Acts 28
Legacy Standard Bible
On the Island of Malta
28 And when (A)they had been brought safely through to shore, (B)then we learned that (C)the island was called [a]Malta. 2 (D)And the [b]natives showed us extraordinary affection; for because of the rain that had set in and because of the cold, they kindled a fire and (E)received us all. 3 But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out [c]because of the heat and fastened itself on his hand. 4 And when (F)the [d]natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they began saying to one another, “(G)Undoubtedly this man is a murderer, and though he has been saved from the sea, [e]Justice has not allowed him to live.” 5 However (H)he shook the creature off into the fire and suffered no harm. 6 But they were waiting for him to soon swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had waited a long time and had seen nothing unusual happen to him, changing their minds, they (I)began to say that he was a god.
7 Now in the areas around that place were lands belonging to the leading man of the island, named Publius, who welcomed us and entertained us courteously three days. 8 And it happened that the father of Publius was lying afflicted with fever and dysentery; and Paul, going to see him and having (J)prayed, (K)laid his hands on him and healed him. 9 And after this had happened, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases were coming to him and being healed. 10 They also bestowed on us many honors of respect; and when we were setting sail, they [f]supplied us with [g]all we needed.
Paul Arrives in Rome
11 Now at the end of three months we set sail on (L)an Alexandrian ship which had wintered at the island, and which had [h]the Twin Brothers for its figurehead. 12 After we put into Syracuse, we stayed there for three days. 13 From there we sailed around and arrived at Rhegium, and after a day when a south wind sprang up, on the second day we came to Puteoli. 14 [i]There we found some (M)brothers, and were invited to stay with them for seven days; and thus we came to Rome. 15 And the (N)brothers, when they heard about us, came from there as far as the [j]Market of Appius and [k]Three Inns to meet us. When Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage.
16 And when we entered Rome, Paul was (O)allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier who was guarding him.
Paul’s Ministry in Rome
17 And it happened that after three days [l]Paul called together those who were (P)the leading men of the Jews, and when they came together, he began saying to them, “(Q)Brothers, (R)though I had done nothing against our people or (S)the customs of our [m]fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans. 18 And when they had (T)examined me, they (U)were willing to release me because there was (V)no ground [n]for putting me to death. 19 But when the Jews [o]objected, I was forced to (W)appeal to Caesar, not that I had any accusation against my nation. 20 For this reason, therefore, I [p]requested to see you and to speak with you, for I am wearing (X)this chain for (Y)the sake of the hope of Israel.” 21 And they said to him, “We have neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor have any of (Z)the brothers come here and reported or spoken anything bad about you. 22 But we desire to hear from you what you think; for concerning this (AA)sect, it is known to us that (AB)it is spoken against everywhere.”
23 And when they had set a day for Paul, they came to him at (AC)his lodging in large numbers; and he was explaining to them by solemnly (AD)bearing witness about the kingdom of God and trying to persuade them concerning Jesus, (AE)from both the Law of Moses and from the Prophets, from morning until evening. 24 (AF)And some were being persuaded by the things spoken, but others were not believing. 25 And when they disagreed with one another, they began leaving after Paul had spoken one word, “The Holy Spirit rightly spoke through Isaiah the prophet to your fathers, 26 saying,
‘(AG)Go to this people and say,
“[q](AH)You will keep on hearing, [r]but will not understand;
And [s]you will keep on seeing, but will not perceive;
27 (AI)For the heart of this people has become dull,
And with their ears they scarcely hear,
And they have closed their eyes;
Lest they might see with their eyes,
And hear with their ears,
And understand with their heart and return,
And I heal them.”’
28 Therefore let it be known to you that (AJ)this salvation of God was sent (AK)to the Gentiles—they will also hear.” 29 [t][When he had spoken these words, the Jews departed, having a great dispute among themselves.]
30 And he stayed two full years [u]in his own rented quarters and was welcoming all who came to him, 31 [v](AL)preaching the kingdom of God and teaching concerning the Lord Jesus Christ (AM)with all confidence, unhindered.
Footnotes
- Acts 28:1 Or Melita
- Acts 28:2 Lit barbarians
- Acts 28:3 Or from the heat
- Acts 28:4 Lit barbarians
- Acts 28:4 The personification of a goddess
- Acts 28:10 Or put on board
- Acts 28:10 Lit the things pertaining to the needs
- Acts 28:11 Gr Dioscuri; Castor and Pollux, twin sons of Zeus
- Acts 28:14 Lit Where
- Acts 28:15 Lat Appii Forum, a station approx. 43 miles from Rome
- Acts 28:15 Lat Tres Tabernae, a station approx. 33 miles from Rome
- Acts 28:17 Lit he
- Acts 28:17 Or forefathers
- Acts 28:18 Lit of death in me
- Acts 28:19 Lit spoke against
- Acts 28:20 Or invited you to see me and speak with me
- Acts 28:26 Lit with a hearing
- Acts 28:26 Lit and
- Acts 28:26 Lit seeing you will see
- Acts 28:29 Early mss omit this v
- Acts 28:30 Or at his own expense
- Acts 28:31 Or proclaiming
Acts 28
Christian Standard Bible
Malta’s Hospitality
28 Once safely ashore, we(A) then learned that the island was called Malta.(B) 2 The local people(C) showed us extraordinary kindness. They lit a fire and took us all in, since it was raining and cold. 3 As Paul gathered a bundle of brushwood and put 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 snake hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “This man, no doubt, is a murderer. Even though he has escaped the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live.”(D) 5 But he shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no harm.(E) 6 They expected that he would begin to swell up or suddenly drop dead. After they waited a long time and saw nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god.(F)
Ministry in Malta
7 Now in the area around that place was an estate belonging to the leading man of the island, named Publius, who welcomed us and entertained us hospitably for three days. 8 Publius’s father was in bed suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went to him, and praying and laying his hands on him, he healed him.(G) 9 After this, the rest of those on the island who had diseases also came and were healed. 10 So they heaped many honors on us, and when we sailed, they gave us what we needed.
Rome at Last
11 After three months we set sail in an Alexandrian ship that had wintered at the island, with the Twin Gods[a] as its figurehead. 12 Putting in at Syracuse, we stayed three days. 13 From there, after making a circuit along the coast,[b] we reached Rhegium. After one day a south wind sprang up, and the second day we came to Puteoli. 14 There we found brothers and sisters(H) and were invited to stay a week with them. And so we came to Rome. 15 Now the brothers and sisters from there had heard the news about us and had come to meet us as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns. When Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage. 16 When we entered Rome,[c] Paul was allowed to live by himself with the soldier who guarded him.(I)
Paul’s First Interview with Roman Jews
17 After three days he called together the leaders of the Jews. When they had gathered he said to them, “Brothers, although I have done nothing against our people or the customs of our ancestors, I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.(J) 18 After they examined me, they wanted to release me, since there was no reason for the death penalty in my case.(K) 19 Because the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar;(L) even though I had no charge to bring against my people. 20 For this reason I’ve asked to see you and speak to you. In fact, it is for the hope of Israel that I’m wearing this chain.”(M)
21 Then they said to him, “We haven’t received any letters about you from Judea. None of the brothers has come and reported or spoken anything evil about you. 22 But we want to hear what your views are, since we know that people everywhere are speaking against this sect.”(N)
The Response to Paul’s Message
23 After arranging a day with him, many came to him at his lodging. From dawn to dusk he expounded and testified about the kingdom of God. He tried to persuade them about Jesus from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets.(O) 24 Some were persuaded by what he said, but others did not believe.(P)
25 Disagreeing among themselves, they began to leave after Paul made one statement:[d] “The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your[e] ancestors through the prophet Isaiah 26 when he said,
Go to these people and say:
You will always be listening,
but never understanding;
and you will always be looking,
but never perceiving.
27 For the hearts of these people
have grown callous,
their ears are hard of hearing,
and they have shut their eyes;
otherwise they might see with their eyes
and hear with their ears,
understand with their heart
and turn,
and I would heal them.[f](Q)
28 Therefore, let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen.”[g]
Paul’s Ministry Unhindered
30 Paul stayed two whole years in his own rented house. And he welcomed all who visited him, 31 proclaiming the kingdom of God(R) and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness(S) and without hindrance.
Footnotes
- 28:11 Gk Dioscuri, twin sons of Zeus, Castor and Pollux
- 28:13 Other mss read From there, casting off,
- 28:16 Other mss add the centurion turned the prisoners over to the military commander; but
- 28:25 Or after they began to leave, Paul made one statement
- 28:25 Other mss read our
- 28:26–27 Is 6:9–10
- 28:28 Some mss include v. 29: After he said these things, the Jews departed, while engaging in a vigorous debate among themselves.
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