1.
And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita.
when they were = having.
escaped . Greek. diasozo. Same as in Acts 27:43 , Acts 27:44 . See Matthew 14:36 .
they . The texts read "we".
knew . Greek. epiginosko App-132 .
island . Greek. nesos. See Acts 27:26 .
Melita = Malta It was in the jurisdiction of the Praetor of Sicily St. Paul's Bay, the traditional scene of the shipwreck, fulfils all the conditions.
2.
And the barbarous people shewed us no little kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold.
barbarous people . Greek. barbaros. Elsewhere, Acts 28:4 . Rom 1:14 . 1 Chronicles 3:11; 1 Chronicles 3:11 . The Greeks called all people who did not speak Greek barbarians, The Maltese were Phoenicians.
no = not. Greek. ou. App-105 .
little = ordinary, as in Acts 19:11 .
kindness . Greek. philanthropia. App-135 .
kindled = having kindled. Greek. anapto. Only here, Luke 12:49 . James 3:5 .
fire . Greek. pura. Only here, and in Acts 28:3 .
received . Greek. pro slambano. See Acts 17:5 .
because of . Greek. dia . App-104 .Acts 28:2 .
present . Greek. ephistemi. Literally to come upon, as in Luke 2:9 .
cold . Greek. psuchos. Only here, Joh 18:18 . 2 Corinthians 11:27 .
3.
And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand.
gathered . Greek. sustrepho. Only here.
bundle = multitude. Greek. plethos.
sticks . Greek. phruganon Only here.
viper . Greek. echidna. Only here, Matthew 3:7 ; Matthew 3:12 , Mat 3:34 ; Matthew 23:33 .Luke 3:7 .
out of . Greek. ek . App-104 . but the texts read apo ( App-104 .)
heat . Greek. therme. Only here.
fastened . Greek. kathapto. Only here.
4.
And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live.
saw . Greek. eidon. App-133 .
beast . Greek. therion. See Acts 11:6 .
hang = hanging.
on = from. Greek. ek . App-104 .
among themselves = to (Greek. pros. App-104 .) one another.
man . Greek. anthropos. App-123 .
though he hath . Literally having.
the sea = out of (Greek. ek) the sea.
yet . Omit.
vengeance . Greek. he dike . App-177 . The Greeks personified Justice, vengeance, and other ideas; as we do when we speak of Nemesis.
5.
And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.
And he = He then indeed.
shook off . Greek. apotinasso . Only here, and Luke 9:5 .
felt = suffered.
no = nothing. Greek. oudeis.
harm = evil. Greek. kakos. App-128 .
6.
Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.
Howbeit = But.
looked = were expecting, or watching in expectation. Greek. prosdokao. App-133 .
when = that.
should have = was about to.
swollen = swell. Greek. pimpremi Only here.
fallen down . See Acts 26:1 Acts 26:4 .
dead = a corpse. Greek. nekros. App-139 .
suddenly . See Acts 2:2 .
a great while = for (Greek. epi . App-104 .) much (time).
saw . Greek. theoreo. App-133 .
no = nothing. Greek. medeis.
harm = amiss. Greek. atopos. Only here, Luke 23:41 . 2 Thessalonians 3:2 .
changed their minds . Greek. metaballomai. Only here.
god . App-98 .
7.
In the same quarters were possessions of the chief man of the island, whose name was Publius; who received us, and lodged us three days courteously.
In, &c . = Now in (Greek. en) the parts about (Greek. peri . App-104 .) that place.
were . Greek. huparcho . See Luke 9:48 .
possessions = lands. Greek. chorion. See Matthew 26:36 .
chief man = first. Greek. protos. This title has been found on an inscription.
whose name was = by name.
received . Greek. anadechomai. Only here and Hebrews 11:17 .
lodged . Greek. xenizo. See Acts 10:6 ; Acts 21:16 .
courteously . Greek. philophronos. Only here. Compare Acts 27:3 , and 1 Peter 3:8 .
8.
And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of a bloody flux: to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him.
sick of = taken with. Greek. sunecho. See Luke 4:38 .
a fever = fevers. Greek. puretos. Elsewhere Matthew 8:15 .Mark 1:31 .Luke 4:38 , Luke 4:39 . John 4:52 . Always in singular. But found in plural in medical works. Perhaps to convey the idea of severity which is expressed by "great" in Luke 4:38 . or of their recurrence bloody flux. Greek. duaenteria. Hence Engl, dysentery. Only here
prayed . Greek. proseuchomai. App-134 .
healed . Greek. iaomai. See Luke 6:17 .
9.
So when this was done, others also, which had diseases in the island, came, and were healed:
So = But.
others = the rest. App-124 .
diseases . Greek. astheneia. See Matthew 8:17 . John 11:4 .
healed . Greek. therapeuo. See Luke 6:18 and App-137 .
10.
Who also honoured us with many honours; and when we departed, they laded us with such things as were necessary.
also honoured, &c . = honoured us with many honours also.
departed = sailed. Greek. anago. See "loosed" (Acts 13:13 ).
laded us with = laid on us.
such things, &c . = the things for (Greek. pros. App-104 .) the need (Greek. chreia). The texts read "needs". Compare Philippians 1:4 , Philippians 1:16 .
11.
And after three months we departed in a ship of Alexandria, which had wintered in the isle, whose sign was Castor and Pollux.
ship of Alexandria . Another corn ship.
wintered . Greek. paracheimazo. See Acts 27:12 .
whose sign, &c . = with sign the Dioscuri.
sign . Greek. parasemos. Only here. Literally signed or marked.
Castor and Pollux. Greek. Dioskouroi. Literally sons of Zeus. These twin sons of Zeus and Leda were deified and their names given to the bright stars in the constellation Gemini. They were regarded as the patron deities of sailors. The "sign" was carried on the prow of the vessel, after the manner of our "figure-heads".
12.
And landing at Syracuse, we tarried there three days.
landing . Greek. katago. See Acts 21:3 .
Syracuse . An important town in Sicily (S. E.), still bearing the same name.
tarried . Greek. epimeno. See Acts 10:48 .
13.
And from thence we fetched a compass, and came to Rhegium: and after one day the south wind blew, and we came the next day to Puteoli:
fetched a compass = having tacked about. Greek. perierchomai. See Acts 19:13 . Figure of speech Idioma. App-6 .
and came = arrived. Greek. katantao. See Acts 16:1 .
Rhegium . Now Reggio, on the Straits of Messina.
the south wind blew, and = a south wind having sprung up. Greek. epiginomai. Only here.
the next day = the second day. Greek. deuteraios. Only here.
Puteoli . On the Bay of Naples. It was here Josephus and his shipwrecked companions were landed. Now Pozzuoli.
14.
Where we found brethren, and were desired to tarry with them seven days: and so we went toward Rome.
desired = entreated. Greek. parakaleo. App-134 .
with . Greek. epi . App-104 ., but the texts read para (xii. 2).
went = came.
toward . Greek. eis . App-104 . Rome was used in a more extended sense here than in Acts 28:16 .
15.
And from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appiiforum, and The three taverns: whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage.
of us = the things (i.e. the news) concerning (Greek. peri) us.
to meet us . Literally for (Greek. eis) meeting (Greek. apantesis. See Matthew 25:1 ) us.
Appii forum . The market of Appius, a small town on the Appian Way, forty-three miles from Rome.
The three taverns . About ten miles further on. taverns. Greek. taberne transliterated from Latin. taberna. Only here.
thanked . Greek. eucharisteo. See Acts 27:35 .
God . App-98 .
courage . Greek. tharsos. Only here. Compare Acts 23:11 .
16.
And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard: but Paul was suffered to dwell by himself with a soldier that kept him.
Home . Compare Acts 19:21 ; Acts 23:11 . The purpose was fulfilled, but perhaps not in the way Paul expected.
centurion . Greek. hekatontarchos. See Acts 21:32 . Most texts omit this clause.
delivered . Greek. paradidomi. See Acts 3:13 .
captain of the guard . Greek. stratopedarches. Only here. Probably the Protect of the Praetorians.
Paul was suffered . Literally it was permitted (Greek. epitrepo. See Acts 26:1 ) Paul.
dwell . Greek. meno . See p. 1511.
kept = guarded. He was chained by the wrist to the prisoner. Paul speaks of this chain in Acts 28:20 . Ephesians 6:20 . Philippians 1:1 , Philippians 1:7 , Philippians 1:13 , Philippians 1:14 , Philippians 1:16 . Colossians 4:18 . Philemon 1:10 , Philemon 1:13 .
17.
And it came to pass, that after three days Paul called the chief of the Jews together: and when they were come together, he said unto them, Men and brethren, though I have committed nothing against the people, or customs of our fathers, yet was I delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.
chief = first, as in Acts 28:7 .
unto . Greek. pros . App-104 .
Men, &c . See Acts 1:16 .
nothing . Greek. oudeis.
people . Greek. laos. See Acts 2:47 .
customs of our fathers = the ancestral customs.
customs . Greek. eth o s . See Acts 6:14 .
of our fathers . Greek. patroos. See Acts 22:3 .
prisoner . See Acts 25:14 .
18.
Who, when they had examined me, would have let me go, because there was no cause of death in me.
examined . Greek. anakrino. App-122 .
would have = were wishing to. Greek. boulomai. App-102 .
let . . . go . Greek. apoluo . App-174 .
cause . Greek. aitia, as in Acts 25:27 .
19.
But when the Jews spake against it, I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar; not that I had ought to accuse my nation of.
spake against . Greek. antilego. See Acts 13:45 .
constrained . Greek. anankazo. See Acts 26:11 (the only other occurance in Acts).
appeal unto . Greek. epikaleomai. See Acts 25:11 .
accuse . Greek. kategoreo. See Acts 22:30 .
nation . Greek. ethnos.
20.
For this cause therefore have I called for you, to see you, and to speak with you: because that for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.
called for . Greek. parakaleo, as in Acts 28:14 .
speak with . Greek. proslaleo. See Acts 13:43 .
for . Greek. henek e n . First occurance. Matthew 5:10 (for the sake of).
the hope of Israel = the Messiah whom Israel hoped for. Figure of speech Metonymy, App-6 .
bound with . Greek. perikeimai. Only here, Mark 9:42 .Luke 17:2 .Hebrews 5:2 ; Hebrews 12:1 .
21.
And they said unto him, We neither received letters out of Judaea concerning thee, neither any of the brethren that came shewed or spake any harm of thee.
neither . Greek. oute.
letters . Greek. gramma, a letter of the alphabet. In plural "writings". This and Galatians 1:6 , Galatians 1:11 are the only places where it is used of an epistle, the usual word being epistole.
out of = from. Greek. apo. App-104 .
concerning . Greek. peri. App-104 .
shewed = reported. Greek. apangello. See Acts 4:23 .
spake . Greek. laleo . App-121 .
any harm = anything evil (Greek. poneros. App-128 .)
22.
But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, we know that every where it is spoken against.
desire = think it right. Greek. axioo. See Acts 15:38 .
of = from. Greek. para . App-104 .
as, &c . = concerning this sect indeed.
sect . Greek. hairesis. . See Acts 5:17 .
we know = it is known (Greek. gnos to s . See Acts 1:19 ) to us.
23.
And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening.
appointed = arranged. Greek. tasso. See Acts 13:48 .
lodging . Greek. xenia. Only here and Philemon 1:22 . Compare Acts 10:6 ; Acts 21:16 .
expounded . Greek. ektithemi. See Acts 7:21 .
testified . Greek. diamarturomai. See Acts 2:40 . Ninth and last occurance in Acts.
kingdom of God . The Messianic kingdom was the subject. The mention of the Lord Jesus, and the law of Moses, and the prophets, establishes this. See App-114 .
persuading . Greek. peitho. App-150 .
Jesus . App-98 .
Moses . Nineteenth occurance in Acts. See Matthew 8:4 .
prophet . App-189 .
till . Greek. heos .
evening . Greek. hespera. See Acts 4:3 .
24.
And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not.
believed = were persuaded of. Greek. peitho, as in Acts 28:23 .
believed not = were disbelieving. Greek. apisteo. Elsewhere, Mark 16:11 , Mark 16:16 . Luke 24:11 , Luke 24:41 .Romans 3:3 . 2 Timothy 2:13 .
25.
And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers,
when they agreed not = being out of harmony. Greek. asumphonos. Only here. See Acts 5:9 ; Acts 15:15 .
departed . Literally were being sent away. App-174 . The imperfect suggests that the chief men (Acts 28:17 ) broke up the meeting and sent the rest away lest they should be convinced.
after that, &c . = Paul having spoken.
word Greek. rhama . See Mark 9:32 .
Well = Rightly.
the Holy Ghost = the Holy Spirit. App-101 .
by = through. Greek. dia . App-104 .Acts 28:1 .
Esaias = Isaiah. See Acts 8:28 , Acts 8:30 . The quotation is from Acts 6:9 , Acts 6:10 . This is the third occasion of the quotation of these words. See Matthew 13:14 , Matthew 13:15 .John 12:40 .
our . The texts read "your".
26.
Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive:
Hearing = In hearing. Greek. ak o e . Compare Acts 17:20 .
not = by no means. Greek. ou me. App-105 .
understand . Greek. suniemi. Compare App-132 .
seeing . . . see . Greek. blepo . App-133 .
perceive . Greek. eidon. App-133 . Figure of speech Polyptoton. App-6 .
27.
For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
is waxed gross = has become fat. Greek. pachunomai. Only here and Matthew 13:15 .
their ears, &c . = with their ears they hear heavily.
closed . Greek. kammuo . Only here and Matthew 13:15 .
lest = lest at any time. Greek. mepote.
be converted = turn again. Greek. epistrepho. See Acts 3:19 .
28.
Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.
unto = to.
Salvation . Greek. soterion . Elsewhere, Luke 2:30 (which see); Acts 3:6 . Ephesians 6:17 . The more usual soteria occ Acts 13:26 , &c.
is sent = was sent. Greek. apostelo. App-174 .
Gentiles . Greek. ethnos.
29.
And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great reasoning among themselves.
words = things. The texts omit this verse.
and had = having.
reasoning = disputation. Greek. suzetesis. See Acts 15:2 .
30.
And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him,
dwelt . Greek. meno, as in Acts 28:16 , but texts read em - me no (continue) as in Acts 14:22 .
two . . . years . Greek. dietia . See Acts 24:27 . This was 61-63 A.D.
hired house . Greek. misthoma. Only here. Probably the means for this were provided by the Philippians (Philippians 1:4 , Philippians 1:10-20 ) and other believers.
received = received freely. Greek. apodechomai. See Acts 2:41 .
31.
Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.
Preaching . Greek. kerusso . App-121 .
which concern = concerning. Greek. peri . App-104 .
the Lord . App-98 .
Jesus Christ . App-98 .
confidence = boldness. Greek. parrhesia . See Acts 4:13 .
no man, &c . = unhindered. Greek. akolutos . Only here.