Acts 28
28
Paul and Others on the Island of Malta
1 And having escaped safely, then we found out that the island was called Malta. 2 And the indigenous people showed no ordinary kindness to us, for they lit a fire and received us all, because of the rain that had begun and because of the cold. 3 And when Paul had gathered a large number of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand. 4 And when the indigenous people saw the creature hanging from his hand, they began to say to one another, “Certainly this man is a murderer—whom, although he escaped safely from the sea, Justice has not allowed to live.” 5 He, however, shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no injury. 6 But they were expecting that he was going to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. So, when they had waited for a lengthy period and saw nothing unusual happening to him, they changed their minds and began to say that he was a god.
7 Now in the regions* around that place were plots of land belonging to the leading man of the island, by the name Publius, who received us and entertained us hospitably for three days. 8 And it occurred that the father of Publius was lying down, afflicted with fever and dysentery. Paul visited him, and after he had prayed, laid his hands on him and healed him. 9 And after this had taken place, the rest of those on the island who had diseases kept coming and were being healed. 10 They also honoured us with many honours, and as we were putting out to sea, they supplied us with the necessary provisions.
Paul and His Associates Arrive Rome
11 Now after three months, we put out to sea in a ship that had wintered in the island, an Alexandrian one, with the twin gods Castor and Pollux as its figurehead. 12 And landing at Syracuse, we stayed there three days. 13 From there we made a circuit and arrived at Rhegium; and after one day a south wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli, 14 where we found brothers, and we were invited to stay with them for seven days. And thus we came to Rome. 15 And the brothers there, when they heard the news* concerning us, came to meet us as far as the Forum* of Appius and Three Taverns. While seeing them, Paul gave thanks to God and took courage. 16 And when we entered Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself with the soldier guarding him.
Paul in His Own Rented House
17 Now it occurred that after three days, he convened those who were the most prominent of the Jewish community. And when they had come together, he began to say to them, “Men and brothers,* although I have done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans, 18 who, having examined me, wanted to release me on account of the fact that there was no cause of death against me. 19 But because the Jews objected, I was forced to appeal to Caesar—not that I had any charge to bring against my own people. 20 For this reason, therefore, I have requested to see you and to speak with you, for it is on account of the hope of Israel I am wearing this chain.” 21 And they said to him, “We have received no letters about you from Judea, nor has any of the brothers come and reported or said anything evil concerning you. 22 But we deem it fit to hear from you what you think, for concerning this sect it is known to us that everywhere it is spoken against.”
23 And when they had assigned a day for him, they came to him in greater numbers at his lodging—to whom he was expounding, testifying about the kingdom of God and trying to persuade them about Jesus both from the Law of Moses and the Prophets, from early in the morning until evening. 24 And some were persuaded by what he said, but others disbelieved. 25 And being at variance with one another, they began to depart after Paul had spoken one statement: “The Holy Spirit rightly spoke through Isaiah the prophet to your fathers, 26 saying,
‘Go to this people and say,
“In hearing, you will hear, but never understand.
In seeing, you will see, but never perceive.
27 For the heart of this people has become dull,
and with their ears they hear with difficulty,
and their eyes they have closed,
lest they should see with their eyes,
and hear with their ears,
and understand with their heart,
and turn, and I would heal them.” ’*
28 Therefore, let it be known to you that this salvation from God has been sent to the Gentiles; even they will listen.”*
30 So he stayed two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who came to him, 31 preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, without hindrance.
Notes
7 The word regions supplied is only contextually inferred, as it is not explicitly present in the original text but is added for the purpose of clarification
15 Greek things
15 Or Market
17 Greek Men, brothers
26-27 Quoted from Is. 6:9-10
29 Some later manuscripts include v. 29, which reads: And after he had said these things, the Jews went away, having much debate among themselves
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Copyright © 2026 Michael Adeyemi Adegbola. This Scripture text is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License (CC BY-SA 4.0).
