Acts 28:1

¶ And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita.

And {G2532} when they were escaped {G1295}, then {G5119} they knew {G1921} that {G3754} the island {G3520} was called {G2564} Melita {G3194}.

After our escape, we learned that the island was called Malta.

Once we were safely ashore, we learned that the island was called Malta.

And when we were escaped, then we knew that the island was called Melita.

Acts 28:1 marks a pivotal moment in the Apostle Paul's journey to Rome, signaling the end of a harrowing sea voyage and the beginning of an unexpected stay on an island.

Context

This verse immediately follows the dramatic and perilous shipwreck described in Acts chapter 27. Paul, a prisoner being transported to Rome, along with nearly 276 others, had endured a ferocious storm that lasted for many days. Despite the ship being utterly destroyed, all on board miraculously survived by clinging to planks and pieces of the ship. Acts 28:1 signifies their safe arrival on land, revealing the name of their unexpected refuge: Melita.

Key Themes

  • Divine Preservation: The most prominent theme is God's unwavering faithfulness and protection. After weeks of life-threatening conditions, everyone survived, demonstrating God's promise to Paul that no lives would be lost.
  • Deliverance and Relief: The verse captures the immediate aftermath of a major crisis, highlighting the relief and gratitude of those who had escaped death.
  • New Beginnings: Arriving on Melita wasn't part of the original plan, but it became a new chapter where Paul would continue to bear witness to Christ, even as a prisoner.
  • Discovery and Adaptation: The survivors, initially disoriented, quickly learned their location, setting the stage for interaction with the island's inhabitants, as detailed in Acts 28:2.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "when they were escaped" comes from the Greek word diasozo (διασῴζω), which means "to save through" or "to bring safely through." It emphasizes a complete and successful deliverance from danger, reinforcing the miraculous nature of their survival. The island "Melita" is universally identified by scholars as modern-day Malta, located south of Sicily in the Mediterranean Sea.

Practical Application

Acts 28:1 offers a powerful reminder that even after enduring the most severe trials and challenges, God often brings us to a place of safety and unexpected opportunity. It encourages believers to:

  • Trust in God's Providence: Recognize that God is at work even in chaotic circumstances, guiding us to our next destination, whether planned or unplanned.
  • Embrace New Environments: Be open to the new people and experiences God brings into our lives, as these unexpected detours can become significant chapters for ministry and personal growth.
  • Find Peace After Storms: Understand that deliverance often comes with a period of recovery and reorientation, where God's hand is still evident, providing comfort and clarity.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Acts 27:26

    Howbeit we must be cast upon a certain island.

  • Acts 27:44

    And the rest, some on boards, and some on [broken pieces] of the ship. And so it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land.

  • Acts 27:39

    And when it was day, they knew not the land: but they discovered a certain creek with a shore, into the which they were minded, if it were possible, to thrust in the ship.

  • Acts 16:10

    And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.

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