Acts 28:1 kjv
And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita.
Acts 28:1 nkjv
Now when they had escaped, they then found out that the island was called Malta.
Acts 28:1 niv
Once safely on shore, we found out that the island was called Malta.
Acts 28:1 esv
After we were brought safely through, we then learned that the island was called Malta.
Acts 28:1 nlt
Once we were safe on shore, we learned that we were on the island of Malta.
Acts 28 1 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Psa 107:28-30 | "Then they cried to the LORD... He stilled the storm... he brought them..." | God stills storms and guides to haven. |
| Isa 43:2 | "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you..." | God's presence and protection in trials. |
| Jonah 1:15-17 | "...they hurled Jonah into the sea... The LORD appointed a great fish..." | Divine intervention in water-related danger. |
| 2 Cor 11:25 | "Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea..." | Paul's prior experiences of shipwrecks and survival. |
| Lam 3:57-58 | "You drew near when I called... You, Lord, took up my case; you redeemed my life." | God's rescue from peril and redemption. |
| Prov 16:9 | "The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps." | God's sovereign direction of human journeys. |
| Psa 37:23 | "The steps of a man are established by the LORD, when he delights in his way." | Divine guidance and approval for a righteous path. |
| Acts 27:23-24 | "For this very night there stood before me an angel... saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul...' " | Divine assurance of safety before the event. |
| Rom 8:28 | "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good..." | God works even trials for ultimate good. |
| Phil 1:12 | "I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel." | Even imprisonment and trials serve the gospel. |
| Gen 8:4 | "and in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, the ark came to rest..." | Safe landing after a great flood. |
| Exod 14:30-31 | "Thus the LORD saved Israel that day... Israel saw the great power..." | God's dramatic deliverance through water. |
| Gen 12:1-5 | "Now the LORD said to Abram, ‘Go from your country... to the land that I will show you.' " | God calling His people to journeys to new lands. |
| Gen 28:10-15 | "...going toward Haran. And he came to a certain place... the LORD stood above it..." | Jacob's journey to a new land with divine presence. |
| Psa 89:9 | "You rule the swelling of the sea; when its waves rise, you still them." | God's absolute control over natural elements. |
| Job 38:8-11 | "...who shut in the sea with doors when it burst out from the womb..." | God's sovereign authority over the creation. |
| Heb 13:2 | "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." | Command to offer hospitality (prelude to next verses). |
| Lev 19:34 | "You shall treat the sojourner who dwells among you as a native from among you..." | Care for strangers in the land. |
| 2 Tim 4:17 | "But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed..." | God empowers for ministry despite hardships. |
| Col 1:24 | "Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake..." | Suffering is part of Christ's service. |
| Acts 9:15 | "But the Lord said to him, 'Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles...'" | Paul's overarching mission to the Gentiles. |
| Rom 11:25 | "...a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in." | The mission to the Gentiles in God's broader plan. |
Acts 28 verses
Acts 28 1 Meaning
Acts 28:1 marks the immediate aftermath of the violent shipwreck described in chapter 27. It states that once Paul and his companions had safely escaped the tumultuous sea and reached solid ground, they identified the island they had landed on as Melita, now known as Malta. This verse signifies the successful, divinely ordained conclusion of their perilous sea journey, moving from chaos and uncertainty to a tangible, identifiable place of refuge, preparing the way for the next stage of God's purpose for Paul.
Acts 28 1 Context
Acts 28:1 opens the final chapter of Acts, picking up immediately after the harrowing shipwreck at the end of Acts 27. For two weeks, Paul and 275 others (soldiers, sailors, prisoners) endured a violent storm in the Mediterranean Sea, finally losing control of their ship and being dashed to pieces upon a reef. Miraculously, as prophesied by Paul through an angelic visitation (Acts 27:23-24), all 276 lives were spared. This verse describes the moment they found safety on an island, marking the transition from the desperate struggle for survival to the initial stages of recovery and Paul's subsequent ministry on Melita before his eventual arrival in Rome as God's plan. Historically, sea travel in the Roman world was dangerous, especially outside of designated sailing seasons (autumn to spring). The survival of such a large group from a total loss of a ship was seen as highly unusual and often attributed to divine intervention or extreme good fortune, setting the stage for the inhabitants' reactions to Paul's later actions.
Acts 28 1 Word analysis
- And when: This phrase links directly to the events of the preceding chapter (Acts 27), emphasizing the immediate aftermath of the shipwreck and indicating a continuation of the narrative. It signals a shift from the journey's perils to the outcome.
- they were escaped: (Greek: ἐκφεύγω, ekpheugō). This word means "to flee out of," "to escape completely," or "to get away safe." It highlights the successful, complete deliverance from the grave danger of the shipwreck and the sea. The active verb implies a sustained effort by the survivors, but the ultimate outcome of "escaping" points to divine aid, contrasting the prior state of being "adrift."
- then they knew: (Greek: ἐπιγνῶμεν, epignōmen - aorist active indicative, implying a completed action of knowing or recognizing). This signifies a moment of realization and identification after a period of uncertainty. During the shipwreck and their struggle to shore, their immediate concern was survival. Only upon reaching safety could they properly ascertain their location. This reflects the human process of disorientation followed by regaining one's bearings.
- that the island: The object of their new knowledge. This specifies the type of land they reached—not a mainland coast, but an isolated landmass.
- was called Melita: (Greek: Μελιτή, Melitē). This is the historical name for the island of Malta. Its identification provides a specific geographical anchor to the narrative, essential for historical accuracy and context. The name Melita is derived from the Semitic root malat meaning "refuge" or "haven," aptly fitting its role as a sanctuary for the storm-tossed survivors. Historically, Malta was a strategic island in the central Mediterranean, part of the Roman Empire, and its location explains its encounter with Paul's journey to Rome.
Words-group by words-group analysis
- And when they were escaped: This phrase immediately establishes the miraculous survival of all 276 individuals, fulfilling Paul's prophecy from Acts 27:22-26. It closes the chapter of maritime peril with a triumphant note of God's protection and brings the narrative from intense action to safe landing. The transition from near-certain death to escape underscores the providential care of God over His chosen instrument, Paul, and those with him.
- then they knew that the island was called Melita: This indicates a restoration of order and knowledge after chaotic disorientation. It marks the first clear piece of geographical information they had after weeks of being lost at sea. This concrete identification moves the narrative from a universal experience of being shipwrecked to a specific engagement with a particular location and its people, setting the stage for Paul's subsequent experiences and ministry on Malta. The act of knowing signifies a return to clarity and agency for the survivors.
Acts 28 1 Bonus section
The island of Melita (Malta) was known in ancient times for its good harbors and was a significant trade hub in the central Mediterranean. Its strategic location made it a valuable possession, initially for Phoenicians, then Greeks, Carthaginians, and eventually the Romans. The specific identification of the island by its name, "Melita," rather than a vague description of land, gives the account an eyewitness quality, further cementing its historical reliability. The subsequent events on Malta, including Paul's encounter with the viper and the healing of Publius's father, are built directly upon this safe landing, demonstrating how God's divine guidance brought Paul not just to a safe place, but to a place where he would manifest God's power and continue to spread the Gospel even as a prisoner en route to Caesar. This journey, fraught with peril, consistently served to advance Paul's mission rather than hinder it, a powerful theme running through the entire book of Acts.
Acts 28 1 Commentary
Acts 28:1 provides the critical bridge from the life-threatening tempest to the peaceful shores of Melita, underscoring God's absolute sovereignty over creation and His specific providential care for His servant, Paul. The collective sigh of relief suggested by "they were escaped" gives way to a practical orientation with "then they knew that the island was called Melita." This simple identification marks the beginning of recovery and sets the stage for Paul's impactful ministry on this pagan island. It showcases God's unfailing commitment to completing His divine purpose, even leveraging dramatic natural disasters to place His evangelist precisely where he is meant to be, demonstrating that even hardships are tools in the hands of the Almighty. For believers, it illustrates that salvation can emerge even from the depths of distress, and God's plan will not be thwarted by adverse circumstances.