28:1 When they had been brought safely through, then we found out that the island was called ①Malta.
▷ ①Or Melita
28:2 The ①natives showed us extraordinary kindness, for they kindled a fire and took us all in because of the rain that had started and because of the cold.
▷ ①Gr barbaroi, referring to people who did not speak Greek
28:3 But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out ①because of the heat and fastened itself on his hand.
▷ ①Or from the heat
28:4 When the ①natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they began saying to one another, “Undoubtedly this man is a murderer, and though he has been saved from the sea, ②justice has not allowed him to live.”
▷ ①See note v 2 ②Or Justice; i.e., the personification of a goddess
28:5 However, ①Paul shook the creature off into the fire and suffered no harm.
▷ ①Lit he
28:6 Now they were expecting that he was going to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had waited a long time and had seen nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and began to say that he was a god.
28:7 Now in the neighboring parts of that place were lands belonging to the ①leading man of the island, named Publius, who welcomed us and entertained us warmly for three days.
▷ ①Prob. the Roman governor of the island
28:8 And it happened that the father of Publius was lying in bed afflicted with a recurring fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him, and after he prayed, he laid his hands on him and healed him.
28:9 After this happened, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases were coming to him and being cured.
28:10 They also showed us many honors, and when we were about to set sail, they ①supplied us with ②everything we needed.
▷ ①Or put on board ②Lit the things pertaining to the needs
28:11 After three months we set sail on an Alexandrian ship which had wintered at the island, and which had ①the Twin Brothers for its figurehead.
▷ ①Gr Dioscuri; i.e., Castor and Pollux, twin sons of Zeus
28:12 After we put in at Syracuse, we stayed there for three days.
28:13 From there we sailed around and arrived at Rhegium, and a day later a south wind came up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli.
28:14 ①There we found some brothers and sisters, and were invited to stay with them for seven days; and that is how we came to Rome.
▷ ①Lit Where
28:15 And from there the brothers and sisters, when they heard about us, came as far as the ①Market of Appius and the ②Three Inns to meet us; and when Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage.
▷ ①Lat Appii Forum, a station about 43 miles or 69.2 km from Rome ②Lat Tres Tabernae, a station about 33 miles or 53.1 km from Rome
28:16 When we entered Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier who was guarding him.
28:17 After three days ①Paul called together those who were the leading men of the Jews, and when they came together, he began saying to them, “Brothers, though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our ②fathers, yet I was handed over to the Romans as a prisoner from Jerusalem.
▷ ①Lit he ②Or forefathers
28:18 And when they had examined me, they were willing to release me because there were no grounds ①for putting me to death.
▷ ①Lit of death in me
28:19 But when the Jews ①objected, I was forced to appeal to Caesar, not that I had any accusation against my nation.
▷ ①Lit spoke against
28:20 For this reason, therefore, I ①requested to see you and to speak with you, since I am wearing this chain for the sake of the hope of Israel.”
▷ ①Or invited you to see me and speak with me
28:21 They said to him, “We have neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor has any of the brothers come here and reported or spoken anything bad about you.
28:22 But we desire to hear from you what ①your views are; for regarding this sect, it is known to us that it is spoken against everywhere.”
▷ ①Lit you think
28:23 When they had set a day for ①Paul, people came to him at his lodging in large numbers; and he was explaining to them by solemnly testifying about the kingdom of God and trying to persuade them concerning Jesus, from both the Law of Moses and from the Prophets, from morning until evening.
▷ ①Lit him
28:24 Some were being persuaded by the things said by Paul, but others would not believe.
28:25 And when they disagreed with one another, they began leaving after Paul said one parting statement: “The Holy Spirit rightly spoke through Isaiah the prophet to your fathers,
28:26 saying,
‘GO TO THIS PEOPLE AND SAY,
“ ①YOU WILL KEEP ON HEARING, AND WILL NOT UNDERSTAND;
AND ②YOU WILL KEEP ON SEEING, AND WILL NOT PERCEIVE;
▷ ①Lit with a hearing you will hear ②Lit seeing you will see
28:27 FOR THE HEARTS OF THIS PEOPLE HAVE BECOME ①INSENSITIVE,
AND WITH THEIR EARS THEY ②HARDLY HEAR,
AND THEY HAVE CLOSED THEIR EYES;
OTHERWISE THEY MIGHT SEE WITH THEIR EYES,
AND HEAR WITH THEIR EARS,
AND UNDERSTAND WITH THEIR HEART AND RETURN,
AND I WOULD HEAL THEM.” ’
▷ ①Lit dull ②Or are hard of hearing
28:28 Therefore, let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will also listen.” ①
▷ ①Late mss add as v 29: When he had spoken these words, the Jews departed, having a great dispute among themselves.
28:29
28:30 Now Paul stayed two full years ①in his own rented lodging and welcomed all who came to him,
▷ ①Or at his own expense
28:31 ①preaching the kingdom of God and teaching things about the Lord Jesus Christ with all openness, unhindered.
▷ ①Or proclaiming