JOURNEY TO ROME
The people of Malta have already witnessed Paul survive the viper. Now the story moves from the fire to the home of Publius, the leading citizen of the island.
His father lies sick with fever and dysentery. Paul enters, prays, lays his hands on him, and the man is healed.
“Paul went in to him and prayed, and he laid his hands on him and healed him.” — Acts 28:8, NKJV
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Journey to Rome Permanent Collection
Acts 28:7–10
Biblical Significance: What began as a shipwreck becomes an unexpected season of ministry. Paul prays for the father of Publius and he is healed. After this, others on the island who have diseases also come and are healed.
THE ESTATE OF PUBLIUS
Near the place where the survivors came ashore are lands belonging to Publius, described by Luke as the leading citizen of the island.
“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.”
Acts 28:7, NKJV
A SICK FATHER
Inside the household of the man who has welcomed them, there is suffering.
Publius's father is lying sick with fever and dysentery.
“And it happened that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and dysentery.”
Acts 28:8, NKJV
PAUL ENTERS
Luke describes Paul's response simply and directly: he goes into the sick man, prays, and lays his hands on him.
“Paul went in to him and prayed, and he laid his hands on him and healed him.”
Acts 28:8, NKJV
THE NEWS SPREADS
The healing of Publius's father does not remain an isolated event.
Others on the island who are sick begin coming to Paul.
“So when this was done, the rest of those on the island who had diseases also came and were healed.”
Acts 28:9, NKJV
FROM SHIPWRECK TO MINISTRY
Paul did not arrive on Malta by choosing it as a missionary destination. He arrived because the ship was destroyed.
Yet the unexpected island becomes a place where people receive kindness, witness God's protection, and experience healing.
THE ISLAND RESPONDS
The relationship between the travelers and the people of Malta changes dramatically during their stay.
“They also honored us in many ways; and when we departed, they provided such things as were necessary.”
Acts 28:10, NKJV
MJ4-008 AT A GLANCE
The leading citizen of the island receives the travelers.
They are courteously entertained for three days.
Publius's father lies sick with fever and dysentery.
Paul enters the room and prays for him.
Paul lays his hands on the sick man.
The father of Publius is healed.
Others on Malta with diseases also come and are healed.
Before departure, the islanders provide what the travelers need.
THE HEART OF THE EXHIBIT
The storm seemed to interrupt the journey to Rome. Instead, Malta became part of the story.
An unexpected landing did not place Paul outside God's purpose. Even on the island where the broken ship deposited him, there were people to serve and lives to touch.
BEFORE YOU CONTINUE...
The survivors remain on Malta through the winter. Then, after three months, another ship is ready to sail.
Rome is still ahead.
CONTINUE THE JOURNEY TO ROME
You have completed Exhibit MJ4-008 — Malta: Healings on the Island.
CARRY THE WORD WITH YOU
“So when this was done, the rest of those on the island who had diseases also came and were healed.”
Acts 28:9, NKJV