Paul on the Island of Melita 1
Arrival at Rome 16
Chief Jews called to hear about sect 17
Ministry from home 23
Two more years 30
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| 1 ¶ And when they were
escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita.
2 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. .3 And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand. 4 And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live. 5 And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm. |
1
- They were escaped Better "we were
escaped then we knew."
1 - Melita Or "Malta." South of Sicily. See map. 2 - Barbarous A word imitating a language not understood. The people spoke a different language which seemed strange. 3 - Paul had gathered ... sticks He was active in working with the others 1co0922. They gathered brush and probably driftwood. 3 - Vipers Snakes are not on the island now but were then. The Hawaiian Islands have eliminated snakes. 4 - Vengeance From dike, better Paul appeared as very evil to the people of Malta. Surely the gods were punishing him. 5 - No harm Compare mr1618 lu1019. |
| 6 Howbeit they looked when
he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had
looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds,
and said that he was a god.
7 In the same quarters were possessions of the chief man of the island, whose name was Publius; who received us, and lodged us three days courteously. 8 And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of a bloody flux: to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him. 9 So when this was done, others also, which had diseases in the island, came, and were healed: 10 Who also honoured us with many honours; and when we departed, they laded us with such things as were necessary. |
6 -
Looked ... he was a god Paul had had a similar experience
ac1411.
7 - Now in the same part of the island there were estates belonging to the Governor, whose name was Publius. He welcomed us to his house, and for three days generously made us his guests. (Weymouth). 8 - Came to pass ... father This no doubt happened later in the winter. 8 - Bloody flux From duseniteria. Should be translated "dysentery." |
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| 11 ¶ And after three
months we departed in a ship of Alexandria, which had wintered in the isle,
whose sign was Castor and Pollux.
12 And landing at Syracuse, we tarried there three days. 13 And from thence we fetched a compass, and came to Rhegium: and after one day the south wind blew, and we came the next day to Puteoli: 14 Where we found brethren, and were desired to tarry with them seven days: and so we went toward Rome. |
11
- After three months Then the storm danger would have been
past.
14 - Found brethren The gospel had spread to this remote area. Also verse 15. |
| 15 And from thence, when the
brethren heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appii forum, and The
three taverns: whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage.
.16 And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard: but Paul was suffered to dwell by himself with a soldier that kept him. |
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| .17
¶ And it came to pass, that after three days Paul called the chief
of the Jews together: and when they were come together, he said unto them,
Men and brethren, though I have committed nothing against the people, or
customs of our fathers, yet was I delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into
the hands of the Romans.
18 Who, when they had examined me, would have let me go, because there was no cause of death in me. 19 But when the Jews spake against it, I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar; not that I had ought to accuse my nation of. 20 For this cause therefore have I called for you, to see you, and to speak with you: because that for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain. |
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| 21 And they said unto him,
We neither received letters out of Judaea concerning thee, neither any
of the brethren that came shewed or spake any harm of thee.
22 But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, we know that every where it is spoken against. |
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| .23
¶ And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into
his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading
them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets,
from morning till evening.
24 And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not. |
Many
Literally "more."
Lodging See v16, v30. Expounded and testified We may understand this to indicate scholarly logic as well as personal conviction. Compare ac1314. Kingdom of God Perhaps in comparison to that of Rome. mt0302, mt0501, lu0419, ac0812. Moses See lu2427. Some believed All who preach the gospel have this experience. Some just don't want to believe. |
| 25 And when they agreed not
among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well
spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers,
26 Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive: 27 For the heart of this people is waxed gross [Or "become dull"], and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. |
25
- Esaias That is, "Isaiah."
26 - Saying The reference is is0609. Jesus used the verse, too. mt1314, mr0412, lu0810, jn1240. 27 - Be converted Literally, "turn again." mt0302, ac0238, ac0319. The statement is from Jesus mt1314. 27 - Converted ... heal A new heart and strength to keep it true. |
| .28
Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto
the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.
29 And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great reasoning among themselves. |
They
will hear it Those who think they know often refuse to listen
wanting comfort more than truth.
Great reasoning Some were convinced and some not. Thus an argument. |
| .30
¶ And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received
all that came in unto him,
31 Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him. |
Two
whole years The book of Acts ends abruptly. Luke may have written
more that was not preserved. Still the general ministry of Paul is explained.
We get a little information from the epistles thought to have been written
during this imprisonment See ep0301,
ep0401,
ph0116,
co0418,
pm09,
ph0223.
Some were with him ac2702, ep0621.
Hired house The rent must have been paid by friends. No man forbidding This freedom was more important than physical freedom. |
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The end of the book of Acts