The text emphasizes that "we" learned the island's name, indicating Paul and his companions discovered it together after their ordeal, not just the sailors who might have known it previously. This detail highlights their shared experience and newfound knowledge as they navigated this unexpected refuge.
After we were brought safely through, we then learned that the island was called Malta. The native people showed us unusual kindness, for they kindled a fire and welcomed us all, because it had begun to rain and was cold.
English Standard Version (ESV)
After enduring a terrifying storm for fourteen days and fearing for their lives, Paul and the shipwrecked crew finally wash ashore on an unknown island. It's here, after they've safely made it to land, that they learn this place is called Malta. This immediate experience of survival sets the stage for their encounter with the islanders and Paul's subsequent ministry there.
Imagine surviving a terrifying shipwreck, battered and exhausted, only to wash ashore on a place you don't recognize. The relief of safety quickly turns to uncertainty.
Luke emphasizes the moment of realization: 'Then we learned that the island was called Malta.' This isn't just a geographical detail; it highlights their vulnerability. They were strangers in a strange land, their journey to Rome dramatically interrupted. This moment underscores how God's plans can unfold in unexpected places. Even when plans are derailed, new opportunities for purpose can emerge from the unknown.
What happens when you are completely dependent on the kindness of strangers, people who might see you as outcasts?
The text quickly reveals that these 'barbarians'—a term for those outside Greek or Roman culture—showed 'extraordinary kindness.' Despite their rough appearance and the shipwreck survivors' desperate state, they offered shelter and warmth. This hospitality wasn't just about survival; it was a powerful demonstration of God working through unlikely people. It challenges us to look beyond labels and recognize the humanity and potential goodness in everyone, regardless of their background or our initial perceptions.
After surviving a shipwreck and finding refuge, Paul faces a new, terrifying threat. But even this danger becomes a tool for God's purpose.
The encounter with the viper is intense. The islanders, attributing Paul's survival to divine justice for a supposed crime, expected him to swell up and die. However, Paul shakes the snake off and feels no harm. This event serves multiple purposes: it dismantles the islanders' fear and superstition, establishes Paul's credibility, and ultimately paves the way for him to share the Gospel. It's a profound example of how God can use even the most perilous circumstances and perceived setbacks to bring about His glory and advance His kingdom.
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Understand the original words
barbaros · Greek Noun/Adjective
A person who is native or local to a specific geographical region, often used in contrast to those who have arrived from elsewhere. In this context, it refers to the non-Greek-speaking inhabitants of Malta.
philanthrōpia · Greek Noun
An attitude of friendliness, hospitality, and generosity shown to others, often specifically toward strangers or those in need, reflecting a spirit of compassion.
The shipwreck on Malta wasn't just a random event; it occurred within the established Roman maritime world, where islands like Malta served as vital waypoints. The natives, though considered 'barbarians' by the Greeks and Romans, showed remarkable hospitality, highlighting how God uses diverse peoples to accomplish His purposes.
c. 402 BC
Carthage gains control of Malta
Malta, originally a Phoenician colony, comes under the influence and control of Carthage.
242 BC
Rome acquires Malta
Following the First Punic War, Malta is ceded to the Roman Republic and becomes part of the province of Sicily.
c. AD 59
Paul's voyage begins
The apostle Paul embarks on his voyage from Caesarea to Rome as a prisoner, facing significant storms.
c. AD 59— this verse
Shipwreck on Malta
After a severe storm and drifting for 14 days, Paul's ship is wrecked on the shores of Malta (ancient Melita).
c. AD 59
Wintering on Malta
Paul and the survivors spend three months on the island, experiencing hospitality and ministry opportunities.
c. AD 60
Departure from Malta
Paul and his companions set sail from Malta on another Alexandrian ship bound for Rome, eventually reaching Italy.
This passage shows God directing Elijah to a place of refuge and provision during a famine, mirroring how God guided Paul to Malta for safety and sustenance after his shipwreck.
Jonah 1:12Jonah's deliberate sacrifice to save the ship parallels, in a twisted way, Paul's unintended yet divinely orchestrated journey that led to the salvation of everyone on board.
Psalm 107:23This psalm vividly describes sailors in desperate storms crying out to God and being brought to their desired haven, which resonates with Paul and his companions' miraculous survival and arrival.
2 Corinthians 11:25Paul's listing of hardships, including shipwrecks, underscores the extreme dangers he faced, making the safe arrival and subsequent events in Malta a testament to God's sustaining power in his ministry.
Acts 27:44This verse, immediately preceding the shipwreck, establishes the promise of safety for all on board, providing a divine assurance that is fulfilled through their arrival on Malta.
ellicottActs 28:1: "And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita."
XXVIII. (1) Then they knew that the island was called Melita.—There is no ground for questioning the current belief that this was the modern Malta, It was the only island known as Melita by the Greeks and Romans. The gale, which had been blowing for fourteen days since the ship left Crete, would drive her in that direction. The local features of St. Paul’s Bay agree closely, as has been seen, with the nar…
henryActs 28:1-10: "And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita."
28:1-10 God can make strangers to be friends; friends in distress. Those who are despised for homely manners, are often more friendly than the more polished; and the conduct of heathens, or persons called barbarians, condemns many in civilized nations, professing to be Christians. The people thought that Paul was a murderer, and that the viper was sent by Divine justice, to be the avenger of blood. The…
The text emphasizes that "we" learned the island's name, indicating Paul and his companions discovered it together after their ordeal, not just the sailors who might have known it previously. This detail highlights their shared experience and newfound knowledge as they navigated this unexpected refuge.
After enduring a terrifying storm for fourteen days and fearing for their lives, Paul and the shipwrecked crew finally wash ashore on an unknown island. It's here, after they've safely made it to land, that they learn this place is called Malta. This immediate experience of survival sets the stage for their encounter with the islanders and Paul's subsequent ministry there.
After enduring a terrifying storm for fourteen days and fearing for their lives, Paul and the shipwrecked crew finally wash ashore on an unknown island. It's here, after they've safely made it to land, that they learn this place is called Malta. This immediate experience of survival sets the stage for their encounter with the islanders and Paul's subsequent ministry there.
"After we were brought safely through, we then learned that the island was called Malta. The native people showed us unusual kindness, for they kindled a fire and welcomed us all, because it had begun to rain and was cold." — The text emphasizes that "we" learned the island's name, indicating Paul and his companions discovered it together after their ordeal, not just the sailors who might have known it previously. This de…
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Last reviewed October 2026
