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Act_28:1-10
Act_28:2. And the barbarous people [the strangers]. Luke terms the islanders âÜñâáñïé , in reference to their language, as they spoke neither Greek nor Latin. [“ ÂÜñâáñïò ,—a barbarian, i. e., pr. simply a foreigner, one who does not understand or speak the language of a particular people, etc.” Rob. Lex. N. T.—Comp. Rom_1:14; 1Co_14:11; Col_3:11.—Tr.]. That the term is not intended to indicate moral rudeness [i.e., as to character and disposition], or a want of culture, may be distinctly seen in Act_28:2, especially in the words: ïὐ ôὴí ôõ÷ . öéëáíèñùðßáí .—In reference to the language, these islanders were of Phoenician descent, and their mother-tongue was, without doubt, a Punic dialect.
Act_28:3-6. There came a viper out of the heat.—The serpent [ ἔ÷éäíá designating the female, ἔ÷éò the male [but see Passow on the latter word.—Tr.]) was, without doubt, a species of adder or viper. When the temperature falls considerably below the mean temperature of the region which they inhabit, these reptiles become torpid. This serpent was probably in such a state, but was roused and irritated by the heat, and hence darted at the hand of Paul. Luke does not, it is true, say in express terms that it had bitten the apostle, and hence some interpreters assume that such was, accordingly, not the case, and that it had merely twined itself around his hand. The narrative, however, seems to assume or imply that he had actually been bitten, for it introduces the following facts: êáèῆøå ôῆò ÷åéñüò , Act_28:3 (it attached itself to, fastened on, his hand)— êñåìÜìåíïí ἐê ô . ÷ ., Act_28:4 (it was seen hanging on his hand [holding fast to the wound by its mouth (Meyer)])—and, the islanders expected that he would swell, or fall down dead, Act_28:6; besides, their opinion was sustained by their knowledge, derived from experience, that the bite of this viper caused death. If, nevertheless, the apostle did not suffer the least injury, we must believe that the result was due to the divine protection granted to him, in accordance with the promise of Jesus, Mar_14:18.—No venomous adders are at present found in any part of the island of Malta, and the modern Maltese believe that since the time when Paul threw into the fire the one which had bitten him, the whole race has lost its poison. The general fact is, indeed, well known, that in other regions also, in the same proportion in which the woods are cleared, and the cultivation of the soil extends, poisonous reptiles disappear. For example, the viper was gradually expelled from the Isle of Arran, on the west coast of Scotland, in proportion to the increase of the population (James Smith). But it would be difficult to find elsewhere a surface or soil of equal extent, which is so skilfully prepared by the hand of man, and is in such a high state of cultivation, as the modern Malta. [No doubt … murderer. “It was a rash judgment formed when they saw his chains.” (Bengel).—“He was perhaps still fastened to a soldier.” (Alex.). Comp. Act_12:6; Act_24:23; Act_27:3; Act_28:16.— Ἡ äßêç ; “Vengeance, literally, justice, either as an act or an attribute of God (compare 2Th_1:9; Judges 7). There is no need of supposing a personification, or a reference to the Nemesis, or goddess of retributive justice, represented by the Greek mythology as the daughter and avenger of the supreme Deity.” (Alex.).—Tr.]
Act_28:7-10. Publius, the Roman, is introduced as ὁ ðñῶôïò ôῆò íÞóïõ , Act_28:7. This description cannot be intended to indicate any precedence in rank, on account of birth and wealth; for if the writer had intended to state such a fact, it would not have been Publius, but his father (who was still living, Act_28:8), who would have been represented as the first or chief man of the island. Hence the expression must necessarily be intended to specify the rank and authority of a ruler or magistrate. Publius was, without doubt, the Roman commander, that is, the legate of the prætor of Sicily to whose province Malta belonged. There is not a single passage known in any ancient writer, in which this designation is found, and from which Luke might possibly have borrowed it. But, on the other hand, two inscriptions have since been discovered in Malta, the one in Greek, the other in Latin (the latter, in the year 1747, at the foot of a pillar in Citta Vecchia), which contain the same honorary title, and from which it may be inferred that the latter was an established and official title, viz., ðñῶôïò Ìåëéôáßùí —princeps; thus the propriety of the title which Luke gives to this man, and which is otherwise unusual, is confirmed.—It is not distinctly stated whom this man of rank received so hospitably. The word ἡìåῖò , which occurs in Act_28:7, is no doubt the term by which the narrative usually designates the entire company of travellers, and it is chiefly for this reason, as well as on account of the shortness of the time (only three days, Act_28:7, whereas the abode on the island extended to three months, Act_28:11) that Baumgarten concludes that Publius entertained all the 276 persons, (Act_27:37). But the word ἡìåῖò in Act_28:10, must obviously be restricted to Paul and his personal friends, inasmuch as the remark that they were “honored with many honors” by the islanders, becomes intelligible only when it is referred to them, and not to the whole number of 276 persons; thus, too, ἡìåῖò , in Act_28:7, will not be properly understood unless it is interpreted as also referring only to the former (Meyer). Besides, when Luke does mean the whole number, as in Act_28:2, he expressly says: ðÜíôåò ἡìåῖò , and it may reasonably be supposed that the same word ( ðὰíôåò ) would have occurred in Act_28:7, if all were meant; indeed, the reception and entertainment of 276 persons at a farm in the country, would be far more astonishing than the gathering of the same number of persons around a fire in the open air. It is, therefore, more probable that Publius hospitably entertained for several days none but Paul, Aristarchus and Luke, and, perhaps, also the centurion Julius.—With regard to the sickness of the father of Publius, the remark which others have made, may be here adduced, viz., that no writer of the New Testament employs technical terms in reference to diseases, with such precision as Luke, who is, indeed, represented as having been a physician [“Luke, the beloved physician.” Col_4:14.—E. g., ðõñåôïῖò ; “Hippocrates also uses the plural. It probably indicates the recurrence of fever fits.” (Alford).—Tr.]. It was formerly asserted that a dry climate like that of Malta, would not generate dysentery and inflammation of the bowels; but physicians resident in that island have recently furnished the testimony that these diseases are by no means uncommon there at the present day. (Hackett [New edition, 1863, p. 450.—Tr.])
2. There is a certain amount of moral and religious truth, which resides in the soul of every human being. That there is a Äßêç or Nemesis, i.e., a moral government of the world, from which the criminal cannot escape, is ineffaceably engraved on the conscience.—But, on the other hand, the truth is also most sadly distorted in the natural man. The islanders at first regard Paul as a murderer, because one misfortune after the other befalls him; afterwards, they deify him, because the bite of a serpent does not harm him. [“The change in this case was the opposite of that undergone by the idolaters at Lystra, who first tried to worship Paul, and then to kill him, or at least consented to his being stoned, Act_14:11; Act_14:13; Act_14:19. (Alex.).—Tr.]. The further man departs from the truth, the more easily he falls into extremes.
Act_28:2. And the barbarous people [the strangers] shewed us no little kindness.—We often receive the greatest favors from those, from whom we had least of all expected them. (Starke).—Sympathy, compassion, and kindness, are such precious virtues, that when they are practised even by pagans and barbarians, they are noticed and commended by the Spirit of God; especially when, in addition, as in the present case, the Lord had, in his gracious providence, provided an alleviation of the distress of his exhausted children and servants. If God does not fail to reward him who furnishes them with a cup of cold water only [Mat_10:42], how greatly should we, who are Christians, and to whom the kindness and love of God [Tit_3:4] have appeared, excel all heathens in the practice of these virtues! (Ap. Past.).—These strangers can teach Christians who live on the coast, how they should imitate the Good Samaritan. (Besser).
Act_28:3. A viper … fastened on his hand.—When the Lord designed to introduce his apostle to these strangers, He previously permitted an evil to befall him, which Paul overcame by faith; thereby he made an impression on the hearts of all who surrounded him. Our afflictions are thus intended, like a bell, to attract to us the eyes and attention of men; the faith which we exhibit under such circumstances, or the victory which we gain by the grace of Christ, is designed to induce others to imitate us. (Ap. Past.).—The serpent hanging on the hand of Paul, was a beautiful bracelet—a badge of honor. (Lindhammer).—O how many benevolent Christian hands are wounded by the bites of serpents! Nevertheless, God designs in this manner to manifest his glory in them; for Christians cannot be poisoned. (Besser).
Act_28:4. This man is a murderer, whom, etc.—Even heathens are taught by the light of nature that God is unchangeable in his justice. (Starke).—Although the truth respecting retribution remains inscribed on the conscience of men, they repeatedly fail to apply it judiciously. (Rieger).
Act_28:5. And he shook off the beast into the fire.—God often exemplifies in his servants that Christ has recovered for us also the dominion over the beasts, which had been lost; Gen_1:26; Gen_1:28; Gen_9:2; 1Sa_17:34-35. (Starke).—O that we could deal with sin, that old serpent [Rev_12:9], which, with God’s permission, so often fastens even on believers, as Paul here deals with the viper! (id.).—Then was fulfilled the promise of the Lord: “I give you power to tread on serpents, etc.” Luk_10:19; Mar_16:18. No poisonous serpents are at present found in the island of Malta; and, according to the tradition of the knights of Malta, vipers and adders which are brought to the island, lose their poison. We, too, hope to reach an island at the end of our voyage, where no viper will inflict a wound (Isa_11:8); until that period arrives, let us exercise our power as Christians, and hurl the venomous beast, sin, into the fire, to which it belongs.—Paul knew that he would be conducted to Rome as a witness of Him who bruised the head of the serpent [Gen_3:15], and, by faith, he deprived the serpent of its venom; Heb_11:33. (Besser).
Act_28:6. They changed their minds, and said that he was a god.—The multitude observes no reasonable bounds; it either exalts an individual to heaven, or thrusts him down to hell; Act_14:12-13. (Starke).—Truly, the apostle received honor, and was subjected to dishonor [2Co_6:8]; at one moment, he is regarded as a murderer; at another, he is called a god. But it is remarkable that the passage before us does not indicate that in either case the slightest emotion was produced in Paul. Such a frame of mind it is our duty to strive to acquire, so that neither the honors which the world may offer, nor the dishonor to which it may subject us, can disturb our internal repose. (Ap. Past.).
Act_28:8. The father of Publius lay sick … whom Paul … healed.—The kindness which men show to the beloved children and faithful servants of God, is always rewarded, temporarily and spiritually; Mat_10:42.—(Starke).
Act_28:9. When this was done, others also … came, and were healed.—It is a serious matter that no mention is here made of any communication of the special blessings of the Gospel, during Paul’s abode on the island, or of any offer of salvation in Christ. We merely read that many came in order to regain their bodily health, although favorable opportunities were afforded, when they might, and, indeed, should, have inquired after the way of salvation. (Rieger).—Men are willing to employ means for recovering their bodily health, but are often too slothful to seek a remedy for the disease of their souls. (Starke).—A willing servant of the Lord is not only ready to speak, but he also observes silence, when the occasion requires it. As to every thing else, so there is also a season or time to the Gospel [Ecc_3:1]. (Williger).
ON THE WHOLE SECTION, Act_28:1-10.—The foolish judgment of the world: I. Foolish, when it judges uncharitably, Act_28:4; II. Foolish, when it judges favorably, Act_28:6; therefore, III. Let it be thy object to fulfil thy duty and to do good, without being disturbed by the judgment of the world, Act_28:7-10. (Lisco).
The virtue of hospitality; I. It is esteemed and practised even by pagans; II. It is still more becoming and blessed, when it is practised by Christians. (id.).
The baseness of superstition: I. It is combined with all manner of uncharitableness, Act_28:1-4; II. It promotes all manner of idolatrous practices, Act_28:5-6. (id.).
That the Christian every where finds a home: I. He experiences the love of God every where; II. He finds loving hearts every where; III. He has an opportunity for manifesting love every where. (id.).
The people of Melita, a striking image of the heathen world: I. In their need of redemption; (a) gloomy superstition, Act_28:4; Act_28:6; (b) manifold misery, Act_28:8-9; II. In their capability of redemption; (a) kind hospitality, Act_28:2; (b) indistinct consciousness of God, Act_28:4. (c) lively susceptibleness for impressions made by divine things, Act_28:6; (d) earnest desire for help, Act_28:9. (e) childlike gratitude for benefits received, Act_28:10.
Paul, and the viper, or, The servant of God, viewed as a conqueror of serpents: in the power of his Lord (Mar_16:18), he casts from him, I. The poisonous viper of slander, Act_28:3-4; II. The deceitful adder of flattery, Act_28:6; III. The dangerous serpents of worldly anxieties and cares, Act_28:8-9; IV. The old serpent of sin (here applying Act_28:4, “a murderer.”).
Paul’s arrival at Melita, a fulfilment of the divine promise: ‘He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways,’ Psa_91:11; I. The angel of the Lord draws him out of the waves of the sea; II. Protects him from the poison of serpents; III. Wins for him the hearts of barbarous people; IV. Blesses the healing acts of his hands.
Paul the traveller, at Melita: his travels exhibit, I. The lights and shadows of the heathen world; II. The sorrows and joys of the apostolic office; III. The wonderful and gracious ways of the Lord.
“By evil report and good report,” 2Co_6:8 : such is the result, in consequence of, I. The way of the world; II. The avocation of the Christian; III. The will of the Lord.
Footnotes:
Act_28:1. ἐðἐãíùìåí [of text. rec.] is better attested [viz. by A. B. C. Cod. Sin.; Vulg. (cognorimus)] than ἐðÝãíùóáí [which is found in C (second correction-margin). G. H.—The first person is adopted by Lach., Tisch., Born., and Alf., the third, by Griesb., Knapp, Hahn, Theile, etc. The third person was perhaps substituted, as Meyer and Alford conjecture, in order to suit Act_27:39.—Tr.]
Act_28:2. ἀíÜøáíôåò [of text. rec.] is found, it is true, only in two manuscripts [G. H. most minuscules, etc.], while in the majority [of the uncials, A. B. C. Cod. Sin., and some minuscules] the simple form, ἄøáíôåò , is exhibited; however, the preposition ἀíá was probably only dropped [by transcribers.—Lach. Born. and Alf. omit the preposition. Meyer is inclined to regard it as original, and supposes that the final letter of the preceding ἡìῖí , was the cause of the omission of it.—Tr.]
Act_28:3. a. [ ôé is inserted before ðëῆèïò by Lach., Tisch., and Alf., in accordance with A. B. C.Vulg. (aliquantam); it is omitted in text. rec. and by Griesb. and Knapp, etc. on the authority of G. H.—Tisch. introduces it in the printed edition of Cod. Sin. in smaller type, and remarks: “ ôé nescio an prima manu suppletum dicam.”—Tr.]
Act_28:3. b. ἐê [after ἕ÷éäíá , of text. rec.] is found only in minuscules [and church fathers, e. g., Chrys., Theod., Oecum.]; all the uncial manuscripts [A. B. C. G. H.. with many minuscules] exhibit ἀðü . [This is now found also in Cod. Sin., and is the reading which Lach., Tisch., Born., and Alf. adopt.—In the same verse, for ἐîåëèïῦóá , of text. rec., with B (e sil). C. and Cod. Sin., the form äéåîåëèïῦóá is substituted by Lach., Tisch., Born., and Alt., on the authority of A. G. H.; the latter compound is not elsewhere found in the New Test., and as an unusual and more expressive form ( äéÜ . “the serpent glided out through the sticks.” Alford), is regarded also by de Wette and Meyer as the original reading.—Tr.]
Act_28:5. [Instead of ἀðïôéíἀîáò , of text. rec., with B (e sil). and also Cod. Sin. which Lach. and Alf. adopt, Scholz and Tisch. read ἀðïôéíáîÜìåíïò , on the authority of A. G. H., minuscules, and fathers. “The middle is a correction to suit Act_13:51; Act_18:16.” (de Wette).—Tr.]
Act_28:8. [Instead of the form äõòåíôåñßá , as in text. rec. and many minuscules, Lach., Tisch., and Alf. adopt äõòåíôåñßù , which is exhibited by A. B. G. H., and also Cod. Sin.—The neuter form belongs to the later Greek. (Meyer).—Tr.]
Act_28:10. [Instead of the singular, of text. rec., with G. H., the plural form, ôὰò ÷ñåßáò is adopted by Lach., Tisch., and Alf., on the authority of A. B.: it is also found in Cod. Sin.—“The plural is a correction, as the wants were supposed to be many, and also in order to suit Act_20:34.” (de Wette, with whom Meyer concurs: “the plural is a gloss.)—Tr.]