Bible Commentaries

Then we knew (τοτε επεγνωμεν). Second aorist (ingressive) active indicative of επιγινωσκω. Then we recognized. See Acts 27:39. Was called (καλειτα). Present passive indicative retained in indirect discourse. Melita (Μελιτη). Not Μιλετενη as only B reads, a clerical error, but retained in the text of Westcott and Hort because of B. Page notes that the island was Malta as is shown from the name, the location, the presence of a ship from Alexandria bound for Rome wintering there (verse Acts 28:11), and the mention of Syracuse as the next stop after leaving (verse Acts 28:12).

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The barbarians (ο βαρβαρο). The Greeks called all men "barbarians" who did not speak Greek (Romans 1:14), not "barbarians" in our sense of rude and uncivilized, but simply "foreign folk." Diodorus Siculus (V. 12) says that it was a colony of the Phoenicians and so their language was Punic (Page). The word originally meant an uncouth repetition (βαρβαρ) not understood by others (1 Corinthians 14:11). In Colossians 3:11 Paul couples it with Scythian as certainly not Christian. These are (with verse Acts 28:4 below) the only N.T. instances. Showed us (παρειχαν). Imperfect active of παρεχω with -αν instead of -ον as ειχαν in Mark 8:7 (Robertson, Grammar, p. 339). It was their habit on this occasion, Luke means, they kept on showing. No common kindness (ου την τυχουσαν φιλανθρωπιαν). The old word φιλανθρωπια (φιλος, ανθρωπος), love of mankind, occurs in the N.T. only here and Titus 3:4 (adverb in Acts 27:3). See on Acts 19:11 for this use of ου την τυχουσαν, "not the kindness that happens every day." They were not "wreckers" to take advantage of the calamity. They kindled a fire (αψαντες πυραν). The only N.T. example and verse Acts 28:3 of the old word πυρα (from πυρ, fire), a pile of burning fuel (sticks). First aorist active participle of απτω, to set fire to, to kindle. Cf. αναπτω in Luke 12:49. Received us all (προσελαβοντο παντας ημας). Second aorist middle (indirect indicative of προσλαμβανω. They took us all to themselves (cf. Acts 18:26). The present (τον εφεστωτα). Second perfect active participle (intransitive) of εφιστημ, "the rain that stood upon them" (the pouring rain). Only in Luke and Paul in N.T.

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When Paul had gathered (συστρεψαντος του Παυλου). Genitive absolute with first aorist active participle of συστρεφω, old verb to twist or turn together or roll into a bundle. In N.T. only here and Matthew 17:22. A bundle of sticks (φρυγανων τ πληθος). "Some multitude (or pile) of dry twigs" (φρυγανων from φρυγω or φρυσσω, to dry. Only here in N.T.). Laid (επιθεντος). So genitive absolute again with second aorist active participle of επιτιθημ, to place upon. Few things show Paul to better advantage than this incident. By reason of the heat (απο της θερμης). Old word, only here in N.T. Ablative case with απο (from the heat). The viper was in a state of torpor in the bundle of sticks. The heat wakened him. A viper (εχιδνα). The old word used by the Baptist of the Pharisees (Matthew 3:7; Luke 3:7) and by Jesus also (Matthew 12:34; Matthew 23:33). It is objected that there is little wood in the island today and no vipers, though Lewin as late as 1853 believes that he saw a viper near St. Paul's Bay. But the island now has 1,200 people to the square mile and snakes of any kind have a poor chance. The viper has also disappeared from Arran as the island became more frequented (Knowling). Ramsay thinks that the small constrictor (Coronella Austriaca) which still exists in the island may be the "viper," though it has no poison fangs, but clings and bites. The natives thought that it was a poisonous viper. Fastened on his hand (καθηψε της χειρος αυτου). First aorist active indicative of καθαπτω, to fasten down on with the genitive case. Old verb, here only in N.T. Cf. Mark 16:18.

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The beast (το θηριον). Diminutive of θηρ and so little beast. See on Mark 1:13. Aristotle and the medical writers apply the word to venomous serpents, the viper in particular (Knowling), as Luke does here. Vincent calls attention to the curious history of our word "treacle" for molasses (Latin theriaca) from θηριακη, an antidote made from the flesh of vipers. Coverdale translates Jeremiah 8:22: "There is no more treacle in Gilead." Jeremy Taylor: "We kill the viper and make treacle of him." Hanging from his hand (κρεμαμενον εκ της χειρος αυτου). Vivid picture of the snake dangling from Paul's hand. Present middle participle of κρεμαμα, late form for κρεμαννυμ, to hang up, to suspend (cf. Galatians 3:13). No doubt (παντως). Literally, By all means, old adverb. Cf. Acts 21:22; Luke 4:23; 1 Corinthians 9:22. Only by Luke and Paul in the N.T. "They knew that he was a prisoner being taken to Rome on some grave charge, and inferred that the charge was murder" (Page). Though he hath escaped (διασωθεντα). First aorist passive participle of διασωζω (same verb used in Acts 24:43; Acts 24:44; Acts 28:1), so-called concessive use of the participle (Robertson, Grammar, p. 1129). Yet Justice (δικη). An abstraction personified like the Latin Justitia (Page). The natives speak of Δικη as a goddess, but we know nothing of such actual worship in Malta, though the Greeks worshipped abstractions as in Athens. Hath not suffered (ουκ ειασεν). Did not suffer. They look on Paul as a doomed man as good as dead. These people thought that calamity was proof of guilt, poor philosophy and worse theology.

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Shook off (αποτιναξας). First aorist active participle of αποτινασσω, to shake off. Rare word (Euripides, Galen, LXX). In N.T. only here and Luke 9:5.

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But they expected (ο δε προσεδοκων). Imperfect active, were expecting, continued to expect. That he would have swollen (αυτον μελλειν πιμπρασθα). More exactly, "Expecting him to be about (or that he was about) to swell up." Πιμπρασθα is present middle infinitive from πιμπρημ, to blow, to burn, to inflame, to cause to swell. Πρηθω, to swell, seems connected and both use the aorist επρησα. Our word "inflammation" likewise means a burning and a swelling. This verb is a common medical term used as Luke has it. It occurs here only in N.T. Or fallen down dead suddenly (η καταπιπτειν αφνω νεκρον). Rather, "or was about to fall down dead suddenly." The two common results of a bite by a viper or other poisonous snake, both medical terms used by Luke. But when they were long in expectation (επ πολυ δε αυτων προσδοκωντων). Genitive absolute. "But while they were expecting for much time." Nothing amiss come to him (μηδεν ατοπον εις αυτον γινομενον). "Nothing out of place coming to him" (present middle participle). Μηδεν the usual negative of the participle and the accusative case the object of θεωρουντων (genitive absolute). Changed their minds (μεταβαλομενο). Aorist middle (direct) participle of μεταβαλλω, old verb to turn about or around, turning themselves about, changing their minds. Plato uses this very verb in middle voice for changing the mind. That he was a god (αυτον εινα θεον). Accusative and infinitive in indirect discourse. At Lystra Paul was first received as a god (Mercury) and then they stoned him to kill him (Acts 14:11; Acts 14:19). So fickle is popular favour.

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To the chief man of the island (τω πρωτω της νησου). An official title correct in Malta (Ramsay, St. Paul, p. 343). An inscription in Malta calls Prudens "Primate of the Maltese" (πρωτος Μελιταιων). Here it is plainly a title and not the common use seen in Acts 13:50; Acts 25:2; Acts 28:17. Publius (Ποπλιω). This Greek name (πραενομεν) can be derived either from Ποπιλιυς or Πυβλιυς (cf. πυβλιχυς for ποπυλιχυς from ποπυλυς). Entertained us (εξενισεν ημας). Paul and his companions (Luke and Aristarchus). Was Julius included? On ξενιζω see Acts 10:23. Courteously (φιλοφρονως). This old adverb from φιλοφρων (φιλοσ, φρεν, friendly mind) occurs here alone in the N.T. In a kindly or friendly manner, all the more so because of the original suspicion of Paul as a criminal.

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Lay (κατακεισθα). Common verb for the sick (Mark 1:30; John 5:6). Sick (συνεχομενον). "Held together." Common verb again for the sick as in Luke 4:38. Of fever (πυρετοις). Instrumental case, and plural "fevers," medical term for intermittent attacks of fever (Demosthenes, Lucian, medical writers). Dysentery (δυσεντεριω). Instrumental case also. Late form of the older δυσεντερια and only here in N.T. Our very word dysentery. Another medical term of which Luke uses so many. Hippocrates often mentions these two diseases together. Laying his hands on him healed him (επιθεις τας χειρας αυτω ιασατο αυτον). Either like the laying on of hands in James 5:14, the gift of healing (1 Corinthians 12:9), or the tender interest of Jesus when he took hold of the hand of Peter's mother-in-law (Mark 1:31). Ramsay argues that ιαομα is employed here of the miraculous healing by Paul while θεραπευω is used of the cures by Luke the physician (verse Acts 28:9). This is a general distinction and it is probably observed here, but in Luke 6:18 (which see) both verbs are employed of the healings by Jesus. Came and were healed (προσηρχοντο κα εθεραπευοντο). Imperfect middle and imperfect passive. A regular stream of patients came during these months. Luke had his share in the honours, "us" (ημας), and no doubt his share in the cures. With many honours (πολλαις τιμαις). Instrumental case. The word was often applied to payment for professional services as we today speak of an honorarium. They put on board (επεθεντο). Second aorist middle indicative of επιτιθημ, to put on. The idea of "on board" is merely suggested by αναγομενοις (when we sailed) "the things for our needs" (τα προς τας χρειας).

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