Ashore on Malta
Once we were safely ashore, we learned that the island was called Malta. Act 27:26Act 27:44Act 27:39Act 16:10 The islanders showed us extraordinary kindness. They kindled a fire and welcomed all of us because it was raining and cold. Col 3:11Heb 13:2Rom 1:142Co 11:27Act 28:41Co 14:11Mat 10:42Pro 24:11-12
Paul gathered a bundle of sticks, and as he laid them on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself to his hand. Mat 23:33Mat 12:342Co 11:23Act 28:42Co 6:9Isa 30:6Isa 41:24Isa 59:5 When the islanders saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “Surely this man is a murderer. Although he was saved from the sea, Justice 1has not allowed him to live.” Luk 13:2Luk 13:4Act 28:2Act 28:5Jhn 7:24Isa 43:20Jhn 9:1-2Mat 23:35 But Paul shook the creature off into the fire and suffered no ill effects. Luk 10:19Mrk 16:18Psa 91:13Num 21:6-9Rev 9:3-4Jhn 3:14-15Rom 16:20 The islanders were expecting him to swell up or suddenly drop dead. But after waiting a long time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god. Act 12:22Act 14:11-13Mat 21:9Mat 27:22
Nearby stood an estate belonging to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us and entertained us hospitably for three days. Mat 10:40-41Act 13:7Act 18:12Act 23:24Act 28:2Luk 19:6-9 The father of Publius was sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him, and after praying and placing his hands on him, he healed the man. Act 9:40Mrk 6:5Jas 5:14-16Mat 9:18Mat 10:8Mrk 16:181Co 12:281Co 12:9 After this had happened, the rest of the sick on the island came and were cured as well. Act 5:12Act 5:15Mat 4:24Mrk 6:54-56
The islanders honored us in many ways and supplied our needs when we were ready to sail. 1Th 2:6Mat 6:31-34Php 4:11-12Php 4:191Ti 5:17-181Ti 5:3-42Co 8:2-62Co 9:5-11
Paul Arrives in Italy
After three months we set sail in an Alexandrian ship that had wintered in the island. It had the Twin Brothers 2as a figurehead. Act 27:61Co 8:4Isa 45:20Act 6:9Jon 1:16Jon 1:5 Putting in at Syracuse, we stayed there three days. From there we weighed anchor and came to Rhegium. After one day, a south wind came up, and on the second day we arrived at Puteoli. Act 27:13 There we found some brothers who invited us to spend the week with them. And so we came to Rome. Act 19:1Act 20:6Act 21:4Act 21:7-8Gen 7:4Gen 8:10-12Act 9:42-43Jhn 21:23
The brothers there had heard about us and traveled as far as the Forum of Appius 3and the Three Taverns 4to meet us. When Paul saw them, he was encouraged and gave thanks to God. Heb 13:3Rom 15:241Co 12:21-221Sa 30:63Jn 1:6-8Act 10:25Act 21:5Exo 4:14
Paul Preaches at Rome
(Isaiah 6:1–13)
When we arrived in Rome, 5 Paul was permitted to stay by himself, with a soldier to guard him. Act 27:3Act 24:23Act 28:30-31Rom 1:7-152Ki 25:8Act 18:2Act 19:21Act 2:10
After three days, he called together the leaders of the Jews. When they had gathered, he said to them, “Brothers, although I have done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, I was taken prisoner in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans. Act 25:8Act 6:14Act 25:10Act 21:33-40Act 22:5Act 24:10-16Act 23:1-11Act 25:2 They examined me and wanted to release me, because there was no basis for a death sentence against me. Act 26:31-32Act 23:29Act 22:24-25Act 22:30Act 24:10Act 24:22Act 25:7-8 But when the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar, even though I have no charge to bring against my nation. Act 26:32Act 25:10-12Act 25:21Act 25:251Pe 2:22-23Rom 12:19-21 So for this reason I have called to see you and speak with you. It is because of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain.” 2Ti 2:9Act 26:6-7Eph 6:20Act 26:29Php 1:13Act 21:33Act 23:6Act 24:15
The leaders replied, “We have not received any letters about you from Judea, nor have any of the brothers from there reported or even mentioned anything bad about you. Isa 41:11Isa 50:8Isa 54:17Act 22:5Exo 11:7 But we consider your views worth hearing, because we know that people everywhere are speaking against this sect.” 1Pe 2:12Act 24:141Pe 3:161Pe 4:14-16Act 16:20-21Act 17:6-7Act 24:5-61Co 11:19
So they set a day to meet with Paul, and many people came to the place he was staying. He expounded to them from morning to evening, testifying about the kingdom of God and persuading them about Jesus from the Law of Moses and the Prophets. Act 17:2-3Act 19:8Act 18:28Act 26:22-23Luk 24:26-27Act 26:6Act 8:35Luk 24:44
Some of them were convinced by what he said, but others refused to believe. Act 14:4Act 17:4-5Act 19:8-9Act 18:6-8Rom 3:3Act 13:48-50Rom 11:4-6 They disagreed among themselves and began to leave after Paul had made this final statement: “The Holy Spirit was right when He spoke to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet: Mat 15:72Pe 1:21Mrk 7:6
‘Go to this people and say, Isa 6:9-10Ezk 12:2Isa 42:19-20Mat 13:14-15Mrk 4:122Co 4:4-6Luk 24:45Jhn 12:38-40
“You will be ever hearing but never understanding;
you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.”
For this people’s heart has grown callous; Isa 6:10
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.’ 6
Be advised, therefore, that God’s salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!” 7 Luk 2:30-32Act 26:17-18Rom 3:29-30Luk 3:6Rom 15:8-16Act 11:18Act 13:46-47Act 14:27
Paul stayed there two full years in his own rented house, welcoming all who came to visit him. Boldly and freely he proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ. Act 4:29Eph 6:19-20Act 28:23Mat 4:232Ti 4:17Act 20:25Act 8:12Php 1:14