and wasn’t harmed. 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.
Acts 28:3-6
Acts 27 [42.] The soldiers’ counsel was to kill the prisoners, so that none of them would swim out and escape. But the centurion, desiring to save Paul, stopped them from their purpose, and commanded that those who could swim should throw themselves overboard first to go toward the land; and the rest should follow, some on planks, and some on other things from the ship. So they all escaped safely to the land.
Acts 28 [1.] When we had escaped, then they learned that the island was called Malta. 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. 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. 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.” However he shook off the creature into the fire, and wasn’t harmed. 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.
Acts 28 [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. The father of Publius lay sick of fever and dysentery. Paul entered in to him, prayed, and laying his hands on him, healed him. Then when this was done, the rest also who had diseases in the island came, and were cured. They also honored us with many honors, and when we sailed, they put on board the things that we needed.
Meaning:
Paul was on his way to Rome as a prisoner when a storm wrecked the ship off the coast of Malta. Everyone on board reached land safely. A small incident there shows Jesus’ promise to his messengers being kept: “they will take up serpents” (Mark 16:18).
- “when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks”
The great apostle was doing an ordinary job, gathering firewood with everyone else. A viper, driven out by the heat, fastened on his hand. He was not seeking a miracle or testing God.
- “No doubt this man is a murderer”
The islanders believed in a goddess of Justice who punished the guilty, and they assumed that a man who escaped the sea only to be bitten must be paying for a crime. It is the same assumption Jesus’ disciples made when they asked about a man born blind, “who sinned, this man or his parents?” Jesus answered, “Neither did this man sin, nor his parents; but, that the works of God might be revealed in him” (John 9:2-3).
- “he shook off the creature into the fire, and wasn’t harmed”
This fulfils Jesus’ words, “Behold, I give you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy. Nothing will in any way hurt you” (Luke 10:19). God had more work for Paul to do.
- “they changed their minds, and said that he was a god”
First a murderer, then a god: human opinion swung to extremes. At Lystra, when crowds wanted to sacrifice to them, Paul and Barnabas cried out, “We also are men of like passions with you” (Acts 14:15). The power was God’s. Soon afterwards he laid his hands on the sick father of Publius, who was healed.
The Significance of Acts 28:3-6
- God protects his servants for his purposes
Paul’s safety was not luck. God keeps his people through danger until their work is done: “When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned” (Isaiah 43:2).
- Do not judge by appearances
We should be slow to read people’s circumstances as proof of guilt or of greatness, and quick to give glory to God.
Cross-References:
Mark 16:18: "they will take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it will in no way hurt them;" The promise fulfilled on Malta.
Luke 10:19: "Behold, I give you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions," Authority over the enemy.
Isaiah 43:2: "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;" God’s presence through sea and fire.
Conclusion: On Malta Paul was bitten by a viper while gathering firewood. The islanders judged him first a murderer, then a god, and both judgments were wrong. The real explanation was the faithfulness of God, who kept the promise Jesus had made to his messengers and preserved Paul for the work still ahead of him.
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible