Introduction
“Once safely on shore, we found out that the island was called Malta. The islanders showed us unusual kindness. They built a fire and welcomed us all because it was raining and cold. Paul gathered a pile of brushwood and, as he put it on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself on his hand. When the islanders saw the snake hanging from his hand, they said to each other, “This man must be a murderer; for though he escaped from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live.” But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no ill effects. The people expected him to swell up or suddenly fall dead, but after waiting a long time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god.” Acts 28:1-6
Paul Ashore On Malta
In the previous chapter, we read that God kept His promise and not a single soul was lost. Luke now tells us that they soon discovered the island’s name was Malta, Acts 28:1.
Constable, in his commentary, says the folowing.
‘Malta lies about 60 miles south of the island of Sicily. It is about 18 miles long and 8 miles wide. It is also about 500 miles west of Crete and 180 miles northwest of Africa. People of Phoenician origin inhabited it in Paul’s day.’
The natives, who were descendants of Phoenicia, not speak Greek, but they did show considerable kindness to those recently shipwrecked, Acts 28:2.
Harrison, in his commentary, says the following.
‘They spoke a language derived from Phoenician, and were little affected by the Greek-Roman culture.’
Luke tells us that while Paul helped gather sticks to lay on the fire they had built, a viper, who was feeling the heat of the fire, latched onto the apostle’s arm but Paul shook it off into the fire, Acts 28:3.
Notice the snake didn’t move until it felt the heat and as Christians, we won’t move and grow unless we allow God to apply that heat in our life, Job 23:10 / 1 Peter 1:7 / 1 Peter 4:12-13.
These very superstitious islanders believed he must truly have been guilty of something. They say he was murderer, he survived the sea and the goddess Justice has not allowed him to live, Acts 28:4. They obviously though Paul was going to die from the snakebite, Acts 28:6.
However, Paul had no affects from the snake bite, Acts 28:5, no swelling, no sudden death. After waiting some time, they realised Paul was still alive and well, with nothing unusual happening to him, they concluded that he must be a god, Acts 28:6 / Acts 14:8-18.
Robertson, in his commentary, says the following.
‘These people thought that calamity was proof of guilt, poor philosophy and worse theology.’
God delivered Paul from the prisons, He delivered him from the courtrooms, He delivered from the shipwreck, and He has delivered him again from the hands of a snake bite, Mark 16:18 / Luke 10:19.
I’ve said this many times but we really need to understand the point, God gave Paul a purpose and one of those purposes was for Paul to preach in Rome, Acts 9:15 / Acts 19:21 / Acts 23:11 / Romans 1:9-13, and no one and nothing, not even a snake was going to prevent that from happening.
“There was an estate nearby that belonged to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us to his home and for three days entertained us hospitably. His father was sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him and, after prayer, placed his hands on him and healed him. When this happened, the rest of the sick on the island came and were cured. They honoured us in many ways and when we were ready to sail, they furnished us with the supplies we needed.” Acts 28:7-10
Luke tells us that the centurion and ship’s officers, along with Paul and his company, were invited to stay at the house of the chief man of the island, whose name was Publius, Acts 28:7.
Macgregor, in his commentary, says the following, regarding Publius.
‘This exact word has been found in two inscriptions as a title of an official in Malta.’
He entertained them for three days, during which time Paul healed Publius’ father of a fever and dysentery by praying and laying his hands on him, Acts 28:8.
Constable, in his commentary, says the following.
‘This is the only instance in Acts of the combination of praying and laying on hands in a miracle story.’
If anybody today could genuinely perform a miracle like this, then the reaction to that miracle would be the same as Paul’s. Others who were sick were also brought to the apostle and he healed them, Acts 28:9. Remember Luke is a doctor and when he records people were healed, we can be sure they were, Luke 4:38-40 / Colossians 4:14.
No wonder they bestowed the honour on Paul while he was with them and sent the whole company on their way with adequate provisions, Acts 28:10.
Paul’s Arrival In Rome
“After three months we put out to sea in a ship that had wintered in the island. It was an Alexandrian ship with the figurehead of the twin gods Castor and Pollux. We put in at Syracuse and stayed there three days. From there we set sail and arrived at Rhegium. The next day the south wind came up, and on the following day we reached Puteoli. There we found some brothers who invited us to spend a week with them. And so we came to Rome. The brothers there had heard that we were coming, and they travelled as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns to meet us. At the sight of these men Paul thanked God and was encouraged. When we got to Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself, with a soldier to guard him.” Acts 28:11-16
Luke informs Theophilus that they set sail aboard another Alexandrian ship with the figurehead of the twin gods Castor and Pollux, after three months, Acts 28:11. This was likely after the worst of the winter storms were over.
Coffman, in his commentary, says the following about the twin gods.
‘The Greek word here is ‘the Dioscuri,’ the mythical twin sons of Jupiter, pagan deities also called Castor and Pollux, and honoured especially by sailors. The constellation Gemini is named for them, being one of the twelve sectors of the sky identified with the signs of the zodiac.’
Their first stop was at Syracuse, where they stayed for three day, Acts 28:12. Then they sailed to Rhegium and, finally, Puteoli, Acts 28:13.
DeWelt, in his commentary, says the following.
‘Just eight miles Northwest of Naples, it was the greatest port in Italy. The large pier had twenty-five arches, of which thirteen ruined ones remain.’
Puteoli was the main port of call for ships carrying wheat from Egypt to Rome and it’s there they found brethren and stayed with them for seven days then they went on to Rome.
Trenchard, in his commentary, says the following.
‘A delay of seven days would enable him (Julius) to equip himself and his men, after the loss of everything in the wreck, before entering Rome.’
When someone like the apostle Paul is heading for a place like Rome, word gets around, and brethren from the city some of whom travelled 43 miles to greet him at the Market of Appius and others met him at the Three Taverns, Acts 28:14-15. This was around forty-three miles from Rome.
Look at Paul’s reaction to this meeting of the saints, when he saw them all he thanked God and they gave him the courage to go on, Acts 28:15 / Romans 12:6-8 / Romans 15:22-29.
There are two lots of good news happening at this moment. First of all we see that Julius the centurion, was successful in bringing all of the prisoners to Rome, Acts 28:14 / Acts 27:1. Secondly, Paul has finally reached his destination, Acts 28:14 / Acts 9:15 / Acts 19:21 / Acts 23:11 / Romans 1:9-13.
While he was in Rome, he was permitted to live with a guard by himself, Acts 28:16 / Philippians 1:13, in his own rented home, Acts 28:30. This was a great moment for Paul and the saints in Rome.
Boice, in his commentary, says the following.
‘Now, at the very end of the book, the apostle comes to Rome. Thus Jesus’ prophecy that his disciples would be his witnesses ‘to the ends of the earth’ is fulfilled.’ Matthew 28:19-20 / Mark 16:15-16 / Acts 1:8.
Constable, in his commentary, says the following.
‘This is the end of the last ‘we’ section of Acts, Acts 16:10-40 / Acts 20:5 to Acts 21:18 / Acts 27:1 to Acts 28:16. We know that Luke and Aristarchus remained with Paul for some time, and Paul had other visitors including Timothy, Tychicus, and Epaphroditus. Luke and Aristarchus were with him when Paul wrote his epistles to Philemon and to the Colossians, Philemon 1:24 / Colossians 4:14, which he composed during his detention in Rome.’
Paul Preaches At Rome Under Guard
“Three days later he called together the leaders of the Jews. When they had assembled, Paul said to them: “My brothers, although I have done nothing against our people or against the customs of our ancestors, I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans. They examined me and wanted to release me, because I was not guilty of any crime deserving death. But when the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar-not that I had any charge to bring against my own people. For this reason I have asked to see you and talk with you. It is because of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain.” Acts 28:17-20
After three days in Rome, Paul called for the leaders of the Jews, Romans 1:16, and he explained to them that he was in Rome because of charges brought against him by their brethren in Jerusalem, Acts 28:17.
He tells them that the authorities had wanted to release him, but he had to appeal to Caesar because the Jews were opposed to Paul being at liberty, Acts 28:18-19.
McGarvey, in his commentary, says the following.
‘Paul remained chained day and night, the guard being changed according to uniform custom every three hours, unless an exception was made of the sleeping hours in this case.’
Paul says the reason he’s in chains is because he is a Christian, he is someone who whole wholeheartedly follows Christ, Acts 28:20. Because he knows and fully understands that Jesus Christ was and is the true fulfilment of Israel’s hope, Acts 28:20. In other words, Jesus is the Messiah, Acts 3:22-24 / John 4:25-26.
All the way through the Old Testament there are many prophecies concerning this coming Messiah. The Jews and the Samaritans were waiting on the arrival of the Christ, John 1:41 / John 1:45 / Luke 2:25 / Luke 2:38.
Even the enemies of Jesus recognized the Messianic prophecies of the Old Testament, Matthew 2:4-6 / Matthew 26:63-64 / John 7:42 / Acts 26:27.
“They replied, “We have not received any letters from Judea concerning you, and none of the brothers who have come from there has reported or said anything bad about you. But we want to hear what your views are, for we know that people everywhere are talking against this sect.” Acts 28:21-22
It appears from our text that the leaders of the Jews in Rome knew nothing of the charges against Paul and reported that no one had come from Jerusalem, Acts 28:21.
Since Paul’s accusers were Jews and the people he is speaking to here are Jews, we would think that such a serious charge against Paul would be known by most Jews.
These guys hadn’t heard anything bad about Paul, in fact, they were more interested in hearing more about this Christianity that everyone, everywhere is speaking against, Acts 28:22.
MacGreggor, in his commentary, says the following.
‘There is some evidence that if the prosecution failed to put in an appearance within two years, they lost their case by default.’
“They arranged to meet Paul on a certain day and came in even larger numbers to the place where he was staying. From morning till evening he explained and declared to them the kingdom of God and tried to convince them about Jesus from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets. Some were convinced by what he said, but others would not believe.” Acts 28:23-24
On the appointed day, a large group returned and Paul preached all day and he preached all day using Moses and the prophets to testify concerning God’s kingdom, Acts 28:23.
Barclay, in his commentary, says the following.
‘Is there any example of undefeatable hope and unconquerable love like this act of Paul when, in Rome too, he preached first to the Jews?’
The apostle Paul used the Old Testament to convince the Jews and Gentiles that Jesus was the Messiah and we should be doing the same thing, Romans 15:4 / 2 Timothy 3:16-17.
But as we have seen time and time again through the Book of Acts, the group was divided as to whether to believe Paul or not, Acts 28:24 / 2 Corinthians 2:15-16. But just before they go, Paul has one more statement to make, again using the Old Testament as his proof.
“They disagreed among themselves and began to leave after Paul had made this final statement: “The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to your forefathers when he said through Isaiah the prophet: “‘Go to this people and say, “You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.” For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.’” Acts 28:25-27
As they were disagreeing with themselves, 2 Corinthians 2:16, and about to leave, Paul quoted from Isaiah 6:9-10, Acts 28:25-27. Why?
To show that their rejection of the Gospel had been foretold by the Holy Spirit, Acts 28:25-27 / Matthew 13:14-15 / Mark 4:12 / Luke 8:10 / John 12:40-41.
Coffman, in his commentary, says the folowing, concerning Isiah’s prophecy.
‘This same passage was applied to Israel by Christ, as affirmed in all four gospels, Matthew 13:15 / Matthew 13:15 / Mark 4:12 / Luke 8:10 / John 12:37-41. The significance of its being repeated here lies in the fact that the same blindness that closed the hearts of Israel to the Christ was still operative in closing their hearts against the gospel.’
This is still a major problem for many people today, they read and listen to the Bible but they fail to understand it. They see Christians coming together every week and living their lives fully devoted to God but they can’t perceive that commitment.
And why don’t they understand, why can’t they perceive? Well, simply because their hearts have become hardened. In other words, we must leave our own ideas behind, forget about what the world says and turn to Jesus in repentance and He will heal us from the disease of sin, Acts 28:25-27 / Isaiah 6:9-10.
“Therefore I want you to know that God’s salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!” Acts 28:28
Paul tells them that salvation would be taken to the Gentiles and they will listen, Acts 28:28 / Acts 13:46-52 / Acts 18:6 / Romans 1:16.
Being a Christian is more than just coming to Jesus, it’s more than just hearing His words, Matthew 7:21-27. It’s about obeying His words and practising what Jesus preached.
The footnote for Acts 28:29, says the following.
‘Some manuscripts include here, after he said this, the Jews left, arguing vigorously among themselves.’
Paul is finished speaking with the Jews but he is far from finished when it comes to preaching the Gospel.
“For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.” Acts 28:30-31
Paul spent two years in his own rented house, Acts 28:30, probably paying for it through tent-making, Acts 18:1-2 / Acts 20:33-35. It was from this rented house that Paul would write letters to the Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon.
He received guests, Philippians 1:12, probably including Onesimus, Philemon 1:10. He taught many people concerning the kingdom of God, and he spoke boldly and no one forbid him to continue, Acts 28:31.
Coffman, in his commentary, says the following.
‘From 62 to 65 A.D., Paul was a free man, visiting Crete and points around the Aegean Sea, Titus 1:5 / 2 Timothy 4:13 / 2 Timothy 4:20, possibly even fulfilling his desire to go to Spain, Romans 15:24.’
I’m sure the church would have grown rapidly at this time, because of Paul’s teaching as it did in times before, Acts 2:47 / Acts 6:7 / Acts 9:31 / Acts 12:24 / Acts 16:5 / Acts 19:20.
He finally made it and his ambition to preach the Gospel in the greatest city known to mankind was fulfilled thanks to the grace of God.
We’re not told if Paul ever did appear before Caesar Nero, but because God promised he would, Acts 9:15 / Acts 23:11, there is no reason to believe otherwise.
And as the Book of Acts begun with Luke writing about Jesus, Acts 1:1, Luke ends his report to Theophilus by writing about Jesus, Acts 28:31.