THEY KNEW - Either from their former acquaintance with the island, or from the information of the inhabitants. WAS CALLED MELITA - Now called “Malta.” It was celebrated formerly for producing large quantities of honey, and is supposed to have been called Melita from the Greek word signifying honey.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE BARBAROUS PEOPLE - See the notes on Romans 1:14. The Greeks regarded all as barbarians who did not speak their language, and applied the name to all other nations but their own. It does not denote, as it does sometimes with us, “people of savage, uncultivated, and cruel habits, but simply th... [ Continue Reading ]
HAD GATHERED A BUNDLE OF STICKS - For the purpose of making a fire. THERE CAME A VIPER - A poisonous serpent. See the notes on Matthew 3:7. The viper was doubtless in the bundle of sticks or limbs of trees which Paul had gathered, but was concealed, and was torpid. But when the bundle was laid on t... [ Continue Reading ]
THE VENOMOUS BEAST - The English word “beast” we usually apply to an animal of larger size than a viper. But the original θηρίον thērion is applicable to animals of any kind, and was especially applied by Greek writers to serpents. See Schleusner. NO DOUBT - The fact that the viper had fastened o... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HE SHOOK OFF ... - In this was remarkably fulfilled the promise of the Saviour Mark 16:18; “They shall take up serpents,” etc.... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN HE SHOULD HAVE SWOLLEN - When they expected that he would have swollen from the bite of the viper. The poison of the viper is rapid, and they expected that he would die soon. The word rendered “swollen” πίμπρασθαι pimprasthai means properly “to burn; to be inflamed,” and then “to be swollen fr... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THE SAME QUARTERS - In that place, or that part of the island, POSSESSIONS - Property. His place of residence. THE CHIEF MAN - Greek: the first man. Probably he was the governor of the island,... [ Continue Reading ]
A BLOODY FLUX - Greek: dysentery. AND LAID HIS HANDS ON HIM ... - In accordance with the promise of the Saviour, Mark 16:18. This miracle was a suitable return for the hospitality of Publius, and would serve to conciliate further the kindness of the people, and prepare the way for Paul’s usefulness... [ Continue Reading ]
WHO ALSO HONOURED US - As people who were favored by heaven, and who had been the means of conferring important benefits on them in healing the sick, etc. Probably the word “honors” here means “gifts, or marks of favor.” THEY LADED US - They gave us, or conferred on us. They furnished us with such... [ Continue Reading ]
AND AFTER THREE MONTHS - Probably they remained there so long because there was no favorable opportunity for them to go to Rome. If they arrived there, as is commonly supposed, in October, they left for Rome in January. IN A SHIP OF ALEXANDRIA - See the notes on Acts 27:6. WHOSE SIGN - Which was o... [ Continue Reading ]
AND LANDING AT SYRACUSE - Syracuse was the capital of the island of Sicily, on the eastern coast. It was in the direct course from Malta to Rome. It contains about 18,000 inhabitants.... [ Continue Reading ]
WE FETCHED A COMPASS - We coasted about; or we sailed along the eastern side of Sicily. AND CAME TO RHEGIUM - This was a city of Italy, in the kingdom of Naples, on the coast near the southwest extremity of Italy. It was nearly opposite to Messina, in Sicily. It is now called “Reggio.” THE SOUTH W... [ Continue Reading ]
BRETHREN - Christian brethren. But by whom the gospel had been preached there is unknown.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND FROM THENCE - From Puteoli. WHEN THE BRETHREN HEARD OF US - The Christians who wore at Rome. AS FAR AS THE APPII FORUM - This was a city about 56 miles from Rome. The remains of an ancient city are still seen there. It is on the borders of the Pontine Marshes. The city was built on the celebra... [ Continue Reading ]
THE CAPTAIN OF THE GUARD - The commander of the Praetorian cohort, or guard. The custom was, that those who were sent from the provinces to Rome for trial were delivered to the custody of this guard. The name of the prefect or captain of the guard at this time was Burrhus Afranius (Tacitus, History,... [ Continue Reading ]
PAUL CALLED THE CHIEF OF THE JEWS - He probably had two objects in this: one was to vindicate himself from the suspicion of crime, or to convince them that the charges alleged against him were false; and the other, to explain to them the gospel of Christ. In accordance with his custom everywhere, he... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN THEY HAD EXAMINED ME ... - Acts 24:10; Acts 25; Acts 26:31. NO CAUSE OF DEATH - No crime worthy of death.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE JEWS SPAKE AGAINST IT - Against my being set at liberty. I WAS CONSTRAINED - By a regard to my own safety and character. TO APPEAL UNTO CAESAR - See the notes on Acts 25:11. NOT THAT I HAD AUGHT ... - I did it for my own preservation and safety, not that I wished to accuse my countrymen. Paul... [ Continue Reading ]
BECAUSE THAT FOR THE HOPE OF ISRAEL - On account of the hope which the Jews cherish of the coming of the Messiah; of the resurrection; and of the future state. See this explained in the notes on Acts 23:6. I AM BOUND WITH THIS CHAIN - See the notes on Acts 26:29. Probably he was attached constantly... [ Continue Reading ]
WE NEITHER RECEIVED LETTERS ... - Why the Jews in Judea had not forwarded the accusation against Paul to their brethren at Rome, that they might continue the prosecution before the emperor, is not known. It is probable that they regarded their cause as hopeless, and chose to abandon the prosecution.... [ Continue Reading ]
WHAT THOU THINKEST - What your belief is; or what are the doctrines of Christians respecting the Messiah. THIS SECT - The sect of Christians. SPOKEN AGAINST - Particularly by Jews. This was the case then, and, to a great extent, is the case still. It has been the common lot of the followers of Chr... [ Continue Reading ]
APPOINTED HIM A DAY - A day when they would hear him. INTO HIS LODGING - To the house where he resided, Acts 28:30. HE EXPOUNDED - He explained or declared the principles of the Christian religion. AND TESTIFIED THE KINGDOM OF GOD - Bore witness to, or declared the principles and doctrines of the... [ Continue Reading ]
AND SOME BELIEVED ... - See the notes on Acts 14:4.... [ Continue Reading ]
HAD SPOKEN ONE WORD - One solemn declaration, reminding them that it was the characteristic of the nation to reject the testimony of God, and that it was to be expected. It was the last warning which we know Paul to have delivered to his countrymen the Jews. WELL SPAKE - Or he spoke the truth; he j... [ Continue Reading ]
SAYING ... - See this passage explained in the Matthew 13:14 note, and John 12:39 notes.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE SALVATION OF GOD - The knowledge of God’s mode of saving people. IS SENT UNTO THE GENTILES - Since you have rejected it, it will be offered to them. See the notes on Acts 13:46. AND THAT THEY WILL HEAR IT - They will embrace it. Paul was never discouraged. If the gospel was rejected by one cla... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HAD GREAT REASONING - Great discussion or debates. That is, the part which believed that Jesus was the Messiah Acts 28:24 discussed the subject warmly with those who did not believe. This whole verse is missing in the Syriac version, and in some Greek mss., and is supposed by Mill and Griesbach... [ Continue Reading ]
PAUL DWELT TWO WHOLE YEARS - Doubtless in the custody of the soldiers. Why he was not prosecuted before the emperor during this time is not known. It is evident, however Acts 28:21, that the Jews were not disposed to carry the case before Nero, and the matter, during this time, was suffered quietly... [ Continue Reading ]
PREACHING THE KINGDOM OF GOD - See the notes on Acts 20:25. WITH ALL CONFIDENCE - Openly and boldly, without anyone to hinder him. It is known also that Paul was not unsuccessful even when a prisoner at Rome. Several persons were converted by his preaching, even in the court of the emperor. The thin... [ Continue Reading ]