Acts 28:1 - Printer Friendly

ESV: After we were brought safely through, we then learned that the island was called Malta.

NIV: Once safely on shore, we found out that the island was called Malta.

NASB: When they had been brought safely through, then we found out that the island was called Malta.

CSB: Once safely ashore, we then learned that the island was called Malta.

NLT: Once we were safe on shore, we learned that we were on the island of Malta.

KJV: And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita.

NKJV: Now when they had escaped, they then found out that the island was called Malta.

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.

Acts 28:1–6 describes the people of Malta's impression of Paul. He and others traveling on an Alexandrian ship have wrecked on the shores of the small island. As soon as they reach land, the weather turns cold and rainy. Paul surprises the islanders by surviving a viper bite unharmed. The locals quickly surmise he must be a god, and the island's leader invites him to stay in his home. Paul heals the leader's father and several others from the island, and the locals see to the survivors' needs (Acts 28:7–10).

Acts 28 records Paul's three-month stay on the island of Malta and two-year house arrest in Rome. On Malta, God empowers Paul to perform healing miracles which endear him to the locals. Once he reaches the shores of Italy, many other believers accompany him on his last leg to Rome. In Rome, he finds the Jews just as accepting of Jesus as elsewhere; some believe, but many don't. Paul reaffirms his mission to the Gentiles and spends his time preaching while under house arrest.

Acts 28 is the end of Luke's story of the witness of Jesus' story (Acts 1:8). After his wrongful imprisonment in Caesarea Maritima, Paul appealed his case to Caesar (Acts 25:1–12). He, Aristarchus, and Luke survived a raging winter storm before finally reaching Rome (Acts 27). Again under house arrest, Paul is able to share Jesus' offer of forgiveness with any who wish to visit. While there, he writes the letters Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon. After two years, Paul is released; tradition says he takes one more evangelistic tour before being arrested and eventually martyred around AD 67.

The summary of the book of Acts is provided in Jesus' words in Acts 1:8: ''But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.'' In Acts 2:1–13, the Christ-followers receive the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:14—7:60 describes the rapid growth of the church in Jerusalem. Chapters 8—12 find Jewish persecution inadvertently spreading the gospel throughout Judea and Samaria. And in chapters 13—28, Paul and his companions spread the good news throughout the Roman Empire.