# Acts 28 đ: Paul Arrives in Rome
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> [!info] Table of Contents
> [[#đ Scripture Text (NET)]]
> [[#đ Verse-by-Verse Commentary]]
> [[#đ¤ Interesting Facts / Historical and Cultural Insights]]
> [[#đ§ Chapter Summary]]
> [[#âď¸ Christ in This Chapter]]
> [[#đ Key Observations / đ Life Application]]
> [[#đŹ Discussion Questions]]
> [[#âď¸ Key Verses to Remember]]
> [[#đ Related Passages]]
> [[#đ Devotional Reflection]]
> [[#đ Outline]]
> [[#đ Internal Notes]]
## đ Scripture Text (NET)
(The NET Bible: New English Translation. Biblical Studies Press, 2005)
#### Paul on Malta
**Principle**: The Lord protects us in spite of trouble.
[[#Verse 01.]] After we had safely reached shore, we learned that the island was called Malta.
[[#Verse 02.]] The local inhabitants showed us extraordinary kindness, for they built a fire and welcomed us all because it had started to rain and was cold.Â
[[#Verse 03.]] When Paul had gathered a bundle of brushwood and was putting it on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened itself on his hand.Â
[[#Verse 04.]] When the local people saw the creature hanging from Paulâs hand, they said to one another, âNo doubt this man is a murderer! Although he has escaped from the sea, Justice herself has not allowed him to live!âÂ
[[#Verse 05.]] However, Paul shook the creature off into the fire and suffered no harm.
[[#Verse 06.]] But they were expecting that he was going to swell up or suddenly drop dead. So after they had waited a long time and had seen nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god.
### Ministry in Malta
**Principle**: Bad situations maybe opportunities in disguise.
[[#Verse 07.]] Now in the region around that place were fields belonging to the chief official of the island, named Publius, who welcomed us and entertained us hospitably as guests for three days.Â
[[#Verse 08.]] The father of Publius lay sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him and after praying, placed his hands on him and healed him.
[[#Verse 09.]] After this had happened, many of the people on the island who were sick also came and were healed.Â
[[#Verse 10.]] They also bestowed many honors, and when we were preparing to sail, they gave us all the supplies we needed.
### Paul Finally Reaches Rome
**Principle**: God's plan takes time. It's all on His timetable.
[[#Verse 11.]] After three months we put out to sea in an Alexandrian ship that had wintered at the island and had the âHeavenly Twinsâ as its figurehead.Â
[[#Verse 12.]] We put in at Syracuse and stayed there three days.Â
[[#Verse 13.]] From there we cast off and arrived at Rhegium, and after one day a south wind sprang up and on the second day we came to Puteoli.
[[#Verse 14.]] There we found some brothers and were invited to stay with them seven days. And in this way we came to Rome.Â
[[#Verse 15.]] The brothers from there, when they heard about us, came as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns to meet us. When he saw them, Paul thanked God and took courage.Â
[[#Verse 16.]] When we entered Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself, with the soldier who was guarding him.
### Paul Addresses the Jewish Community in Rome
**Principle**: Don't avoid people.
[[#Verse 17.]] After three days Paul called the local Jewish leaders together. When they had assembled, he said to them, âBrothers, although I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our ancestors, from Jerusalem I was handed over as a prisoner to the Romans.Â
[[#Verse 18.]] When they had heard my case, they wanted to release me, because there was no basis for a death sentence against me.Â
[[#Verse 19.]] But when the Jews objected, I was forced to appeal to Caesarânot that I had some charge to bring against my own people.Â
[[#Verse 20.]] So for this reason I have asked to see you and speak with you, for I am bound with this chain because of the hope of Israel.âÂ
[[#Verse 21.]] They replied,âWe have received no letters from Judea about you, nor have any of the brothers come from there and reported or said anything bad about you.Â
[[#Verse 22.]] But we would like to hear from you what you think, for regarding this sect we know that people everywhere speak against it.â
### The Response to Paul's Message
**Principle**: Paul was technically in prison, but was doing a lot of ministry. Don't let your current circumstances stop you from doing all you can.
[[#Verse 23.]] They set a day to meet with him, and they came to him where he was staying in even greater numbers. From morning until evening he explained things to them, testifying about the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus from both the law of Moses and the prophets.
[[#Verse 24.]] Some were convinced by what he said,but others refused to believe.
[[#Verse 25.]] So they began to leave, unable to agree among themselves, after Paul made one last statement: âThe Holy Spirit spoke rightly to your ancestors through the prophet IsaiahÂ
[[#Verse 26.]]Â when he said,â**_Go to this people and say, You will keep on hearing, but will never understand and you will keep on looking, but will never perceive_**.
[[#Verse 27.]] **_For the heart of this people has become dull, and their ears are hard of hearing, and they have closed their eyes, so that they would not see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them_**.ââ [[Isaiah 06]]
[[#Verse 28.]] âTherefore be advised that this salvation from God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen!â
[[#Verse 30.]] Paul lived there two whole years in his own rented quarters and welcomed all who came to him,Â
[[#Verse 31.]] proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with complete boldness and without restriction.
## đ Verse-by-Verse Commentary
###### Overall.
###### Verse 01.
###### Verse 02.
###### Verse 03.
###### Verse 04.
###### Verse 05.
###### Verse 06.
###### Verse 07.
###### Verse 08.
###### Verse 09.
###### Verse 10.
###### Verse 11.
###### Verse 12.
###### Verse 13.
###### Verse 14.
###### Verse 15.
###### Verse 16.
###### Verse 17.
###### Verse 18.
###### Verse 19.
###### Verse 20.
###### Verse 21.
###### Verse 22.
###### Verse 23.
###### Verse 24.
###### Verse 25.
###### Verse 26.
###### Verse 27.
###### Verse 28.
###### Verse 29.
###### Verse 30.
###### Verse 31.
## đ¤ Interesting Facts / Historical and Cultural Insights
1. Malta (28:1) is an island south of Sicily, and St. Paul's Bay there is traditionally linked with the shipwreck.
2. The locals first thought Paul was a murderer when the snake bit him, then thought he was a god when he did not die (28:4-6).
3. Publius (28:7) is called "the chief official of the island," a title found in inscriptions from Malta.
4. The ship Paul sailed on to Italy had the "Heavenly Twins" as its figurehead (28:11), the gods Castor and Pollux, believed to protect sailors.
5. Puteoli (28:13) was a major port near Naples where grain ships from Egypt unloaded.
6. Believers came to meet Paul at the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns (28:15), towns about forty and thirty miles from Rome.
7. Paul was allowed to live by himself with a soldier guarding him (28:16).
8. Paul quotes Isaiah 6:9-10 to the Jewish leaders in Rome (28:26-27), as Jesus did in the Gospels.
9. Many scholars believe Paul wrote Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon during this Roman imprisonment.
10. The last word of Acts in Greek is *akolutos*, meaning "unhindered" (28:31).
## đ§ Chapter Summary
> [!note] đą Still growing. This section is on its way.
## âď¸ Christ in This Chapter
Christ is the One Paul proclaimed boldly and without hindrance in the capital of the empire (28:31). From the Law and the Prophets Paul showed that the Scriptures point to Jesus (28:23; Luke 24:27).
## đ Key Observations / đ Life Application
> [!note] đą Still growing. This section is on its way.
## đŹ Discussion Questions
1. Paul shook off the snake and kept serving the people of Malta (28:3-9). How can we keep serving when unexpected trouble strikes?
2. When Paul saw the believers from Rome, he thanked God and took courage (28:15). Who has encouraged you like that, and whom can you encourage?
3. Acts ends with Paul still proclaiming the kingdom, unhindered (28:30-31). Why do you think Luke ended the story this way?
## âď¸ Key Verses to Remember
- đ verse 15: When Paul sees the believers, he thanks God and takes courage.
- đ verse 23: Paul testifies about the kingdom of God and tries to persuade them about Jesus from the Law and the Prophets.
- đ verse 28: God's salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen.
- đ verses 30-31: Paul proclaims the kingdom and teaches about the Lord Jesus with complete boldness and without restriction.
## đ Related Passages
- đ [[Luke 10#Verse 19.|Luke 10:19]] - Authority over snakes and scorpions.
- đ [[James 05#Verse 14.|James 5:14-15]] - The prayer of faith for the sick.
- đ [[Ephesians 06#Verse 20.|Ephesians 6:20]] - An ambassador in chains.
- đ [[Isaiah 06#Verse 09.|Isaiah 6:9-10]] - Hearing but not understanding.
- đ [[Philippians 01#Verse 12.|Philippians 1:12-14]] - Paul's imprisonment advances the gospel.
## đ Devotional Reflection
đ SOAP: [[Acts 28 - SOAP|The Gift of Encouragement]]
## đ Outline
> [!note] đą Still growing. This section is on its way.
## đ Internal Notes
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### Outline
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