The big picture
Acts 28 opens in verse 1 with “And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita.”, reaches its middle movement near verse 16 with “And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the…”, and closes in verse 31 with “Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus…” Repeated or prominent terms include Paul, brethren, days, departed, hear. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
Acts · King James Version · 31Acts 28:1-8
1–8: When they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called…
Acts 28:1–8 opens with “And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita.” and reaches “And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of a bloody flux: to…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Paul surviving the viper, healing on Malta, arriving in Rome, and teaching under guard with an open door to visitors, with particular weight carried by fire, beast, escaped.
Context that brings the passage to life
“And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita.” Naming Melita keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
“And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and…” Naming Paul keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
“And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.” The line’s distinctive content terms include beast, felt, fire. Its relationship to verses 4 and 6 shows what work it does in this passage.
Acts 28:1-8
King James Version1And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita.
2And 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.
3And 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.
4And 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.
5And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.
6Howbeit 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.
7In 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.
8And 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.
Acts 28:9-16
9–16: So when this was done, others also, which had diseases in the island…
Acts 28:9–16 opens with “So when this was done, others also, which had diseases in the island, came, and were healed:” and reaches “And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard: but…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Paul surviving the viper, healing on Malta, arriving in Rome, and teaching under guard with an open door to visitors, with particular weight carried by brethren, days, departed.
Context that brings the passage to life
“So when this was done, others also, which had diseases in the island, came, and were healed:” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.
“And after three months we departed in a ship of Alexandria, which had wintered in the isle, whose sign was Castor and…” The number three makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.
Acts 28:9-16
King James Version9So when this was done, others also, which had diseases in the island, came, and were healed:
10Who also honoured us with many honours; and when we departed, they laded us with such things as were necessary.
11And after three months we departed in a ship of Alexandria, which had wintered in the isle, whose sign was Castor and Pollux.
12And landing at Syracuse, we tarried there three days.
13And 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:
14Where we found brethren, and were desired to tarry with them seven days: and so we went toward Rome.
15And 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.
16And 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.
Acts 28:17-24
17–24: It came to pass, that after three days Paul called the chief of the Jews…
Acts 28:17–24 opens with “And it came to pass, that after three days Paul called the chief of the Jews together: and when…” and reaches “And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Paul surviving the viper, healing on Malta, arriving in Rome, and teaching under guard with an open door to visitors, with particular weight carried by concerning, believed, brethren.
Context that brings the passage to life
“And it came to pass, that after three days Paul called the chief of the Jews together: and when they were come…” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.
“But when the Jews spake against it, I was constrained to appeal unto Cæsar; not that I had ought to accuse my nation…” Naming Jews keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
“And they said unto him, We neither received letters out of Judæa concerning thee, neither any of the brethren that…” Naming Jud keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
Acts 28:17-24
King James Version17And 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.
18Who, when they had examined me, would have let me go, because there was no cause of death in me.
19But when the Jews spake against it, I was constrained to appeal unto Cæsar; not that I had ought to accuse my nation of.
20For 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.
21And they said unto him, We neither received letters out of Judæa concerning thee, neither any of the brethren that came shewed or spake any harm of thee.
22But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, we know that every where it is spoken against.
23And 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.
24And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not.
Acts 28:25-31
25–31: When they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul…
Acts 28:25–31 opens with “And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word…” and reaches “Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Paul surviving the viper, healing on Malta, arriving in Rome, and teaching under guard with an open door to visitors, with particular weight carried by hear, departed, ears.
Context that brings the passage to life
“And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy…” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.
“Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
Acts 28:25-31
King James Version25And 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,
26Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive:
27For 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.
28Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.
29And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great reasoning among themselves.
30And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him,
31Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
Acts 28:1 begins with “And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita.”
Where the chapter turns
Acts 28:17 forms a natural hinge: “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…”
The final note
Acts 28:31 leaves the reader with “Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.”
A word trail through the chapter
The words Paul, brethren, days, departed, hear, people help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
Which promise most directly answers Jacob's situation?
God will be with him, keep him and bring him back to the land in verse 15.
How does the place change for Jacob?
An ordinary stopping place becomes recognized as the setting of divine encounter.
KJV words made clear
- unto
- to
- thee
- you
- thou
- you
- hath
- has
- spake
- spoke
Text first
Where readers differ
The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.
The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.
Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.