Verses 4-6
"These people thought that calamity was proof of guilt, poor philosophy and worse theology." [Note: Robertson, 3:479.]
People had mistaken Paul for a god previously (Acts 14:8-18). Perhaps his reaction here was the same as it had been at Lystra. Probably he used the opportunity to preach the gospel. Luke’s purpose in recording this incident was probably not to supply a background for what Paul said. It was to show that God would even miraculously heal His servant to enable him to fulfill God’s purpose that he bear witness in Rome (cf Acts 23:11; Acts 27:24).
"Paul did not deliberately pick up this viper. Paul was not tempting God. . . .
"The promise of God in Mark 16:18 [and Luke 10:19] was fulfilled in Paul’s experience. He suffered no ill effects from the venom. When folk today deliberately pick up snakes and claim that promise as their protection, they are far afield from what God had in mind." [Note: McGee, 4:635, 636.]
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