The Way
The Hand That Shook Off a Viper
A viper dropped into the fire
Story
Once they were on land, they learned that the island was called Malta. It was raining and cold, but the islanders showed them unusual kindness. They built a fire and welcomed them all. Paul gathered a bundle of sticks and put them on the fire. A viper, driven out by the heat, came out and fastened itself on Paul's hand.
The islanders said to one another, “This man must be a murderer. He escaped from the sea, but Justice will not let him live.” Paul shook the creature off into the fire and suffered no harm. The people waited a long time, expecting him to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. When nothing happened to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god.
Nearby was an estate belonging to Publius, the chief official of the island. Publius welcomed them and treated them kindly for three days. Publius's father was lying sick with fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him, prayed, laid his hands on him, and healed him. After this, the other sick people on the island came and were healed. The islanders honored them in many ways, and when they sailed, they put on board the things they needed.
Walk this scene on the map →Words of the Lord and of Paul
This man must be a murderer. He escaped from the sea, but Justice will not let him live.
Paul shook the creature off into the fire and suffered no harm.
The sayings are fresh renderings of the original meaning in today's language. Text: Acts 28:1–10
Background
Melita is today's Malta, a small island south of Sicily. The title “chief official of the island,” given to Publius, also appears on an old inscription found on Malta. A bay on the northeast of the island has long been remembered as the place where Paul came ashore.
Pause and Reflect
Does my heart rise and fall every time people's opinion of me changes?