NOW WHEN THEY HAD ESCAPED, THEY THEN FOUND OUT THAT THE ISLAND WAS CALLED MALTA. 1. Meeting the natives of this island, they now learn where they are. 2. The island is called Malta. Malta is about 60 miles from the coast of Sicily. It is about 20 miles east and west and about 12 miles north and so... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE NATIVES SHOWED US UNUSUAL KINDNESS; FOR THEY KINDLED A FIRE AND MADE US ALL WELCOME, BECAUSE OF THE RAIN THAT WAS FALLING AND BECAUSE OF THE COLD. 1. The KJV calls them "barbarians." This term was a reference to their language. All tribes or groups which did not speak Latin (Roman language)... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT WHEN PAUL HAD GATHERED A BUNDLE OF STICKS AND LAID THEM ON THE FIRE, A VIPER CAME OUT BECAUSE OF THE HEAT, AND FASTENED ON HIS HAND. 1. Of course this island had been in this storm. It was cold and wet. 2. Paul is helping to find sticks and wood that will burn. 3. Among the sticks is a poison... [ Continue Reading ]
SO WHEN THE NATIVES SAW THE CREATURE HANGING FROM HIS HAND, THEY SAID TO ONE ANOTHER, " NO DOUBT THIS MAN IS A MURDERER, WHOM, THOUGH HE HAS ESCAPED THE SEA, YET JUSTICE DOES NOT ALLOW TO LIVE. " 1. Everyone saw the snake. The natives are very aware of this snake and the danger it poses. 2. Their... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT HE SHOOK OFF THE CREATURE INTO THE FIRE AND SUFFERED NO HARM. 1. He shook off the creature. This is the natural reaction to being bitten. 2. The snake is back in the fire - and apparently dies. 3. But Paul seems to suffer no illness or trauma from this snake bite. 4. NOTE: There are many thi... [ Continue Reading ]
HOWEVER, THEY WERE EXPECTING THAT HE WOULD SWELL UP OR SUDDENLY FALL DOWN DEAD. BUT AFTER THEY HAD LOOKED FOR A LONG TIME AND SAW NO HARM COME TO HIM, THEY CHANGED THEIR MINDS AND SAID THAT HE WAS A GOD. 1. The natives are not in "wait and see" mode. They know that very quickly the venom from this... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THAT REGION THERE WAS AN ESTATE OF THE LEADING CITIZEN OF THE ISLAND, WHOSE NAME WAS PUBLIUS, WHO RECEIVED US AND ENTERTAINED US COURTEOUSLY FOR THREE DAYS. 1. We are now introduced to Publius. He is a "chief man" on this part of the island. This may refer to his wealth or to a position of power... [ Continue Reading ]
AND IT HAPPENED THAT THE FATHER OF PUBLIUS LAY SICK OF A FEVER AND DYSENTERY. PAUL WENT IN TO HIM AND PRAYED, AND HE LAID HANDS ON HIM, AND HEALED HIM. 1. The father of this prominent man is very sick. Luke, the physician, tells us that he has a high fever and dysentery. Adam Clarke suggests that t... [ Continue Reading ]
SO WHEN THIS WAS DONE, THE REST OF THOSE ON THE ISLAND WHO HAD DISEASES ALSO CAME AND WERE HEALED. 1. The word spread quickly. Others heard of this healing of a man that the natives had given up as dead. 2. Think about it. Paul was given up for dead with the snake bite. Now Publius' father was giv... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY ALSO HONORED US IN MANY WAYS; AND WHEN WE DEPARTED, THEY PROVIDED SUCH THINGS AS WERE NECESSARY. 1. All were treated well - the crew of the ship, the Roman soldiers, and the prisoners. 2. When travel was arranged to continue on to Rome, the island people gave them the things necessary for the... [ Continue Reading ]
AFTER THREE MONTHS WE SAILED IN AN ALEXANDRIAN SHIP WHOSE FIGUREHEAD WAS THE TWIN BROTHERS, WHICH HAD WINTERED AT THE ISLAND. 1. They were on Malta for about 3 months. Winter is over and spring is coming. 2. Ships are now sailing again. The sea and the winds are more favorable for travel. 3. Here... [ Continue Reading ]
AND LANDING AT SYRACUSE, WE STAYED THREE DAYS. 1. Syracuse is the capital of the island of Sicily. 2. It was in the direct route from Malta to go up the western side of Italy. 3. It is thought that the three days were spent there to re-supply the ship with food and supplies. While the people of M... [ Continue Reading ]
FROM THERE WE CIRCLED ROUND AND REACHED RHEGIUM. AND AFTER ONE DAY THE SOUTH WIND BLEW; AND THE NEXT DAY WE CAME TO PUTEOLI, 1. The KJV says they "fetched a compass." This is not accurate. The word here means one who goes around, a wanderer, one who strolls around, one who makes a circuit. (Thayer)... [ Continue Reading ]
WHERE WE FOUND BRETHREN, AND WERE INVITED TO STAY WITH THEM SEVEN DAYS. SO WE WENT TOWARD ROME. 1. There are brethren here. How did a church start here? We do not know. We know that there were Christians in Rome. It is assumed that as others, like Aquila and Prisilla, who left Rome, may have stoppe... [ Continue Reading ]
AND FROM THERE, WHEN THE BRETHREN HEARD ABOUT US, THEY CAME TO MEET US AS FAR AS APPI FORUM AND THREE INNS. WHEN PAUL SAW THEM, HE THANKED GOD AND TOOK COURAGE. 1. When the Christians at Rome heard that Paul was on his way, they came to meet him. 2. Appii Forum and Three Inns are towns about 20 to... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW WHEN WE CAME TO ROME, THE CENTURION DELIVERED THE PRISONERS TO THE CAPTAIN OF THE GUARD; BUT PAUL WAS PERMITTED TO DWELL BY HIMSELF WITH THE SOLDIER WHO GUARDED HIM. 1. Now, they arrive in Rome. The centurion that has overseen these prisoners from Caesarea - through all the travels, ships, stop... [ Continue Reading ]
AND IT CAME TO PASS AFTER THREE DAYS THAT PAUL CALLED THE LEADERS OF THE JEWS TOGETHER. SO WHEN THEY HAD COME TOGETHER, HE SAID TO THEM; " MEN AND BRETHREN, THOUGH I HAVE DONE NOTHING AGAINST OUR PEOPLE OR THE CUSTOMS OF OUR FATHERS, YET I WAS DELIVERED AS A PRISONER FROM JERUSALEM INTO THE HANDS OF... [ Continue Reading ]
WHO, WHEN THEY HAD EXAMINED ME, WANTED TO LET ME GO, BECAUSE THERE WAS NO CAUSE FOR PUTTING ME TO DEATH. 19 But when the Jews spoke against it, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar, not that I had any thing of which to accuse my nation. 20 For this reason therefore I have called for you, to see you... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN THEY SAID TO HIM, " WE NEITHER RECEIVED LETTERS FROM JUDEA CONCERNING YOU, NOR HAVE ANY OF THE BRETHREN WHO CAME REPORTED OR SPOKEN ANY EVIL OF YOU. 1. The Jews respond by saying they have no information, no letters, no communication with Jews from Jerusalem. 2. No one from Jerusalem has come... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT WE DESIRE TO HEAR FROM YOU WHAT YOU THINK; FOR CONCERNING THIS SECT, WE KNOW THAT IT IS SPOKEN AGAINST EVERYWHERE. " 1. The Jews are interested in what Paul has to say about the sect to which he belongs. 2. It is identified as the sect that is "spoken against everywhere." While they do not kno... [ Continue Reading ]
SO WHEN THEY HAD APPOINTED HIM A DAY, MANY CAME TO HIM AT HIS LODGING, TO WHOM HE EXPLAINED AND SOLEMNLY TESTIFIED OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD, PERSUADING THEM CONCERNING JESUS FROM BOTH THE LAW OF MOSES AND THE PROPHETS, FROM MORNING TILL EVENING. 1. A hearing was arranged. On the designated day many ca... [ Continue Reading ]
AND SOME WERE PERSUADED BY THE THINGS WHICH WERE SPOKEN, AND SOME DISBELIEVED. 1. Not all will be converted. Some believed. Some were convinced and persuaded by the powerful use of Old Testament Scriptures. 2. Some did not. Nothing new here. 3. NOTE : Jesus did not command us to baptize everyone... [ Continue Reading ]
SO WHEN THEY DID NOT AGREE AMONG THEMSELVES, THEY DEPARTED AFTER PAUL HAD SAID ONE WORD: " THE HOLY SPIRIT SPOKE RIGHTLY THROUGH ISAIAH THE PROPHET TO OUR FATHERS, 26 saying, " Go to this people and say; hearing you will hear, and shall not understand; And seeing you will see, and not perceive; 27... [ Continue Reading ]
" THEREFORE LET IT BE KNOWN TO YOU THAT SALVATION OF GOD HAS BEEN SENT TO THE GENTILES, AND THEY WILL HEAR IT. " 1. Since many of the Jews will reject the message, God has sent Paul to the Gentiles. The Greek word here is for the word "nations" in the plural. It simply means all non-Jews. There wer... [ Continue Reading ]
AND WHEN HE HAD SAID THESE WORDS, THE JEWS DEPARTED AND HAD A GREAT DISPUTE AMONG THEMSELVES. 1. There was now more discussion than before. 2. Paul certainly peaked their interest and opened up some discussion.... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN PAUL DWELT TWO WHOLE YEARS IN HIS OWN RENTED HOUSE, AND RECEIVED ALL WHO CAME TO HIM, 1. Paul spent two years in Caesarea and now we are told he spent two more years in his own rented home in Rome. 2. He was not free to travel, but he was free to have friends come and visit him. He was able t... [ Continue Reading ]
PREACHING THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND TEACHING THE THINGS WHICH CONCERN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST WITH ALL CONFIDENCE, NO ONE FORBIDDING HIM. 1. Paul was also free to teach and preach. 2. THE KINGDOM OF GOD - The kingdom and church are two terms for the same thing. Jesus said he would build his church and... [ Continue Reading ]