What does Acts 28:1 mean?

Paul, Aristarchus, and Luke are finally safe. Some weeks before, they boarded a ship that took them from Caesarea Maritima to Myra on the southwest coast of modern-day Turkey. From there, they caught an Alexandrian ship to take them to Rome. There, Paul—and apparently Aristarchus, as well—would be tried before Caesar (Acts 25:10–12; Colossians 4:10). The winds were contrary to a direct sail and pushed them south to Crete. Despite Paul's warning, the captain chose to continue sailing instead of wintering where they had landed. For the next two weeks, they faced driving winds, fierce waves, the threat of the large reef off the coast of Libya, and a shipwreck. Along the way, they had to throw over the gear, the cargo, and even the lifeboat. Thanks to Paul's prayer and instruction, all 276 crew and passengers were able to make their way to the island as the waves turned the ship to splinters (Acts 27).

As they reach the beach, the weather turns cold and rainy, but the locals build a fire. Paul reaches out to place wood on the fire and a viper strikes his hand, refusing to let go. The locals, knowing Paul is a prisoner, deduce he must be a murderer; since the sea did not kill him, the snake will. Paul just shakes his hand and the snake falls into the fire. The locals alter their judgment and decide he is a god (Acts 28:2–6).

Malta is a small island south of Sicily. "Malta" is from the Canaanite "Melita." Long ago, Phoenician sailors named the island Melita which means "refuge." The survivors of the shipwreck certainly find it so.