Paul on Malta: Healing and Hospitality
Acts 28:1-10
Acts.28.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Και: CONJ
- διασωθεντες: VERB,aor,pass,part,nom,pl,m
- τοτε: ADV
- επεγνωμεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,1,pl
- οτι: CONJ
- Μελιτη: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- νησος: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- καλειται: VERB,pres,mid/pass,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- Acts 27:39 (structural): Immediate narrative precursor: the voyage crew sights land (preparing for the landing on the island later identified as Melita).
- Acts 27:44 (verbal): Directly parallels the statement that all were brought safely to land (διασωθέντες), describing how the shipwrecked company reached shore alive.
- Psalm 107:29-30 (thematic): Psalmic motif of God calming the sea and bringing voyagers to a safe harbor — thematically parallels being delivered to an island haven.
- Matthew 8:26 (thematic): Jesus’ calming of the storm and deliverance of the disciples from peril at sea echoes the theme of rescue from maritime danger culminating in safe landfall.
Alternative generated candidates
- When they had been brought safely through, we learned that the island was called Melita.
- When they had escaped, they learned that the island was called Melita.
Acts.28.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- τε: CONJ
- βαρβαροι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- παρειχον: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,pl
- ου: PART,neg
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- τυχουσαν: VERB,part,pres,act,acc,sg,f
- φιλανθρωπιαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- ημιν: PRON,dat,pl,1
- αψαντες: VERB,part,aor,act,nom,pl,m
- γαρ: PART
- πυραν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- προσελαβοντο: VERB,aor,mid,ind,3,pl
- παντας: ADJ,acc,pl,m
- ημας: PRON,acc,pl,1
- δια: PREP
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- υετον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- εφεστωτα: VERB,part,pres,act,acc,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- δια: PREP
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- ψυχος: NOUN,acc,sg,n
Parallels
- Luke 10:33-35 (thematic): The Good Samaritan unexpectedly shows practical kindness and care to a stranger in need—parallel to the islanders’ compassionate reception and provision for the shipwrecked Paul and companions.
- Hebrews 13:2 (thematic): An ethical exhortation not to neglect hospitality to strangers; Acts 28:2 is a concrete instance of such welcoming behavior toward travelers.
- Matthew 25:35-40 (thematic): Jesus’ teaching that welcoming the stranger is equivalent to serving him—Acts 28:2 depicts local inhabitants welcoming and caring for strangers in distress.
- Acts 28:7 (structural): Immediate intra‑Acts continuation: Publius, the island’s chief, formally receives and entertains Paul and the others, reinforcing the theme of local hospitality introduced in 28:2.
- Acts 16:15 (structural): Another Acts example of hospitality toward Paul and companions (Lydia invites them into her home), offering a parallel case of gracious reception of Christian missionaries.
Alternative generated candidates
- The islanders showed us no small kindness; they kindled a fire and welcomed us all because of the present rain and the cold.
- The islanders showed us unusual kindness: they kindled a fire and welcomed us all, because of the rain and the cold.
Acts.28.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- συστρεψαντος: VERB,aor,act,part,gen,m,sg
- δε: CONJ
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- Παυλου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- φρυγανων: NOUN,gen,pl,n
- τι: PRON,int,nom,sg,n
- πληθος: NOUN,nom,sg,n
- και: CONJ
- επιθεντος: VERB,aor,act,part,gen,sg,m
- επι: PREP
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- πυραν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- εχιδνα: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- απο: PREP
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- θερμης: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- εξελθουσα: VERB,aor,act,ptcp,f,sg
- καθηψε: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- χειρος: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Mark 16:18 (verbal): Uses the image of believers handling serpents and drinking deadly things without harm—closely parallels Paul's viper-bite outcome (theme of miraculous protection from venom).
- Luke 10:19 (thematic): Jesus gives authority over 'serpents and scorpions'—a Lucan theme of believers' protection and authority over dangerous creatures, echoed in Paul's survival.
- Numbers 21:6-9 (allusion): Israelites are bitten by fiery serpents and provided a means of healing (bronze serpent)—parallel motif of snake-bite and divine deliverance/reversal of death.
- Exodus 4:3-4 (verbal): Moses' staff becomes a serpent and back again when seized by the hand—shares the motif of a serpent interacting with the hand and divine control over serpents.
- Psalm 91:13 (allusion): Speaks of trampling the lion and the serpent without harm—a proverbial promise of protection that resonates with Paul's uninjured state after the bite.
Alternative generated candidates
- When Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, came out and fastened on his hand.
- But after Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened on his hand.
Acts.28.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ως: ADV
- δε: CONJ
- ειδον: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- βαρβαροι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- κρεμαμενον: VERB,perf,pass,ptcp,acc,sg,n
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- θηριον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- εκ: PREP
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- χειρος: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- προς: PREP
- αλληλους: PRON,acc,pl,m
- ελεγον·Παντως: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,pl
- φονευς: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- ανθρωπος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- ουτος: PRON,nom,sg,m
- ον: PART,pres,act,nom,sg,m
- διασωθεντα: VERB,aor,pass,ptcp,acc,sg,m
- εκ: PREP
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- θαλασσης: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- δικη: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- ζην: VERB,pres,act,inf
- ουκ: PART,neg
- ειασεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- Mark 16:18 (verbal): Jesus' promise that believers will 'pick up serpents' and suffer no harm parallels Paul being bitten by a viper yet suffering no ill effect—same serpent-handling / immunity motif.
- Exodus 4:3 (allusion): Moses' rod becoming a serpent 'from his hand' echoes the striking image of a serpent associated with a man's hand (serpent issuing from hand), a familiar OT motif linked to signs and wonder.
- Numbers 21:6-9 (thematic): The account of fiery serpents sent as divine punishment and the bronze serpent for healing connects the serpent with divine retribution and ambiguous ambivalence (death and possible salvation), mirroring the islanders' interpretation of the snake as 'justice'.
- Acts 12:23 (thematic): Herod's sudden calamity—interpreted as divine judgment—parallels the islanders' immediate attribution of the snake-bite to punitive 'justice' (δίκη) rather than accident, illustrating a common narrative reaction to perceived divine retribution.
Alternative generated candidates
- When the islanders saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer, whom though he has escaped the sea, justice will not allow to live.”
- When the islanders saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, "No doubt this man is a murderer, whom though he escaped the sea, justice will not allow to live."
Acts.28.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- μεν: PART
- ουν: CONJ
- αποτιναξας: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,sg,m
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- θηριον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- εις: PREP
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- πυρ: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- επαθεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- ουδεν: PRON,acc,sg,n
- κακον·: ADJ,acc,sg,n
Parallels
- Mark 16:18 (verbal): Promises believers will 'pick up serpents' and that drinking deadly poison 'will not hurt them' — close verbal and thematic parallel to Paul shaking off a viper and suffering no harm.
- Luke 10:19 (verbal): Jesus grants authority over 'serpents' and 'scorpions' and protection from deadly things, echoing the motif of immunity to venom witnessed in Acts 28:5.
- Psalm 91:13 (thematic): Speaks of treading on the lion and the serpent — a symbolic motif of triumph and safety in the face of dangerous animals, thematically resonant with Paul's uninjured encounter.
- Isaiah 43:2 (thematic): God's promise that passing through fire will not burn you parallels the image of the snake being cast into the fire while the man remains unharmed (deliverance through perilous elements).
- Daniel 6:22 (thematic): God's miraculous protection in the lions' den (Daniel unharmed by dangerous beasts) parallels the broader theme of divine preservation from lethal animals in Acts 28:5.
Alternative generated candidates
- But he shook the creature off into the fire and suffered no harm.
- But Paul shook the creature off into the fire and suffered no harm.
Acts.28.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- δε: CONJ
- προσεδοκων: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,pl,m
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- μελλειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
- πιμπρασθαι: VERB,aor,pass,inf
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- καταπιπτειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
- αφνω: ADV
- νεκρον: ADJ,acc,sg,m
- επι: PREP
- πολυ: ADV
- δε: CONJ
- αυτων: PRON,gen,pl,m
- προσδοκωντων: VERB,pres,act,part,gen,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- θεωρουντων: VERB,pres,act,part,gen,pl,m
- μηδεν: PRON,acc,sg,n
- ατοπον: ADJ,acc,sg,n
- εις: PREP
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- γινομενον: PART,pres,mid/pass,acc,sg,n
- μεταβαλομενοι: VERB,pres,mid,part,nom,pl,m
- ελεγον: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,pl
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- ειναι: VERB,pres,act,inf
- θεον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
Parallels
- Acts 14:11-18 (verbal): After Paul and Barnabas heal a cripple in Lystra the crowd calls them gods (Hermes and Zeus); similar popular deification in response to perceived miracle-workers.
- Acts 12:21-23 (thematic): When King Herod accepts praise as a god the people shout 'the voice of a god,' and he is immediately struck down—parallel theme of human pretended/attributed divinity and sudden judgment.
- Matthew 14:33 (thematic): After Jesus calms the storm the disciples worship him, saying 'Truly you are the Son of God'—example of people attributing divine status to a person following extraordinary events.
- John 20:28 (thematic): Thomas's confession 'My Lord and my God' after encountering the risen Jesus illustrates the pattern of ascribing deity to a human figure in light of miraculous revelation.
Alternative generated candidates
- They expected that he would swell up or suddenly fall down dead; but after they had waited long and saw that no harm came to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god.
- They waited expecting him to swell or suddenly fall down dead; when they had watched a long while and saw nothing amiss, they changed their minds and said he was a god.
Acts.28.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Εν: PREP
- δε: CONJ
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,n
- περι: PREP
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- τοπον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- εκεινον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- υπηρχεν: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- χωρια: NOUN,nom,pl,n
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- πρωτω: ADJ,dat,sg,m
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- νησου: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- ονοματι: NOUN,dat,sg,n
- Ποπλιω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- ος: PRON,nom,sg,m
- αναδεξαμενος: VERB,aor,mid,ptc,nom,sg,m
- ημας: PRON,acc,pl,1
- τρεις: NUM,acc,pl,f
- ημερας: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- φιλοφρονως: ADV
- εξενισεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- Acts 28:1-2 (structural): Immediate narrative context: the same Malta shipwreck scene where the islanders receive Paul and the others kindly; verse 7 continues this episode by naming Publius as the hospitable host.
- Luke 10:5-8 (thematic): Jesus' instructions to disciples to accept hospitality from a worthy house and eat what is provided; parallels the positive reception and provision given to itinerant messengers/apostles.
- Genesis 18:1-8 (thematic): Abraham's lavish hospitality to three unexpected visitors (providing rest, food, and care); echoes the motif of a prominent household hosting and caring for arriving strangers/guests.
- Romans 16:23 (thematic): Paul names Gaius as a host of the whole church (and of Paul); parallels the practice of local leaders or households providing lodging and hospitality to Paul and Christian workers.
Alternative generated candidates
- In that region were the lands of the chief man of the island, whose name was Publius; he welcomed us and entertained us hospitably for three days.
- In the neighborhood was the chief man of the island, whose name was Publius; he welcomed us and entertained us hospitably for three days.
Acts.28.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- εγενετο: VERB,aor,mid,ind,3,sg
- δε: CONJ
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- πατερα: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- Ποπλιου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- πυρετοις: NOUN,dat,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- δυσεντεριω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- συνεχομενον: VERB,pres,pass,ptc,acc,sg,m
- κατακεισθαι: VERB,pres,mp,inf
- προς: PREP
- ον: PART,pres,act,nom,sg,m
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- Παυλος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- εισελθων: VERB,aor,act,ptc,nom,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- προσευξαμενος: VERB,aor,mid,ptc,nom,sg,m
- επιθεις: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,m,sg
- τας: ART,acc,pl,f
- χειρας: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- αυτω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- ιασατο: VERB,aor,mid,ind,3,sg
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
Parallels
- Mark 1:29-31 (verbal): Jesus enters Simon Peter’s house and heals Peter’s mother‑in‑law of a fever by taking her hand/touching her; close verbal and situational parallel (fever, entry into house, immediate healing by a leading figure).
- Matthew 8:14-15 (verbal): Synoptic parallel to Mark: Jesus enters Peter’s home, touches his mother‑in‑law and the fever leaves—parallels Acts 28:8 in illness (fever) and the physical act leading to cure.
- Acts 9:32-35 (thematic): Peter visits and heals Aeneas who had been bedridden; like Paul with Publius’ father, an apostle enters another’s presence and brings immediate physical healing, demonstrating apostolic healing ministry.
- Acts 3:1-10 (thematic): Peter and John heal a lame man at the temple gate in the name of Jesus; parallels include apostolic authority to heal, public restoration of health, and wonder among witnesses.
- James 5:14-15 (structural): Instruction to call the elders to pray, anoint, and lay hands on the sick so they may be healed—parallels Acts 28:8’s prayer and laying on of hands as an established practice for healing in the early church.
Alternative generated candidates
- Now the father of Publius lay sick with fever and dysentery; Paul entered in, prayed, laid his hands on him, and healed him.
- The father of Publius lay sick with fever and a severe dysentery. Paul went in to him, prayed, laid hands on him, and healed him.
Acts.28.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- τουτου: DEM,gen,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- γενομενου: VERB,aor,pass,part,gen,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- λοιποι: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- εν: PREP
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- νησω: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- εχοντες: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,pl,m
- ασθενειας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- προσηρχοντο: VERB,impf,mid,ind,3,pl
- και: CONJ
- εθεραπευοντο: VERB,impf,pass,ind,3,pl
Parallels
- Acts 28:8 (structural): Immediate context: Paul heals Publius' father on Malta, which precipitates others on the island coming to be healed (verse 9 summarizes the outcome).
- Acts 5:15-16 (thematic): Early apostolic healings where people bring the sick to the apostles and many are healed—parallels the communal response and widespread recoveries on the island.
- Acts 9:34-35 (thematic): Peter heals Aeneas, resulting in many turning to the Lord in that city; parallels an apostle's healing leading to broader positive effects among local people.
- Acts 3:6-8 (thematic): Peter heals a lame man at the temple gate, demonstrating apostolic power to heal physical ailments and prompting public amazement—similar to the islanders' response.
- Luke 4:40 (thematic): Luke's account of Jesus healing many who were sick each evening provides a model for the healing ministry later manifested by the apostles (authorial parallel between Luke and Acts).
Alternative generated candidates
- After this had taken place, the rest of those on the island who had diseases came and were cured,
- After this had taken place, the rest of the sick on the island came and were healed.
Acts.28.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- πολλαις: ADJ,dat,pl,f
- τιμαις: NOUN,dat,pl,f
- ετιμησαν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- ημας: PRON,acc,pl,1
- και: CONJ
- αναγομενοις: PART,dat,pl,m
- επεθεντο: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- προς: PREP
- τας: ART,acc,pl,f
- χρειας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
Parallels
- Acts 28:2 (verbal): Same episode on Malta earlier in the chapter: islanders showed unexpected kindness to Paul and the shipwrecked (language of kindness/honor and provision).
- Acts 28:15 (thematic): Brethren from Rome go out to meet Paul and the group—another instance of Christian hospitality and care for traveling missionaries.
- Acts 16:14-15 (thematic): Lydia's hospitality in Philippi (she and her household received Paul and his companions into her home) parallels local provision and honor shown to itinerant missionaries.
- Hebrews 13:2 (thematic): General New Testament injunction to show hospitality to strangers; connects to the practice of honoring and supplying travelers as in Acts 28:10.
- Matthew 10:11-14 (structural): Jesus' instructions to disciples about receiving hospitality in towns: provides the missionary-context framework for why locals honor and provide for traveling preachers.
Alternative generated candidates
- and they honored us with many marks of respect; and when we set sail, they supplied us with what we needed.
- They showed us many marks of honor; and when we departed they provided for our needs.
When they had escaped, they discovered that the island was called Melita.
The islanders showed us unusual kindness; for they kindled a fire and received us all, because of the rain and because of the cold.
When Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, came out and fastened on his hand.
When the islanders saw the creature hanging from his hand they said to one another, 'No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped the sea, justice does not allow to live.' But he shook the creature off into the fire and suffered no harm.
Yet they waited to see whether he would swell up or suddenly fall dead; but after they had waited a long time and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god.
In the neighborhood there were estates belonging to the leading man of the island, whose name was Publius. He welcomed us and entertained us hospitably for three days.
It happened that Publius's father lay sick with fever and dysentery. Paul went in, prayed, and laying his hands on him, healed him.
After this had taken place, others on the island who were ill came and were cured.
When they saw what had been done they honored us with many marks of respect; and when we set sail, they furnished us with what we needed.