Acts 28:3

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid [them] on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Sha’ul had gathered a bundle of sticks and was adding them to the fire, when a poisonous snake, driven out by the heat, fastened itself to his hand.

Berean Standard Bible:

Paul gathered a bundle of sticks, and as he laid them on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself to his hand.

American Standard Version:

But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out by reason of the heat, and fastened on his hand.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And^{G1161} when Paul^{G3972} had gathered^{G4962} a bundle^{G4128} of sticks^{G5434}, and^{G2532} laid^{G2007} them on^{G1909} the fire^{G4443}, there came^{G1831} a viper^{G2191} out of^{G1537} the heat^{G2329}, and fastened on^{G2510} his^{G846} hand^{G5495}.

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Commentary for Acts 28:3

Acts 28:3 is a verse that captures a moment during the Apostle Paul's journey to Rome, where he was taken as a prisoner to stand trial before Caesar. The broader historical context is the early spread of Christianity and the challenges faced by its proponents, including imprisonment and shipwrecks, as depicted in the Acts of the Apostles.

In this particular scene, Paul and his companions have been shipwrecked on the island of Malta (also known as Melita), located in the central Mediterranean. While gathering wood to build a fire, a venomous viper, attracted by the heat, latches onto Paul's hand. This event occurs after the islanders have shown unexpected kindness to the shipwrecked party, building a fire to warm them.

The themes present in this verse include divine protection and the continuation of God's providence over Paul's missionary journey, despite his captivity. The incident also serves as a test of faith for onlookers, as the viper's bite, which would typically be life-threatening, does not harm Paul. This act is perceived by the islanders as a sign of divine favor, furthering the theme of the miraculous validation of the Christian message. The verse reflects the New Testament's broader narrative of the early church overcoming obstacles and demonstrating God's power through the apostles, which in turn contributes to the growth and spread of Christianity.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G1161
   There are 2556 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: δέ
   Transliteration: dé
   Pronunciation: deh
   Description: a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).
   
2. Strong's Number: G3972
   There are 160 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: Παῦλος
   Transliteration: Paûlos
   Pronunciation: pow'-los
   Description: of Latin origin; (little; but remotely from a derivative of παύω, meaning the same); Paulus, the name of a Roman and of an apostle:--Paul, Paulus.
   
3. Strong's Number: G4962
   There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: συστρέφω
   Transliteration: systréphō
   Pronunciation: soos-tref'-o
   Description: from σύν and στρέφω; to twist together, i.e. collect (a bundle, a crowd):--gather.
   
4. Strong's Number: G4128
   There are 32 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: πλῆθος
   Transliteration: plēthos
   Pronunciation: play'-thos
   Description: from πλήθω; a fulness, i.e. a large number, throng, populace:--bundle, company, multitude.
   
5. Strong's Number: G5434
   There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: φρύγανον
   Transliteration: phrýganon
   Pronunciation: froo'-gan-on
   Description: neuter of a presumed derivative of (to roast or parch; akin to the base of φλόξ); something desiccated, i.e. a dry twig:--stick.
   
6. Strong's Number: G2532
   There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: καί
   Transliteration: kaí
   Pronunciation: kahee
   Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
   
7. Strong's Number: G2007
   There are 41 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐπιτίθημι
   Transliteration: epitíthēmi
   Pronunciation: ep-ee-tith'-ay-mee
   Description: from ἐπί and τίθημι; to impose (in a friendly or hostile sense):--add unto, lade, lay upon, put (up) on, set on (up), + surname, X wound.
   
8. Strong's Number: G1909
   There are 790 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐπί
   Transliteration: epí
   Pronunciation: ep-ee'
   Description: a primary preposition; properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e. over, upon, etc.; of rest (with the dative case) at, on, etc.; of direction (with the accusative case) towards, upon, etc.:--about (the times), above, after, against, among, as long as (touching), at, beside, X have charge of, (be-, (where-))fore, in (a place, as much as, the time of, -to), (because) of, (up-)on (behalf of), over, (by, for) the space of, through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), with. In compounds it retains essentially the same import, at, upon, etc. (literally or figuratively).
   
9. Strong's Number: G4443
   There are 2 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: πυρά
   Transliteration: pyrá
   Pronunciation: poo-rah'
   Description: from πῦρ; a fire (concretely):--fire.
   
10. Strong's Number: G1831
    There are 216 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἐξέρχομαι
    Transliteration: exérchomai
    Pronunciation: ex-er'-khom-ahee
    Description: from ἐκ and ἔρχομαι; to issue (literally or figuratively):--come (forth, out), depart (out of), escape, get out, go (abroad, away, forth, out, thence), proceed (forth), spread abroad.
    
11. Strong's Number: G2191
    There are 5 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἔχιδνα
    Transliteration: échidna
    Pronunciation: ekh'-id-nah
    Description: of uncertain origin; an adder or other poisonous snake (literally or figuratively):--viper.
    
12. Strong's Number: G1537
    There are 761 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἐκ
    Transliteration: ek
    Pronunciation: ex
    Description: a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause; literal or figurative; direct or remote):--after, among, X are, at, betwixt(-yond), by (the means of), exceedingly, (+ abundantly above), for(- th), from (among, forth, up), + grudgingly, + heartily, X heavenly, X hereby, + very highly, in, …ly, (because, by reason) of, off (from), on, out among (from, of), over, since, X thenceforth, through, X unto, X vehemently, with(-out). Often used in composition, with the same general import; often of completion.
    
13. Strong's Number: G2329
    There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: θέρμη
    Transliteration: thérmē
    Pronunciation: ther'-may
    Description: from the base of θέρος; warmth:--heat.
    
14. Strong's Number: G2510
    There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: καθάπτω
    Transliteration: katháptō
    Pronunciation: kath-ap'-to
    Description: from κατά and ἅπτομαι; to seize upon:--fasten on.
    
15. Strong's Number: G846
    There are 3776 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: αὐτός
    Transliteration: autós
    Pronunciation: ow-tos'
    Description: from the particle (perhaps akin to the base of ἀήρ through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative ἑαυτοῦ) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare αὑτοῦ.
    
16. Strong's Number: G5495
    There are 171 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: χείρ
    Transliteration: cheír
    Pronunciation: khire
    Description: perhaps from the base of χειμών in the sense of its congener the base of χάσμα (through the idea of hollowness for grasping); the hand (literally or figuratively (power); especially (by Hebraism) a means or instrument):--hand.