Acts 28:4

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} when {G5613} the barbarians {G915} saw {G1492} the venomous beast {G2342} hang {G2910} on {G1537} his {G846} hand {G5495}, they said {G3004} among {G4314} themselves {G240}, No doubt {G3843} this {G3778} man {G444} is {G2076} a murderer {G5406}, whom {G3739}, though he hath escaped {G1295}{G1537} the sea {G2281}, yet vengeance {G1349} suffereth {G1439} not {G3756} to live {G2198}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The islanders saw the creature hanging from Sha’ul’s hand and said to one another, “This man must be a murderer. Even though he escaped the sea, justice has not allowed him to live.”

Berean Standard Bible

When the islanders saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “Surely this man is a murderer. Although he was saved from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live.”

American Standard Version

And when the barbarians saw the venomous creature hanging from his hand, they said one to another, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped from the sea, yet Justice hath not suffered to live.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 28:4 describes the immediate reaction of the inhabitants of Malta to Paul's miraculous survival of a venomous snakebite. Having just escaped a shipwreck, Paul was gathering wood when a viper latched onto his hand. The local people, observing this, immediately concluded that Paul must be a murderer whom divine justice, though he had escaped the perils of the sea, would not permit to live. This verse highlights their superstitious worldview and sets the stage for a powerful demonstration of God's protective power through Paul.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated at a pivotal moment in the book of Acts, following the harrowing account of Paul's shipwreck in [Acts 27](/acts/27 "Acts 27 - Paul's Shipwreck"). After fourteen days of being tossed by a tempestuous storm, Paul and his companions miraculously survive by running aground on the island of Malta. The immediate preceding verses (Acts 28:1-3) describe their safe arrival, the unexpected kindness of the "barbarians" (local inhabitants), and the building of a fire to combat the cold and rain. While Paul, in a humble act of service, is gathering sticks for the fire, the viper strikes, making the islanders' reaction in [Acts 28:4](/acts/28-4 "Acts 28:4 - The Viper Incident") the very next development in the narrative, before Paul's miraculous immunity is revealed.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The island of Malta, located south of Sicily in the Mediterranean Sea, was a strategic point for trade and travel. The inhabitants, referred to as "barbarians" (Greek: _bárbaros_), were not necessarily savage or uncivilized, but simply non-Greek or non-Roman speakers, indicating a different cultural and linguistic background from Paul and his Roman captors. Their worldview was deeply steeped in pagan beliefs, including a strong sense of divine retribution. They believed in a personified form of justice, often linked to the Greek goddess Dikē, who would pursue and punish those who had committed grave sins, especially murder, even if they escaped human judgment. The immediate assumption that the snakebite was a sign of such divine vengeance was a common superstitious belief in the ancient world, where natural disasters or misfortunes were often interpreted as direct punishments from the gods.
* **Key Themes:** [Acts 28:4](/acts/28-4 "Acts 28:4 - The Viper Incident") powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Acts and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Protection and Providence**. Despite surviving a violent storm and shipwreck, Paul immediately faces another life-threatening danger, yet God's sovereign hand ensures his safety, fulfilling the divine promise that Paul would reach Rome, as stated in [Acts 23:11](/acts/23-11 "Acts 23:11 - God's Promise to Paul"). Secondly, the verse highlights **Human Judgment and Superstition**. The islanders' swift conclusion about Paul's guilt reveals a pagan worldview that attributed misfortune directly to divine vengeance for sin, a stark contrast to a biblical understanding of suffering. Finally, this incident sets the stage for **The Power of Witness**. The islanders' initial judgment would soon turn to astonishment and reverence as Paul remained unharmed, leading to opportunities for healing and evangelism on the island, as seen later in [Acts 28:8-9](/acts/28-8-9 "Acts 28:8-9 - Paul's Healing Ministry on Malta").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **barbarians (Greek, _bárbaros'_):** G915 from an uncertain derivation; a foreigner (i.e., non-Greek). In this context, the term simply denotes people who did not speak Greek or Latin, highlighting their different cultural and linguistic background from Paul and the Roman world. It does not inherently carry the modern negative connotation of savagery.
* **venomous beast (Greek, _thēríon'_):** G2342 diminutive from the same as θήρα; a dangerous animal. While the KJV adds "venomous" for clarity, the Greek word here refers specifically to a viper, known for its potent and often deadly venom. The islanders would have immediately recognized the danger.
* **vengeance (Greek, _díkē'_):** G1349 probably from δεικνύω; right (as self-evident), i.e., justice (the principle, a decision, or its execution). This term refers to the Greek goddess of justice or personified divine justice. The islanders believed that this supernatural force was pursuing Paul to punish him for a grave, unconfessed sin, specifically murder, despite his miraculous escape from the sea. This reveals their polytheistic and superstitious beliefs in a system of divine retribution.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand":** This clause sets the scene, emphasizing the immediate and visible nature of the incident. The islanders, having just shown kindness, now witness a shocking event: a dangerous, venomous snake clinging to Paul's hand. Their observation is key to their subsequent interpretation.
* **"they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer":** This reveals the islanders' swift and unanimous conclusion. Their pagan worldview, which linked misfortune directly to divine punishment, led them to assume Paul's guilt. The phrase "no doubt" indicates their certainty, stemming from their belief system.
* **"whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live":** This final clause articulates the reasoning behind their judgment. They saw the snakebite as the inescapable hand of divine retribution (personified as "vengeance" or Dikē), pursuing Paul even after he had miraculously survived the treacherous sea. They believed that this supernatural force was ensuring he would not escape justice for a presumed heinous crime.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several significant literary devices. **Irony** is prominent, as Paul, an innocent man and apostle of God, is immediately judged by the islanders as a murderer due to a natural event. This contrasts sharply with Paul's true character and mission. There is also a strong element of **Foreshadowing**; the seemingly fatal snakebite, rather than being a sign of divine judgment, actually foreshadows God's miraculous power and Paul's divine protection, setting the stage for the powerful witness and healing ministry that will follow on the island. The narrative also uses **Contrast** to highlight the clash between the islanders' superstitious, pagan worldview, which sees a personified "vengeance" at work, and the reality of God's providential care over His servant. Finally, the **Symbolism** of the snake, often associated with evil and temptation in biblical tradition (e.g., [Genesis 3](/genesis/3 "Genesis 3 - The Fall")), is reinterpreted by the islanders as an instrument of divine justice, reflecting their specific cultural beliefs.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 28:4 presents a powerful theological statement about God's sovereignty and the often-misguided nature of human judgment. The islanders' immediate conclusion that Paul was a murderer, based solely on a natural calamity, reflects a common ancient belief that suffering was always a direct result of sin. This incident, however, serves to demonstrate God's protective hand over His chosen servants, even in the face of multiple, life-threatening dangers. It challenges the notion that misfortune is always divine punishment, instead highlighting that God's purposes can unfold even through unexpected trials, turning potential tragedy into an opportunity for His glory to be revealed. The scene underscores the clash between pagan superstition and the reality of God's faithful providence, ultimately setting the stage for the gospel to be powerfully demonstrated on Malta.

* [Mark 16:18](/mark/16-18 "Mark 16:18 - Signs Following Believers")
* [Luke 13:1-5](/luke/13-1-5 "Luke 13:1-5 - Repentance, Not Retribution")
* [Romans 12:19](/romans/12-19 "Romans 12:19 - Vengeance Belongs to God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 28:4 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. It serves as a powerful caution against making hasty judgments about others' circumstances, especially when misfortune strikes. Like the Maltese islanders, we can be quick to attribute suffering to personal sin or divine retribution, rather than considering the complex tapestry of life or God's mysterious purposes. This passage reminds us that God's protection is real and active in the lives of His faithful servants, even when facing seemingly insurmountable dangers. Our trials, far from being signs of God's displeasure, can become powerful platforms for God to display His power and for us to bear witness to His faithfulness to a watching world. Just as Paul's miraculous survival challenged the islanders' worldview and opened doors for the gospel, our endurance and faith in difficult times can point others to God's unwavering providence and grace. We are called to trust in God's plan, even when circumstances seem to contradict His promises, and to remember that His ultimate purpose is always good.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do we tend to interpret unexpected hardships or misfortunes in our own lives or the lives of others?**
* **In what ways might our cultural assumptions or personal biases lead us to make hasty judgments about others' circumstances, similar to the islanders?**
* **How can we, like Paul, demonstrate God's power and truth in unexpected and challenging situations, turning adversity into an opportunity for witness?**

### FAQ

**Who were the "barbarians" in this context?**

Answer: In the context of [Acts 28:4](/acts/28-4 "Acts 28:4 - The Viper Incident"), the term "barbarians" (Greek: _bárbaros_) does not carry the modern negative connotation of savagery or uncivilized behavior. Instead, it was a common Greek term used to describe anyone who did not speak Greek or Latin. These were the local inhabitants of the island of Malta, who, despite their linguistic and cultural differences, initially showed "unusual kindness" to Paul and his shipwrecked companions, as noted in [Acts 28:2](/acts/28-2 "Acts 28:2 - Kindness of the Maltese"). Their reaction to the snakebite, however, reveals their pagan worldview, which attributed natural calamities to divine retribution.

**What was the significance of the snakebite for the islanders?**

Answer: For the inhabitants of Malta, the snakebite on Paul's hand was immediately interpreted as a clear sign of divine judgment. They believed in a personified form of justice, often linked to the Greek goddess Dikē, who would relentlessly pursue and punish those who had committed grave sins, especially murder. Having just witnessed Paul survive a deadly shipwreck, they concluded that he must be a murderer whom vengeance itself would not allow to live, even after escaping the sea. This interpretation highlights their superstitious and polytheistic beliefs, contrasting sharply with the miraculous outcome where Paul suffered no ill effects, as described in [Acts 28:5-6](/acts/28-5-6 "Acts 28:5-6 - Paul Shakes Off the Viper").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The incident in Acts 28:4, where Paul miraculously survives a deadly snakebite, powerfully foreshadows and participates in the broader Christ-centered narrative of triumph over evil and the effects of the Fall. Just as the Maltese islanders mistakenly attributed the snakebite to divine vengeance for sin, the ultimate "vengeance" for sin was borne by Christ on the cross, who became sin for us that we might become the righteousness of God ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Our Righteousness")). Paul's immunity from the viper's venom reflects the promise given to believers to "tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy" ([Luke 10:19](/luke/10-19 "Luke 10:19 - Authority Over Evil")), a spiritual authority granted through Christ's victory. This event, where a servant of God is protected from a serpent, echoes the protoevangelium in [Genesis 3:15](/genesis/3-15 "Genesis 3:15 - The First Gospel"), where the seed of the woman would bruise the serpent's head, ultimately fulfilled in Christ's decisive victory over Satan and the power of death ([Hebrews 2:14](/hebrews/2-14 "Hebrews 2:14 - Christ's Victory Over Death")). Paul's survival, therefore, is not merely a personal miracle but a tangible demonstration of the power of Christ, who disarmed principalities and powers ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph")), enabling His followers to be "more than conquerors" through Him who loved them ([Romans 8:37-39](/romans/8-37-39 "Romans 8:37-39 - More Than Conquerors")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Luke 13:2

And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things?

Luke 13:4

Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem?

Acts 28:2

And the barbarous people shewed us no little kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold.

Acts 28:5

And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.

Matthew 23:35

That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.

Isaiah 43:20

The beast of the field shall honour me, the dragons and the owls: because I give waters in the wilderness, [and] rivers in the desert, to give drink to my people, my chosen.

John 7:24

Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.