Acts 28:3

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.

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}.

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.

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.

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.

Acts 28:3 describes a pivotal moment in the Apostle Paul's journey to Rome, immediately following a miraculous shipwreck. This verse highlights an unexpected danger and sets the stage for further demonstrations of God's power through Paul.

Context

Having survived a furious storm and a devastating shipwreck near the island of Melita (modern Malta), Paul and his companions found themselves cold and in need of warmth. The hospitable islanders had kindled a fire. Paul, not one to stand idly by, was actively participating in gathering firewood. This shows his practical nature and willingness to serve, even as a prisoner and an apostle. The incident occurs shortly after God had miraculously preserved his life and the lives of all on board the ship, signaling that God's plan for Paul's ministry was far from over.

Key Themes

  • Unexpected Adversity: Even after a great deliverance, new dangers can arise. Paul had just escaped the perils of the sea, only to face a venomous creature on land. This illustrates that life's trials can come in various forms, often when least expected.
  • Divine Protection: The viper's attack, while alarming, ultimately served to highlight God's protective hand over Paul. This event foreshadows the miraculous outcome in Acts 28:5-6, where Paul shakes off the creature without harm, fulfilling promises of divine protection given to believers (Mark 16:18).
  • Paul's Character: The verse subtly reveals Paul's humility and diligence. A great apostle and prisoner of Rome, he was nevertheless engaged in the humble task of gathering sticks, demonstrating his willingness to serve and participate in the community's immediate needs.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "viper" is echidna (ἔχιδνα), which refers to a poisonous snake. The description "came out of the heat" suggests that the cold had made the snake sluggish, and the warmth of the fire roused it to activity, making it aggressive and prone to strike. The phrase "fastened on his hand" implies the snake coiled around or held onto Paul's hand, rather than just delivering a quick bite, making the situation appear even more perilous.

Practical Application

Acts 28:3 reminds us that God's providence is active even in the mundane and challenging moments of life. Just as Paul faced a viper after surviving a shipwreck, believers today may encounter new difficulties even after experiencing God's deliverance from prior struggles. This verse encourages us to trust in God's continued protection and purpose, knowing that He can turn even dangerous situations into opportunities to display His power and further His kingdom, as Paul's subsequent healing ministry on Malta profoundly demonstrated (Acts 28:8-9).

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.

  • Matthew 23:33

    [Ye] serpents, [ye] generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?

  • Matthew 12:34

    O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.

  • 2 Corinthians 11:23

    Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I [am] more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.

  • Acts 28:4

    And when the barbarians saw the [venomous] beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live.

  • 2 Corinthians 6:9

    As unknown, and [yet] well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed;

  • Job 20:16

    He shall suck the poison of asps: the viper's tongue shall slay him.

  • Isaiah 59:5

    They hatch cockatrice' eggs, and weave the spider's web: he that eateth of their eggs dieth, and that which is crushed breaketh out into a viper.

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