Acts 28:1-16

Whedon's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 28:3

3. Paul had gathered The prisoners, safe on an island from which they could not escape, were probably not yet chained again. A viper The viper is the only viviparous species of serpent, and very venomous. There are no vipers at the present day in Malta. On that island, as in our own country, the increased density of a civilized population exterminates venomous reptiles. Out of the heat The viper stiffens with a small degree of cold, and recovers his activity with warmth. Supposing himself... read more

Daniel Whedon

Whedon's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 28:4

4. Beast Animal. The Greek word is applied to any noxious animal, quadruped, or reptile. Vengeance The remarkable Greek term here is Δικη , Dike, Justice, or Retribution. If it does not imply Justice to be a goddess, it certainly constitutes a strong personification. Homer is quoted by Kuinoel as saving, “Wise men of old said that Retribution is the co-assessor of Jove;” and Hesiod, “A virgin is Dike, born from Zeus.” And here Paul found a striking illustration of his own doctrine, “The... read more

Daniel Whedon

Whedon's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 28:6

6. Swollen… dead suddenly The two stages of dissolution from the bite of the viper are: First, a highly inflamed swelling beginning at the bitten place, and then a rapid death. The pain is exquisite, especially when the patient is touched. Lucian, the satirist, says of the viper, “His bite is violent, his venom thick, quickly bringing on agonies, for it burns and rots and swells, and the victim screams as if burned in fire.” The Scythians dipped their weapons in vipers’ venom, and, says... read more

Daniel Whedon

Whedon's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 28:7

7. Possessions Landed estates. Chief man A πρωτος , a Primus, Primate or first man. Two ancient coins have been discovered at Civita Vecchia on which the very phrase “First and patron of the Miletans” is inscribed. This remarkable fact is quoted as illustrating Luke’s accuracy in designating the title of the governor of this obscure island. But it appears, in fact, that the term primus, or first, did not designate the title of the governor, but something still more peculiar. It... read more

Daniel Whedon

Whedon's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 28:8

8. Fever… bloody flux Dysentery with paroxysms of fever, diseases, as attested by modern physicians, prevailing in Malta at the present day. Passages like this and Acts 12:23; Acts 13:11; and Luke 22:44, are quoted as illustrating Luke’s exactness as a physician. Dr. Hackett thinks them so quoted with reason. “No other writer of the New Testament exhibits this sort of technical precision in speaking of diseases.” Of this rude isle Paul must have retained pleasant recollections. It is... read more

Daniel Whedon

Whedon's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 28:11

Paul’s Journey to Rome , Acts 28:11-16 . 11. It was about the beginning of February in the year 61 that, after a three months’ wintering in Malta, Julius embarked for Rome. Ship of Alexandria Malta was in the direct line of the great corn commerce from Alexandria to Puteoli and Rome. This ship, detained probably at Valetta, like Paul’s ship from Alexandria, was more fortunate in escaping shipwreck, though arrested in its career by winter. When the spring of this southern clime... read more

Daniel Whedon

Whedon's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 28:12

12. Syracuse A trip of a hundred miles. This celebrated city was situated on a broad promontory on the eastern coast of Sicily. Three days Probably for the purpose of trade, for the present ship still bore its corn freight from Egypt. read more

Daniel Whedon

Whedon's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 28:13

13. A compass A curve in the ship’s course. According to Mr. Lewin the wind was from the west; but Mount Etna obstructing the breeze left them becalmed, and obliged them to make an outward circuit in order to fill their sails. Rhegium Here, as the north wind blowing down through the strait made navigation impossible, they were detained for one day, after which the favourable south wind blew, and the next day, after a sail of one hundred and eighty-two miles, they arrived at Puteoli.... read more

Daniel Whedon

Whedon's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 28:14

14. Found brethren Jews were plenty at Puteoli, as a commercial town, and Christians were not wanting. It is a proof of Julius’ high regard for Paul that he delayed an entire week in deference to the wishes of his Christian friends. The week suggests that it was the wish of the Christian Church at Puteoli that Paul should pass a Sabbath with them that his preaching might be heard by a general gathering of a widespread brotherhood. By the delay, as intimated in the verse following,... read more

Daniel Whedon

Whedon's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 28:15

15. Brethren heard of us To the Church at Rome, Paul had three years previous addressed the greatest of his epistles. To all appearance it was eminently a Pauline Church. They heard the sudden news that the apostle of the Gentiles, adorned with fetters gloriously earned in the cause of the blessed Jesus, was on his way within a hundred miles or more of Rome, we might well anticipate, with rare delight. Appii Forum About forty miles from Rome. Leaving Capua, on arriving at the celebrated... read more

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