Acts 28:1-16 BSB

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 28:5

Verse 5− 5.Shaking off the viper. The shaking off of the viper is a token of a quiet mind. For we see how greatly fear doth trouble and weaken men; and yet you must not think that Paul was altogether void of fear. For faith doth not make us blockish, as brain-sick men do imagine, when they be out of danger. − (659) But though faith doth not quite take away the feeling of evils, yet it doth temperate the same, lest the godly be more afraid than is meet; that they may always be bold and have a... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 28:6

Verse 6− 6.Changing their minds, they said. This so wonderful and sudden a change ought to have inwardly touched the men of Melita, and to have moved them to give the glory to the mercy of God, as they did before to vengeance. But as man’s reason is always carried amiss unto extremities, they make Paul at a sudden a god, whom they took before to be a wicked murderer. But if he could not choose but be the one, it had been better for him to be counted a murderer than a god. And surely Paul would... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 28:7

Verse 7− 7.And in those places. Because this name, Publius, is a Roman name, I suspect that this man, of whom mention is made, was rather a citizen of Rome than born in the isle. For the Grecians and other strangers were not wont to borrow their names of the Latins unless they were men of small reputation. And it may be that some of the noble men of Rome came then to see his possessions, and is called the chief man of the isle, not because he dwelt there, but because no man could compare with... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 28:8

Verse 8− 8.And had laid his hands upon him Paul declareth by prayer that he himself is not the author of the miracle, but only the minister, lest God be defrauded of his glory. He confirmeth this self-same thing by the external sign. For, as we saw before, in other places, the laying on of hands was nothing else but a solemn rite of offering and presenting. Wherefore, in that Paul doth offer the man to God with his own hands, he professed that he did humbly crave his life of him. By which... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 28:11

Verse 11− 11.In a ship of Alexandria. By these words, Luke giveth us to understand, that the former ship was either drowned, or else so rent and beaten, that it served for no use afterward; whereby the greatness of the shipwreck doth the better appear. And he setteth down expressly that the badge of the ship of Alexandria, wherein they were carried to Rome, was Castor and Pollux, that we may know that Paul had not liberty granted to sail with such as were like to himself; but was enforced to... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 28:12

Verse 12− 12.When we were come to Syracuse. Luke prosecuteth the residue of the course of their sailing, that they arrived first in Sicilia. And after that they set a compass − (668) by reason of the tempest and raging of the sea, and sailed over into Italy. And as that haven whereof Luke speaketh in this place is the most famous haven of all Sicilia, so is it farther from the coast of Italy than is that of Messina, over against which is Rhegium, whereof he maketh mention. And it is in the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 28:15

Verse 15− 15.When the brethren heard. God did comfort Paul by the coming of the brethren who came forth to meet him, that he might the more joyfully make haste to defend the gospel. And the zeal and godly care of the brethren appeareth therein, in that they inquire for Paul’s coming, and go out to meet him. For it was at that time not only an odious thing to profess the Christian faith, but it might also bring them in hazard of their life. Neither did a few men only put themselves in private... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 28:16

Verse 16− 16.The centurion delivered the prisoners. Luke doth signify that Paul had more liberty granted him than the rest; for his condition and estate was peculiar. For he was suffered to dwell in an house by himself, having one keeper with him, whereas the rest were shut up in the common prison. For the general captain − (670) knew by Festus’ report that Paul was guiltless; and the centurion, as it is likely, did faithfully rehearse such things as might serve to bring him into favor.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 28:1

We for they, A.V. and T.R. (twice). Was called . It reads as if it was the answer to their question to the natives, "What is this island called?" Melita . That Melita is the island of Malta, and not Meleda off the coast of Dalmatia, is demonstrated in Smith's ' Voyage and Shipwreck of St. Paul,' and it is not worth while here to consider the arguments in favor of Meleda. Melita appears to be a Phoenician name, from the root in Hebrew טלַםָ , to escape (Bochart, 'Canaan,' ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 28:1-6

The instability of ignorance, and the stability of the true Christian. The whole circumstance an apt illustration of the spiritual forces working in the midst of the natural. The shipwrecked company. Paul active in helping. The barbarians better than those who abused Divine blessings like the Jews, who violated Divine order like the Romans; but, though actuated by kindness, easily led away by superstition and ignorant prejudice. I. THE INSUFFICIENCY OF NATURAL INSTINCTS . ... read more

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 28:5

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 28:6

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 28:7

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 28:8

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 28:11

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 28:12

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 28:15

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 28:16

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 28:1

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 28:1-6

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