The Natives Honor Paul

Once safely on shore, they found out that the island was called Malta, a small island about 80 kilometers from Sicily, Italy.

The natives showed them unusual kindness. They built a fire and welcomed them all because it was raining and cold. Paul gathered a pile of brushwood and, as he put it on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself on his hand. The islanders were afraid, thinking that Paul was a murderer, for justice had not allowed him to live. But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no harm. The people changed their minds and respected him saying that he was a god.

Publius, the chief official of the island warmly welcomed Paul and his companions to his home and entertained them hospitably for three days. Paul healed the father of Publius of a fever and dysentery. The rest of those on the island who had diseases also came and were healed. They also honored Paul for the various miracles he performed.

Due to the winter, they could not sail so Paul and company stayed on the island three months until February of the following year. Then they set sail on an Alexandrian ship (Acts 28:1��11).