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Nazarene Commentary 2000©

21^st Century Paraphrase of the Hebrew Scriptures© –
21^st Century Version of the Christian Scriptures© [NCMM]

THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT:
MALTESE HOSPITALITY AND THEN HOUSE ARREST

[“Shipwreck to House Arrest”]
Key word: Malta

Acts 28:1-6 – Maltese Think Paul a God

AC28:1 After we all survived then we realized that this was the island of Malta. 1104

1104	Malta: Some versions use “Melita” for another island, but Malta is correct.

AC28:2 Now the islanders 1105 showed us considerable human kindness, 1106 for they lit a fire and made us all welcome because of the cold rain.

1105	Islanders: Or, barbarous people, natives, foreign-speaking. The Greek is BARBAROI and had a different meaning than it does now. See notes on Barbarian elsewhere.

1106	Considerable human kindness: Or, no little kindness, uncommon kindness, common philanthropy, remarkable friendliness. The Greek is PHILA-ANTHROPOPIAN [affection + humanity].

AC28:3 Paul had collected dried driftwood and put it on the fire, but the flame’s heat caused a viper 1107 to crawl out, and it fastened its bite to Paul’s hand.

1107	Viper: snake, serpent. The Greek is EKHIDONA. There are a variety of such poisonous reptiles. Reptiles are limited in motion by temperature and the warmth of the fire brought the serpent out of its burrow.

AC28:4 Now when the islanders saw the snake hanging from his hand they said among themselves: “Surely this person is a murderer, who though surviving the sea has had justice catch up with him!” AC28:5 But, Paul shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. AC28:6 The islanders watched to see if his hand would become inflamed and swollen, or that he would suddenly drop dead. But after waiting for some time, and seeing no harm came to him, they thought differently and began to say he was a god. 1108

1108	He was a god: The Greek is THEON and lacks the article just as THEOS does in the last phrase of John 1:1.

Acts 28:7-10 – The Hospitality of Publius

AC28:7 Now this part of the island was the possession of a chieftain named Publius 1109 who welcomed and entertained us hospitably for three days.

1109	A chieftain named Publius: Or, chief man, governor, leading citizen, chief magistrate. Likely the Roman governor, a wealthy landowner.

AC28:8 It happened that the father of Publius lay sick with fever and dysentery. 1110 So Paul entered the room and after prayer he laid his hands on him and he was healed.

1110	Dysentery: The Greek is DYSENTERIO.

AC28:9 And when this happened all the islanders who were ill approached Paul to be healed. AC28:10 As a result they honored us with many gifts, 1111 and even when we departed they supplied all our needs. 1112

1111	They honored us with many gifts: Or, WEY: loaded us with honours; TCN: presented with many gifts; MOF: rich presents; TAY: showered us with gifts. It is possible these gifts were what allowed Paul to rent his own home for two years in Rome. God knows exactly what He is doing.

1112	They supplied all our needs: Despite the gifts already given, even more charity is shown Paul and his associates. All of this must have enormously affected the centurion, Roman soldiers, and others. We can see Paul witnessing to those who traveled with him.

Acts 28:11-16 – To Rome and House Arrest

AC28:11 Three months later 1113 we boarded a ship from Alexandria [Egypt] that had wintered at the island. The ship’s figurehead was “Sons of Zeus.” 1114

1113	Three months later: After spending the rest of the winter waiting for safe weather to continue on to Italy.

1114	Sons of Zeus: Or, Castor and Pollux, the Twin Brothers, Twin Sons of Zeus. Why Luke notes this is not clear. But he is precise in his nautical journals.

AC28:12 Now docking at Syracuse 1115 we stayed there three days.

1115	Syracuse: About 100 miles north on the SE shore of Sicily, today called Siracusa.

AC28:13 Then we weighed anchor and arrived at Rhegium, 1116 and the next day the south wind blew in our favor, and so we came the following day to Puteoli. 1117

1116	Rhegium: About 80 miles north through the Strait of Messina. On the southern tip of Italy’s boot, now called Reggio di Calabria. A place of great WWII battles between the Allied and Axis powers.

1117	Puteoli: 200 miles north to the chief port south f Rome. It is the modern Pozzuoli 6 miles WSW of Naples. Josephus writes there was a Jewish colony here. [Jewish Antiquities, XVII, 328 (xii, 1)]

AC28:14 There we discovered some of the brothers 1118 and they urged us to remain with them seven days, and so we approached Rome.

1118	Discovered some of the brothers: There was an old Jewish colony here and now there were some Christians. Imagine the joy of these friends on meeting the great missionary and author of Romans.

AC28:15 From Rome, when the brothers heard of our arrival, they came out to meet us 1119 as far away as the Appium Forum and Three Taverns. 1120 When Paul saw them he gave thanks to The God and was greatly encouraged.

1119	From Rome, when the brothers heard of our arrival, they came out to meet us: Paul had already written his epistle to the Romans and so his fame must have been considerable. When the news he was outside Rome it must have stirred the hearts of the disciples.

1120

Appium Forum and Three Taverns: Or, Market of Appius. It was 46 miles SE of Rome on the Via Appia, or Appian Way. Horace the Roman poet describes the torture of the frogs and gnats, as well as “boatmen and stingy tavern-keepers.” [Satires, I, V, 1-6] After such a journey it would not surprise us to see Paul and Luke having a refreshing drink in one of the taverns.

AC28:16 Now after we arrived in Rome Paul was permitted to stay by himself together with soldiers guarding him.

Acts 28:17-22 – Paul Speaks to the Jews

AC28:17 Three days after our arrival Paul called together the prominent Jewish leaders, 1121 and when they had all gathered, Paul said to them: “Men, brothers, though I have done nothing against the [Jewish] people, or the paternal customs, even so I was sent from Jerusalem as a prisoner of the Romans.

1121	Paul called together the prominent Jewish leaders: We note it was not Peter, the first Pope, he first contacts, for Peter was not there, as he is never mentioned in Paul’s lengthy greetings in Romans 16.

AC28:18 After they examined me they could have release me because there were no grounds to execute me. AC28:19 However, when the Jews protested, I was forced to appeal to Caesar – not that I had any accusations to bring against my own nation. AC28:20 So for this reason I have asked you to come so that I might speak to you, for I am bound because of Israel’s hope.” 1122

1122	Israel’s hope: That is, the resurrection of the righteous and unrighteous. [Acts 24:15]

AC28:21 At this they said to Paul: “We have received no letters about you from Judaea, nor have any of the brothers who have arrived had any bad report about you. 1123

1123	Bad report about you: There has been no negative mail or reports regarding Paul as a troublemaker.

AC28:22 However, we wish to hear your opinions, for indeed it is known that everywhere this heresy is spoken against.” 1124

1124

It is known that everywhere this heresy is spoken against: Or, sect, form of religion; serious objections, denounced, no one has a good word to say. The Greek word for heresy did not have quite the stigma it does now. It originally meant an “opinion.” It is clear these Jewish leaders are away that Paul belongs to a new sect.

Acts 28:23-25 – A Witness Concerning the Kingdom

AC28:23 Now having arranged with Paul for an appointment, they all came together at his lodging in large numbers. Paul proceeded to set out thoroughly a testimony concerned the Kingdom of The God, trying to convince them about Jesus. He did this from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets from morning until evening. 1125

1125	Morning until evening: This was a considerable Biblical marathon with Jewish scholars.

AC28:24 So some believed the things he spoke while others did not believe.

Acts 28:26-29 – An Unresponsive Heart

AC28:25 Without complete agreement among themselves they began to leave, but not before Paul added this one message: “The holy Pneuma spoke excellently through the prophet Isaiah to your forefathers, AC28:26 saying: ‘Go and approach this people and tell them: “Hearing you will hear but never understand; and, looking you will behold but never see. AC28:27 For the heart of this people has become callused, and their ears dull of hearing. They have closed their eyes, lest they should actually see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their hearts, and then turn around so that I should heal them.”’ 1126 [Isaiah 6:9, 10]

1126	I should heal them: Paul quotes Isaiah 6:9, 10 just as the Nazarene did with a similar application. [Matthew 13:14; John 12:40]

AC28:28 So let it be known to all of you that The God’s salvation has been sent to the non-Jews! And these will listen!” [[AC28:29 And when Paul had spoken these words, the Jews departed with considerable debate among themselves.]] 1127

1127	Verse 29 is absent from some texts as it is not adequately supported.

Acts 28:30-31 – Two Years under House Arrest

AC28:30 Now for two years Paul remained under house arrest 1128 in his own rented room, 1129 receiving all who came to him,

1128

Two years Paul remained under house arrest: From about 59/60 to 61/62. It is during this period Paul writes Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon, and likely Hebrews. From this same place it is also possible Luke finished his Gospel and Acts. It should be noted Acts ends here though Paul is released and returns to Judaea for about three years before finally being executed in Rome by Nero around 66, the beginning of the Great Oppression, or the Jewish Wars.

1129	His own rented room: Or, hired house, private hired rooms. Possibly with the charity received from Publius and the Maltese.

AC28:31 preaching the Kingdom of The God, and teaching subjects concerning the Master Jesus Christ with unhindered outspokenness.

Review Questions on Chapter Twenty-eight