Acts 28 · The Lantern

When we had escaped, then we learned that the island was called Malta.

"And they shall be scattered on the merchant ships of foreigners and together plunder the sea." For they, in their wanderings among the nations, had to make use of the passage through the sea, just as though they were flying on it, they made a swift course through the sea so that they might proclaim the gospel to most nations in a short time.

Do you mark what good came of the storm? Why then it was no mark of their being forsaken, that the storm came upon them. Now this that happened was in consequence of the season of the year; but the wonder is greater, that at such a season they were saved from the midst of the dangers, both he, and for his sake the rest, and this too in the Hadriatic.

"But the barbarians showed us no small courtesy," etc. Everyone being now on the shore, as terrible cold was upon them and they were weakened by long fasting, the barbarian inhabitants of the place supplied them with the provisions of courtesy.

The natives showed us uncommon kindness; for they kindled a fire, and received us all, because of the present rain, and because of the cold.

But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and placed them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat, and fastened on his hand.

Finally, we often aid in this way even the heathen, seeing we have been endowed by God with that power which the apostle first used when he despised the viper's bite. What, then, does this pen of yours offer, if faith is safe by what it has of its own? That it may be safe by what it has of its own also at other times, when it is subjected to scorpions of its own.

You wickedly hurtful serpent, why do you still wish to call [us] back from the Lord and contrive your old pillaging on the newness of the law? O lover of death, whose very parent you are, why do you renew your warfare upon the redeemed?

When Paul was gathering brushwood, a viper bit his hand and caused him no harm, because the holy man was a practitioner of faith. Having sunk its fangs into the apostle's hand and finding no sinful wound in it, the viper immediately recoiled and threw itself into the fire, as if seeking punishment for itself.

When the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said one to another, "No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped from the sea, yet Justice has not allowed to live."

However he shook off the creature into the fire, and was not harmed.

But they expected that he would have swollen or fallen down dead suddenly, but when they watched for a long time and saw nothing bad happen to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.

"He, however, shook off the creature into the fire." The faithful are superior to any scheme, either if it is planned by people or beasts, and they are similar to gods, as Scripture says: "I say, 'You are gods; nevertheless, you shall die,' because of infidelity, 'like mortals.' " So the barbarians, seeing that [Paul] did not die but escaped from certain death, considered him t…

Therefore when the Barbarians saw this and the certain death escaping them, they thought him to be a god, having the custom, making everything marvelous, to consider as a god; just as they used to call the old gods, either because of some greater strength they exhibited among themselves, as was Heracles; or because by magic they astounded those about them, as was Simon in Samar…

They thought that Paul's body would be torn apart. "Having waited a long time." The miracle was not revealed suddenly, but the people waited for it for some time. Thus, this occurrence was not a deception or mere trickery.

Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the chief man of the island, named Publius, who received us, and courteously entertained us for three days.

It happened that the father of Publius lay sick of fever and dysentery. Paul entered in to him, prayed, and laying his hands on him, healed him.

Then when this was done, the rest also who had diseases in the island came, and were cured.

They also honored us with many honors, and when we sailed, they put on board the things that we needed.

After three months, we set sail in a ship of Alexandria which had wintered in the island, whose sign was "The Twin Brothers."

And all the remaining [details] of his course with Paul he recounts, indicating with all diligence both places, and cities, and number of days, until they went up to Jerusalem; and what befell Paul there, how he was sent to Rome in bonds; the name of the centurion who took him in charge; and the signs of the ships, and how they made shipwreck; and the island upon which they esc…

"And after three months, we sailed in a ship of Alexandria," etc. After three months, going on board a ship of Alexandria, they came to Syracuse, a city of the Sicilians; from there to Rhegium; from there to Puteoli; from there, now on foot, to the Three Taverns, where Paul was gladly received by the brethren and entered Rome led by them.

Almost always, especially on Alexandrian ships, it was customary to make such images near the bow of the ship on the right and left sides. And since, given the prevailing idol-worship of that time, the "Dioscuri" were probably depicted on this ship, we may conclude from this that the shipmaster on it was a foreigner and an idolater.

Touching at Syracuse, we stayed there three days.

From there we weighed anchor and arrived at Rhegium. After one day, a south wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli,

where we found brothers, and were entreated to stay with them for seven days. So we came to Rome.

From there the brothers, when they heard of us, came to meet us as far as The Market of Appius and The Three Taverns. When Paul saw them, he thanked God, and took courage.

"And from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appii forum, and the Three Taverns: whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage." Not fearing the danger. But observe also how Paul himself also was affected after the manner of men.

Some places are noted outside Rome, one of which is said, with some probability, to have a statue of Appius and to be called his tribute, just as to this day the images of kings among the Romans are called tributes; the places called the taverns refer mysteriously to certain inns or shelters or to the use of taverns, so named in the Roman language. [ISIDORE]

When he says "to the Appian Forum and the Three Taverns," he indicates certain localities before Rome. The first, the Appian Forum, is a locality where a statue of Appius stood; from this, probably, the locality was also named the forum before the statue.

When we entered into Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself with the soldier who guarded him.

It happened that after three days Paul called together those who were the Jewish leaders. When they had come together, he said to them, "I, brothers, though I had done nothing against the people, or the customs of our fathers, still was delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans,

who, when they had examined me, desired to set me free, because there was no cause of death in me.

But when the Judeans spoke against it, I was constrained to appeal to Caesar, not that I had anything about which to accuse my nation.

For this cause therefore I asked to see you and to speak with you. For because of the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain."

They said to him, "We neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor did any of the brothers come here and report or speak any evil of you.

Observe them also speaking more mildly to him. "We beg," say they: and wish to speak in exculpation of those at Jerusalem. Whereas they ought to accuse them, they plead for them: by the very fact of their exonerating them, they do in fact accuse them. For this very thing was a proof that they knew themselves exceedingly in the wrong.

"But they said to him: We neither received letters concerning thee from Judea," etc. The Jews replied to Paul that they had had no opportunity to learn either by letters or by a messenger the things that he had just told; but they asked him, instead, to let them know what he had preached in other places.

Even before Paul's arrival in Rome, the Jews had been persuaded not to accept the preaching about Christ — not only the Jews in Rome, but all Jews throughout the entire world. But how is this known?

But we desire to hear from you what you think. For, as concerning this sect, it is known to us that everywhere it is spoken against."

The Jews call the faith in Christ a heresy, because "everywhere it is spoken against." You see, the Jews themselves testify that Christ is preached everywhere, even though not all receive this preaching, as the text says, but some of the Jews or the Gentiles speak against it, while the heretics, in a different way, do not conform to the true faith.

Neither through letters, nor through men, have they made known any harm of thee. Nevertheless, we wish to hear from thyself: "But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest": and then forestalled him by showing their own sentiments. "For as concerning this sect, it is known to us, that everywhere it is spoken against."

Before he arrived. Paul was in Rome, the Jews had been commanded not to receive the preaching concerning Christ, and not only they alone, but also Jews everywhere in the world. How is this clear?

When they had appointed him a day, many people came to him at his lodging. He explained to them, testifying about the Kingdom of God, and persuading them concerning Jesus, both from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets, from morning until evening.

Some believed the things which were spoken, and some disbelieved.

When they did not agree among themselves, they departed after Paul had spoken one word, "The Holy Spirit spoke rightly through Isaiah, the prophet, to your fathers,

This is the Spirit that at the beginning "moved upon the thee of the waters; " by whom the world moves; by whom creation consists, and all things have life; who also wrought mightily in the prophets, and descended in flight upon Christ. This is the Spirit that was given to the apostles in the form of fiery tongues.

To those who call him the minister of the Father, Paul here gives a severe rebuke concerning the Holy Spirit. For concerning the Lord seated on a high and exalted throne, whom Isaiah saw, therefore speaks the Holy Spirit. For He is of the same essence as the Father and the Son, and shares the same power.

Observe how the Jews now plot against Paul: in Judea they were like tyrants, but here, even though rebuked by Paul, they dare say nothing against him, because his case was no longer subject to their authority.

saying, 'Go to this people, and say, in hearing, you will hear, but will in no way understand. In seeing, you will see, but will in no way perceive.

Through them, to wit, had "the heart of the People been made thick, lest they should see with the eyes, and hear with the ears, and understand with a heart" obstructed by the "fats" of which He had expressly forbidden the eating, teaching man not to be studious of the stomach.

Then that you may not deem it strange that they believed not, he introduces the prophecy which saith "Hearing ye shall hear and not understand," more now than then: "and ye shall see and not perceive" more now than then. This is not spoken for the former sort, but for the unbelievers. How then? Was it contrary to the prophecy, that those believed?

They did this, he says, people who stopped their ears and closed their eyes, who "will not turn, so that I may heal them." This points to the strong impiety and stubborn aversion of these people. This is said in order to attract and dispose them, and to show that if they turn back, they will be healed.

For this people's heart has grown callous. Their ears are dull of hearing. Their eyes they have closed. Lest they should see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their heart, and would turn again, and I would heal them.'

"Be it known therefore to you, that the salvation of God is sent to the nations. They will also listen." [

When he had said these words, the Jews departed, having a great dispute among themselves.]

Paul stayed two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who were coming to him,

proclaiming the Kingdom of God, and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, without hindrance.

Acts28