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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 28:6 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.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/acts/28-6.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/7/44_Act_28_06.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Acts 28:6 - Ashore on Malta" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="The islanders were expecting him to swell up or suddenly drop dead. 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But when they had waited a long time and saw that he wasn’t harmed, they changed their minds and decided he was a god. <a href="/esv/acts/28.htm">English Standard Version</a> They were waiting for him to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But when they had waited a long time and saw no misfortune come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god. <a href="/bsb/acts/28.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> 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. <a href="/blb/acts/28.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> But they were expecting him to be about to become inflamed or suddenly to fall down dead. But of them waiting a great while and seeing nothing amiss happening to him, having changed their opinion, they began declaring him to be a god. <a href="/kjv/acts/28.htm">King James Bible</a> 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. <a href="/nkjv/acts/28.htm">New King James Version</a> However, they were expecting that he would swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had looked for a long time and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god. <a href="/nasb_/acts/28.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Now they were expecting that he was going to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had waited a long time and had seen nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and began to say that he was a god. <a href="/nasb/acts/28.htm">NASB 1995</a> But they were expecting that he was about to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had waited a long time and had seen nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and began to say that he was a god. <a href="/nasb77/acts/28.htm">NASB 1977 </a> But they were expecting that he was about to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had waited a long time and had seen nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and began to say that he was a god. <a href="/lsb/acts/28.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> But they were waiting for him to soon swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had waited a long time and had seen nothing unusual happen to him, changing their minds, they began to say that he was a god. <a href="/amp/acts/28.htm">Amplified Bible</a> But they stood watching and expecting him to swell up or suddenly drop dead. But after they had waited a long time and had seen nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and began saying that he was a god. <a href="/csb/acts/28.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> They expected that he would begin to swell up or suddenly drop dead. After they waited a long time and saw nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god. <a href="/hcsb/acts/28.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> They expected that he would swell up or suddenly drop dead. But after they waited a long time and saw nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god. <a href="/asv/acts/28.htm">American Standard Version</a> But they expected that he would have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but when they were long in expectation and beheld nothing amiss came to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god. <a href="/cev/acts/28.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> The people kept thinking that Paul would either swell up or suddenly drop dead. They watched him for a long time, and when nothing happened to him, they changed their minds and said, "This man is a god." <a href="/erv/acts/28.htm">English Revised Version</a> But they expected that he would have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but when they were long in expectation, and beheld nothing amiss came to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god. <a href="/gwt/acts/28.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> The people were waiting for him to swell up or suddenly drop dead. But after they had waited a long time and saw nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god. <a href="/gnt/acts/28.htm">Good News Translation</a> They were waiting for him to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after waiting for a long time and not seeing anything unusual happening to him, they changed their minds and said, "He is a god!" <a href="/isv/acts/28.htm">International Standard Version</a> They 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. <a href="/msb/acts/28.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> 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. <a href="/net/acts/28.htm">NET Bible</a> But they were expecting that he was going to swell up or suddenly drop dead. So after they had waited a long time and had seen nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god. <a href="/nheb/acts/28.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> But they expected that he would have swollen or fallen down dead suddenly, but when they watched for a long time and saw nothing bad happen to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god. <a href="/wbt/acts/28.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Yet they looked when he would have swelled, 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. <a href="/wey/acts/28.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> They expected him soon to swell with inflammation or suddenly fall down dead; but, after waiting a long time and seeing no harm come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god. <a href="/web/acts/28.htm">World English Bible</a> But they expected that he would have swollen or fallen down dead suddenly, but when they watched for a long time and saw nothing bad happen to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/acts/28.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and they were expecting him to be about to be inflamed, or to suddenly fall down dead, and they, expecting [it] a long time, and seeing nothing uncommon happening to him, changing [their] minds, said he was a god. <a href="/blb/acts/28.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> But they were expecting him to be about to become inflamed or suddenly to fall down dead. But of them waiting a great while and seeing nothing amiss happening to him, having changed their opinion, they began declaring him to be a god. <a href="/ylt/acts/28.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and they were expecting him to be about to be inflamed, or to fall down suddenly dead, and they, expecting it a long time, and seeing nothing uncommon happening to him, changing their minds, said he was a god. <a href="/slt/acts/28.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And they expected him about to be inflamed, or to fall down dead suddenly: and they waiting for much, and seeing nothing extraordinary coming to him, changing their opinions, they said he was a god.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/acts/28.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> But they supposed that he would begin to swell up, and that he would suddenly fall down and die. But expecting long, and seeing that there came no harm to him, changing their minds, they said, that he was a god. <a href="/cpdv/acts/28.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> But they were supposing that he would soon swell up, and then would suddenly fall down and die. But having waited a long time, and seeing no ill effects in him, they changed their minds and were saying that he was a god. <a href="/nabre/acts/28.htm">New American Bible</a> They were expecting him to swell up or suddenly to fall down dead but, after waiting a long time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and began to say that he was a god. <a href="/nrsvce/acts/28.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> They were expecting him to swell up or drop dead, but after they had waited a long time and saw that nothing unusual had happened to him, they changed their minds and began to say that he was a god.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/acts/28.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> However, the barbarians expected he would immediately swell up and fall to the ground dead: but after they had waited for a long while, and saw he had not been harmed, they changed their talk, and said that he was a god. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/acts/28.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> But the Barbarians were thinking that he would immediately swell up and drop dead on the ground. When they had waited for a long time and saw that no evil effect had occurred to him, they changed their talk and they said, “He is a god.”<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/acts/28.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> But they were expecting that he would become inflamed and swollen, or would suddenly fall down dead; yet, after expecting it for a long time, and seeing no harm befall him, they changed their mind, and said he was a god.<CM> <a href="/godbey/acts/28.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> and they were looking for him to be about to swell up and suddenly fall down dead. But having looked a long time, and seeing nothing out of place come to him, changing their minds, they said that he was a god. <a href="/haweis/acts/28.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> Now they expected that a violent inflammation would ensue, or that he would have fallen suddenly dead: but when, after waiting a considerable time, they saw no inconvenience arise to him, they changed their opinion, and said that he was a divinity.<CM> <a href="/mace/acts/28.htm">Mace New Testament</a> however, they expected to have seen him swell, or suddenly die away, but when they had waited a good while, and saw no harm come to him, they were of another opinion, and said he was a God. <a href="/wey/acts/28.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> They expected him soon to swell with inflammation or suddenly fall down dead; but, after waiting a long time and seeing no harm come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god. <a href="/worrell/acts/28.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> but they were expecting that he would surely become swollen, or suddenly fall down dead; but, after looking a great while, and observing nothing unusual happening to him, changing their minds, they said that he was a god. <a href="/worsley/acts/28.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> They however were expecting that he would swell, or suddenly fall down dead: but when they had waited a good while, and saw no hurt come to him, they changed their opinion and said that he was a god. <a href="/parallel/acts/28-6.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=9327" 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> …5But Paul shook the creature off into the fire and suffered no ill effects. 6<a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc."></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."></a> <a href="/greek/4328.htm" title="4328: prosedokōn (V-IIA-3P) -- To expect, wait for, await, think, anticipate. From pros and dokeuo; to anticipate; by implication, to await.">The islanders were expecting</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: auton (PPro-AM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">him</a> <a href="/greek/3195.htm" title="3195: mellein (V-PNA) -- A strengthened form of melo; to intend, i.e. Be about to be, do, or suffer something.">to</a> <a href="/greek/4092.htm" title="4092: pimprasthai (V-PNM/P) -- To fill full of. I swell, am inflamed. ">swell up</a> <a href="/greek/2228.htm" title="2228: ē (Conj) -- Or, than. A primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than.">or</a> <a href="/greek/869.htm" title="869: aphnō (Adv) -- Suddenly. Adverb from aphanes; unawares, i.e. Unexpectedly.">suddenly</a> <a href="/greek/2667.htm" title="2667: katapiptein (V-PNA) -- To fall down, fall prostrate. From kata and pipto; to fall down.">drop</a> <a href="/greek/3498.htm" title="3498: nekron (Adj-AMS) -- (a) adj: dead, lifeless, subject to death, mortal, (b) noun: a dead body, a corpse. From an apparently primary nekus; dead.">dead.</a> <a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">But</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autōn (PPro-GM3P) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons."></a> <a href="/greek/4328.htm" title="4328: prosdokōntōn (V-PPA-GMP) -- To expect, wait for, await, think, anticipate. From pros and dokeuo; to anticipate; by implication, to await.">after waiting</a> <a href="/greek/4183.htm" title="4183: poly (Adj-ANS) -- Much, many; often. ">a long</a> <a href="/greek/1909.htm" title="1909: epi (Prep) -- On, to, against, on the basis of, at. ">time</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/2334.htm" title="2334: theōrountōn (V-PPA-GMP) -- From a derivative of theaomai; to be a spectator of, i.e. Discern, (experience) or intensively (acknowledge).">seeing</a> <a href="/greek/3367.htm" title="3367: mēden (Adj-ANS) -- No one, none, nothing. ">nothing</a> <a href="/greek/824.htm" title="824: atopon (Adj-ANS) -- (lit: out of place, unusual, unbecoming), improper, unrighteous, perverse. Out of place, i.e. improper, injurious, wicked.">unusual</a> <a href="/greek/1096.htm" title="1096: ginomenon (V-PPM/P-ANS) -- A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude.">happen</a> <a href="/greek/1519.htm" title="1519: eis (Prep) -- A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.">to</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: auton (PPro-AM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">him,</a> <a href="/greek/3328.htm" title="3328: metabalomenoi (V-APM-NMP) -- To change; mid: I change my mind. From meta and ballo; to throw over, i.e. to turn about in opinion.">they changed their minds</a> <a href="/greek/2036.htm" title="2036: elegon (V-IIA-3P) -- Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.">and said</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: auton (PPro-AM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">he</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: einai (V-PNA) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">was</a> <a href="/greek/2316.htm" title="2316: theon (N-AMS) -- A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.">a god.</a> 7Nearby stood an estate belonging to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us and entertained us hospitably for three days.…<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="/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/43-2.htm">Isaiah 43:2</a> When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you go through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched; the flames will not set you ablaze. <a href="/daniel/3-27.htm">Daniel 3:27</a> and when the satraps, prefects, governors, and royal advisers had gathered around, they saw that the fire had no effect on the bodies of these men. Not a hair of their heads was singed, their robes were unaffected, and there was no smell of fire on them. <a href="/daniel/6-22.htm">Daniel 6:22</a> My God sent His angel and shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, for I was found innocent in His sight, and I have done no wrong against you, O king.” <a href="/matthew/10-28.htm">Matthew 10:28</a> Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Instead, fear the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. <a href="/2_corinthians/11-25.htm">2 Corinthians 11:25</a> Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked. I spent a night and a day in the open sea. <a href="/2_corinthians/12-9.htm">2 Corinthians 12:9-10</a> But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me. / That is why, for the sake of Christ, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. <a href="/romans/8-28.htm">Romans 8:28</a> And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose. <a href="/john/10-28.htm">John 10:28-29</a> I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them out of My hand. / My Father who has given them to Me is greater than all. No one can snatch them out of My Father’s hand. <a href="/psalms/121-7.htm">Psalm 121:7</a> The LORD will guard you from all evil; He will preserve your soul. <a href="/psalms/34-19.htm">Psalm 34:19</a> Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him from them all. <a href="/isaiah/54-17.htm">Isaiah 54:17</a> No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their vindication is from Me,” declares the LORD. <a href="/1_samuel/17-37.htm">1 Samuel 17:37</a> David added, “The LORD, who delivered me from the claws of the lion and the bear, will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” “Go,” said Saul, “and may the LORD be with you.”</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>However, 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.said.<a href="/acts/12-22.htm">Acts 12:22</a> And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man.<a href="/acts/14-11.htm">Acts 14:11-13</a> 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… <a href="/matthew/21-9.htm">Matthew 21:9</a> 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.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/acts/25-5.htm">Amiss</a> <a href="/john/9-31.htm">Bad</a> <a href="/acts/8-22.htm">Changed</a> <a href="/matthew/21-29.htm">Changing</a> <a href="/acts/28-5.htm">Damage</a> <a href="/acts/26-23.htm">Dead</a> <a href="/acts/12-11.htm">Expectation</a> <a href="/acts/16-13.htm">Expected</a> <a href="/acts/25-18.htm">Expecting</a> <a href="/acts/27-34.htm">Fall</a> <a href="/acts/27-29.htm">Fallen</a> <a href="/acts/28-2.htm">Falling</a> <a href="/acts/27-20.htm">Great</a> <a href="/acts/28-5.htm">Harm</a> <a href="/acts/28-5.htm">Howbeit</a> <a href="/acts/27-39.htm">Idea</a> <a href="/acts/28-5.htm">Ill</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/28-22.htm">Inflammation</a> <a href="/acts/15-24.htm">Minds</a> <a href="/obadiah/1-13.htm">Misfortune</a> <a href="/acts/27-14.htm">Soon</a> <a href="/acts/22-6.htm">Suddenly</a> <a href="/isaiah/60-5.htm">Swell</a> <a href="/isaiah/30-13.htm">Swelled</a> <a href="/matthew/7-27.htm">Swollen</a> <a href="/acts/27-40.htm">Time</a> <a href="/acts/27-29.htm">Waited</a> <a href="/acts/27-33.htm">Waiting</a> <a href="/acts/9-24.htm">Watched</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/james/4-3.htm">Amiss</a> <a href="/acts/28-21.htm">Bad</a> <a href="/acts/28-13.htm">Changed</a> <a href="/romans/1-26.htm">Changing</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/15-33.htm">Damage</a> <a href="/romans/1-4.htm">Dead</a> <a href="/romans/8-19.htm">Expectation</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/8-5.htm">Expected</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/16-11.htm">Expecting</a> <a href="/romans/2-8.htm">Fall</a> <a href="/romans/11-22.htm">Fallen</a> <a href="/romans/14-4.htm">Falling</a> <a href="/acts/28-10.htm">Great</a> <a href="/acts/28-21.htm">Harm</a> <a href="/romans/7-7.htm">Howbeit</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/3-18.htm">Idea</a> <a href="/acts/28-8.htm">Ill</a> <a href="/leviticus/13-23.htm">Inflammation</a> <a href="/acts/28-27.htm">Minds</a> <a href="/numbers/23-21.htm">Misfortune</a> <a href="/romans/8-18.htm">Soon</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/1-17.htm">Suddenly</a> <a href="/numbers/5-21.htm">Swell</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/8-4.htm">Swelled</a> <a href="/2_timothy/3-4.htm">Swollen</a> <a href="/romans/1-13.htm">Time</a> <a href="/hebrews/6-15.htm">Waited</a> <a href="/acts/28-12.htm">Waiting</a> <a href="/revelation/6-1.htm">Watched</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>The islanders were expecting him to swell up or suddenly drop dead. The islanders, likely familiar with the local wildlife, expected a fatal reaction from the snakebite. In the ancient world, venomous snakebites were often deadly, and the people of Malta would have witnessed such outcomes before. This expectation reflects a common belief in immediate divine retribution or judgment, a theme seen throughout Scripture, such as in the story of Job's friends who assumed his suffering was due to sin (<a href="/job/4-7.htm">Job 4:7-8</a>).But after waiting a long time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, The patience of the islanders in observing Paul suggests a mix of curiosity and superstition. Their waiting period indicates a significant amount of time passed, enough to confirm that Paul was unharmed. This mirrors other biblical accounts where God's protection is evident, such as Daniel in the lion's den (<a href="/daniel/6-22.htm">Daniel 6:22</a>). It also highlights the miraculous nature of Paul's survival, aligning with Jesus' promise in <a href="/mark/16-18.htm">Mark 16:18</a> that believers would handle snakes without harm.they changed their minds and said he was a god. The islanders' shift from expecting death to declaring Paul a god reflects the ancient tendency to deify individuals who displayed extraordinary powers or survived against the odds. This reaction is similar to the people of Lystra, who attempted to worship Paul and Barnabas as gods after witnessing a miracle (<a href="/acts/14-11.htm">Acts 14:11-13</a>). It underscores the human inclination to attribute divine status to those who exhibit supernatural protection or abilities, contrasting with the Christian understanding of God's power working through His servants. This moment also foreshadows the spread of the Gospel, as it opens a door for Paul to share the truth about the one true God.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/p/paul.htm">Paul</a> The apostle who was bitten by a viper but suffered no harm, leading the islanders to change their perception of him. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_islanders_of_malta.htm">The Islanders of Malta</a> The local inhabitants who initially thought Paul would die from the snake bite but later considered him a god when he remained unharmed. 3. <a href="/topical/m/malta.htm">Malta</a> The island where Paul and his companions were shipwrecked and where this event took place. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_viper.htm">The Viper</a> The snake that bit Paul, which was expected to cause harm but did not, demonstrating God's protection over Paul. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_shipwreck.htm">The Shipwreck</a> The preceding event that brought Paul and his companions to Malta, setting the stage for this miraculous incident.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/g/god's_protection.htm">God's Protection</a> God's providence and protection are evident in Paul's survival. Believers can trust in God's care even in seemingly dangerous situations. <a href="/topical/m/misinterpretation_of_miracles.htm">Misinterpretation of Miracles</a> The islanders' reaction shows how easily people can misinterpret God's work. Christians should seek discernment to understand God's actions correctly. <a href="/topical/w/witness_through_trials.htm">Witness Through Trials</a> Paul's calmness and faith during the trial served as a powerful witness to the islanders. Believers can use their trials as opportunities to demonstrate faith. <a href="/topical/c/changing_perceptions.htm">Changing Perceptions</a> The rapid change in the islanders' perception of Paul from a doomed man to a god highlights the fickle nature of human opinion. Christians should seek God's approval rather than man's. <a href="/topical/f/faith_over_fear.htm">Faith Over Fear</a> Paul's lack of fear in the face of danger is a testament to his faith. Believers are encouraged to trust God rather than succumb to fear.<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/what_teachings_does_the_bible_provide.htm">What teachings does the Bible provide?</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/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/what_happened_on_paul's_trip_to_rome.htm">What events occurred during Paul's voyage to Rome?</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>(6) They looked when he should have swollen . . .--Better, and they were expecting that . . . The verb for "swollen" implies literally "inflammation," and one of the enormous serpents of Africa took its name. Prestes ("the inflamer"), from it. Lucan (ix. 790) describes the effect of its bite--"Percussit Prestes, illi ruber igneus oraSuccendit, tenditque cutem, pereunte figura."[" The Prestes bit him, and a fiery flushLit up his face, and set the skin a-stretch,And all its comely grace had passed away."]They changed their minds, and said that he was a god.--The miraculous escape naturally made an even stronger impression on the minds of the Melitese than what had seemed a supernatural judgment. Their thoughts may have travelled quickly to the attributes of the deities who, like Apollo or 'sculapius, were depicted as subduing serpents. The sudden change of belief may be noted as presenting a kind of inverted parallelism with that which had come over the people of Lystra. (See Notes on <a href="/acts/14-11.htm" title="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 14:11</a>; <a href="/acts/14-19.htm" title="And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead.">Acts 14:19</a>.)<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/acts/28.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 6. - But they expected that he would for howbeit, they looked when he should, A.V.; when they were long in expectation for after they had looked a great while, A.V.; beheld nothing amiss for stay no harm, A.V. They expected; προσεδόκων. This word is used eleven times by St. Luke, twice by St. Matthew, and three times in the Second Epistle of Peter (see <a href="/acts/3-5.htm">Acts 3:5</a>; <a href="/luke/1-21.htm">Luke 1:21</a>, etc.). It is also common in the LXX. But it is a word much employed by medical writers in speaking of the course they expect a disease to take, and the results they look for. And this is the more remarkable here because there are no fewer than three other medical phrases in this verse, τίμπρασθαι καταπίπτειν, and μηδὲν ἄτοπον, besides those immediately preceding διεξέρχεσθαι (according to several good manuscripts and editions) θέρμη καθάπτειν, and θηρίον. So that it looks as if, having once got into a medical train of thought from the subject he was writing about, medical language naturally came uppermost in his mind. Have swollen; πίμπρασθαι, only here in the Bible, and not found in this sense in older classical writers. But it is the usual medical word for "inflammation" in any part of the body. Fallen down; καταπίπτειν, only here and in <a href="/acts/26-14.htm">Acts 26:14</a>, and twice in the LXX.; but common in Homer and elsewhere, and especially frequent in medical writers of persons falling down in fits, or weakness, or wounded, or the like. Nothing amiss (μηδὲν ἄτοπον). Mr. Hobart quotes a remarkable parallel to this phrase from Damocrites, quoted by Galen. He says that whosoever, having been bitten by a mad dog, drinks a certain antidote (εἰς οὐδὲν ἄτοπον ἐμπεσοῦται ῤᾳδίως), "shall suffer no harm." It is used in medical writers in two senses - of" unusual symptoms," and of fatal consequences. In the New Testament it only occurs elsewhere in <a href="/luke/23-41.htm">Luke 23:41</a>, "Nothing amiss;" and <a href="/2_thessalonians/3-2.htm">2 Thessalonians 3:2</a>, Ἀτόπων καὶ πονηρῶν ἀνθρώπων. It is also used in the LXX. for wickedness, doing wickedly, etc. They changed their minds; as in an opposite direction the Lycaonians did (<a href="/acts/14-11.htm">Acts 14:11, 19</a>). It is a graphic picture of the fickleness of an untutored mind yielding to every impulse. The impunity with which St. Paul endured the bite of the viper was a direct fulfillment of our Lord's promise in <a href="/mark/16-18.htm">Mark 16:18</a> (see further note on ver. 8). <a href="/commentaries/acts/28-6.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>[The islanders] were expecting προσεδόκων (prosedokōn) Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4328.htm">Strong's 4328: </a> To expect, wait for, await, think, anticipate. From pros and dokeuo; to anticipate; by implication, to await. him αὐτὸν (auton) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 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. to μέλλειν (mellein) Verb - Present Infinitive Active <a href="/greek/strongs_3195.htm">Strong's 3195: </a> A strengthened form of melo; to intend, i.e. Be about to be, do, or suffer something. swell up πίμπρασθαι (pimprasthai) Verb - Present Infinitive Middle or Passive <a href="/greek/strongs_4092.htm">Strong's 4092: </a> To fill full of. I swell, am inflamed. or ἢ (ē) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2228.htm">Strong's 2228: </a> Or, than. A primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than. suddenly ἄφνω (aphnō) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_869.htm">Strong's 869: </a> Suddenly. Adverb from aphanes; unawares, i.e. Unexpectedly. drop καταπίπτειν (katapiptein) Verb - Present Infinitive Active <a href="/greek/strongs_2667.htm">Strong's 2667: </a> To fall down, fall prostrate. From kata and pipto; to fall down. dead. νεκρόν (nekron) Adjective - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3498.htm">Strong's 3498: </a> (a) adj: dead, lifeless, subject to death, mortal, (b) noun: a dead body, a corpse. From an apparently primary nekus; dead. But δὲ (de) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> A primary particle; but, and, etc. after waiting προσδοκώντων (prosdokōntōn) Verb - Present Participle Active - Genitive Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4328.htm">Strong's 4328: </a> To expect, wait for, await, think, anticipate. From pros and dokeuo; to anticipate; by implication, to await. a long πολὺ (poly) Adjective - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4183.htm">Strong's 4183: </a> Much, many; often. time ἐπὶ (epi) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1909.htm">Strong's 1909: </a> On, to, against, on the basis of, at. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. seeing θεωρούντων (theōrountōn) Verb - Present Participle Active - Genitive Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2334.htm">Strong's 2334: </a> From a derivative of theaomai; to be a spectator of, i.e. Discern, (experience) or intensively (acknowledge). nothing μηδὲν (mēden) Adjective - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3367.htm">Strong's 3367: </a> No one, none, nothing. unusual ἄτοπον (atopon) Adjective - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_824.htm">Strong's 824: </a> (lit: out of place, unusual, unbecoming), improper, unrighteous, perverse. Out of place, i.e. improper, injurious, wicked. happen γινόμενον (ginomenon) Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1096.htm">Strong's 1096: </a> A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude. to εἰς (eis) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1519.htm">Strong's 1519: </a> A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases. him, αὐτὸν (auton) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 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. they changed their minds μεταβαλόμενοι (metabalomenoi) Verb - Aorist Participle Middle - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3328.htm">Strong's 3328: </a> To change; mid: I change my mind. From meta and ballo; to throw over, i.e. to turn about in opinion. [and] 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. he αὐτὸν (auton) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 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. was εἶναι (einai) Verb - Present Infinitive Active <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 god. θεόν (theon) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2316.htm">Strong's 2316: </a> A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/acts/28-6.htm">Acts 28:6 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/acts/28-6.htm">Acts 28:6 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/acts/28-6.htm">Acts 28:6 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/acts/28-6.htm">Acts 28:6 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/acts/28-6.htm">Acts 28:6 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/acts/28-6.htm">Acts 28:6 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/acts/28-6.htm">Acts 28:6 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/acts/28-6.htm">Acts 28:6 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/acts/28-6.htm">Acts 28:6 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/acts/28-6.htm">Acts 28:6 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/acts/28-6.htm">NT Apostles: Acts 28:6 But they expected that he would have (Acts of the Apostles Ac) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/acts/28-5.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Acts 28:5"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Acts 28:5" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/acts/28-7.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Acts 28:7"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Acts 28:7" /></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>