28:1 And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island
was called a Melita.
(a) That place which we today call Malta.
28:31 And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid
[them] on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and
fastened on his hand.
(1) The godly are sure to have danger upon danger, but they
alway have a glorious outcome.
28:42 And when the barbarians saw the [venomous] beast hang
on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man
is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet
b vengeance suffereth not to live.
(2) Although adversity is the punishment of sin, yet seeing
that God in punishing men does not always punish because of
sin, they judge rashly who either do not wait for the end,
or who judge and esteem of men according to prosperity or
adversity.
(b) Right and proper.
28:6 Howbeit they looked when he should have c swollen, or
fallen down dead suddenly: 3 but after they had looked a
great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed
their minds, and said that he was a god.
(c) The Greek word signifies to be inflamed or to swell:
moreover, Dioscorides in his sixth book, chap. 38,
witnesses that the biting of a viper causes a swelling
of the body, and so says Nicander, in his remedies
against poisons.
(3) There are none who are more changing in every way than they
who are ignorant of true religion.
28:74 In the same quarters were possessions of the chief man
of the island, whose name was Publius; who received us, and
lodged us three days courteously.
(4) It never yet was a regret to any man who received the
servant of God, were he ever so miserable and poor.
28:95 So when this was done, others also, which had diseases
in the island, came, and were healed:
(5) Although Paul was a captive, yet the power of God was not
captive.
28:106 Who also honoured us with many honours; and when we
departed, they laded [us] with such things as were
necessary.
(6) God does well to strangers for his children's sake.
28:117 And after three months we departed in a ship of
Alexandria, which had wintered in the isle, whose d sign
was Castor and Pollux.
(7) Idols do not defile the saints, who do in no way give
consent of them.
(d) So they used to deck the front part of their ships,
because of which their ships were called by such names.
28:148 Where we found brethren, and were desired to tarry
with them seven days: and so we went toward Rome.
(8) God bows and bends the hearts even of profane men, as it
pleases him to show favour to his own.
28:159 And from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they
came to meet us as far as e Appii forum, and The three
taverns: whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took
courage.
(9) God never allows his own to be afflicted beyond their
strength.
(e) Appius was a paved road made by Appius the blind,
with the help of his soldiers, long and broad, and it
ran out towards the sea, and there were three taverns
on it.
28:16 And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the
prisoners to the captain of the guard: but Paul was
suffered to dwell by f himself with a soldier that kept
him.
(f) Not in a common prison, but in a house which he rented
for himself.
28:1710 And it came to pass, that after three days Paul
called the chief of the Jews together: and when they were
come together, he said unto them, Men [and] brethren,
though I have committed nothing against the people, or
customs of our fathers, yet was I delivered prisoner from
Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.
(10) Paul in every place remembers himself to be an apostle.
28:1911 But when the Jews spake against [it], I was
constrained to appeal unto Caesar; not that I had ought to
accuse my nation of.
(11) We may use the means which God gives us, but in such a way
that we seek the glory of God, and not of ourselves.
28:2312 And when they had appointed him a day, there came
many to him into [his] lodging; to whom he expounded and
g testified the kingdom of God, persuading them
concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and [out
of] the prophets, from morning till evening.
(12) The Law and the Gospel agree well together.
(g) With good reasons, and proved that the kingdom of God
foretold to them by the Prophets had come.
28:2413 And some believed the things which were spoken, and
some believed not.
(13) The Gospel is a taste of life to those that believe, and a
taste of death to those that are disobedient.
28:2614 Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye
shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall
see, and not perceive:
(14) The unbelievers willingly resist the truth, and yet not by
chance.
28:27 For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their
ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they h
closed; lest they should see with [their] eyes, and hear
with [their] ears, and understand with [their] heart, and
should be converted, and I should heal them.
(h) They made as though they did not see that which they
saw against their desires: yea, they did see, but they
would not see.
28:2815 Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of
God is sent unto the Gentiles, and [that] they will hear
it.
(15) The unbelief of the reprobate and castaways cannot cause
the truth of God to be of no effect.
28:2916 And when he had said these words, the Jews departed,
and had great reasoning among themselves.
(16) Not the Gospel, but the contempt of the Gospel is the
cause of strife and debate.
28:3017 And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired
house, and received all that came in unto him,
