Acts 28

Acts 28 is the final chapter of the Book of Acts. It describes what happened after Paul and the others survived the shipwreck. They land on the island of Malta, where God continues to protect Paul and work through him. Later, Paul finally arrives in Rome as a prisoner. Even though he is under house arrest, the gospel is not chained. Paul continues to preach the kingdom of God and teach about the Lord Jesus Christ with boldness. This chapter shows that nothing can stop the spread of God’s message—not storms, shipwrecks, prison, politics, or opposition.

Acts 28:1-5 (NKJV)
1 Now when they had escaped, they then found out that the island was called Malta.
2 And the natives showed us unusual kindness; for they kindled a fire and made us all welcome, because of the rain that was falling and because of the cold.
3 But 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.
4 So when 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 the sea, yet justice does not allow to live.”
5 But he shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm.

After escaping the shipwreck, Paul and the others discover that they have landed on the island of Malta. The people of the island show them unusual kindness by welcoming them and making a fire because it is cold and raining. While Paul is helping by gathering sticks for the fire, a poisonous snake comes out because of the heat and bites his hand. The islanders think this means Paul must be a murderer, and that justice is punishing him even though he survived the sea. But Paul simply shakes the snake into the fire and suffers no harm. This shows that God is still protecting Paul because his mission is not finished.

Acts 28:6 (NKJV)
6 However, they were expecting that he would swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had looked for a long time and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.

The islanders expect Paul to become sick or suddenly die from the snakebite. But after watching him for a long time, they see that nothing happens to him. Their opinion changes completely. First, they thought Paul was a criminal under judgment; now they think he is a god. This shows how quickly people can judge by outward circumstances. But Paul’s safety was not because he was a god. It was because the true God was preserving him for the work he still had to do.

Acts 28:7-10 (NKJV)
7 In that region there was an estate of the leading citizen of the island, whose name was Publius, who received us and entertained us courteously for three days.
8 And it happened that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and dysentery. Paul went in to him and prayed, and he laid his hands on him and healed him.
9 So when this was done, the rest of those on the island who had diseases also came and were healed.
10 They also honored us in many ways; and when we departed, they provided such things as were necessary.

A leading man on the island named Publius kindly receives Paul and the others into his home. His father is very sick with fever and dysentery. Paul goes to him, prays, lays hands on him, and heals him. After this miracle, many others on the island who are sick come to Paul and are healed. Through Paul, God brings blessing to the people of Malta. Their kindness to the shipwrecked strangers is returned with healing and mercy from God. When Paul and the others leave, the islanders honor them and provide what they need for the rest of the journey.

Acts 28:11 (NKJV)
11 After three months we sailed in an Alexandrian ship whose figurehead was the Twin Brothers, which had wintered at the island.

Paul and the others stay on Malta for three months, likely during the dangerous winter season when sailing was not safe. After that, they continue their journey on another Alexandrian ship that had spent the winter on the island. The ship has the figurehead of the Twin Brothers, likely referring to Castor and Pollux, who were regarded by many sailors as protectors at sea. Even though the ship carries a pagan symbol, Paul’s safety does not come from idols or superstition. His life is in the hands of the true God.

Acts 28:12-15 (NKJV)
12 And landing at Syracuse, we stayed three days.
13 From there we circled round and reached Rhegium. And after one day the south wind blew; and the next day we came to Puteoli,
14 where we found brethren, and were invited to stay with them seven days. And so we went toward Rome.
15 And from there, when the brethren heard about us, they came to meet us as far as Appii Forum and Three Inns. When Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage.

The journey now continues more smoothly. Paul and the others travel from Malta to Syracuse, then to Rhegium, and finally to Puteoli. There they find Christian believers, who welcome them and invite them to stay for seven days. As Paul gets closer to Rome, more believers come out to meet him at Appii Forum and Three Inns. When Paul sees them, he thanks God and takes courage. Even a strong servant of God like Paul needed encouragement from fellow believers. Their presence reminds him that he is not alone and that God’s work has already reached Rome.

Acts 28:16 (NKJV)
16 Now when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard; but Paul was permitted to live by himself with the soldier who guarded him.

When Paul finally arrives in Rome, the other prisoners are handed over to the authorities, but Paul is allowed to live by himself with a soldier guarding him. This means he is still under Roman custody, but he has more freedom than a common prisoner. God uses this situation to give Paul an opportunity to continue teaching and receiving visitors. Paul is chained, but the word of God is not chained.

Acts 28:17-22 (NKJV)
17 And it came to pass after three days that Paul called the leaders of the Jews together. So when they had come together, he said to them: “Men and brethren, though I have done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans,
18 who, when they had examined me, wanted to let me go, because there was no cause for putting me to death.
19 But when the Jews spoke against it, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar, not that I had anything of which to accuse my nation.
20 For this reason therefore I have called for you, to see you and speak with you, because for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.”
21 Then they said to him, “We neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor have any of the brethren who came reported or spoken any evil of you.
22 But we desire to hear from you what you think; for concerning this sect, we know that it is spoken against everywhere.”

After only three days in Rome, Paul calls the Jewish leaders together. This shows that he still cares deeply for his own people. He explains that he has done nothing against the Jewish nation or the customs of the fathers. The Romans had examined him and found no reason to put him to death. But because the Jewish leaders opposed his release, Paul appealed to Caesar. He makes it clear that he is not trying to accuse his nation. Rather, he is in chains because of “the hope of Israel,” meaning the hope of the Messiah and the resurrection. The Jewish leaders in Rome say they have received no official accusation against him, but they want to hear more because the Christian faith is spoken against everywhere. This gives Paul another opportunity to testify about Jesus.

Acts 28:23-31 (NKJV)
23 So when they had appointed him a day, many came to him at his lodging, to whom he explained and solemnly testified of the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets, from morning till evening.
24 And some were persuaded by the things which were spoken, and some disbelieved.
25 So when they did not agree among themselves, they departed after Paul had said one word: “The Holy Spirit spoke rightly through Isaiah the prophet to our fathers,
26 saying, ‘Go to this people and say:
“Hearing you will hear, and shall not understand;
And seeing you will see, and not perceive;
27 For the hearts of this people have grown dull.
Their ears are hard of hearing,
And their eyes they have closed,
Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears,
Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn,
So that I should heal them.” ’
28 “Therefore let it be known to you that the salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will hear it!”
29 And when he had said these words, the Jews departed and had a great dispute among themselves.
30 Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who came to him,
31 preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him.

On the appointed day, many Jewish leaders come to Paul’s lodging. From morning until evening, Paul explains the kingdom of God and tries to persuade them about Jesus from the Law of Moses and the Prophets. This shows that Paul’s message about Jesus was not separate from the Old Testament Scriptures. He preached Jesus as the fulfillment of what God had already revealed. Some believe his message, but others reject it. Because of their unbelief, Paul quotes Isaiah to show that many people hear God’s word but refuse to understand because their hearts have become dull. They close their eyes and harden their ears, so they do not turn to God and receive healing. Paul then declares that the salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will hear it. The book ends with Paul living for two years in his own rented house, receiving all who come to him. Though he is under guard, he continues preaching the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with confidence. No one stops him. This ending is powerful because Acts finishes not with defeat, but with the gospel still moving forward. Paul is bound, but the message of Christ continues freely.