Paul Ashore on Malta

28 Once safely on shore, we(A) found out that the island(B) was called Malta. The islanders showed us unusual kindness. They built a fire and welcomed us all because it was raining and cold. Paul gathered a pile of brushwood and, as he put it on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself on his hand. When the islanders saw the snake hanging from his hand,(C) they said to each other, “This man must be a murderer; for though he escaped from the sea, the goddess Justice has not allowed him to live.”(D) But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no ill effects.(E) The people expected him to swell up or suddenly fall dead; but after waiting a long time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god.(F)

There was an estate nearby that belonged to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us to his home and showed us generous hospitality for three days. His father was sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him and, after prayer,(G) placed his hands on him(H) and healed him.(I) When this had happened, the rest of the sick on the island came and were cured. 10 They honored us(J) in many ways; and when we were ready to sail, they furnished us with the supplies we needed.

Paul’s Arrival at Rome

11 After three months we put out to sea in a ship that had wintered in the island—it was an Alexandrian ship(K) with the figurehead of the twin gods Castor and Pollux. 12 We put in at Syracuse and stayed there three days. 13 From there we set sail and arrived at Rhegium. The next day the south wind came up, and on the following day we reached Puteoli. 14 There we found some brothers and sisters(L) who invited us to spend a week with them. And so we came to Rome. 15 The brothers and sisters(M) there had heard that we were coming, and they traveled as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns to meet us. At the sight of these people Paul thanked God and was encouraged. 16 When we got to Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself, with a soldier to guard him.(N)

Paul Preaches at Rome Under Guard

17 Three days later he called together the local Jewish leaders.(O) When they had assembled, Paul said to them: “My brothers,(P) although I have done nothing against our people(Q) or against the customs of our ancestors,(R) I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans. 18 They examined me(S) and wanted to release me,(T) because I was not guilty of any crime deserving death.(U) 19 The Jews objected, so I was compelled to make an appeal to Caesar.(V) I certainly did not intend to bring any charge against my own people. 20 For this reason I have asked to see you and talk with you. It is because of the hope of Israel(W) that I am bound with this chain.”(X)

21 They replied, “We have not received any letters from Judea concerning you, and none of our people(Y) who have come from there has reported or said anything bad about you. 22 But we want to hear what your views are, for we know that people everywhere are talking against this sect.”(Z)

23 They arranged to meet Paul on a certain day, and came in even larger numbers to the place where he was staying. He witnessed to them from morning till evening, explaining about the kingdom of God,(AA) and from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets(AB) he tried to persuade them about Jesus.(AC) 24 Some were convinced by what he said, but others would not believe.(AD) 25 They disagreed among themselves and began to leave after Paul had made this final statement: “The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to your ancestors when he said(AE) through Isaiah the prophet:

26 “‘Go to this people and say,
“You will be ever hearing but never understanding;
    you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.”
27 For this people’s heart has become calloused;(AF)
    they hardly hear with their ears,
    and they have closed their eyes.
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
    hear with their ears,
    understand with their hearts
and turn, and I would heal them.’[a](AG)

28 “Therefore I want you to know that God’s salvation(AH) has been sent to the Gentiles,(AI) and they will listen!” [29] [b]

30 For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. 31 He proclaimed the kingdom of God(AJ) and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness(AK) and without hindrance!

Notas al pie

  1. Acts 28:27 Isaiah 6:9,10 (see Septuagint)
  2. Acts 28:29 Some manuscripts include here After he said this, the Jews left, arguing vigorously among themselves.

Paul on the Island of Malta

28 Once we were safe on shore, we learned that we were on the island of Malta. The people of the island were very kind to us. It was cold and rainy, so they built a fire on the shore to welcome us.

As Paul gathered an armful of sticks and was laying them on the fire, a poisonous snake, driven out by the heat, bit him on the hand. The people of the island saw it hanging from his hand and said to each other, “A murderer, no doubt! Though he escaped the sea, justice will not permit him to live.” But Paul shook off the snake into the fire and was unharmed. The people waited for him to swell up or suddenly drop dead. But when they had waited a long time and saw that he wasn’t harmed, they changed their minds and decided he was a god.

Near the shore where we landed was an estate belonging to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us and treated us kindly for three days. As it happened, Publius’s father was ill with fever and dysentery. Paul went in and prayed for him, and laying his hands on him, he healed him. Then all the other sick people on the island came and were healed. 10 As a result we were showered with honors, and when the time came to sail, people supplied us with everything we would need for the trip.

Paul Arrives at Rome

11 It was three months after the shipwreck that we set sail on another ship that had wintered at the island—an Alexandrian ship with the twin gods[a] as its figurehead. 12 Our first stop was Syracuse,[b] where we stayed three days. 13 From there we sailed across to Rhegium.[c] A day later a south wind began blowing, so the following day we sailed up the coast to Puteoli. 14 There we found some believers,[d] who invited us to spend a week with them. And so we came to Rome.

15 The brothers and sisters[e] in Rome had heard we were coming, and they came to meet us at the Forum[f] on the Appian Way. Others joined us at The Three Taverns.[g] When Paul saw them, he was encouraged and thanked God.

16 When we arrived in Rome, Paul was permitted to have his own private lodging, though he was guarded by a soldier.

Paul Preaches at Rome under Guard

17 Three days after Paul’s arrival, he called together the local Jewish leaders. He said to them, “Brothers, I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Roman government, even though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our ancestors. 18 The Romans tried me and wanted to release me, because they found no cause for the death sentence. 19 But when the Jewish leaders protested the decision, I felt it necessary to appeal to Caesar, even though I had no desire to press charges against my own people. 20 I asked you to come here today so we could get acquainted and so I could explain to you that I am bound with this chain because I believe that the hope of Israel—the Messiah—has already come.”

21 They replied, “We have had no letters from Judea or reports against you from anyone who has come here. 22 But we want to hear what you believe, for the only thing we know about this movement is that it is denounced everywhere.”

23 So a time was set, and on that day a large number of people came to Paul’s lodging. He explained and testified about the Kingdom of God and tried to persuade them about Jesus from the Scriptures. Using the law of Moses and the books of the prophets, he spoke to them from morning until evening. 24 Some were persuaded by the things he said, but others did not believe. 25 And after they had argued back and forth among themselves, they left with this final word from Paul: “The Holy Spirit was right when he said to your ancestors through Isaiah the prophet,

26 ‘Go and say to this people:
When you hear what I say,
    you will not understand.
When you see what I do,
    you will not comprehend.
27 For the hearts of these people are hardened,
    and their ears cannot hear,
    and they have closed their eyes—
so their eyes cannot see,
    and their ears cannot hear,
    and their hearts cannot understand,
and they cannot turn to me
    and let me heal them.’[h]

28 So I want you to know that this salvation from God has also been offered to the Gentiles, and they will accept it.”[i]

30 For the next two years, Paul lived in Rome at his own expense.[j] He welcomed all who visited him, 31 boldly proclaiming the Kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ. And no one tried to stop him.

Notas al pie

  1. 28:11 The twin gods were the Roman gods Castor and Pollux.
  2. 28:12 Syracuse was on the island of Sicily.
  3. 28:13 Rhegium was on the southern tip of Italy.
  4. 28:14 Greek brothers.
  5. 28:15a Greek brothers.
  6. 28:15b The Forum was about 43 miles (70 kilometers) from Rome.
  7. 28:15c The Three Taverns was about 35 miles (57 kilometers) from Rome.
  8. 28:26-27 Isa 6:9-10 (Greek version).
  9. 28:28 Some manuscripts add verse 29, And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, greatly disagreeing with each other.
  10. 28:30 Or in his own rented quarters.

Safe at Malta

28 When (A)they had been brought safely through, (B)then we found out that (C)the island was called [a]Malta. (D)The [b]natives showed us extraordinary kindness, for they kindled a fire and (E)took us all in because of the rain that had started and because of the cold. 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. 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.” However, [f](H)Paul shook the creature off into the fire and suffered no harm. Now they were expecting that he was going to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had waited a long time and had seen nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and (I)began to say that he was a god.

Now in the neighboring parts of that place were lands belonging to the [g]leading man of the island, named Publius, who welcomed us and entertained us warmly for three days. And it happened that the father of Publius was lying in bed afflicted with a recurring fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him, and after he (J)prayed, he (K)laid his hands on him and healed him. After this happened, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases were coming to him and being cured. 10 They also showed us many honors, and when we were about to set sail, they [h]supplied us with [i]everything we needed.

Paul Arrives in Rome

11 After three months we set sail on (L)an Alexandrian ship which had wintered at the island, and which had [j]the Twin Brothers for its figurehead. 12 After we put in at Syracuse, we stayed there for three days. 13 From there we sailed around and arrived at Rhegium, and a day later a south wind came up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli. 14 [k]There we found some (M)brothers and sisters, and were invited to stay with them for seven days; and that is how we came to Rome. 15 And from there the (N)brothers and sisters, when they heard about us, came as far as the [l]Market of Appius and the [m]Three Inns to meet us; and when Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage.

16 When we entered Rome, Paul was (O)allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier who was guarding him.

17 After three days [n]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 [o]fathers, yet I was handed over to the Romans as a prisoner from Jerusalem. 18 And when they had (T)examined me, they (U)were willing to release me because there were (V)no grounds [p]for putting me to death. 19 But when the Jews [q]objected, I was forced to (W)appeal to Caesar, not that I had any accusation against my nation. 20 For this reason, therefore, I [r]requested to see you and to speak with you, since I am wearing (X)this chain for (Y)the sake of the hope of Israel.” 21 They said to him, “We have neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor has any of (Z)the brothers come here and reported or spoken anything bad about you. 22 But we desire to hear from you what [s]your views are; for regarding this (AA)sect, it is known to us that (AB)it is spoken against everywhere.”

23 When they had set a day for [t]Paul, people came to him at (AC)his lodging in large numbers; and he was explaining to them by solemnly (AD)testifying 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)Some were being persuaded by the things said by Paul, but others would not believe. 25 And when they disagreed with one another, they began leaving after Paul said one parting statement: “The Holy Spirit rightly spoke through Isaiah the prophet to your fathers, 26 saying,

(AG)Go to this people and say,
[u](AH)You will keep on hearing, and will not understand;
And [v]you will keep on seeing, and will not perceive;
27 (AI)For the hearts of this people have become [w]insensitive,
And with their ears they [x]hardly hear,
And they have closed their eyes;
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
And hear with their ears,
And understand with their heart and return,
And I would heal them.”’

28 Therefore, let it be known to you that (AJ)this salvation of God has been sent (AK)to the Gentiles; they will also listen.”[y]

30 Now Paul stayed two full years [z]in his own rented lodging and welcomed all who came to him, 31 [aa](AL)preaching the kingdom of God and teaching things about the Lord Jesus Christ (AM)with all openness, unhindered.

Notas al pie

  1. Acts 28:1 Or Melita
  2. Acts 28:2 Gr barbaroi, referring to people who did not speak Greek
  3. Acts 28:3 Or from the heat
  4. Acts 28:4 See note v 2
  5. Acts 28:4 Or Justice; i.e., the personification of a goddess
  6. Acts 28:5 Lit he
  7. Acts 28:7 Prob. the Roman governor of the island
  8. Acts 28:10 Or put on board
  9. Acts 28:10 Lit the things pertaining to the needs
  10. Acts 28:11 Gr Dioscuri; i.e., Castor and Pollux, twin sons of Zeus
  11. Acts 28:14 Lit Where
  12. Acts 28:15 Lat Appii Forum, a station about 43 miles or 69.2 km from Rome
  13. Acts 28:15 Lat Tres Tabernae, a station about 33 miles or 53.1 km from Rome
  14. Acts 28:17 Lit he
  15. Acts 28:17 Or forefathers
  16. Acts 28:18 Lit of death in me
  17. Acts 28:19 Lit spoke against
  18. Acts 28:20 Or invited you to see me and speak with me
  19. Acts 28:22 Lit you think
  20. Acts 28:23 Lit him
  21. Acts 28:26 Lit with a hearing you will hear
  22. Acts 28:26 Lit seeing you will see
  23. Acts 28:27 Lit dull
  24. Acts 28:27 Or are hard of hearing
  25. Acts 28:28 Late mss add as v 29: When he had spoken these words, the Jews departed, having a great dispute among themselves.
  26. Acts 28:30 Or at his own expense
  27. Acts 28:31 Or proclaiming

Pablo en Malta

28 Y una vez que ellos estaban a salvo, nos enteramos(A) de que la isla(B) se llamaba Malta[a](C). Y los habitantes[b](D) nos mostraron toda clase de atenciones, porque a causa de la lluvia que caía y del frío, encendieron una hoguera y nos acogieron a todos(E). Pero cuando Pablo recogió una brazada de leña y la echó al fuego, una víbora salió huyendo del calor y se le prendió en la mano. Y los habitantes[c](F), al ver el animal colgando de su mano, decían entre sí: Sin duda que este hombre es un asesino, pues aunque fue salvado del mar, Justicia[d] no le ha concedido vivir(G). Pablo, sin embargo, sacudiendo la mano, arrojó el animal al fuego y no sufrió ningún daño(H). Y ellos esperaban que comenzara a hincharse, o que súbitamente cayera muerto. Pero después de esperar por largo rato, y de no observar nada anormal en él, cambiaron de parecer y decían que era un dios(I).

Y cerca de allí había unas tierras que pertenecían al hombre principal de la isla, que se llamaba Publio, el cual nos recibió y nos hospedó con toda amabilidad por tres días. Y sucedió que el padre de Publio yacía en cama, enfermo con fiebre y disentería; y Pablo entró a verlo, y después de orar(J) puso las manos sobre él, y lo sanó(K). Cuando esto sucedió, los demás habitantes de la isla que tenían enfermedades venían a él y eran curados. 10 También nos honraron con muchas demostraciones de respeto[e], y cuando estábamos para zarpar, nos suplieron[f] con todo lo necesario[g].

Continúa el viaje a Roma

11 Después de tres meses, nos hicimos a la vela en una nave alejandrina(L) que había invernado en la isla, y que tenía por insignia a los Hermanos Gemelos[h]. 12 Cuando llegamos a Siracusa, nos quedamos allí por tres días. 13 Y zarpando[i] de allí, seguimos la costa hasta llegar a Regio. Y al día siguiente se levantó un viento del sur, y en dos días llegamos a Puteoli. 14 Allí[j] encontramos algunos hermanos(M), que nos invitaron a permanecer con ellos por siete días. Y así llegamos a Roma. 15 Cuando los hermanos(N) tuvieron noticia de nuestra llegada[k], vinieron desde allá a recibirnos hasta el Foro de Apio[l] y Las Tres Tabernas[m]; y cuando Pablo los vio, dio gracias a Dios y cobró ánimo.

Pablo en Roma

16 Cuando entramos en Roma, el centurión entregó los presos al prefecto militar, pero[n] a Pablo se le permitió vivir aparte(O), con el soldado que lo custodiaba.

17 Y aconteció que tres días después Pablo convocó a los principales de los judíos(P), y cuando se reunieron, les dijo: Hermanos[o](Q), sin haber hecho yo nada contra nuestro pueblo(R) ni contra las tradiciones de nuestros padres[p](S), desde Jerusalén fui entregado preso en manos de los romanos, 18 los cuales, cuando me interrogaron, quisieron ponerme en libertad(T), pues no encontraron causa para condenarme a muerte[q](U). 19 Pero cuando los judíos se opusieron[r], me vi obligado a apelar al César(V), pero no porque tuviera acusación alguna contra mi pueblo[s]. 20 Por tanto, por esta razón he pedido veros y hablaros[t], porque por causa de la esperanza de Israel(W) llevo esta cadena(X). 21 Y ellos le dijeron: Nosotros ni hemos recibido cartas de Judea sobre ti, ni ha venido aquí ninguno de los hermanos(Y) que haya informado o hablado algo malo acerca de ti. 22 Pero deseamos oír de ti lo que enseñas[u], porque lo que sabemos de esta secta(Z) es que en todas partes se habla contra ella(AA).

Pablo predica en Roma

23 Y habiéndole fijado un día, vinieron en gran número adonde él posaba[v](AB), y desde la mañana hasta la tarde les explicaba testificando(AC) fielmente sobre el reino de Dios, y procurando persuadirlos acerca de Jesús, tanto por la ley de Moisés como por los profetas(AD). 24 Algunos eran persuadidos con lo que se decía, pero otros no creían(AE). 25 Y al no estar de acuerdo entre sí, comenzaron a marcharse después de que Pablo dijo una última palabra: Bien habló el Espíritu Santo a vuestros padres por medio de Isaías el profeta, 26 diciendo:

Ve a este pueblo y di:
«Al oír oiréis, y no entenderéis;
y viendo veréis, y no percibiréis(AF);
27 porque el corazón de este pueblo se ha vuelto insensible[w],
y con dificultad oyen con sus oídos;
y sus ojos han cerrado;
no sea que vean con los ojos,
y oigan con los oídos,
y entiendan con el corazón,
y se conviertan,
y yo los sane(AG)».

28 Sabed, por tanto, que esta salvación de Dios(AH) ha sido enviada a los gentiles(AI). Ellos sí[x] oirán. 29 [y]Y cuando hubo dicho esto, los judíos se fueron, teniendo gran discusión entre sí.

30 Y Pablo se quedó por dos años enteros en la[z] habitación que alquilaba, y recibía a todos los que iban a verlo[aa], 31 predicando el reino de Dios(AJ), y enseñando todo lo concerniente al Señor Jesucristo con toda libertad, sin estorbo(AK).

Notas al pie

  1. Hechos 28:1 O, Melita. Algunos mss. también dicen: Melitene
  2. Hechos 28:2 Lit., bárbaros
  3. Hechos 28:4 Lit., bárbaros
  4. Hechos 28:4 I.e., la personificación de la diosa Diké
  5. Hechos 28:10 Lit., muchos honores
  6. Hechos 28:10 O, pusieron a bordo
  7. Hechos 28:10 Lit., las cosas relacionadas con las necesidades
  8. Hechos 28:11 Gr., Dióscuros, esto es, los hijos gemelos de Zeus: Cástor y Pólux
  9. Hechos 28:13 Algunos mss. dicen: costeando
  10. Hechos 28:14 Lit., Donde
  11. Hechos 28:15 Lit., Cuando los hermanos oyeron de nosotros
  12. Hechos 28:15 En latín: Appii Forum, una estación como a 70 km. de Roma
  13. Hechos 28:15 En latín: Tres Tabernae, una estación como a 54 km. de Roma
  14. Hechos 28:16 Los mss. más antiguos no incluyen: el centurión...pero
  15. Hechos 28:17 Lit., Varones hermanos
  16. Hechos 28:17 O, de los antepasados
  17. Hechos 28:18 Lit., de muerte en mí
  18. Hechos 28:19 Lit., hablaron en contra de aquello
  19. Hechos 28:19 Lit., nación
  20. Hechos 28:20 U, os invité a que me vierais y me hablarais
  21. Hechos 28:22 Lit., lo que piensas
  22. Hechos 28:23 Lit., a la posada
  23. Hechos 28:27 Lit., se ha engrosado
  24. Hechos 28:28 Lit., también
  25. Hechos 28:29 Los mss. más antiguos no incluyen este vers.
  26. Hechos 28:30 O, en la propia
  27. Hechos 28:30 Lit., todos los que venían a él