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Acts 28
Disciples’ Literal New Testament
Acts 28
Disciples’ Literal New Testament
While Stranded On The Island of Malta, Paul Heals the Sick
28 And having been brought-safely-through, then we learned that the island was called Malta. 2 And the natives[a] were showing us not the ordinary humaneness. For having lit a fire, they welcomed us all because of the rain having set-upon us and because of the cold. 3 And Paul having gathered a certain quantity of dry-sticks, and having put them on the fire— a viper having come-out because of the heat fastened-on his hand. 4 And when the natives saw the beast hanging from his hand, they were saying to one another, “Surely this man is a murderer whom, having been brought-safely-through from the sea, Justice[b] did not allow to live”. 5 Then indeed the one, having shaken-off the beast into the fire, suffered no harm. 6 And the ones were expecting that he was about to be swelling-up, or suddenly be falling down dead. But while they for a long time were waiting-in-expectation and observing nothing out-of-place happening to him— having changed their minds, they were saying that he was a god. 7 Now in the areas around that place were lands belonging to the leading[c] official of the island, Publius by name— who, having welcomed us, entertained[d] us courteously for three days. 8 And it came about that the father of Publius was lying-down, being gripped with fevers and dysentery, to whom having gone in and having prayed, having laid his hands on him, Paul healed him. 9 And this having taken place, the others on the island having infirmities were also coming to him and being cured— 10 who also honored us with many honors, and at our putting-to-sea provided the things for our needs.
After Three Winter Months, They Boarded Another Ship And Sailed For Rome
11 And after three[e] months, we put-to-sea in a ship having spent the winter at the island[f]— an Alexandrian one marked with the Twin-brothers[g]. 12 And having put-in at Syracuse, we stayed three days— 13 from which, having cast-off, we came to Rhegium. And after one day, a south wind having come up, we came on the second day to Puteoli— 14 where, having found brothers, we were invited to stay with them for seven[h] days. And so[i] we came[j] to Rome. 15 And from there the brothers, having heard the things concerning us, came as far as the Forum[k] of Appius and the Three Taverns[l] to meet us— whom having seen, Paul, having given-thanks to God, took courage[m].
In Rome Paul Explains His Circumstance To The Jews, Who Ask To Hear His Message
16 And when we entered into Rome, it was permitted to Paul to stay by himself [n], with the soldier guarding him. 17 And it came about after three days that he called-together the ones being leading ones of the Jews. And they having come together, he was saying to them, “I, men, brothers, having done nothing contrary to our people or our ancestors’ customs, was handed-over as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans— 18 who, having examined me, were wanting to release me because of there being no charge worthy of death in connection with me. 19 But the Jews speaking-against it, I was compelled to appeal-to Caesar— not as-though having anything to accuse my nation. 20 For this reason therefore, I called-for you, to see and speak to you. For I am wearing this chain for the sake of the hope of Israel”. 21 And the ones said to him, “We neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor did any of the brothers having arrived report or speak anything evil concerning you. 22 And we consider-it-fitting that we hear from you the things which you think. For indeed concerning this sect[o], it is known to us that it is being spoken-against everywhere”.
Some Believed Paul’s Message, Others Rejected. Paul Turns To The Gentiles
23 And having appointed a day for him, more came to him at his lodging— to whom he was explaining it from early-in-the-morning until evening, solemnly-testifying as to the kingdom of God, and persuading them concerning Jesus from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets. 24 And some were being persuaded by the things being said, but others were not-believing[p]. 25 And being not-in-agreement with one another, they were departing, Paul having spoken one statement— that “The Holy Spirit spoke rightly through Isaiah the prophet [in Isa 6:9-10] to your fathers, 26 saying, ‘Go to this people and say: In hearing, you will hear and by no means understand. And while seeing, you will see and by no means perceive. 27 For the heart of this people became dull[q], and they hardly[r] heard with their ears, and they closed their eyes, that they might not ever see[s] with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand in their heart, and turn-back, and I shall heal[t] them’. 28 Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God was sent-forth to the Gentiles. They[u] also will hear it”. 29 [v]
While Two Years Pass, Paul Continues To Proclaim Christ
30 And he stayed two[w] whole years in his own rented-quarters[x]. And he was welcoming all the ones coming-in to him— 31 proclaiming the kingdom of God, and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, without-hindrance.
Footnotes
- Acts 28:2 That is, the local non-Greek-cultured people.
- Acts 28:4 That is, the goddess by this name; or, justice as an abstract concept.
- Acts 28:7 Or, the first man, a title for this official found in inscriptions on Malta.
- Acts 28:7 Or, received us as guests, gave us lodging.
- Acts 28:11 That is, some time in February of a.d. 60.
- Acts 28:11 It would have been in the port of Valetta.
- Acts 28:11 Or, Dioscuri. That is, the Greek gods Castor and Pollux, twin sons of Zeus and Leda, patron gods of sailors. The mark may refer to a carved figurehead, or to painted emblems on each side of the prow.
- Acts 28:14 During this time, Julius (v 1) would have been making arrangements for the 130 mile or 210 kilometer journey by road to Rome.
- Acts 28:14 Or, in this manner.
- Acts 28:14 Or, went.
- Acts 28:15 This location was 39 miles or 63 kilometers south of Rome.
- Acts 28:15 Or, Inns. This location was 30 miles or 49 kilometers south of Rome.
- Acts 28:15 Paul had written them the book of Romans (in 20:2) about three years earlier, and now takes courage at their concern for him.
- Acts 28:16 That is, in his own rented quarters (v 30), rather than in prison.
- Acts 28:22 That is, Christians.
- Acts 28:24 Or, refusing-to-believe.
- Acts 28:27 Or, thick, fat, insensitive.
- Acts 28:27 That is, with difficulty. They are spiritually hard of hearing.
- Acts 28:27 This expresses the purpose of the people. They closed their eyes to God that they might not ever see what they did not want to see, and never have to change their ways and return to God.
- Acts 28:27 Paul places the blame on these Jews for not entering the process that results in spiritual healing: see and hear, understand, and turn back.
- Acts 28:28 Or, And they will listen.
- Acts 28:29 Some manuscripts add ‘And he having spoken these things, the Jews departed, having a great dispute among themselves.’
- Acts 28:30 Thus, closing the book some time in a.d. 62. Some think Paul was then tried and released; others that his case was dismissed because the Jews failed to prosecute it. Some think Paul wrote Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon during this time. Others think these letters were written during the two years in Caesarea (24:27); others, in an imprisonment in Ephesus during Acts 19.
- Acts 28:30 Or, at his own expense (in Roman government quarters).
Acts 28
New International Version
Acts 28
New International Version
Paul Ashore on Malta
28 Once safely on shore, we(A) found out that the island(B) was called Malta. 2 The islanders showed us unusual kindness. They built a fire and welcomed us all because it was raining and cold. 3 Paul gathered a pile of brushwood and, as he put it on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself on his hand. 4 When the islanders saw the snake hanging from his hand,(C) they said to each other, “This man must be a murderer; for though he escaped from the sea, the goddess Justice has not allowed him to live.”(D) 5 But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no ill effects.(E) 6 The people expected him to swell up or suddenly fall dead; but after waiting a long time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god.(F)
7 There was an estate nearby that belonged to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us to his home and showed us generous hospitality for three days. 8 His father was sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him and, after prayer,(G) placed his hands on him(H) and healed him.(I) 9 When this had happened, the rest of the sick on the island came and were cured. 10 They honored us(J) in many ways; and when we were ready to sail, they furnished us with the supplies we needed.
Paul’s Arrival at Rome
11 After three months we put out to sea in a ship that had wintered in the island—it was an Alexandrian ship(K) with the figurehead of the twin gods Castor and Pollux. 12 We put in at Syracuse and stayed there three days. 13 From there we set sail and arrived at Rhegium. The next day the south wind came up, and on the following day we reached Puteoli. 14 There we found some brothers and sisters(L) who invited us to spend a week with them. And so we came to Rome. 15 The brothers and sisters(M) there had heard that we were coming, and they traveled as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns to meet us. At the sight of these people Paul thanked God and was encouraged. 16 When we got to Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself, with a soldier to guard him.(N)
Paul Preaches at Rome Under Guard
17 Three days later he called together the local Jewish leaders.(O) When they had assembled, Paul said to them: “My brothers,(P) although I have done nothing against our people(Q) or against the customs of our ancestors,(R) I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans. 18 They examined me(S) and wanted to release me,(T) because I was not guilty of any crime deserving death.(U) 19 The Jews objected, so I was compelled to make an appeal to Caesar.(V) I certainly did not intend to bring any charge against my own people. 20 For this reason I have asked to see you and talk with you. It is because of the hope of Israel(W) that I am bound with this chain.”(X)
21 They replied, “We have not received any letters from Judea concerning you, and none of our people(Y) who have come from there has reported or said anything bad about you. 22 But we want to hear what your views are, for we know that people everywhere are talking against this sect.”(Z)
23 They arranged to meet Paul on a certain day, and came in even larger numbers to the place where he was staying. He witnessed to them from morning till evening, explaining about the kingdom of God,(AA) and from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets(AB) he tried to persuade them about Jesus.(AC) 24 Some were convinced by what he said, but others would not believe.(AD) 25 They disagreed among themselves and began to leave after Paul had made this final statement: “The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to your ancestors when he said(AE) through Isaiah the prophet:
26 “‘Go to this people and say,
“You will be ever hearing but never understanding;
you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.”
27 For this people’s heart has become calloused;(AF)
they hardly hear with their ears,
and they have closed their eyes.
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
hear with their ears,
understand with their hearts
and turn, and I would heal them.’[a](AG)
28 “Therefore I want you to know that God’s salvation(AH) has been sent to the Gentiles,(AI) and they will listen!” [29] [b]
30 For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. 31 He proclaimed the kingdom of God(AJ) and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness(AK) and without hindrance!
Footnotes
- Acts 28:27 Isaiah 6:9,10 (see Septuagint)
- Acts 28:29 Some manuscripts include here After he said this, the Jews left, arguing vigorously among themselves.
Acts 28
King James Version
Acts 28
King James Version
28 And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita.
2 And the barbarous people shewed us no little kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold.
3 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.
4 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 vengeance suffereth not to live.
5 And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.
6 Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: 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.
7 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.
8 And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of a bloody flux: to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him.
9 So when this was done, others also, which had diseases in the island, came, and were healed:
10 Who also honoured us with many honours; and when we departed, they laded us with such things as were necessary.
11 And after three months we departed in a ship of Alexandria, which had wintered in the isle, whose sign was Castor and Pollux.
12 And landing at Syracuse, we tarried there three days.
13 And from thence we fetched a compass, and came to Rhegium: and after one day the south wind blew, and we came the next day to Puteoli:
14 Where we found brethren, and were desired to tarry with them seven days: and so we went toward Rome.
15 And from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appii forum, and The three taverns: whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage.
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 himself with a soldier that kept him.
17 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.
18 Who, when they had examined me, would have let me go, because there was no cause of death in me.
19 But when the Jews spake against it, I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar; not that I had ought to accuse my nation of.
20 For this cause therefore have I called for you, to see you, and to speak with you: because that for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.
21 And they said unto him, We neither received letters out of Judaea concerning thee, neither any of the brethren that came shewed or spake any harm of thee.
22 But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, we know that every where it is spoken against.
23 And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and 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.
24 And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not.
25 And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers,
26 Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive:
27 For the heart of this people is waxed gross, 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.
28 Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.
29 And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great reasoning among themselves.
30 And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him,
31 Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.
Disciples’ Literal New Testament (DLNT) 
Disciples' Literal New Testament: Serving Modern Disciples by More Fully Reflecting the Writing Style of the Ancient Disciples, Copyright © 2011 Michael J. Magill. All Rights Reserved. Published by Reyma Publishing
New International Version (NIV) 
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NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.