Acts 28
The Message No Chain Could Hold
Paul survives a shipwreck, serves the people of Malta, and finally reaches Rome as a prisoner. Acts ends with Paul under guard, but the good news about Jesus keeps moving forward.
Walking Through Acts 28
Kindness on an Unfamiliar Shore (Acts 28:1-6)
1 After we had safely reached shore, we learned that the island was called Malta. 2 The local inhabitants showed us extraordinary kindness, for they built a fire and welcomed us all because it had started to rain and was cold. 3 When Paul had gathered a bundle of brushwood and was putting it on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened itself on his hand. 4 When the local people saw the creature hanging from Paul’s hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer! Although he has escaped from the sea, Justice herself has not allowed him to live!” 5 However, Paul shook the creature off into the fire and suffered no harm. 6 But they were expecting that he was going to swell up or suddenly drop dead. So after they had waited a long time and had seen nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god.Acts 28:1-6 · NET Bible
Everyone from the ship reaches land safely, and they learn that the island is Malta. The local people welcome these cold, wet strangers and build a fire. Their kindness matters. God often provides care through people we have never met.
As Paul gathers wood, a poisonous snake fastens onto his hand. The islanders assume that he must be a murderer facing divine justice. When he suffers no harm, they swing to the opposite view and call him a god. Both judgments are wrong.
I notice how quickly people explain another person's suffering without knowing the truth. Trouble does not prove that someone is being punished, and escaping trouble does not make someone divine. God preserves Paul here, but this event is not a promise that believers can handle dangerous animals without harm.
Care That Flows Both Ways (Acts 28:7-10)
7 Now in the region around that place were fields belonging to the chief official of the island, named Publius, who welcomed us and entertained us hospitably as guests for three days. 8 The father of Publius lay sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him and after praying, placed his hands on him and healed him. 9 After this had happened, many of the people on the island who were sick also came and were healed. 10 They also bestowed many honors, and when we were preparing to sail, they gave us all the supplies we needed.Acts 28:7-10 · NET Bible
Publius, the island's chief official, welcomes Paul and his companions and cares for them for three days. His father is sick with fever and dysentery, a serious illness of the bowels. Paul visits him, prays, lays his hands on him, and heals him. Afterward, other sick people on the island come and are healed.
Luke places prayer beside the healing. Paul is not the god the islanders imagined. He depends on the true God, whose power brings relief to suffering people.
The islanders honor the travelers and provide what they need when they leave. Those who received the shipwrecked strangers now receive help themselves. I love this picture of care moving in both directions. Paul has lost his freedom and survived a terrible storm, yet he can still serve. His hard situation has not made his life useless.
Encouragement Along the Road (Acts 28:11-16)
11 After three months we put out to sea in an Alexandrian ship that had wintered at the island and had the “Heavenly Twins” as its figurehead. 12 We put in at Syracuse and stayed there three days. 13 From there we cast off and arrived at Rhegium, and after one day a south wind sprang up and on the second day we came to Puteoli. 14 There we found some brothers and were invited to stay with them seven days. And in this way we came to Rome. 15 The brothers from there, when they heard about us, came as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns to meet us. When he saw them, Paul thanked God and took courage. 16 When we entered Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself, with the soldier who was guarding him.Acts 28:11-16 · NET Bible
After three months on Malta, the travelers leave aboard another ship from Alexandria. Luke notes its figurehead of the twin gods, a detail that places this journey in the Roman world, where many gods were worshiped. They stop at Syracuse and Rhegium, then reach Puteoli, where believers welcome them for a week.
As Paul approaches Rome, Christians come to meet him at the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns. Seeing them leads Paul to thank God and take courage. Even this faithful servant needs the strength that comes from knowing he is not alone. Faith does not remove our need for one another.
In Rome, Paul is allowed to live apart from the other prisoners, with a soldier guarding him. He has arrived, but he is not free. God's faithfulness has brought him to Rome without removing every hardship.
A Prisoner Because of Hope (Acts 28:17-22)
17 After three days Paul called the local Jewish leaders together. When they had assembled, he said to them, “Brothers, although I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our ancestors, from Jerusalem I was handed over as a prisoner to the Romans. 18 When they had heard my case, they wanted to release me because there was no basis for a death sentence against me. 19 But when the Jews objected, I was forced to appeal to Caesar—not that I had some charge to bring against my own people. 20 So for this reason I have asked to see you and speak with you, for I am bound with this chain because of the hope of Israel.” 21 They replied, “We have received no letters from Judea about you, nor have any of the brothers come from there and reported or said anything bad about you. 22 But we would like to hear from you what you think, for regarding this sect we know that people everywhere speak against it.”Acts 28:17-22 · NET Bible
Three days after arriving, Paul gathers the local Jewish leaders. He explains that he has done nothing against his people or their customs. Roman officials had found no reason to execute him, but opposition led him to appeal to Caesar. He makes clear that he has not come to bring charges against his own nation.
Paul connects his chains with Israel's hope. His message about Jesus is not a rejection of God's promises to Israel. He believes Jesus is their fulfillment, including the hope of resurrection.
The leaders say they have received no letters or personal reports accusing Paul. Still, they know that the Christian movement faces opposition, and they want to hear his views. I see patience in Paul's approach. Rather than treating these men as enemies, he gives them room to listen and understand.
An Open Door Behind a Guarded Door (Acts 28:23-31)
23 They set a day to meet with him, and they came to him where he was staying in even greater numbers. From morning until evening he explained things to them, testifying about the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus from both the law of Moses and the prophets. 24 Some were convinced by what he said, but others refused to believe. 25 So they began to leave, unable to agree among themselves, after Paul made one last statement: “The Holy Spirit spoke rightly to your ancestors through the prophet Isaiah 26 when he said,‘ Go to this people and say, “ You will keep on hearing, but will never understand, and you will keep on looking, but will never perceive . 27 For the heart of this people has become dull, and their ears are hard of hearing, and they have closed their eyes, so that they would not see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them .”’ 28 “Therefore be advised that this salvation from God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen!” 30 Paul lived there two whole years in his own rented quarters and welcomed all who came to him, 31 proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with complete boldness and without restriction.Acts 28:23-31 · NET Bible
On an appointed day, many people gather where Paul is staying. From morning until evening, he explains God's kingdom—God's rule—and seeks to persuade them about Jesus from the Law of Moses and the Prophets. His message grows from Israel's Scriptures.
Some are persuaded, while others refuse to believe. As the meeting breaks up in disagreement, Paul points to Isaiah 6:9-10. He warns that people can hear God's message yet remain unwilling to receive it. The problem is not a lack of words reaching their ears, but hearts closed to their meaning.
Paul announces that God's salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, people outside the Jewish nation, and they will listen. This does not mean that every Jewish person has rejected Jesus; some have just believed.
For two full years, Paul welcomes visitors in his rented home and boldly teaches about God's kingdom and the Lord Jesus Christ. Luke ends without reporting Paul's trial. The messenger remains guarded, but the message goes out without hindrance.
- Kingdom of God — God's rule, made known through Jesus and received by those who trust Him.
- Gentiles — People outside the Jewish nation, whom God also welcomes through Jesus.
Where might you be overlooking a chance to serve because your present situation feels too limited?
Father, thank You that Your faithfulness does not fail when our circumstances are hard. Keep our hearts open to Your truth, and help us share the love of Jesus with patience and courage. Show us the good we can do where we are.