Acts 28
J.B. Phillips New Testament
A small incident establishes Paul’s reputation
28 1-6 After our escape we discovered that the island was called Melita. The natives treated us with uncommon kindness. Because of the driving rain and cold they lit a fire and made us all welcome. Then when Paul had collected a large bundle of sticks and was about to put it on the fire, a viper driven out by the heat fastened itself on his hand. When the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand they said to each other, “This man is obviously a murderer. He has escaped from the sea but justice will not let him live.” But Paul shook off the viper into the fire without suffering any ill effect. Naturally they expected him to swell up or suddenly fall down dead, but after waiting a long time and seeing nothing untoward happen to him, they changed their minds and kept saying he was a god.
Paul’s acts of healing: the islanders’ gratitude
7-10 In that part of the island were estates belonging to the governor, whose name was Publius. This man welcomed us and entertained us most kindly for three days. Now it happened that Publius’ father was lying ill with fever and dysentery. Paul visited him and after prayer laid his hands on him and healed him. After that all the other sick people on the island came forward and were cured. Consequently they loaded us with presents, and when the time came for us to sail they provided us with everything we needed.
Spring returns and we resume our journey
11-14 It was no less than three months later that we set sail in an Alexandrian ship which had wintered in the island, a ship that had the heavenly twins as her figurehead. We put in at Syracuse and stayed there three days, and from there we tacked round to Rhegium. A day later the south wind sprang up and we sailed to Puteoli, reaching it in only two days. There we found some of the brothers and they begged us to stay a week with them, and so we finally came to Rome.
A Christian welcome awaits us in the capital
15 The brothers there had heard about us and came out from the city to meet us, as far as the Market of Appius and the Three Taverns. When Paul saw them he thanked God and his spirits rose.
16 When we reached Rome Paul was given permission to live alone with the soldier who was guarding him.
Paul explains himself frankly to the Jews in Rome
17-20 Three days later Paul invited the leading Jews to meet him, and when they arrived he spoke to them, “Men and brothers, although I have done nothing against our people or the customs of our forefathers, I was handed over to the Romans as a prisoner in Jerusalem. They examined me and were prepared to release me, since they found me guilty of nothing deserving the death penalty. But the attacks of the Jews there forced me to appeal to Caesar—not that I had any charge to make against my own nation. But it is because of this accusation of the Jews that I have asked to see you and talk matters over with you. In actual fact it is on account of the hope of Israel that I am here in chains.”
21-22 But they replied, “We have received no letters about you from Judea, nor have any of the brothers who have arrived here said anything, officially or unofficially, against you. We want to hear you state your views, although as far as this sect is concerned we do know that serious objections have been raised to it everywhere.
Paul’s earnest and prolonged effort to win his own people for Christ
23a When they had arranged a day for him they came to his lodging in great numbers.
23b-27 From morning till evening he explained the kingdom of God to them, giving his personal testimony, trying to persuade them about Jesus from the Law of Moses and the Prophets. As a result several of them were won over by his words, but others would not believe. When they could not reach any agreement among themselves and began to go away, Paul added as a parting shot, “how rightly did the Holy Spirit speak to your forefathers through the prophet Isaiah when he said, ‘Go to the people and say, Hearing you will hear, and shall not understand; and seeing you will see, and not perceive; for the heart of this people has grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, lest they should understand with their heart and turn, so that I should heal them.’
28 “Let it be plainly understood then that this salvation of our God has been sent to the Gentiles, and they at least will listen to it!”
The last glimpse of Paul ...
29-31 So Paul stayed for two full years in his own rented apartment welcoming all who came to see him. He proclaimed to them all the kingdom of God and gave them the teaching of the Lord Jesus Christ with the utmost freedom and without hindrance from anyone.
Acts 28
English Standard Version
Paul on Malta
28 After we were brought safely through, (A)we then learned that (B)the island was called Malta. 2 (C)The native people[a] showed us unusual (D)kindness, for they kindled a fire and welcomed us all, because it had begun to rain and was cold. 3 When 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. 4 When (E)the native people saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, (F)“No doubt this man is a murderer. Though he has escaped from the sea, (G)Justice[b] has not allowed him to live.” 5 He, however, (H)shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. 6 They 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, (I)they changed their minds and (J)said that he was a god.
7 Now 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. 8 It happened that the father of Publius lay sick with fever and dysentery. And Paul visited him and (K)prayed, and (L)putting his hands on him, healed him. 9 And when this had taken place, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases also came and were cured. 10 They also honored us greatly,[c] and when we were about to sail, they put on board whatever we needed.
Paul Arrives at Rome
11 After three months we set sail in (M)a ship that had wintered in the island, a ship of Alexandria, with the twin gods[d] as a figurehead. 12 Putting in at Syracuse, we stayed there for three days. 13 And 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. 14 There we found (N)brothers[e] and were invited to stay with them for seven days. And so we came to Rome. 15 And (O)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, (P)Paul thanked God and took courage. 16 And when we came into Rome, (Q)Paul was allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier who guarded him.
Paul in Rome
17 After three days he called together the local leaders of the Jews, and when they had gathered, he said to them, “Brothers, (R)though I had done nothing against our people or (S)the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans. 18 When they had examined me, they (T)wished to set me at liberty, (U)because there was no reason for the death penalty in my case. 19 But because the Jews objected, I was compelled (V)to appeal to Caesar—though I had no charge to bring against (W)my nation. 20 For this reason, therefore, I have asked to see you and speak with you, since it is (X)because of (Y)the hope of Israel that I am wearing (Z)this (AA)chain.” 21 And they said to him, “We have received no letters from Judea about you, and none of (AB)the brothers coming here has reported or spoken any evil about you. 22 But we desire to hear from you what your views are, for with regard to this (AC)sect we know that everywhere (AD)it is spoken against.”
23 When they had appointed a day for him, they came to him at his lodging in greater numbers. From morning till evening (AE)he expounded to them, testifying to (AF)the kingdom of God and (AG)trying to convince them about Jesus (AH)both from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets. 24 And (AI)some were convinced by what he said, but others disbelieved. 25 And disagreeing among themselves, they departed after Paul had made one statement: (AJ)“The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet:
26 (AK)“‘Go to this people, and say,
(AL)“You will indeed hear but never understand,
and you will indeed see but never perceive.”
27 (AM)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 (AN)turn, and I would heal them.’
28 Therefore let it be known to you that (AO)this (AP)salvation of God (AQ)has been sent to the Gentiles; (AR)they will listen.”[f]
30 He lived there two whole years at his own expense,[g] and (AS)welcomed all who came to him, 31 (AT)proclaiming (AU)the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ (AV)with all boldness and (AW)without hindrance.
Footnotes
- Acts 28:2 Greek barbaroi (that is, non–Greek speakers); also verse 4
- Acts 28:4 Or justice
- Acts 28:10 Greek honored us with many honors
- Acts 28:11 That is, the Greek gods Castor and Pollux
- Acts 28:14 Or brothers and sisters; also verses 15, 21
- Acts 28:28 Some manuscripts add verse 29: And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, having much dispute among themselves
- Acts 28:30 Or in his own hired dwelling
使徒行传 28
Revised Chinese Union Version (Simplified Script) Shen Edition
保罗在马耳他岛上
28 我们既已获救，才知道那岛名叫马耳他。 2 当地人非常友善地接待我们；因为正在下雨，天气又冷，他们就生了火欢迎我们众人。 3 那时，保罗拾起一捆柴，放在火中，有一条毒蛇，因为热的缘故钻了出来，缠住他的手。 4 当地的人看见那毒蛇悬在他手上，就彼此说：“这人必是个凶手，虽然他从海里获救，天理仍不容他活着。” 5 保罗竟把那毒蛇甩在火里，并没有受伤。 6 当地的人想他快要肿起来，或是忽然倒下死了，但等了好久，见他没有什么异样，就转念说他是个神明。
7 离那地方不远有一些田产，是岛长部百流的。他接纳我们，尽情款待了我们三日。 8 当时，部百流的父亲卧病不起，患了热病和痢疾。保罗进去见他，为他祷告按手，治好了他。 9 从此，岛上其余的病人也都来，得了医治。 10 他们又多方面尊敬我们，到了开船的时候，又把我们所需用的东西送到船上。
保罗抵达罗马
11 过了三个月，我们上了亚历山大的船起航。这船以“宙斯双子”为记，是在那海岛过冬的。 12 我们到了叙拉古，停泊了三日； 13 又从那里起锚开船，[a]来到利基翁。过了一天，起了南风，第二天就来到部丢利。 14 我们在那里遇见一些弟兄，他们请我们同住了七天。就这样，我们来到罗马。 15 那里的弟兄们一听见我们的消息，就到亚比乌市和三馆来迎接我们。保罗见了他们，就感谢 神，越发壮胆。
16 我们进了罗马城，[b]保罗蒙准和那个看守他的兵另住在一处。
保罗在罗马传道
17 过了三天，保罗请当地犹太人的领袖来。他们来了，保罗对他们说：“诸位弟兄，虽然我没有做什么事干犯本国的百姓和我们祖宗的规矩，却在耶路撒冷被囚禁，交在罗马人的手里。 18 他们审问了我，有意要释放我，因为在我身上并没有该死的罪状。 19 但犹太人反对，我不得已只好上诉于凯撒，并不是有什么事要控告我本国的百姓。 20 为这缘故，我请你们来见我当面谈话，我原是为以色列人所指望的那位才被这铁链捆绑的。” 21 他们对他说：“我们并没有接到从犹太寄来有关于你的信，也没有弟兄到这里来向我们报告，或说你有什么不好的地方。 22 但我们愿意听听你的意见，因为我们知道这教门是到处遭人反对的。”
23 他们和保罗约定了日子，就有许多人到他的住处来。保罗从早到晚向他们讲解这事，为 神的国作证，并引摩西的律法和先知的书劝导他们信从耶稣。 24 他所说的话，有的信，有的不信。 25 他们间彼此不合，就分散了；未散以先，保罗说了一句话：“圣灵藉以赛亚先知向你们祖宗所说的话是对的。 26 他说：
‘你去对这百姓说：
你们听了又听，却不明白；
看了又看，却看不清。
27 因为这百姓的心麻木，
耳朵塞着，
眼睛闭着，
免得眼睛看见，
耳朵听见，
心里明白，回转过来，
我会医治他们。’
28 所以，你们当知道， 神这救恩已经传给外邦人；他们会听的。”[c]
30 保罗在自己所租的房子里住了足足两年。凡来见他的人，他都接待， 31 放胆传讲 神的国，并教导主耶稣基督的事，没有人禁止。
The New Testament in Modern English by J.B Phillips copyright © 1960, 1972 J. B. Phillips. Administered by The Archbishops’ Council of the Church of England. Used by Permission.
The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.
和合本修訂版經文 © 2006, 2010, 2017 香港聖經公會。蒙允許使用。 Scripture Text of Revised Chinese Union Version © 2006, 2010, 2017 Hong Kong Bible Society. www.hkbs.org.hk/en/ Used by permission.