A Study of the Book of Acts
Part 4: Paul's Arrest, Trials, and Journey to Rome (Acts 21:17-28:31)
Acts 28:1-14
"And 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."— Acts 28:2 Safe on Shore: All 276
Read Acts 28:1-14 carefully before answering these questions.
The Island of Malta (Melita) — 28:1 Aspect Details Name Melita (Greek); Malta (modern); possibly from Phoenician "refuge" or "escape" Location Central Mediterranean; 60 miles south of Sicily; strategic position Size About 18 miles long, 8 miles wide; 95 square miles total Inhabitants Phoenician/Carthaginian origin; spoke a Punic dialect; under Roman rule since 218 BC Shipwreck location Traditionally "St. Paul's Bay" on the northeast coast; matches Luke's description Today Republic of Malta; Paul is patron saint; predominantly Catholic; population ~500,000
"The Barbarous People" — What Does This Mean? (28:2) "And the barbarous people shewed us no little kindness." "Barbarous" (Greek: barbaros) does NOT mean savage, cruel, or uncivilized. It simply means "non-Greek speaking." The Greeks called anyone who didn't speak Greek a "barbarian" because foreign languages sounded like "bar-bar-bar" to them. The Maltese spoke a Phoenician/Punic dialect, not Greek or Latin. Irony: These "barbarians" showed MORE kindness than many "civilized" people! Luke emphasizes their hospitality: "no little kindness" (litotes = remarkable kindness). They built a fire for cold, wet strangers in the rain. Their actions speak louder than their language.
The Viper Incident (28:3-6)
| Verse | Events |
|---|---|
| 28:3 | Paul gathered sticks for the fire — note his humility and helpfulness; a viper came out due to heat and "fastened on his hand" |
| 28:4 | Islanders' first conclusion: "No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, |
though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live" — divine justice catching up!
| Verse | Events |
|---|---|
| 28:5 | Paul "shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm" — calm, unafraid, trusting God |
| 28:6a | They "looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly" — expected immediate death |
| 28:6b | After long waiting, "no harm came to him"; islanders' second |
conclusion: "they changed their minds, and said that he was a god"
Lessons from the Viper Incident
Publius and the Healings (28:7-10) Element Details Publius "The chief man of the island" — probably the Roman governor or leading official; title confirmed by inscriptions found on Malta His hospitality "Lodged us three days courteously" — hosted 276 people! Remarkable generosity His father's illness "Sick of a fever and of a bloody flux" (dysentery) — Malta was known for a fever called "Malta fever" (brucellosis) Paul's action "Entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him" — prayer + miraculous healing Result "Others also, which had diseases in the island, came, and were healed" — widespread healing ministry Gratitude shown "Honoured us with many honours; and when we departed, they laded us with such things as were necessary" — supplied all their needs
Hospitality in the New Testament The word "hospitality" (Greek: philoxenia = love of strangers) appears four times in the New Testament:
| Reference | Teaching |
|---|---|
| Romans 12:13 | "Given to hospitality" — actively pursue opportunities to show hospitality |
| 1 Timothy 3:2 | "A bishop then must be... given to hospitality" — required qualification for elders |
| Titus 1:8 | "A lover of hospitality" — again, required of elders |
| Hebrews 13:2 | "Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares" |
The Maltese example: These "barbarians" showed hospitality that Christians are commanded to show! They welcomed strangers, built fires, provided lodging, and supplied needs. Their example shames those who neglect this duty.
The Journey Continues: Malta to Puteoli (28:11-14) Stop Location Details
Alexandrian ship with figurehead of Castor and Pollux ("twin brothers") Syracuse Sicily Major port city; stayed three days; ~80 miles from Malta Rhegium S. Italy (toe) Modern Reggio Calabria; waited for south wind; ~70 miles from Syracuse Puteoli Bay of Naples Modern Pozzuoli; major port for Alexandrian grain ships; FOUND BRETHREN there! Stayed seven days
The Sign of Castor and Pollux (28:11) "Whose sign was Castor and Pollux" — These were the "twin brothers" (Dioscuri) of Greek/Roman mythology, sons of Zeus. They were considered patron gods of sailors and protectors during storms. Ships often bore their images as figureheads. It is ironic that Paul, servant of the true God who actually saved them from the storm, sailed on a ship bearing pagan symbols. God can use any vessel to accomplish His purposes!
Brethren at Puteoli (28:14) "Where we found brethren, and were desired to tarry with them seven days: and so we went toward Rome." This brief verse is significant:
| Reference | Acts 28 Verse | Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Mark 16:18 | 28:3-5 | "Take up serpents... not hurt them" |
| Hebrews 13:2 | 28:2, 7 | Hospitality to strangers |
| Acts 14:11-15 | 28:6 | People calling Paul a god (Lystra) |
| James 5:14-15 | 28:8 | Prayer and healing |
| Acts 23:11 | 28:14 | "Must bear witness at Rome" — almost there! |
Lessons from Acts 28:1-14 1. "Barbarians" may show more kindness than the "civilized" — don't judge by appearance or language.
2. Don't jump to conclusions — the Maltese were wrong twice about Paul in minutes. 3. Suffering is not always punishment for sin — Paul was bitten while doing good. 4. Hospitality is a Christian duty — the Maltese example should inspire us. 5. Miracles confirmed the message — Paul's healings opened doors for the gospel. 6. The gospel was spreading — brethren were already in Italy before Paul arrived!