Acts 28:6
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.
Acts 28:6 (KJV)
Context
Acts 28 records the final leg of the apostle Paul’s journey to Rome. After surviving a shipwreck on the island of Malta, Paul and the others stranded there were received hospitably by the natives. As Paul gathered sticks for a fire, a viper emerged from the heat and fastened onto his hand. The locals expected him to die, but Paul shook off the serpent and suffered no harm.
Meaning
This verse captures the islanders’ reaction to Paul’s survival. They watched closely, expecting him to swell up or fall dead suddenly. When they had waited a long time and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god. Their conclusion was based solely on observable circumstances, not on spiritual understanding. This shows the fickleness of human opinion: the same crowd that first judged Paul a murderer now declared him a deity.
The islanders’ response reflects pagan superstition, not biblical faith. They did not recognize the true God at work in Paul’s deliverance; instead, they attributed divine status to a man. This is a warning against both extremes of human judgment—condemning without cause and exalting a mere servant of God. Paul did not accept their worship, and the narrative moves on to his healing ministry, redirecting attention to the power of God.
Biblical connections
God’s protection of Paul here fulfills the promise of safety and continues his journey to Rome. The miraculous preservation was for the advancement of the gospel, as seen in the immediate context where Paul later heals the father of Publius (Acts 28:8). This demonstrates that God’s servants are not to be worshipped, but God alone is to be glorified.
Application
Trust in God’s Protection: As believers, we can find assurance in God’s protection. No matter what challenges we face, we can trust that God is with us and will deliver us according to His will.
Strengthening our Faith: The incident with Paul and the snake bite encourages us to deepen our faith in God. We should strive to develop a strong and unwavering trust in God’s ability to see us through any circumstance.
Guard against Misunderstanding: The natives’ initial misunderstanding reminds us to be cautious about jumping to conclusions based on limited information. We should seek the truth through God’s Word and prayer, rather than relying on mere assumptions or popular opinions.
Seek Divine Perspective: In a world full of different perspectives and worldviews, we must continually align our thinking with the truth of God’s Word. By seeking divine perspective, we can discern the truth from falsehood and make decisions in accordance with God’s will.
Reflection
Paul’s response to the snake bite is a testament to his faith in God. Instead of panicking or succumbing to fear, he calmly shook off the serpent. His faith demonstrated unwavering trust in God’s ability to deliver him from any situation. This incident highlights the power of faith and serves as an inspiration for believers to remain steadfast in their trust in God’s promises, even in the midst of trials and challenges.
