Acts 28

(1)  And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita.
(2)  And the barbarous people shewed us no little kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold.
(3)  And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand.
(4)  And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live.
(5)  And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.
(6)  Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.
(7)  In the same quarters were possessions of the chief man of the island, whose name was Publius; who received us, and lodged us three days courteously.
(8)  And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of a bloody flux: to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him.
(9)  So when this was done, others also, which had diseases in the island, came, and were healed:
(10)  Who also honoured us with many honours; and when we departed, they laded us with such things as were necessary.
(11)  And after three months we departed in a ship of Alexandria, which had wintered in the isle, whose sign was Castor and Pollux.
(12)  And landing at Syracuse, we tarried there three days.
(13)  And from thence we fetched a compass, and came to Rhegium: and after one day the south wind blew, and we came the next day to Puteoli:
(14)  Where we found brethren, and were desired to tarry with them seven days: and so we went toward Rome.
(15)  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.
(16)  And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard: but Paul was suffered to dwell by himself with a soldier that kept him.
(17)  And it came to pass, that after three days Paul called the chief of the Jews together: and when they were come together, he said unto them, Men and brethren, though I have committed nothing against the people, or customs of our fathers, yet was I delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.
(18)  Who, when they had examined me, would have let me go, because there was no cause of death in me.
(19)  But when the Jews spake against it, I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar; not that I had ought to accuse my nation of.
(20)  For this cause therefore have I called for you, to see you, and to speak with you: because that for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.
(21)  And they said unto him, We neither received letters out of Judaea concerning thee, neither any of the brethren that came shewed or spake any harm of thee.
(22)  But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, we know that every where it is spoken against.
(23)  And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening.
(24)  And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not.
(25)  And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers,
(26)  Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive:
(27)  For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
(28)  Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.
(29)  And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great reasoning among themselves.
(30)  And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him,
(31)  Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.

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1. What is the modern name for the island where Paul was shipwrecked? How large is this island? Verse 1.

2. In what way were the islanders “barbarous”? Why were they showing kindness to the strangers? Verse 2.

3. What caused the snake to come out of the sticks? Verse 3.

4. What opinion did the islanders form of Paul when the viper was hanging on his hand? Verse 4.

5. What led them to think Paul was a murderer? When Paul suffered no ill effects from the bite, what conclusion did they reach? Verses 5-6.

6. Who was the “chief man” of the island and what was unusual about his hospitality? Verse 7.

7. What was wrong with Publius’ father? Verse 8.

8. How did Paul repay the islanders for their kindness and open a door for the gospel? Verse 9.

9. How did it happen that the strangers came with nothing but left with all necessities? Verse 10.

10. How long were they on the island and how did they happen to find a ship to Rome? Verse 11.

11. Where is Syracuse, and why did they stay there three days? Verse 12.

12. Where is Rhegium? Why was it necessary to wait there for a south wind? Verse 13.

13. Why did Paul and company stay at Puteoli for seven days? Verse 14.

14. How was the rest of the journey (approximately 150 miles) made? Where did the brethren from Rome meet Paul? Verse 15.

15. Why is Paul, a prisoner, allowed to dwell in his own house with only a single guard? Verse 16.

16. Why do you think Paul called the Jews together to tell the story of his imprisonment? Verses 17-20.

17. What was the attitude of the Jewish rulers? What did they know about the church? Verses 21-22.

18. When the Jews came to Paul’s lodging to hear him, what do you think his main theme was? Verse 23.

19. What was the result of Paul’s teaching? Verse 24.

20. What passage from the Old Testament did Paul quote and apply before the Jews left? What does it mean? Verses 25-27.

21. What note of warning did Paul give the Jews concerning who will really listen? Verse 28.

22. How, do you suppose, Luke knew what went on when the Jews left? Verse 29.

23. Although still a prisoner, what activities could Paul engage in at Rome? Verses 30-31.

24. Is there any indication that you know of that Paul was released at the end of the two years?