Acts 28:6

KJV

Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.

KJV (with Strong's)

Howbeit {G1161} they looked {G4328} when he {G846} should {G3195} have swollen {G4092}, or {G2228} fallen down {G2667} dead {G3498} suddenly {G869}: but {G1161} after they {G846} had looked {G4328} a great while {G1909}{G4183}, and {G2532} saw {G2334} no {G3367} harm {G824} come {G1096} to {G1519} him {G846}, they changed their minds {G3328}, and said {G3004} that he {G846} was {G1511} a god {G2316}.

Complete Jewish Bible

They waited, expecting him to swell up or suddenly fall down dead; but after waiting a long time and seeing that nothing amiss was happening to him, they reversed their opinion and said he was a god.

Berean Standard Bible

The islanders were expecting him to swell up or suddenly drop dead. But after waiting a long time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god.

American Standard Version

But they expected that he would have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but when they were long in expectation and beheld nothing amiss come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 28:6 vividly portrays the dramatic shift in perception by the native islanders of Malta concerning the Apostle Paul. After Paul was bitten by a venomous viper and suffered no ill effects, the islanders, who initially expected him to swell up or suddenly die as divine retribution for some perceived crime, were astonished by his immunity. Their prolonged observation, which revealed no harm, led them to abandon their initial superstitious judgment and conclude, in awe, that Paul must be a god. This incident underscores God's miraculous protection over His servant and reveals the human tendency to interpret extraordinary events through a lens of pagan superstition.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a pivotal moment in the narrative following Paul's shipwreck on Malta, as recounted in [Acts 27](/acts/27 "Acts 27 - Paul's Shipwreck") and the opening verses of [Acts 28](/acts/28 "Acts 28 - Paul on Malta"). Having miraculously survived a violent storm and shipwreck, Paul and his companions found themselves on an unfamiliar island. The local inhabitants, described as "barbarians" (a term referring to non-Greek speakers rather than uncivilized people), showed them "unusual kindness" by building a fire for warmth and comfort. As Paul gathered wood, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself to his hand. The islanders immediately interpreted this as a sign of divine justice, believing Paul to be a murderer whom the goddess Dike (Justice) would not allow to live, even after escaping the sea ([Acts 28:4](/acts/28-4 "Acts 28:4 - Islanders' Reaction to Viper Bite")). Their expectation in [Acts 28:6](/acts/28-6 "Acts 28:6 - Islanders Change Their Minds") is a direct consequence of this initial belief, as they waited for the venom's expected fatal effects.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The island of Malta, located south of Sicily, was a strategic point in the Mediterranean. Its inhabitants, likely of Phoenician descent with a strong Greek and Roman influence, held polytheistic beliefs. Their immediate attribution of the viper bite to "Justice" (Dike) reflects a common pagan understanding of divine retribution, where natural disasters or unusual events were seen as direct interventions by deities punishing wrongdoing. Snakebites were a common and often fatal hazard in the ancient world, and the viper mentioned (likely a Maltese blunt-nosed viper, known for its potent venom) would have been understood as deadly. The islanders' expectation that Paul would "swell" (a common symptom of viper venom) or "fall down dead suddenly" was based on their empirical knowledge of such bites. Their subsequent declaration that Paul was a "god" aligns with ancient mythological traditions where heroes or divine beings were sometimes immune to poisons or natural dangers, or where extraordinary individuals were deified. This cultural context helps explain their rapid shift from condemnation to veneration.
* **Key Themes:** [Acts 28:6](/acts/28-6 "Acts 28:6 - Islanders Change Their Minds") contributes significantly to several overarching themes within Acts and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates **Divine Protection and Providence**. Despite facing extreme danger—a shipwreck and a venomous snakebite—Paul is miraculously preserved, demonstrating God's sovereign control over natural forces and His unwavering commitment to His purposes for Paul's life and ministry, specifically his journey to Rome to testify for Christ ([Acts 23:11](/acts/23-11 "Acts 23:11 - God's Assurance to Paul")). Secondly, the passage highlights **Changing Perceptions and Human Superstition**. The islanders' rapid oscillation from viewing Paul as a criminal deserving of death to exalting him as a god underscores the human tendency to interpret the unexplained through a superstitious or pagan lens, often swinging between extremes without true understanding. This is not the first time Paul and Barnabas were mistaken for deities, as seen in Lystra where they were hailed as Hermes and Zeus ([Acts 14:11](/acts/14-11 "Acts 14:11 - Paul and Barnabas Mistaken for Gods")). Finally, the incident contrasts **Pagan Beliefs with True Divine Power**. The Maltese people, unfamiliar with the one true God, attributed Paul's survival to their own pantheon or a generalized divine force. This stands in stark contrast to the reality that Paul's protection stemmed from the sovereign God of Israel, who was actively working through him to advance the Gospel.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **looked (Greek, _prosdokáō'_):** (G4328) This verb signifies to "anticipate (in thought, hope or fear); by implication, to await." It precisely captures the islanders' posture of expectation, not merely observing but actively waiting for a specific, dreadful outcome. Their "looking" was imbued with a preconceived notion of what *should* happen based on their understanding of divine justice and the effects of snake venom.
* **harm (Greek, _átopos'_):** (G824) Meaning "out of place, i.e. (figuratively) improper, injurious, wicked." The islanders saw "no harm" come to Paul, meaning no injurious or improper effect occurred. This word emphasizes the *absence* of the expected negative consequence—no swelling, no collapse, no signs of poisoning—which was utterly "out of place" with their expectations and understanding of such an event.
* **god (Greek, _theós'_):** (G2316) This term refers to "a deity, especially (with ὁ) the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very." In this context, it denotes a divine being or a person possessing divine attributes. The islanders' declaration that Paul was "a god" represents their ultimate conclusion, a complete reversal of their initial judgment, elevating him from a condemned criminal to a supernatural entity due to his inexplicable immunity.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly:"** This opening clause highlights the islanders' initial, deeply ingrained expectation. Based on their understanding of justice and the lethality of viper bites, they anticipated immediate and visible signs of the venom's effect—either a rapid swelling of the body, indicating a severe inflammatory reaction, or a sudden, fatal collapse. The use of "suddenly" emphasizes the immediacy and dramatic nature of the death they expected. Their gaze was fixed, waiting for the inevitable manifestation of what they believed to be divine retribution.
* **"but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him,"** This phrase marks the turning point in the narrative and the islanders' perception. The conjunction "but" signals a stark contrast to their previous expectation. Their prolonged observation, described as "a great while," underscores the duration of their astonished vigil. The crucial observation was that "no harm" (no injurious or improper effect) manifested in Paul. This absence of the expected negative outcome challenged their entire worldview and forced them to reconsider their initial judgment.
* **"they changed their minds, and said that he was a god."** This final clause reveals the profound impact of Paul's miraculous immunity on the islanders. Unable to reconcile his survival with their understanding of natural law and divine justice, they underwent a complete mental transformation—they "changed their minds." Their conclusion was to deify Paul, attributing his survival to supernatural power, believing he must be a divine being rather than a mere mortal. This dramatic shift from condemning him as a murderer to exalting him as a god speaks volumes about their superstitious worldview and their awe in the face of the inexplicable.

#### Literary Devices
The passage effectively employs **Irony** and **Contrast**. The primary irony lies in the islanders' oscillating judgment of Paul: first, they assume him to be a murderer deserving of death by divine retribution, then, upon witnessing his miraculous survival, they declare him a god. This dramatic shift highlights the **Dramatic Irony** for the reader, who knows Paul is neither a criminal nor a pagan deity, but a servant of the one true God, protected for His divine purposes. There is also a strong **Contrast** between the islanders' pagan, superstitious worldview, which attributes Paul's survival to their own gods or a generalized divine power, and the reality of God's sovereign power at work. The viper itself can be seen as a **Symbol** of the dangers and obstacles Paul continually faced in his ministry, all of which were ultimately overcome by God's protective hand, reinforcing the theme of divine enablement.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 28:6 powerfully illustrates God's unwavering faithfulness and sovereign protection over His chosen instruments, even in the face of life-threatening dangers. Paul's immunity to the viper's venom is not a mere coincidence but a divine intervention that validates his apostolic mission and demonstrates the power of the God he serves. This event echoes biblical promises of divine safeguarding for those who walk in obedience and trust, reinforcing the truth that God's purposes cannot be thwarted by natural forces or human expectations. It also serves as a poignant reminder of the human tendency to misinterpret divine acts through a lens of superstition or limited understanding, highlighting the need for true spiritual discernment rooted in the knowledge of the one true God.

* [Mark 16:18](/mark/16-18 "Mark 16:18 - Signs Following Believers")
* [Luke 10:19](/luke/10-19 "Luke 10:19 - Authority Over Serpents and Scorpions")
* [Acts 14:11-18](/acts/14-11-18 "Acts 14:11-18 - Paul and Barnabas in Lystra")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The account in Acts 28:6 offers profound insights for contemporary believers. It encourages us to cultivate unwavering trust in God's providence and protection, recognizing that His purposes for our lives will prevail even amidst unforeseen dangers and challenges. Just as Paul was supernaturally preserved to continue his mission of proclaiming the Gospel, we can find assurance that God will equip and sustain us for the work He has called us to do. However, this passage also serves as a cautionary tale about the human inclination to misinterpret divine acts, whether by attributing them to false sources, swinging between extremes of judgment, or failing to discern God's true character and intent. Our response to extraordinary events should not be one of superstitious awe or misguided deification, but rather humble worship and grateful acknowledgment of the one true God who delivers, sustains, and works all things according to His perfect will. We are called to give Him all the glory, recognizing that His power is manifested not for our exaltation, but for the advancement of His kingdom and the revelation of His truth.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Paul's experience with the viper challenge your understanding of God's protection in the face of danger?**
* **In what ways might we, like the Maltese islanders, be prone to misinterpret God's work or attribute it to sources other than Him?**
* **How can we cultivate a deeper trust in God's sovereign plan for our lives, even when circumstances seem dire or inexplicable?**
* **What does this passage teach us about the importance of discerning truth from superstition in our own cultural contexts?**

### FAQ
**Why did the islanders initially think Paul was a murderer?**

Answer: The islanders' initial belief that Paul was a murderer, as stated in [Acts 28:4](/acts/28-4 "Acts 28:4 - Islanders' Initial Reaction"), stemmed from their pagan worldview. They saw the viper bite as a manifestation of divine justice (personified as the goddess Dike), believing that even though Paul had escaped the sea, he was still being pursued by fate or the gods for some unpunished crime, likely murder, which was considered a grave offense deserving of such a swift and public punishment.

**Was Paul truly immune to snake venom, or was it a miracle?**

Answer: The text strongly suggests it was a miracle. While some individuals might have varying resistances to venom, the immediate and severe effects expected from a viper bite, especially one that "fastened" itself to Paul, would typically be incapacitating or fatal. The islanders' prolonged expectation of "swelling" or "sudden death" indicates the known lethality of such a bite. Paul's complete lack of "harm" after a significant period of observation points to a supernatural intervention by God, not a natural immunity. This aligns with promises of divine protection found elsewhere in Scripture, such as [Mark 16:18](/mark/16-18 "Mark 16:18 - Believers Handling Serpents").

**Why did the islanders change their minds and say Paul was a god?**

Answer: The islanders changed their minds because Paul's survival defied their natural and supernatural expectations. When he did not swell or die, their initial interpretation of divine retribution was disproven. In their polytheistic framework, the only logical explanation for such an extraordinary event was that Paul possessed divine power. They likely equated him with a god or a demigod known in their mythology who was immune to poisons or death, demonstrating their awe and bewilderment at a phenomenon they could not otherwise explain within their understanding.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The miraculous preservation of Paul from the viper's deadly bite in [Acts 28:6](/acts/28-6 "Acts 28:6 - Islanders Change Their Minds") finds its ultimate fulfillment and significance in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Just as Paul was protected to fulfill his mission of proclaiming the Gospel, Christ Himself triumphed over all the powers of darkness, sin, and death, which are often symbolized by serpents in Scripture (e.g., [Genesis 3:15](/genesis/3-15 "Genesis 3:15 - The Protoevangelium")). Jesus' victory on the cross and His resurrection demonstrate His absolute authority over every form of evil and destruction, disarming principalities and powers ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")). Believers, united with Christ, are promised a share in this victory; though they may encounter dangers and opposition, they are ultimately secure in His hand ([John 10:28-29](/john/10-28-29 "John 10:28-29 - No One Can Snatch Them")). Paul's immunity foreshadows the spiritual protection afforded to those who are "in Christ," empowered by the Spirit to overcome the "fiery darts of the evil one" ([Ephesians 6:16](/ephesians/6-16 "Ephesians 6:16 - The Shield of Faith")) and to carry out the Great Commission without fear, knowing that Christ is with them "to the end of the age" ([Matthew 28:20](/matthew/28-20 "Matthew 28:20 - The Great Commission")). Thus, Paul's deliverance is not merely an isolated miracle but a testament to the greater redemptive power of Christ, who empowers His followers to navigate a dangerous world for the sake of His kingdom.

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

Acts 12:22

And the people gave a shout, [saying, It is] the voice of a god, and not of a man.

Acts 14:11

And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men.

Acts 14:13

Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people.

Matthew 21:9

And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed [is] he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.

Matthew 27:22

Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? [They] all say unto him, Let him be crucified.