Acts 28

(1) Snake Bites Paul

After regrouping and confirming everyone was safe, we realized that we were in Malta. The locals were very kind to us by welcoming us and making a fire for us since it was cold and rainy.

Paul started collecting some firewood and putting it on the fire, when a viper bit him and latched onto his hand. When the locals saw the snake dangling from his hand, they said,

“That guy must be a murderer. Even though his life was saved from the sea, justice isn’t gonna let him live.”

But Paul shook the snake off into the fire without harm. The locals watched him closely, expecting him to fall over dead or at least swell up, but as time went on and nothing happened, they changed their minds and started saying that Paul was a god.

(7) Paul Heals the Locals

Lots of the property around there was owned by a guy names Publius, who was one of the island’s leaders. He welcomed us and kindly hosted us for 3 days. We found out that his dad was bedridden with a recurring fever and dysentery, so Paul went to see him and prayed for him. Then Paul placed his hands on the man and healed him. After that, everyone else on the island who had diseases started coming to Paul and getting cured.

When it was time for us to go, the locals showered us with honors and gave us everything we needed for our trip. 

(11) Paul Finally Arrives in Rome

After spending 3 months in Malta, we boarded a ship that had spent the winter on the island and set sail. The ship’s home port was Alexandria, and it had Zeus’s twin sons, Castor and Pollux as its figurehead.

Our first stop was in Syracuse, Sicily, where we stayed for 3 days. After that, we sailed around and arrived in Rhegium [which is on the southern tip of Italy]. The next day, a south wind started blowing, and the day after that, we arrived in Puteoli [modern-day Pozzuoli, Italy]. We found some believers there who invited us to stay with them for 7 days, then we went to Rome. When the believers heard that we were there, they came to meet us from as far as the Appius Market [which was 43 miles away] and Three Taverns [which was 33 miles away]. When Paul saw them, he thanked God and was encouraged by their visit. 

When we got to Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself with the soldier who was guarding him. 

(17) Jews in Rome Drop Charges Against Paul

Three days later, Paul gathered all the Jewish leaders and told them,

“Brothers, I didn’t do anything against our people or the customs of our forefathers, yet they brought me here as a prisoner and handed me over to the Romans. After the Romans interrogated me, they decided to release me because they couldn’t find any grounds for executing me—but the Jews objected. That’s why I was forced to appeal to Caesar even though I hadn’t done anything to oppose my country. That’s why I requested to see you now and speak with you. I’m in these shackles for the sake of Israel’s hope.”

The Jewish leaders responded,

“We haven’t received any letters from Judea about you, and none of our fellow Jews came here to say anything bad about you. But we’d love to hear your story, because people from all over have been saying lots of negative things about the sect you’re a part of.” 

So they scheduled a date to hear Paul’s story.

(23) Paul Invites Jews to Join Non-Jews in Receiving Salvation

When the day came, lots of people went over to Paul’s place, where he explained God’s empire to them. From morning til evening, he used Moses’s law and the prophets as he tried to persuade them about Jesus.

Some were persuaded, while others didn’t believe, which sparked lots of disagreements. Here’s the last thing Paul said to them before they all started going back home:

“The Different Spirit was right when He told the prophet Isaiah to deliver this message to your ancestors:

‘You’ll keep on hearing, but you won’t understand. You’ll keep on seeing, but you won’t perceive.

‘These people’s hearts have become calloused and dull. Their ears hardly listen, and they’ve closed their eyes. If this weren’t the case, then maybe they’d see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their heart, and then come back—then I would heal them.’”

Paul concluded,

“So I just want you to know that the non-Jews have been told about God’s rescue mission, and that they are receiving it.”

After saying that, the Jews left, disagreeing with each other.

(30) Paul Promotes Jesus in Rome

After that meeting, Paul got his own apartment and stayed in Rome for 2 years, welcoming everyone who came to him. He spent his time telling everyone about God’s empire and teaching them about Jesus. And as he shared, he did so openly—completely unhindered.