Introduction
Paul and his fellow-travelers stay on the Island of Malta for three months, before completing their journey to Rome.
Paul finally arrives at Rome and preaches to all who will listen (v 30).
Verses
1When we had escaped, then they learnt that the island was called Malta.
2The natives showed us uncommon kindness; for they kindled a fire and received us all, because of the present rain and because of the cold.
3But 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.
4When 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.”
5However he shook off the creature into the fire, and wasn’t harmed.
6But 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.
7Now in the neighbourhood 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.
8The father of Publius lay sick of fever and dysentery. Paul entered in to him, prayed, and laying his hands on him, healed him.
9Then when this was done, the rest also who had diseases in the island came and were cured.
10They also honoured us with many honours, and when we sailed, they put on board the things that we needed.
11After three months, we set sail in a ship of Alexandria which had wintered in the island, whose sign was “The Twin Brothers.”
12Touching at Syracuse, we stayed there three days.
13From 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,
14where we found brothers, and were entreated to stay with them for seven days. So we came to Rome.
15From 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.
16When 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.
17After 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,
18who, when they had examined me, desired to set me free, because there was no cause of death in me.
19But when the Jews spoke against it, I was constrained to appeal to Caesar, not that I had anything about which to accuse my nation.
20For 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.”
21They 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.
22But 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.”
23When 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.
24Some believed the things which were spoken, and some disbelieved.
25When they didn’t agree amongst themselves, they departed after Paul had spoken one word, “The Holy Spirit spoke rightly through Isaiah the prophet to our fathers,
26saying,
‘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.
‘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.
27For 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.’
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 therefore to you, that the salvation of God is sent to the nations, and they will listen.”
29When he had said these words, the Jews departed, having a great dispute amongst themselves.
30Paul stayed two whole years in his own rented house and received all who were coming to him,
31preaching God’s Kingdom, and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, without hindrance.
Questions
1. Who came to meet Paul at The Market of Appius and The Three Taverns?
v 14 and 15 ... So we came to Rome. From there the brothers, when they heard of us, came to meet us as far as The Market of Appius and The Three Taverns. ...
2. Who did Paul say would listen to his message and who didn't stay to listen?
v 28 and 29 “Be it known therefore to you, that the salvation of God is sent to the nations, and they will listen.”
When he had said these words, the Jews departed, ...
3. What did Paul spend two years doing in Rome?
v 30 and 31 Paul ... received all who were coming to him, preaching God’s Kingdom, and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, without hindrance.
Summary Points
- v 1 to 6 The people of Malta take care of them. They think that Paul is a god when he feels no harm after a viper bite
- v 7 to 10 After Paul heals the father of the chief man of the island, he heals many others' diseases
- v 11 to 15 After three months, they leave on another ship that has spent the winter there and sail towards Rome. On the way, Paul is able to see believers at Puteoli and stay with them for seven days. Believers come from Rome to meet Paul at The Market of Appius and The Three Taverns
- v 16 to 31 Paul arrives in Rome where he is allowed to stay by himself with a soldier. He calls the local Jews together and explains why he appealed to Caesar. The Jews agree a day when they can hear what Paul has to say. For two years, while under house arrest, he preaches some first-century beliefs to all who will listen
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