1Paul and his company after their shipwreck are kindly entertained by the barbarians of Melita: 3a viper fastening on his hand without hurting him, the people, who at first thought ill of him, believe him a god: 7he healeth the father of Publius, and other sick persons in the island. 11Paul and his company depart, and arrive at Rome; where Paul is left with a guard in a house of his own. 17He calleth the Jews together, and sheweth the occasion of his coming: 23he preacheth Christ to them, of whom some believe, others believe not: 30he continueth for two whole years to preach the gospel without interruption.
1AND when they were escaped, then they knew that thea island was called 1Melita.
a Acts 27:26.
1 An island between Africa and Sicily, now called Malta.
2And 2the barbarousb people shewed us no little kindness: for they kindled a 3fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold.
2 The Greeks and Romans called all other nations as such which were not of them, because of their strange manners, and unknown languages which they spoke. See Rom. 1:14; 1 Cor. 14:11, from where it seems that yet at this day that part of Africa, which lies over against Sicily and Malta, is called Barbary.
b foreign.
3 Gr. pyra; which signifies an heap of wood or other matter fit to burn.
3And when Paul had gathered a bundle of 4sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came 5a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand.
4 The Greek word properly signifies dry vine-branches, and such like boughs, which can burn easily.
5 A very venomous serpent, which kill men, not only with biting and stinging but sometimes also only with breathing on. See thereof Mat. 3:7.
4And when the barbarians saw the venomous 6beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet 7vengeance suffereth not to live.
6 Gr. therion; whereby are signified all manner of wild beasts, but especially the beasts which by biting and stinging shoot their poison and kill men, as this serpent. From which word it is thought that the antidote, called theriac, has its name, either because it is also made of the flesh of this serpent, or because it resists the poison of this and such like venomous beasts.
7 Or, justice, that is, Divine righteousness.
5And he shook off the beast into the fire, andc felt no harm.
c Mark 16:18; Luke 10:19.
6Howbeit they looked when he should have 8swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw 9no harm come to him, they changed their minds, andd said that he was 10a god.
8 Or, be inflamed, set on fire; namely, by the poison.
9 Gr. nothing absurd or inconvenient.
d Acts 14:11.
10 Namely, who was come unto them in human shape. See similar, inconstant judgment of the Gentiles, concerning Paul and Barnabas, Acts 14:11, 19.
7In the same quarters were possessions of 11the chief man of the island, whose name was 12Publius; who received us, and lodged us three days courteously.
11 Gr. the first.
12 This name is a Roman name, from which some think that he was a governor of the Romans over this island. Howsoever it appears that he was a mighty man, who fed and lodged two hundred and seventy-six men for three days.
8And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a fevere and of a bloody flux:f to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him.
e Mat. 8:14.
f flow of blood.
9So when this was done, others also, which had diseases in the island, came, and were healed:
10Who also honoured us with many honours; and when we departed, they laded us with such things 13as were necessary.
13 Namely, for our further journey towards Italy.
11And 14after three months we departed in a ship of Alexandria, which had wintered in the isle, whose 15sign was 16Castor and Pollux.
14 What Paul did further in Melita those three months is not described here, but it is certain that he constituted a church there, which was always one of the most steadfast Christian churches, as the ecclesiastical histories testify.
15 Namely, on the front or back part of the ship, from which it had its name; as at this day great ships have their names from cities, countries or persons which send them, or from where they sail forth, to distinguish them from one another.
16 Gr. Dioscourois; that is, Jupiter’s sons. These were two heathen idols or stars so called, from the sign of which this ship had its name, because it would be the better protected by them, as they thought; and still at this day the name of departed saints are by some given to ships, for this same end.
12And landing at 17Syracuse, we tarried there three days.
17 The capital city of Sicily, situated toward the sea.
13And from thence we 18fetched a compass, and came to 19Rhegium: and after one day the south wind blew, and we came the next day to 20Puteoli:
18 Namely, around the corner of the island of Sicily towards Italy.
19 A very noted city and haven of Italy, over against Sicily; so called, as many ancients think, because Sicily, in former times, was joined fast unto Italy by that corner, and this narrow passage was rent one from another by great tempests and water floods.
20 A city in Campania, situated at the sea, not far from Naples, where, sailing along the coast of Italy, they arrived; from where there was a very convenient and beaten road to travel to Rome by land.
14Where we found 21brethren, and were desired to tarry with them seven days: and so we went toward 22Rome.
21 That is, Christians.
22 This city is well-known. See Rom. 1:7; Rev. 17:18.
15And 23from thence, when 24the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us as far as 25Appii forum,g and 26The three taverns: whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and 27took courage.
23 Namely, from Rome.
24 That is, some of the Christian church, which was there already before Paul came thither, as appears also from the epistle of Paul to the Romans written before. Now, by whom it was established, the Scripture states nowhere, save that on the day of Pentecost there were also at Jerusalem Roman foreigners; Acts 2:10.
25 A place in the field of Setine, about sixteen hours journey from Rome, so called after an Appius Claudinus, who in his life time had caused a paved road to be made from Rome unto that place.
g market place.
26 A small city, situated about five or six hours journey nearer Rome on the same road; so that some of the brethren expected Paul there, some were gone yet further to meet him, even unto the Appii forum.
27 Namely, seeing so good a zeal of so many Christians of whom he would find help and comfort in this his imprisonment.
16And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the 28captain of the guard: buth Paul was suffered to dwell 29by himself 30with a soldier that kept him.
28 This seems to have been the commander of the emperor’s guard, which kept watch not only in the emperor’s palace, but also on the one side of the city there were situated in a fortified place some thousands strong, to be always at the emperor’s service in all troubles that might befall. The Latinists call it praefectum praetorio.
h Acts 24:23; 27:3.
29 Namely, in his own rented house, see verse 30. This freedom he seems to have obtained of this commander, for the good reports made to him by Julius, but without doubt by God’s special providence, in order that Paul might be the better able to spread abroad the Gospel, and that everyone might have access to him. See verses 30, 31.
30 Carrying for this purpose on the right hand an iron chain, which he girded about him when he was in the house to go the more freely; but going forth he was bound with the same to the left hand of the soldier. See verse 20 and Acts 12:6; Eph. 6:20.
17And it came to pass, that 31after three days Paul called the chief of the Jews 32together: and when they were come together, he said unto them, Men and brethren, though Ii have committed nothing against the people, or customs of our fathers, yet was I delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.
31 Namely, when, being wearied from the journey, he had rested some time.
32 Namely, because he, being in prison, could not go into their synagogue.
i Acts 24:12; 25:8.
18Who, when they had examined me, would have let me go, because there was no cause of death in me.
19But when the Jews spake against it, I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar; not that I had 33ought to accuse my nation of.
33 Namely, intended or determined. For, although Paul had cause enough to accuse the Jews for their violence and injustice, notwithstanding he hereby shows before the Jews that he had no such intent, but only to defend himself properly.
20For this cause therefore have I called for you, to see you, and to speak with you: becausej that for 34the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.
j Acts 23:6; 24:21.
34 That is, the hope of eternal salvation, promised to the people of Israel by the Messiah.
21And they said unto him, We neither received letters out of Judaea concerning thee, neither any of the brethren that came 35shewed or spake any harm of thee.
35 Which is a sign that the rulers of the Jews at Jerusalem took not much care how it went with the Jews which dwelt out of the land of Judea, if they but might keep their quietude and respect in their own land.
22But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning 36this sect, we know that 37every where it is spoken against.
36 As such they call the Christian religion. See Acts 24:5, 14.
37 Namely, amongst the Jews as well as amongst the Gentiles, Luke 2:34.
23And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his 38lodging; to whom he expounded and 39testified 40the kingdom of God, persuading them 41concerning Jesus, bothk out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening.
38 Namely, which he had rented, verses 16, 30.
39 That is, he sought to convince them by the testimonies out of the Holy Scripture. See Acts 2:40 and 20:21.
40 That is, the setting up of the kingdom of God by the promised Messiah.
41 Gr. to the matters of Jesus, or, unto the faith of Jesus.
k Gen. 3:15; 22:18; 26:4; 49:10; Deut. 18:15; 2 Sam. 7:12; Psalm 132:11; Isa. 4:2; 7:14; 9:6; 40:10; Jer. 23:5; 33:14; Ezek. 34:23; 37:24; Dan. 9:24; Micah 7:20.
24Andl some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not.
l Acts 17:4.
25And when they agreed not among themselves, they 42departed, after that Paul had spoken 43one word, Well spake 44the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers,
42 Or, they were left by him, namely, with a purpose not to call the stiff-necked unto him anymore, except they bethought themselves better.
43 That is, speech, or warning; for, with this following warning he let them go, to have them this prick in their heart, if perhaps they might reconsider afterwards and repent.
44 He, Who speaks these words in Isa. 6:9, is the Lord of glory seated upon His throne, being compassed about of His angels. From whence it appears therefore that the Holy Ghost is the same Lord of glory, as this same is also testified of the Son of God, John 12:41. Therefore the Father, Son and Holy Ghost are one only God as concerning their Essence, although distinguished in Persons.
26Saying, Gom unto this people, and say, 45Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive:
m Isa. 6:9; Ezek. 12:2; Mat. 13:14; Mark 4:12; Luke 8:10; John 12:40; Rom. 11:8.
45 See the exposition of this place, Mat. 13 on verse 14.
27For the heart of this people is waxed 46gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they 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.
46 Or, fat.
28Be it known therefore unto you, that 47the salvation of God is sent unto the 48Gentiles, and that they will hear it.
47 That is, the salvation which according to God’s promise is procured for us and declared unto us by Jesus Christ; or, Jesus Christ, Who is the Author of salvation, Luke 2:30.
48 Namely, according to Christ’s command, Luke 24:47, seeing ye, Jews, reject it, Acts 13:46.
29And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great 49reasoning among themselves.
49 Or, difference, to wit, those who believed Paul against those who believed not, verse 24.
30And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him,
31Preaching the kingdom of God, and 50teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, 51with all confidence, no man 52forbidding him.
50 Gr. teaching the things of the Lord Jesus Christ, or concerning the Lord Jesus Christ. This last expounds the first. For, the doctrine of the establishment of the kingdom of God is the doctrine of Christ, wherefore that is also called the Word, and the Gospel of the Kingdom, Mat. 4:23 and 13:19.
51 Namely, notwithstanding his imprisonment and the danger which might arise to him thereby with the emperor.
52 Namely, God ordering the business as such that he suffered no impediment on the emperor’s part these two years. Yet afterwards he was condemned to death by Emperor Nero for this at Rome, as the ancient ecclesiastical histories testify. Eusebius, Historia Ecclesiastica, lib. 2, cap. 26, and he himself foretells in 2 Tim. 4:16. See also hereof the annotation at Philip. 1 on verse 25.