JOURNEY TO ROME
The ship is gone, but every person has reached shore alive. The survivors now discover that the island is Malta.
As the islanders kindle a fire against the cold and rain, an unexpected danger strikes: a viper fastens onto Paul's hand.
“But he shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm.” — Acts 28:5, NKJV
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Acts 28:1–6
Biblical Significance: Immediately after surviving the shipwreck, Paul faces another sudden danger. The observers expect him to swell up or fall dead, but after watching for a long time they see that no harm comes to him.
SAFE ON SHORE
Acts 27 closes with everyone escaping safely to land. The next chapter identifies the island.
“Now when they had escaped, they then found out that the island was called Malta.”
Acts 28:1, NKJV
UNUSUAL KINDNESS
The islanders receive the shipwreck survivors with remarkable kindness.
Because of the rain and cold, they kindle a fire and welcome everyone.
“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.”
Acts 28:2, NKJV
PAUL GATHERS STICKS
Paul is not standing apart from the others. He gathers a bundle of sticks and places them on the fire.
Then the heat drives a viper from the bundle.
“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.”
Acts 28:3, NKJV
THE ISLANDERS REACT
When the islanders see the creature hanging from Paul's hand, they interpret the event through their own assumptions.
“No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped the sea, yet justice does not allow to live.”
Acts 28:4, NKJV
They have seen Paul survive the sea, but now they expect this new danger to kill him.
THE VIPER FALLS
Paul does not collapse. He simply shakes the creature from his hand into the fire.
“But he shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm.”
Acts 28:5, NKJV
THEY KEEP WATCHING
The observers continue watching. They expect Paul to swell up or suddenly fall down dead.
But time passes, and nothing happens.
“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...”
Acts 28:6, NKJV
FROM ONE EXTREME TO ANOTHER
At first, the islanders assume Paul must be a murderer under judgment.
When the expected death never comes, their conclusion swings dramatically in the opposite direction.
Luke records their reaction, not as Christian doctrine, but as the astonished judgment of the observers.
MJ4-007 AT A GLANCE
The survivors discover the name of the island.
The islanders welcome the shipwreck survivors.
A fire is kindled because of the rain and cold.
Paul gathers sticks and places them on the fire.
A viper comes from the heat and fastens onto Paul's hand.
The islanders assume Paul must be a murderer.
Paul shakes the creature into the fire and remains unharmed.
After watching for a long time, the observers change their minds.
THE HEART OF THE EXHIBIT
Paul has survived the storm, the destruction of the ship, and now the sudden strike of a viper.
The destination God announced has not changed: Paul must still reach Rome.
The danger on Malta does not cancel the promise spoken at sea. Paul's journey continues toward the purpose God has already declared.
BEFORE YOU CONTINUE...
The viper is not the end of Paul's ministry on the island.
Nearby are the lands of Publius, the leading citizen of Malta. His father is sick, and Paul is about to enter the house.
CONTINUE THE JOURNEY TO ROME
You have completed Exhibit MJ4-007 — Malta: The Viper.
CARRY THE WORD WITH YOU
“But he shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm.”
Acts 28:5, NKJV