Acts 28 Darby Translation
Audio: World English Bible (WEB), read by Winfred W. Henson · About the recordings
1 And when we got safe [to land] we then knew that the island was called Melita.
1 When we had escaped, then they learned that the island was called Malta.
2 But the barbarians shewed us no common kindness; for, having kindled a fire, they took us all in because of the rain that was falling and because of the cold.
2 The natives showed us uncommon kindness; for they kindled a fire and received us all, because of the present rain and because of the cold.
3 And Paul having gathered a [certain] quantity of sticks together in a bundle and laid [it] on the fire, a viper coming out from the heat seized his hand.
3 But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand.
4 And when the barbarians saw the beast hanging from his hand, they said to one another, This man is certainly a murderer, whom, [though] saved out of the sea, Nemesis has not allowed to live.
4 When the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped from the sea, yet Justice has not allowed to live.”
5 He however, having shaken off the beast into the fire, felt no harm.
5 However he shook off the creature into the fire, and wasn’t harmed.
6 But they expected that he would have swollen or fallen down suddenly dead. But when they had expected a long time and saw nothing unusual happen to him, changing their opinion, they said he was a god.
6 But they expected that he would have swollen or fallen down dead suddenly, but when they watched for a long time and saw nothing bad happen to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.
7 Now in the country surrounding that place were the lands belonging to the chief man of the island, by name Publius, who received us and gave [us] hospitality three days in a very friendly way.
7 Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the chief man of the island, named Publius, who received us and courteously entertained us for three days.
8 And it happened that the father of Publius lay ill of fever and dysentery; to whom Paul entered in, and having prayed and laid his hands on him cured him.
8 The father of Publius lay sick of fever and dysentery. Paul entered in to him, prayed, and laying his hands on him, healed him.
9 But this having taken place, the rest also who had sicknesses in the island came and were healed:
9 Then when this was done, the rest also who had diseases in the island came and were cured.
10 who also honoured us with many honours, and on our leaving they made presents to us of what should minister to our wants.
10 They also honored us with many honors; and when we sailed, they put on board the things that we needed.
11 And after three months we sailed in a ship which had wintered in the island, an Alexandrian, with [the] Dioscuri for its ensign.
11 After three months, we set sail in a ship of Alexandria which had wintered in the island, whose figurehead was “The Twin Brothers.”
12 And having come to Syracuse we remained three days.
12 Touching at Syracuse, we stayed there three days.
13 Whence, going in a circuitous course, we arrived at Rhegium; and after one day, the wind having changed to south, on the second day we came to Puteoli,
13 From there we circled around and arrived at Rhegium. After one day, a south wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli,
14 where, having found brethren, we were begged to stay with them seven days. And thus we went to Rome.
14 where we found brothers, and were entreated to stay with them for seven days. So we came to Rome.
15 And thence the brethren, having heard about us, came to meet us as far as Appii Forum and Tres Tabernae, whom when Paul saw, he thanked God and took courage.
15 From there the brothers, when they heard of us, came to meet us as far as The Market of Appius and The Three Taverns. When Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage.
16 And when we came to Rome, [the centurion delivered up the prisoners to the praetorian prefect, but] Paul was allowed to remain by himself with the soldier who kept him.
16 When we entered into Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard, but Paul was allowed to stay by himself with the soldier who guarded him.
17 And it came to pass after three days, that he called together those who were the chief of the Jews; and when they had come together he said to them, Brethren, I having done nothing against the people or the customs of our forefathers, have been delivered a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans,
17 After three days Paul called together those who were the leaders of the Jews. When they had come together, he said to them, “I, brothers, though I had done nothing against the people or the customs of our fathers, still was delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans,
18 who having examined me were minded to let me go, because there was nothing worthy of death in me.
18 who, when they had examined me, desired to set me free, because there was no cause of death in me.
19 But the Jews speaking against it, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar, not as having anything to accuse my nation of.
19 But when the Jews spoke against it, I was constrained to appeal to Caesar, not that I had anything about which to accuse my nation.
20 For this cause therefore I have called you to [me] to see and to speak to you; for on account of the hope of Israel I have this chain about me.
20 For this cause therefore I asked to see you and to speak with you. For because of the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.”
21 And they said to him, For our part, we have neither received letters from Judaea concerning thee, nor has any one of the brethren who has arrived reported or said anything evil concerning thee.
21 They said to him, “We neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor did any of the brothers come here and report or speak any evil of you.
22 But we beg to hear of thee what thou thinkest, for as concerning this sect it is known to us that it is everywhere spoken against.
22 But we desire to hear from you what you think. For, as concerning this sect, it is known to us that everywhere it is spoken against.”
23 And having appointed him a day many came to him to the lodging, to whom he expounded, testifying of the kingdom of God, and persuading them concerning Jesus, both from the law of Moses and the prophets, from early morning to evening.
23 When they had appointed him a day, many people came to him at his lodging. He explained to them, testifying about God’s Kingdom, and persuading them concerning Jesus, both from the law of Moses and from the prophets, from morning until evening.
24 And some were persuaded of the things which were said, but some disbelieved.
24 Some believed the things which were spoken, and some disbelieved.
25 And being disagreed among themselves they left; Paul having spoken one word, Well spoke the Holy Spirit through Esaias the prophet to our fathers,
25 When they didn’t agree among themselves, they departed after Paul had spoken one message: “The Holy Spirit spoke rightly through Isaiah the prophet to our fathers,
26 saying, Go to this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear and not understand, and seeing ye shall see and not perceive.
26 saying, ‘Go to this people and say, in hearing, you will hear, but will in no way understand. In seeing, you will see, but will in no way perceive.
27 For the heart of this people has become fat, and they hear heavily with their ears, and they have closed their eyes; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.
27 For this people’s heart has grown callous. Their ears are dull of hearing. Their eyes they have closed. Lest they should see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their heart, and would turn again, then I would heal them.’
28 Be it known to you therefore, that this salvation of God has been sent to the nations; they also will hear [it].
28 “Be it known therefore to you that the salvation of God is sent to the nations, and they will listen.”
29 [And he having said this, the Jews went away, having great reasoning among themselves.]
29 When he had said these words, the Jews departed, having a great dispute among themselves.
30 And he remained two whole years in his own hired lodging, and received all who came to him,
30 Paul stayed two whole years in his own rented house and received all who were coming to him,
31 preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ, with all freedom unhinderedly.
31 preaching God’s Kingdom and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, without hindrance.
People & places in this chapter
From this site's family tree and Bible maps, only where those guides cite this chapter.
People
Publius
The leading man of the island of Malta who hosted Paul and his companions for three days; Paul healed his father of fever and dysentery.
Cited in the guide: Acts 28:7; Acts 28:8
Places
Rome
The empire's heart. Paul wrote his great letter to the church here before arriving in chains, then ministered under guard while awaiting trial before Caesar.
Cited in the guide: Acts 28:16; Romans 1:7; Acts 19:21
Cross references (28)
Related passages for each verse, from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge as collected and ranked by readers at OpenBible.info.
- 1 Acts 27:26; Acts 27:44; Acts 27:39; Acts 16:10
- 2 Colossians 3:11; Romans 1:14; Hebrews 13:2; Acts 28:4; 2 Corinthians 11:27
- 3 Matthew 23:33; Matthew 12:34; Acts 28:4; 2 Corinthians 11:23; Matthew 3:7
- 4 Luke 13:2; Luke 13:4; Acts 28:2; Acts 28:5; John 7:24
- 5 Luke 10:19; Mark 16:18; Psalm 91:13; Revelation 9:3–4; Numbers 21:6–9
- 6 Acts 12:22; Acts 14:11–13; Matthew 21:9
- 7 Matthew 10:40–41; Acts 13:7; Luke 19:6–9; Acts 18:12; Acts 28:2
- 8 Acts 9:40; Mark 6:5; Matthew 9:18; James 5:14–16; Matthew 10:8
- 9 Matthew 4:24; Acts 5:12; Acts 5:15; Mark 6:54–56
- 10 1 Thessalonians 2:6; Matthew 6:31–34; Philippians 4:19; Philippians 4:11–12; Ezra 7:27
- 11 Acts 27:6; Isaiah 45:20; 1 Corinthians 8:4; Acts 6:9; Jonah 1:5
- 13 Acts 27:13
- 14 Acts 20:6; Genesis 7:4; Acts 21:7–8; Acts 21:4; Genesis 8:10–12
- 15 Hebrews 13:3; Romans 15:24; Acts 10:25; Exodus 4:14; Psalm 27:14
- 16 Acts 27:3; Acts 24:23; Acts 28:30–31; Romans 1:7–15; Acts 23:11
- 17 Acts 25:8; Acts 6:14; Acts 25:10; Acts 22:5; Acts 21:33–40
- 18 Acts 26:31–32; Acts 23:29; Acts 22:24–25; Acts 22:30; Acts 24:10
- 19 Acts 26:32; Acts 25:25; Acts 25:21; Acts 25:10–12; 1 Peter 2:22–23
- 20 Acts 26:6–7; 2 Timothy 2:9; Ephesians 6:20; Acts 26:29; Philippians 1:13
- 21 Isaiah 41:11; Isaiah 54:17; Isaiah 50:8; Acts 22:5; Exodus 11:7
- 22 Acts 24:14; 1 Peter 2:12; 1 Peter 3:16; Acts 16:20–21; 1 Peter 4:14–16
- 23 Acts 19:8; Acts 17:2–3; Acts 18:28; Acts 26:22–23; Luke 24:26–27
- 24 Acts 14:4; Acts 17:4–5; Acts 19:8–9; Acts 18:6–8; Romans 3:3
- 25 Matthew 15:7; Mark 7:6; 2 Peter 1:21
- 26 Isaiah 6:9–10; Ezekiel 12:2; Isaiah 42:19–20; Matthew 13:14–15; Mark 4:12
- 27 Isaiah 6:10
- 28 Luke 2:30–32; Acts 26:17–18; Romans 3:29–30; Luke 3:6; Romans 15:8–16
- 31 Acts 4:29; Ephesians 6:19–20; Acts 28:23; Matthew 4:23; Philippians 1:14
Cross references: OpenBible.info (CC BY), drawn mainly from the public-domain Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. · Sources & licences
What the Fathers said
Passages from the Church Fathers that expound or quote this chapter, verbatim from the public-domain Schaff edition (19th-century English translations).
How these were chosen
“Commentary” is the opening of a homily or exposition on this chapter (John Chrysostom’s homilies, Augustine’s tractates, sermons and expositions of the Psalms). “Quotes” are sentences where the edition’s own footnotes identify a quotation of a verse here, kept only when the wording matches the verse. Only works whose authorship is not in doubt are used. Psalms follow the Hebrew/English numbering (Augustine numbers them as the Septuagint does: his Psalm 50 is Psalm 51 here).
"Showed," he says, "no little kindness to us--barbarians" (as they were )--"having kindled a fire:" else it were of no use that their lives be saved, if the wintry weather must destroy them. Then Paul having taken brushwood, laid it on the fire.
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 11 (1889)