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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Acts 28:4 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."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/acts/28-4.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/5/44_Act_28_04.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Acts 28:4 - Ashore on Malta" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="When the islanders saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, Surely this man is a murderer. 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Though he escaped the sea, justice will not permit him to live.” <a href="/esv/acts/28.htm">English Standard Version</a> When the native people saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer. Though he has escaped from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live.” <a href="/bsb/acts/28.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> 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.” <a href="/blb/acts/28.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And when the natives saw the beast hanging from his hand, they began to say to one another, "By all means this man is a murderer whom, having been saved from the sea, Justice has not permitted to live." <a href="/kjv/acts/28.htm">King James Bible</a> 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. <a href="/nkjv/acts/28.htm">New King James Version</a> So when the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped the sea, yet justice does not allow to live.” <a href="/nasb_/acts/28.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> When the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they began saying to one another, “Undoubtedly this man is a murderer, and though he has been saved from the sea, justice has not allowed him to live.” <a href="/nasb/acts/28.htm">NASB 1995</a> When the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they began saying to one another, &#8220Undoubtedly this man is a murderer, and though he has been saved from the sea, justice has not allowed him to live.&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/acts/28.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And when the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they began saying to one another, “Undoubtedly this man is a murderer, and though he has been saved from the sea, justice has not allowed him to live.” <a href="/lsb/acts/28.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> And when the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they began saying to one another, “Undoubtedly this man is a murderer, and though he has been saved from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live.” <a href="/amp/acts/28.htm">Amplified Bible</a> When the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they began saying to one another, “Undoubtedly this man is a murderer, and though he has been saved from the sea, Justice [the avenging goddess] has not permitted him to live.” <a href="/csb/acts/28.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> When the local people saw the snake hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “This man, no doubt, is a murderer. Even though he has escaped the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live.” <a href="/hcsb/acts/28.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> When the local people saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, &#8220This man is probably a murderer, and though he has escaped the sea, Justice does not allow him to live!&#8221 <a href="/asv/acts/28.htm">American Standard Version</a> 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. <a href="/cev/acts/28.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> When the local people saw the snake hanging from Paul's hand, they said to each other, "This man must be a murderer! He didn't drown in the sea, but the goddess of justice will kill him anyway." <a href="/erv/acts/28.htm">English Revised Version</a> And when the barbarians saw the beast 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. <a href="/gwt/acts/28.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> When the people who lived on the island saw the snake hanging from his hand, they said to each other, "This man must be a murderer! He may have escaped from the sea, but justice won't let him live." <a href="/gnt/acts/28.htm">Good News Translation</a> The natives saw the snake hanging on Paul's hand and said to one another, "This man must be a murderer, but Fate will not let him live, even though he escaped from the sea." <a href="/isv/acts/28.htm">International Standard Version</a> When the people who lived there saw the snake hanging from his hand, they told one another, "This man must be a murderer! He may have escaped from the sea, but Justice won't let him live." <a href="/net/acts/28.htm">NET Bible</a> When the local people saw the creature hanging from Paul's hand, they said to one another, "No doubt this man is a murderer! Although he has escaped from the sea, Justice herself has not allowed him to live!" <a href="/nheb/acts/28.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> When the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said one to another, "No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped from the sea, yet Justice has not allowed to live." <a href="/wbt/acts/28.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And when the barbarians saw the animal 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. <a href="/wey/acts/28.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> When the natives saw the creature hanging to his hand, they said to one another, "Beyond doubt this man is a murderer, for, though saved from the sea, unerring Justice does not permit him to live."<div class="vheading2">Majority Text Translations</div><a href="/msb/acts/28.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> 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.” <a href="/web/acts/28.htm">World English Bible</a> When the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped from the sea, yet Justice has not allowed to live.” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/acts/28.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And when the foreigners saw the beast hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “Certainly this man is a murderer, whom, having been saved out of the sea, the justice did not permit to live”; <a href="/blb/acts/28.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And when the natives saw the beast hanging from his hand, they began to say to one another, "By all means this man is a murderer whom, having been saved from the sea, Justice has not permitted to live." <a href="/ylt/acts/28.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And when the foreigners saw the beast hanging from his hand, they said unto one another, 'Certainly this man is a murderer, whom, having been saved out of the sea, the justice did not suffer to live;' <a href="/slt/acts/28.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And when the foreigners saw the wild beast hanging on his hand, they said to one another, This man is altogether a murderer, whom, saved from the sea, vengeance suffered not to live.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/acts/28.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And when the barbarians saw the beast hanging on his hand, they said one to another: Undoubtedly this man is a murderer, who though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance doth not suffer him to live. <a href="/cpdv/acts/28.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And truly, when the natives saw the beast hanging from his hand, they were saying to one another: “Certainly, this man must be a murderer, for though he escaped from the sea, vengeance will not permit him to live.” <a href="/nabre/acts/28.htm">New American Bible</a> When the natives saw the snake hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “This man must certainly be a murderer; though he escaped the sea, Justice has not let him remain alive.” <a href="/nrsvce/acts/28.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> When the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “This man must be a murderer; though he has escaped from the sea, justice has not allowed him to live.”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/acts/28.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And when the barbarians saw it hanging from his hand, they said, It may be that this man is a murderer, whom though he has been rescued from the sea, yet justice does not permit him to live. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/acts/28.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> And when the Barbarians saw it hanging on his hand, they were saying, “Perhaps this man is a murderer who, while he has escaped from the sea, justice would not let live.”<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/acts/28.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> And when the barbarians saw the reptile hanging from his hand, they said to one another: This man is certainly a murderer, whom, although he has saved himself from the sea, justice does not permit to live. <a href="/godbey/acts/28.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> But when the barbarians saw the beast hanging from his hand, they said to one another, Surely this man is a murderer, whom, having been saved from the sea, justice did not permit to live. <a href="/haweis/acts/28.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> Now when the rude people saw the venomous animal hanging from his hand, they said one to another, Surely this man is a murderer, whom though preserved from the sea, righteous vengeance suffereth not to live. <a href="/mace/acts/28.htm">Mace New Testament</a> the barbarians seeing the venomous creature hang fast to his hand, said to one another, this man is a murderer, no doubt; for, escaped from the wreck, the divine justice still pursues him to death. <a href="/wey/acts/28.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> When the natives saw the creature hanging to his hand, they said to one another, "Beyond doubt this man is a murderer, for, though saved from the sea, unerring Justice does not permit him to live." <a href="/worrell/acts/28.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> And when the barbarians saw the beast hanging on his hand, they said among themselves, "Assuredly this man is a murderer, whom, though safely escaping from the sea, justice permitted not to live." <a href="/worsley/acts/28.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> And when the barbarians saw the venomous creature hanging on his hand, they said to one another, This man is certainly a murderer, whom, though he hath been saved from the sea, yet justice suffereth not to live. <a href="/parallel/acts/28-4.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/in5WTRQ9BSQ?start=9307" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/acts/28.htm">Ashore on Malta</a> …3Paul gathered a bundle of sticks, and as he laid them on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself to his hand. 4<a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc."></a> <a href="/greek/5613.htm" title="5613: hōs (Adv) -- Probably adverb of comparative from hos; which how, i.e. In that manner.">When</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: hoi (Art-NMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/915.htm" title="915: barbaroi (Adj-NMP) -- A foreigner, one who speaks neither Greek nor Latin; as adj: foreign. Of uncertain derivation; a foreigner.">islanders</a> <a href="/greek/3708.htm" title="3708: eidon (V-AIA-3P) -- Properly, to stare at, i.e. to discern clearly; by extension, to attend to; by Hebraism, to experience; passively, to appear.">saw</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: to (Art-ANS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/2342.htm" title="2342: thērion (N-ANS) -- Properly: a wild beast, hence: any animal; met: a brute. Diminutive from the same as thera; a dangerous animal.">creature</a> <a href="/greek/2910.htm" title="2910: kremamenon (V-PPM-ANS) -- To hang, hang up, suspend; mid: To be hanging, hang. A prolonged form of a primary verb; to hang.">hanging</a> <a href="/greek/1537.htm" title="1537: ek (Prep) -- From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.">from</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autou (PPro-GM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">his</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēs (Art-GFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/5495.htm" title="5495: cheiros (N-GFS) -- A hand. ">hand,</a> <a href="/greek/2036.htm" title="2036: elegon (V-IIA-3P) -- Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.">they said</a> <a href="/greek/4314.htm" title="4314: pros (Prep) -- To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward.">to</a> <a href="/greek/240.htm" title="240: allēlous (RecPro-AMP) -- One another, each other. Genitive plural from allos reduplicated; one another.">one another,</a> <a href="/greek/3843.htm" title="3843: Pantōs (Adv) -- Wholly, entirely, in every way, by all means, certainly. Adverb from pas; entirely; specially, at all events, in no event.">“Surely</a> <a href="/greek/3778.htm" title="3778: houtos (DPro-NMS) -- This; he, she, it. ">this</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/444.htm" title="444: anthrōpos (N-NMS) -- A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being.">man</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: estin (V-PIA-3S) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">is</a> <a href="/greek/5406.htm" title="5406: phoneus (N-NMS) -- A murderer. ">a murderer.</a> <a href="/greek/3739.htm" title="3739: hon (RelPro-AMS) -- Who, which, what, that. ">Although he</a> <a href="/greek/1295.htm" title="1295: diasōthenta (V-APP-AMS) -- From dia and sozo; to save thoroughly, i.e. to cure, preserve, rescue, etc.">was saved</a> <a href="/greek/1537.htm" title="1537: ek (Prep) -- From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.">from</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēs (Art-GFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/2281.htm" title="2281: thalassēs (N-GFS) -- Probably prolonged from hals; the sea.">sea,</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: hē (Art-NFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/1349.htm" title="1349: Dikē (N-NFS) -- Probably from deiknuo; right, i.e. Justice.">Justice</a> <a href="/greek/3756.htm" title="3756: ouk (Adv) -- No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.">has not</a> <a href="/greek/1439.htm" title="1439: eiasen (V-AIA-3S) -- To allow, permit, let alone, leave. Of uncertain affinity; to let be, i.e. Permit or leave alone.">allowed him</a> <a href="/greek/2198.htm" title="2198: zēn (V-PNA) -- To live, be alive. A primary verb; to live.">to live.”</a> 5But Paul shook the creature off into the fire and suffered no ill effects.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/mark/16-18.htm">Mark 16:18</a> they will pick up snakes with their hands, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not harm them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will be made well.” <a href="/luke/10-19.htm">Luke 10:19</a> Behold, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy. Nothing will harm you. <a href="/numbers/21-6.htm">Numbers 21:6-9</a> So the LORD sent venomous snakes among the people, and many of the Israelites were bitten and died. / Then the people came to Moses and said, “We have sinned by speaking against the LORD and against you. Intercede with the LORD so He will take the snakes away from us.” So Moses interceded for the people. / Then the LORD said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent and mount it on a pole. When anyone who is bitten looks at it, he will live.” ... <a href="/genesis/3-1.htm">Genesis 3:1-15</a> Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field that the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden?’” / The woman answered the serpent, “We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden, / but about the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden, God has said, ‘You must not eat of it or touch it, or you will die.’” ... <a href="/john/3-14.htm">John 3:14-15</a> Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, / that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life. <a href="/psalms/91-13.htm">Psalm 91:13</a> You will tread on the lion and cobra; you will trample the young lion and serpent. <a href="/isaiah/11-8.htm">Isaiah 11:8</a> The infant will play by the cobra’s den, and the toddler will reach into the viper’s nest. <a href="/matthew/23-33.htm">Matthew 23:33</a> You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape the sentence of hell? <a href="/revelation/9-19.htm">Revelation 9:19</a> For the power of the horses was in their mouths and in their tails; indeed, their tails were like snakes, having heads with which to inflict harm. <a href="/revelation/12-9.htm">Revelation 12:9</a> And the great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him. <a href="/revelation/20-2.htm">Revelation 20:2</a> He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. <a href="/2_corinthians/11-3.htm">2 Corinthians 11:3</a> I am afraid, however, that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may be led astray from your simple and pure devotion to Christ. <a href="/2_corinthians/11-14.htm">2 Corinthians 11:14</a> And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. <a href="/1_corinthians/10-9.htm">1 Corinthians 10:9</a> We should not test Christ, as some of them did, and were killed by snakes. <a href="/romans/3-8.htm">Romans 3:8</a> Why not say, as some slanderously claim that we say, “Let us do evil that good may result”? Their condemnation is deserved!</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>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 has escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffers not to live.barbarians.<a href="/acts/28-2.htm">Acts 28:2</a> 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.beast.<a href="/acts/28-5.htm">Acts 28:5</a> And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.<a href="/genesis/3-1.htm">Genesis 3:1</a> Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?<a href="/isaiah/13-21.htm">Isaiah 13:21,22</a> But wild beasts of the desert shall lie there; and their houses shall be full of doleful creatures; and owls shall dwell there, and satyrs shall dance there… No doubt.<a href="/luke/13-2.htm">Luke 13:2,4</a> And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things? … <a href="/john/7-24.htm">John 7:24</a> Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.<a href="/john/9-1.htm">John 9:1,2</a> And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth… a murderer.<a href="/genesis/4-8.htm">Genesis 4:8-11</a> And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him… <a href="/genesis/9-5.htm">Genesis 9:5,6</a> And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man's brother will I require the life of man… <a href="/genesis/42-21.htm">Genesis 42:21,22</a> And they said one to another, We are verily guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the anguish of his soul, when he besought us, and we would not hear; therefore is this distress come upon us… <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/acts/27-3.htm">Allowed</a> <a href="/romans/1-14.htm">Barbarians</a> <a href="/luke/10-34.htm">Beast</a> <a href="/mark/16-15.htm">Creature</a> <a href="/acts/12-11.htm">Doubt</a> <a href="/acts/28-1.htm">Escaped</a> <a href="/acts/28-3.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/matthew/22-40.htm">Hang</a> <a href="/acts/10-39.htm">Hanging</a> <a href="/acts/28-2.htm">Islanders</a> <a href="/acts/24-25.htm">Justice</a> <a href="/acts/26-20.htm">Live</a> <a href="/acts/3-14.htm">Murderer</a> <a href="/acts/28-2.htm">Natives</a> <a href="/acts/27-7.htm">Permit</a> <a href="/acts/28-1.htm">Saved</a> <a href="/acts/27-43.htm">Sea</a> <a href="/acts/28-3.htm">Snake</a> <a href="/acts/15-38.htm">Someone</a> <a href="/matthew/11-12.htm">Suffereth</a> <a href="/acts/27-43.htm">Themselves</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/14-10.htm">Undoubtedly</a> <a href="/acts/7-24.htm">Vengeance</a> <a href="/mark/16-18.htm">Venomous</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/acts/28-16.htm">Allowed</a> <a href="/romans/1-14.htm">Barbarians</a> <a href="/acts/28-5.htm">Beast</a> <a href="/acts/28-5.htm">Creature</a> <a href="/romans/14-1.htm">Doubt</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/11-33.htm">Escaped</a> <a href="/romans/2-7.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/hebrews/12-12.htm">Hang</a> <a href="/galatians/3-13.htm">Hanging</a> <a href="/acts/28-2.htm">Islanders</a> <a href="/romans/3-5.htm">Justice</a> <a href="/acts/28-16.htm">Live</a> <a href="/james/2-11.htm">Murderer</a> <a href="/leviticus/23-42.htm">Natives</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/16-7.htm">Permit</a> <a href="/romans/5-9.htm">Saved</a> <a href="/acts/28-11.htm">Sea</a> <a href="/acts/28-5.htm">Snake</a> <a href="/romans/2-1.htm">Someone</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/13-4.htm">Suffereth</a> <a href="/acts/28-25.htm">Themselves</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/14-10.htm">Undoubtedly</a> <a href="/romans/3-5.htm">Vengeance</a> <a href="/numbers/21-6.htm">Venomous</a><div class="vheading2">Acts 28</div>1. <a href="/acts/28-1.htm">Paul, after his shipwreck, is kindly entertained on Malta.</a> 5. <a href="/acts/28-5.htm">The snake on his hand hurts him not.</a> 8. <a href="/acts/28-8.htm">He heals many diseases in the island.</a> 11. <a href="/acts/28-11.htm">They depart toward Rome.</a> 17. <a href="/acts/28-17.htm">He declares to the Jews the cause of his coming.</a> 24. <a href="/acts/28-24.htm">After his preaching some were persuaded, and some believed not.</a> 30. <a href="/acts/28-30.htm">Yet he preaches there two years.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/acts/28.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/acts/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/acts/28.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>When the islanders saw the creature hanging from his hand The islanders, or natives of Malta, observed a viper attached to Paul's hand. This incident occurred after Paul and his companions were shipwrecked on the island. The term "creature" refers to a venomous snake, which was common in the Mediterranean region. The fact that the snake was hanging from Paul's hand indicates a direct and potentially lethal bite, which would have been expected to cause immediate harm or death. This moment sets the stage for a miraculous demonstration of God's protection over Paul.they said to one another, “Surely this man is a murderer. The islanders' reaction reflects a common ancient belief in divine retribution, where misfortune was seen as punishment for wrongdoing. The assumption that Paul was a murderer suggests that they believed the snake bite was a form of divine justice. This belief aligns with the concept of "an eye for an eye" found in the Old Testament (<a href="/exodus/21-24.htm">Exodus 21:24</a>), where justice is meted out in a manner directly related to the crime.Although he was saved from the sea, The islanders acknowledged that Paul had survived the shipwreck, which they likely viewed as an act of divine intervention or favor. Surviving such a perilous event would have been seen as a sign of divine protection, yet the subsequent snake bite led them to question the nature of that protection. This reflects the tension between human understanding of justice and divine providence.Justice has not allowed him to live.” The reference to "Justice" personifies the concept of divine retribution, possibly alluding to the Greek goddess Dike, who was associated with moral order and fair judgment. The islanders believed that despite surviving the shipwreck, Paul was still subject to divine punishment for his presumed crime. This reflects a worldview where fate and divine justice are intertwined, and where human actions are believed to inevitably lead to corresponding consequences. This moment foreshadows the revelation of God's true power and mercy, as Paul remains unharmed, demonstrating the supremacy of God's will over human assumptions of justice.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/p/paul.htm">Paul</a> The apostle who is shipwrecked on the island of Malta. He is bitten by a viper but remains unharmed, which astonishes the islanders. 2. <a href="/topical/i/islanders.htm">Islanders (Malta)</a> The local inhabitants of Malta who witness the event and interpret it through their cultural and religious beliefs. 3. <a href="/topical/v/viper.htm">Viper</a> The creature that bites Paul, leading the islanders to believe he is cursed or guilty of a crime. 4. <a href="/topical/j/justice.htm">Justice (Dike)</a> A personification of justice or retribution in Greek mythology, which the islanders invoke to explain the viper's bite as divine punishment. 5. <a href="/topical/s/shipwreck.htm">Shipwreck</a> The event that leads Paul and his companions to the island of Malta, setting the stage for this encounter.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_and_protection.htm">God's Sovereignty and Protection</a> Despite appearances, God is in control and protects His servants. Paul's survival of the viper bite is a testament to God's power and purpose. <a href="/topical/m/misinterpretation_of_events.htm">Misinterpretation of Events</a> People often misinterpret events based on their cultural or religious beliefs. As Christians, we should seek God's perspective and wisdom in understanding circumstances. <a href="/topical/w/witness_through_adversity.htm">Witness Through Adversity</a> Paul's calmness and survival serve as a powerful witness to the islanders. Our response to trials can be a testimony to God's presence in our lives. <a href="/topical/d/divine_justice_vs._human_justice.htm">Divine Justice vs. Human Justice</a> The islanders' belief in immediate retribution contrasts with the biblical understanding of God's justice, which is perfect and often beyond human comprehension. <a href="/topical/f/faith_over_fear.htm">Faith Over Fear</a> Paul's lack of fear in the face of danger exemplifies a life of faith. We are called to trust God even when situations seem dire.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_acts_28.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Acts 28</a> <a href="/q/why_do_islanders_call_paul_a_murderer,_then_a_god.htm">Why do the islanders in Acts 28:4–6 first label Paul a murderer and then a god, and does this shift reflect historical misunderstanding or mythmaking? </a> <a href="/q/are_pleasant_words_like_a_honeycomb.htm">Can you trample on snakes and scorpions safely?</a> <a href="/q/how_is_acts_28_3's_viper_bite_explained.htm">How do we reconcile the viper bite in Acts 28:3 with the claim that Malta has no venomous snakes? </a> <a href="/q/where_is_malta_mentioned_in_the_bible.htm">Where is Malta mentioned in the Bible?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/acts/28.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(4) The venomous beast.--The adjective, as the italics show, is not in the Greek, and can scarcely be said to be necessary.No doubt this man is a murderer.--They knew, we may believe, that St. Paul was a prisoner. It is hardly conceivable, indeed, that he could have come on shore bound by two chains, or even one, to his keeper, but, looking to the jealous care which the soldiers had shown in the custody of the prisoners (<a href="/acts/27-42.htm" title="And the soldiers' counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim out, and escape.">Acts 27:42</a>), it would be natural that they should resume their vigilance over him as soon as they were all safe on shore. And so the natives of Melita, seeing what they did, and ignorant of the prisoner's crime, and with their rough notions of the divine government of the world, rushed to the conclusion that they were looking on an example of God's vengeance against murder. It was in vain that such a criminal had escaped the waves; a more terrible death was waiting for him.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/acts/28.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 4. - Beast for venomous beast, A.V.; hanging from for hang on, A.V.; one to another for among themselves, A.V.; escaped from for escaped, A.V.; justice for vengeance, A.V.; hath not suffered for suffereth not, A.V. The beast (τὸ θηρίον). It is peculiar to medical writers to use θηρίον ασ synonymous with ἔχιδνα, a viper. So also θηριόδηκτος, bit by a viper, θηριακή, an antidote to the bite of a viper (Dioscorides, Galen, etc.). Justice (ἥ Δίκη). In Greek mythology Dice (Justitia) was the daughter and assessor of Zeus, and the avenger of crime. In her train was Poena, of whom Horace says," Rare antecedeutem scelcstum Deseruit pede Poena claude" ('Od.,' 3:2, 32). "The idea of Dice as justice personified is most perfectly developed in the dramas of Sophocles and Euripides" (article "Dice," in 'Dict. of Greek and Roman Biog. and Mythol.'). It does not appear whether the islanders had learned the name and office of Dice from the Greeks in Sicily, or whether they had any native divinity whose name St. Luke translates into that of Dice. The gods whose names are found in ancient Maltese inscriptions are Melkarth, another name of Hercules, the tutelar god of Tyre; Osiris, and Baal. Other Phoenician divinities are named in the Carthaginian inscriptions (see Gesenius, 'Monument. Phoenic.'). Had not suffered. They assume that death will certainly follow from the bite. <a href="/commentaries/acts/28-4.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>When ὡς (hōs) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_5613.htm">Strong's 5613: </a> Probably adverb of comparative from hos; which how, i.e. In that manner. the οἱ (hoi) Article - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. islanders βάρβαροι (barbaroi) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_915.htm">Strong's 915: </a> A foreigner, one who speaks neither Greek nor Latin; as adj: foreign. Of uncertain derivation; a foreigner. saw εἶδον (eidon) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3708.htm">Strong's 3708: </a> Properly, to stare at, i.e. to discern clearly; by extension, to attend to; by Hebraism, to experience; passively, to appear. the τὸ (to) Article - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. creature θηρίον (thērion) Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2342.htm">Strong's 2342: </a> Properly: a wild beast, hence: any animal; met: a brute. Diminutive from the same as thera; a dangerous animal. hanging κρεμάμενον (kremamenon) Verb - Present Participle Middle - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2910.htm">Strong's 2910: </a> To hang, hang up, suspend; mid: To be hanging, hang. A prolonged form of a primary verb; to hang. from ἐκ (ek) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1537.htm">Strong's 1537: </a> From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out. his αὐτοῦ (autou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. hand, χειρὸς (cheiros) Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5495.htm">Strong's 5495: </a> A hand. they said ἔλεγον (elegon) Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2036.htm">Strong's 2036: </a> Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say. to πρὸς (pros) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_4314.htm">Strong's 4314: </a> To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward. one another, ἀλλήλους (allēlous) Personal / Reciprocal Pronoun - Accusative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_240.htm">Strong's 240: </a> One another, each other. Genitive plural from allos reduplicated; one another. “Surely Πάντως (Pantōs) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_3843.htm">Strong's 3843: </a> Wholly, entirely, in every way, by all means, certainly. Adverb from pas; entirely; specially, at all events, in no event. this οὗτος (houtos) Demonstrative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3778.htm">Strong's 3778: </a> This; he, she, it. man ἄνθρωπος (anthrōpos) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_444.htm">Strong's 444: </a> A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being. is ἐστιν (estin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. a murderer. φονεύς (phoneus) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5406.htm">Strong's 5406: </a> A murderer. [Although he] ὃν (hon) Personal / Relative Pronoun - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3739.htm">Strong's 3739: </a> Who, which, what, that. was saved διασωθέντα (diasōthenta) Verb - Aorist Participle Passive - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1295.htm">Strong's 1295: </a> From dia and sozo; to save thoroughly, i.e. to cure, preserve, rescue, etc. from ἐκ (ek) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1537.htm">Strong's 1537: </a> From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out. the τῆς (tēs) Article - Genitive Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. sea, θαλάσσης (thalassēs) Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2281.htm">Strong's 2281: </a> Probably prolonged from hals; the sea. Justice Δίκη (Dikē) Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1349.htm">Strong's 1349: </a> Probably from deiknuo; right, i.e. Justice. {has} not οὐκ (ouk) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_3756.htm">Strong's 3756: </a> No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not. allowed [him] εἴασεν (eiasen) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1439.htm">Strong's 1439: </a> To allow, permit, let alone, leave. Of uncertain affinity; to let be, i.e. Permit or leave alone. to live.? ζῆν (zēn) Verb - Present Infinitive Active <a href="/greek/strongs_2198.htm">Strong's 2198: </a> To live, be alive. A primary verb; to live. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/acts/28-4.htm">Acts 28:4 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/acts/28-4.htm">Acts 28:4 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/acts/28-4.htm">Acts 28:4 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/acts/28-4.htm">Acts 28:4 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/acts/28-4.htm">Acts 28:4 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/acts/28-4.htm">Acts 28:4 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/acts/28-4.htm">Acts 28:4 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/acts/28-4.htm">Acts 28:4 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/acts/28-4.htm">Acts 28:4 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/acts/28-4.htm">Acts 28:4 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/acts/28-4.htm">NT Apostles: Acts 28:4 When the natives saw the creature hanging (Acts of the Apostles Ac) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/acts/28-3.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Acts 28:3"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Acts 28:3" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/acts/28-5.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Acts 28:5"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Acts 28:5" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>