Acts 28
28
Paul on Malta
1After we were brought safely through, #[ch. 27:39] we then learned that #ch. 27:26the island was called Malta. 2#ver. 4; Rom. 1:14; 1 Cor. 14:11; Col. 3:11 The native people#28:2 Greek barbaroi (that is, non–Greek speakers); also verse 4 showed us unusual #ch. 27:3kindness, for they kindled a fire and welcomed us all, because it had begun to rain and was cold. 3When Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and put them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand. 4When #ver. 2 the native people saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, #[Job 4:7; Luke 13:2, 4; John 9:2] “No doubt this man is a murderer. Though he has escaped from the sea, #[Num. 32:23; Amos 5:19; 9:3]Justice#28:4 Or justice has not allowed him to live.” 5He, however, #Mark 16:18; Luke 10:19shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. 6They were waiting for him to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But when they had waited a long time and saw no misfortune come to him, #[ch. 14:11, 19] they changed their minds and #[ch. 8:10; 14:11]said that he was a god.
7Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the chief man of the island, named Publius, who received us and entertained us hospitably for three days. 8It happened that the father of Publius lay sick with fever and dysentery. And Paul visited him and #ch. 9:40; [James 5:14, 15] prayed, and #See Mark 5:23putting his hands on him, healed him. 9And when this had taken place, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases also came and were cured. 10They also honored us greatly,#28:10 Greek honored us with many honors and when we were about to sail, they put on board whatever we needed.
Paul Arrives at Rome
11After three months we set sail in #ch. 27:6a ship that had wintered in the island, a ship of Alexandria, with the twin gods#28:11 That is, the Greek gods Castor and Pollux as a figurehead. 12Putting in at Syracuse, we stayed there for three days. 13And 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. 14There we found #See John 21:23brothers#28:14 Or brothers and sisters; also verses 15, 21 and were invited to stay with them for seven days. And so we came to Rome. 15And #[See ver. 14 above] the brothers there, when they heard about us, came as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns to meet us. On seeing them, #[Rom. 1:9-12]Paul thanked God and took courage. 16And when we came into Rome, #[ch. 24:23; 27:3]Paul was allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier who guarded him.
Paul in Rome
17After three days he called together the local leaders of the Jews, and when they had gathered, he said to them, “Brothers, #[ch. 25:8] though I had done nothing against our people or #ch. 6:14; 15:1; 21:21the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans. 18When they had examined me, they #ch. 26:31, 32 wished to set me at liberty, #See ch. 23:29because there was no reason for the death penalty in my case. 19But because the Jews objected, I was compelled #ch. 25:11; 26:32 to appeal to Caesar—though I had no charge to bring against #ch. 24:17; 26:4my nation. 20For this reason, therefore, I have asked to see you and speak with you, since it is #See ch. 23:6 because of #[Luke 2:25] the hope of Israel that I am wearing #ch. 26:29 this #Eph. 6:20; 2 Tim. 1:16; See ch. 21:33; Phil. 1:7chain.” 21And they said to him, “We have received no letters from Judea about you, and none of #ch. 22:5the brothers coming here has reported or spoken any evil about you. 22But we desire to hear from you what your views are, for with regard to this #See ch. 24:5 sect we know that everywhere #Luke 2:34; [1 Pet. 2:12; 3:16; 4:14, 16]it is spoken against.”
23When they had appointed a day for him, they came to him at his lodging in greater numbers. From morning till evening #[ch. 17:2, 3] he expounded to them, testifying to #ver. 31 the kingdom of God and #[ch. 19:8] trying to convince them about Jesus #ch. 8:35; 24:14; 26:22both from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets. 24And #[ch. 14:4; 17:4, 5; 19:9; 23:7]some were convinced by what he said, but others disbelieved. 25And disagreeing among themselves, they departed after Paul had made one statement: #Matt. 15:7“The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet:
26 # Cited from Isa. 6:9, 10 “‘Go to this people, and say,
#
Matt. 13:14, 15; Mark 4:12; [Luke 8:10] “You will indeed hear but never understand,
and you will indeed see but never perceive.”
27 # [John 12:40; Rom. 11:8] For this people’s heart has grown dull,
and with their ears they can barely hear,
and their eyes they have closed;
lest they should see with their eyes
and hear with their ears
and understand with their heart
and #See Luke 22:32turn, and I would heal them.’
28Therefore let it be known to you that #ch. 13:26 this #Ps. 67:2; Isa. 40:5; Luke 2:30; 3:6; [Rom. 11:11] salvation of God #See ch. 13:46 has been sent to the Gentiles; #John 10:16; [ch. 13:48; Matt. 8:11; 21:43]they will listen.”#28:28 Some manuscripts add verse 29: And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, having much dispute among themselves
30He lived there two whole years at his own expense,#28:30 Or in his own hired dwelling and #[Phil. 1:13]welcomed all who came to him, 31#[ch. 8:12; 20:25] proclaiming #ver. 23; See Matt. 12:28; 13:19 the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ #See ch. 4:29 with all boldness and #[Phil. 1:12, 13; 2 Tim. 2:9]without hindrance.
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The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
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Acts 28
28
On Shore at Malta
1When we were safe on shore, we found out that the island was called Malta. 2The people of the island were unusually kind. It was raining and cold. So they built a fire and welcomed all of us. 3Paul gathered some sticks and put them on the fire. A poisonous snake was driven out by the heat. It fastened itself on Paul’s hand. 4The people of the island saw the snake hanging from his hand. They said to one another, “This man must be a murderer. He escaped from the sea. But the female god Justice won’t let him live.” 5Paul shook the snake off into the fire. He was not harmed. 6The people expected him to swell up. They thought he would suddenly fall dead. They waited for a long time. But they didn’t see anything unusual happen to him. So they changed their minds. They said he was a god.
7Publius owned property nearby. He was the chief official on the island. He welcomed us to his home. For three days he took care of us. He treated us with kindness. 8His father was sick in bed. The man suffered from fever and dysentery. So Paul went in to see him. Paul prayed for him. He placed his hands on him and healed him. 9Then the rest of the sick people on the island came. They too were healed. 10The people of the island honored us in many ways. When we were ready to sail, they gave us the supplies we needed.
Paul Arrives in Rome
11After three months we headed out to sea. We sailed in a ship from Alexandria that had stayed at the island during the winter. On the front of the ship the figures of twin gods were carved. Their names were Castor and Pollux. 12We landed at Syracuse and stayed there for three days. 13From there we sailed to Rhegium. The next day the south wind came up. The day after that, we reached Puteoli. 14There we found some believers. They invited us to spend a week with them. At last we came to Rome. 15The believers there had heard we were coming. They traveled as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns to meet us. When Paul saw these people, he thanked God for them and was encouraged by them. 16When we got to Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself. But a soldier guarded him.
Paul Preaches in Rome
17Three days later Paul called a meeting of the local Jewish leaders. When they came, Paul spoke to them. He said, “My brothers, I have done nothing against our people. I have also done nothing against what our people of long ago practiced. But I was arrested in Jerusalem. I was handed over to the Romans. 18They questioned me. And they wanted to let me go. They saw I wasn’t guilty of any crime worthy of death. 19But the Jews objected, so I had to make an appeal to Caesar. I certainly did not mean to bring any charge against my own people. 20I share Israel’s hope. That is why I am held with this chain. So I have asked to see you and talk with you.”
21They replied, “We have not received any letters from Judea about you. None of our people here from Judea has reported or said anything bad about you. 22But we want to hear what your ideas are. We know that people everywhere are talking against those who believe as you do.”
23They decided to meet Paul on a certain day. At that time even more people came to the place where he was staying. From morning until evening, he told them about God’s kingdom. Using the Law of Moses and the Prophets, he tried to get them to believe in Jesus. 24Some believed what he said, and others did not. 25They didn’t agree with one another. They began to leave after Paul had made a final statement. He said, “The Holy Spirit was right when he spoke to your people long ago. Through Isaiah the prophet the Spirit said,
26“ ‘Go to your people. Say to them,
“You will hear but never understand.
You will see but never know what you are seeing.”
27These people’s hearts have become stubborn.
They can barely hear with their ears.
They have closed their eyes.
Otherwise they might see with their eyes.
They might hear with their ears.
They might understand with their hearts.
They might turn, and then I would heal them.’ (Isaiah 6:9,10)
28-29“Here is what I want you to know. God has sent his salvation to the Gentiles. And they will listen!”
30For two whole years Paul stayed there in a house he rented. He welcomed all who came to see him. 31He preached boldly about God’s kingdom. He taught people about the Lord Jesus Christ. And no one could keep him from teaching and preaching about these things.
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