The big picture
Everyone aboard Paul's wrecked ship has reached land. Paul is a prisoner travelling to Rome, the imperial capital, and a witness to Jesus, the risen Lord. The islanders receive the cold, soaked company with care. Further help and healing mark their stay before travel resumes. In Rome, Paul remains guarded but can receive visitors. He explains his hope to local Jewish leaders and continues teaching through a divided response. The book ends with his message still being heard.
In this chapter
- Kindness and a Misread Snakebite Acts 28:1-6
The survivors learn that the island is Melita.
- Healing Returns the Island’s Welcome Acts 28:7-10
Publius, the island's leading man, welcomes the travellers and houses them for three days.
- Fellow Believers Meet Paul on the Road Acts 28:11-16
After three months, the group boards another ship and sails by several ports toward Italy.
- Local Leaders Hear About Paul’s Chains Acts 28:17-22
Three days later, Paul gathers local Jewish leaders.
- A Long Hearing Ends in Division Acts 28:23-29
Many visit Paul's lodging on an agreed day.
- An Open Door in a Guarded House Acts 28:30-31
Paul remains for two full years in rented lodging.
Central truth
Paul reaches Rome through danger and hospitality, and confinement does not prevent him from openly teaching about Jesus and God's kingdom.
Scripture beside the summary
Acts · King James Version · 31Acts 28:1-6
Kindness and a Misread Snakebite
The survivors learn that the island is Melita. Its people welcome them and light a fire against rain and cold. Paul gathers sticks, and a viper fastens onto his hand as the heat drives it out. The islanders assume he is a murderer pursued by divine punishment despite surviving the sea. He shakes it into the fire and suffers no harm. They wait for swelling or sudden death. When neither comes, they reverse their judgement and call him a god. The same observers jump from condemnation to worship without understanding what has happened.
In everyday life
A roadside helper watches an exhausted traveller stumble after escaping a wreck and assumes drink caused the accident. When the traveller calmly assists others, she swings to calling him a hero. Both claims outrun what she actually knows. A single incident becomes a verdict on the whole person. The islanders witness Paul's unharmed survival after a viper bite.
Notice
Acts 28:6 The crowd changes its explanation completely while keeping its certainty. Acts records their shifting judgement without endorsing either the charge of murder or the claim of divinity.
Acts 28:1-6
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.
Acts 28:7-10
Healing Returns the Island’s Welcome
Publius, the island's leading man, welcomes the travellers and houses them for three days. His father lies sick with fever and a severe bowel illness. Paul goes to him, prays, lays hands on him, and heals him. Others on the island who are ill then come and receive healing too. The people honour the travellers and provide what they need when they leave. Hospitality received is followed by care given. The stranded company does not remain only a burden on its hosts, and the hosts' kindness continues through the departure.
In everyday life
A stranded electrician accepts a village family's spare room after a landslide closes the road. When the household's heating fails, she uses her skill to restore it and then helps nearby homes. At departure, neighbours pack food for her resumed trip. Care has passed in both directions. Paul heals through prayer and God's power rather than a trade skill.
Notice
Acts 28:8 Paul prays before laying hands on the sick man. The healing is presented through dependence on God within the home that has welcomed the travellers.
Acts 28:7-10
King James Version7In 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.
9So 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.
Acts 28:11-16
Fellow Believers Meet Paul on the Road
After three months, the group boards another ship and sails by several ports toward Italy. At Puteoli, a port town, believers invite them to stay seven days. They continue toward Rome. Believers from the capital walk out to meet them at stopping places along the road. Seeing them, Paul thanks God and gains courage. In Rome, the officer delivers the prisoners, but Paul is allowed separate lodging with a soldier guarding him. The promised destination has been reached. Warm welcome does not remove the chain, yet it strengthens the man who wears it.
In everyday life
A long-distance walker approaches an unfamiliar town after a frightening winter crossing. Members of a group he has never met walk miles out to greet him by name. The road ahead feels different because it now has people waiting along it. Paul's welcome strengthens a prisoner arriving to bear witness in Rome.
Notice
Acts 28:15 Paul openly receives courage from the believers who meet him. His calling and earlier assurances do not make human welcome unnecessary to his endurance.
Acts 28:11-16
King James Version11And 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 28:17-22
Local Leaders Hear About Paul’s Chains
Three days later, Paul gathers local Jewish leaders. He says he has not attacked his people or ancestral customs. Yet he was handed from Jerusalem, the chief Jewish city, to Roman custody. The Romans found no cause for death, but opposition forced his appeal to Cæsar, the emperor. He did not appeal to accuse his nation. He wears the chain because of Israel's hope, the promise shared by the Jewish people. The leaders have received no hostile report about him, but want to hear his beliefs because the group he represents is opposed in many places.
In everyday life
An immigrant mediator meets local elders before a disputed case reaches the national court. He explains that his appeal protects him from an unproved charge rather than condemning the whole community he comes from. They agree to hear his account directly instead of relying on distant rumours. Paul's chain concerns the hope he believes is fulfilled in Jesus.
Notice
Acts 28:19 Paul separates his appeal from an accusation against his nation. Seeking a hearing from the emperor does not mean he has abandoned concern for his people.
Acts 28:17-22
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.
Acts 28:23-29
A Long Hearing Ends in Division
Many visit Paul's lodging on an agreed day. From morning to evening he explains God's kingdom and argues for Jesus from Moses, the giver of the law, and the prophets. Some believe; others do not. As they disagree and leave, Paul recalls Esaias, an earlier prophet, describing ears that hear without understanding and eyes closed to truth. The Holy Ghost, God's Spirit, spoke that warning to their ancestors. Paul announces that God's salvation is sent to Gentiles, non-Jewish peoples, who will hear. The visitors leave debating, while the message's reach remains open beyond their division.
In everyday life
A conservation tutor spends a day showing residents the evidence for restoring a wetland. Some accept it; others close their folders and argue on the way out. She continues arranging sessions for neighbouring villages rather than making the first group's agreement a condition of all future teaching. Paul announces God's salvation to Gentiles after divided responses to Scripture.
Notice
Acts 28:24 The response is mixed, not a refusal by every Jewish hearer. Some believe the account Paul gives, while others remain unconvinced and depart in disagreement.
Acts 28:23-29
King James Version23And 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.
25And 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.
Acts 28:30-31
An Open Door in a Guarded House
Paul remains for two full years in rented lodging. He welcomes everyone who comes and teaches boldly about God's kingdom and the Lord Jesus Christ. No one forbids the message. The book does not report the result of his appeal or describe his final years. It closes with the witness continuing in Rome despite the prisoner's limits. People can still enter, hear, and ask. The guarded man has become the host of an open hearing, and the message has reached the imperial city without being silenced there.
In everyday life
A homebound lecturer sets a chair beside her desk for anyone who wants to learn. Her movement is restricted, but visitors keep arriving and the teaching remains open. The room becomes a place of exchange rather than only a sign of confinement. Paul's restriction is Roman custody, and his continuing subject is God's kingdom and Jesus.
Notice
Acts 28:31 The final emphasis falls on confident, unhindered teaching. Acts ends with what Paul can still proclaim, leaving the legal outcome of his imprisonment unstated.
Acts 28:30-31
King James Version30And 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.
KJV words made clear
- barbarous
- Foreign-speaking, not a judgement here that the islanders are cruel.
- bloody flux
- A serious bowel illness involving the passage of blood.
- fetched a compass
- Took a curved route or sailed around rather than straight ahead.
Music and video connected to the passage
Related media appears when its Scripture reference overlaps this study. Music and video can illuminate a theme while the biblical text remains the foundation.
