Acts 28:1 “And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita. 2 And the barbarous people showed 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.”

“And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita. And the barbarous people showed us no little kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold.” Having escaped the ravages of the sea by the grace of God, God’s grace and providence were once more made manifest by the loving kindness of the barbarous people. These people seeing the predicament of those who had been on the ship kindled a fire to provide warmth to them from the cold weather and kindly received them.

“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. 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. And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm. 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.”

When the viper attached to the hand of Paul, the people through their superstition supposed that Paul must have been a murderer who had escaped the sea but vengeance suffered not to live. Next, when no harm came to Paul, the superstitious people concluded that he was a god. There are a lot of God’s people who are superstitious and erroneously make their superstitious beliefs into a religion.

Verses 7-10

Acts 28:7 “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.”

“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.” The kindness of the barbarous people of the island was manifest by the chief man of the island. He was an example of what a leader should be. When a leader leads by kindness often the people he leads by kindness often also manifest kindness. This is an example that can apply to the work place. When the leader shows kindness to the people he leads then often the people who work for him will be more willing to joyfully work but will also show kindness to their fellows and others.

“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.” Paul exercised the gift that God gave the apostles. This gift was in fully display when Publius father was healed of his sickness. Moreover, we see the teaching of the scriptures “whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” made manifest. Publius had sown much kindness to the people of the sunken ship. The Lord rewarded him by kindness being manifested in the healing of his father.

“So when this was done, others also, which had diseases in the island, came, and were healed:” Likewise, the kindness of the island’s people was rewarded by the Lord as Paul exercised his gift in the healing of the diseases of the people.

“Who also honoured us with many honours; and when we departed, they laded us with such things as were necessary.” The people of the island responded to the kindness of Paul and those with Paul by honoring them and lading them with the necessary things.
 

Verses 11-15

Acts 28:11 “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.”

In this passage we notice the liberty that Paul and those with him were given. No doubt the centurion and the soldiers with him had seen what had happened in their deliverance from the sea and the miracles manifest on the island and gave much liberty to the prisoner Paul and those traveling with him. This was manifest when they were allowed to tarry seven days with the brethren before continuing the voyage to Rome. Moreover wherever they docked the brethren were allowed to meet with Paul and the brethren traveling with him.

Verses 16-20

Acts 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 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.”

“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.” Once again the kindness of the Roman soldiers was manifest toward Paul as he was allowed to dwell by himself, separate and apart from the other prisoners.

“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. Who, when they had examined me, would have let me go, because there was no cause of death in me. But when the Jews spake against it, I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar; not that I had ought to accuse my nation of. 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.”

Paul called the chief of the Jews at Rome together to explain to them the charges the Jews at Jerusalem had made against him and to declare his innocence of those charges.

Verses 21-31

Acts 28:21 “And they said unto him, We neither received letters out of Judaea concerning thee, neither any of the brethren that came showed 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.”

“And they said unto him, We neither received letters out of Judaea concerning thee, neither any of the brethren that came showed or spake any harm of thee.” The Jews at Rome declared that they had not received any letters from the Jews of Judea or that any of the brethren that came showed or spake any harm of Paul.

“But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, we know that every where it is spoken against.” The Jews at Rome expressed their desire to hear from Paul his testimony as they knew this sect (the Lord’s church) was ever where spoken against. This is still true that every religious body that holds to some other system of salvation other than salvation by grace alone speaks against the believers in salvation by grace alone.

“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. And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not.” When Paul expounded and testified the kingdom of God and Jesus Christ both out of the law and the prophets some believed and some believed not. This is truly no different than in our age as some believe and some believe not the gospel of the grace of Christ.

“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, Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive: 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.” After that the Jews of Rome agreed not among themselves Paul quotes from the prophet Isaiah: Isa. 42:18 “Hear, ye deaf; and look, ye blind, that ye may see. 19 Who is blind, but my servant? or deaf, as my messenger that I sent? who is blind as he that is perfect, and blind as the Lord's servant? 20 Seeing many things, but thou observest not; opening the ears, but he heareth not. 21 The LORD is well pleased for his righteousness' sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honourable. 22 But this is a people robbed and spoiled; they are all of them snared in holes, and they are hid in prison houses: they are for a prey, and none delivereth; for a spoil, and none saith, Restore. 23 Who among you will give ear to this? who will hearken and hear for the time to come? 24 Who gave Jacob for a spoil, and Israel to the robbers? did not the LORD, he against whom we have sinned? for they would not walk in his ways, neither were they obedient unto his law. 25 Therefore he hath poured upon him the fury of his anger, and the strength of battle: and it hath set him on fire round about, yet he knew not; and it burned him, yet he laid it not to heart.”

“Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it. And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great reasoning among themselves.” Paul declares to the Jews that the message of the salvation of God is sent to the Gentiles and that they will hear it. Subsequently the Jews departed with great reasoning among themselves.

“And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.” We are notified that after the Jews departed that Paul was allowed to dwell two whole years in his own hired house. Also we are told that he continued to preach the kingdom of God and to teach those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ.