What does Acts 28:9 mean?
When a hidden snake attached itself to Paul, the people of Malta figured he must be a murderer receiving punishment from the gods. When he didn't die, the people thought he was a god. In that event, Paul apparently didn't attribute the possibly miraculous escape to God. He knew it wasn't his time to die, so he just shook the snake into the fire, not realizing the impact it would have on the people (Acts 28:3–6).When Paul healed the father of the chief man of the island, however, he stopped and prayed. Luke doesn't tell us if Paul shared Jesus' message, but he does indicate through his actions that his power to heal comes from God, not himself (Acts 28:7–8). Now, the people realize he is not only associated with power, but mercifully willing to share that power with others.
The people respond with gratitude. They provide for the needs of the castaways during winter and give them provisions when they sail off three months later (Acts 28:10–11). Whether the Holy Spirit gave Paul the ability to heal specifically to affirm his message, or merely so the people would give them supplies, the support has to be a welcome change from spending two weeks on a ship in a tempest in the Mediterranean (Acts 27).
