Acts 28 5

Acts 28:5 kjv

And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.

Acts 28:5 nkjv

But he shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm.

Acts 28:5 niv

But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no ill effects.

Acts 28:5 esv

He, however, shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm.

Acts 28:5 nlt

But Paul shook off the snake into the fire and was unharmed.

Acts 28 verses

Acts 28 5 Meaning

Acts 28:5 describes the immediate consequence after an adder, or venomous serpent, bit the Apostle Paul while he was gathering sticks for a fire on the island of Malta. Despite the creature fastening onto his hand, Paul swiftly and decisively shook it off into the fire, and remarkably, experienced no ill effects or harm from the bite. This event served as a powerful sign to the local islanders, highlighting divine protection upon Paul.

Acts 28 5 Context

Acts chapter 28 begins with Paul and his shipwrecked companions reaching the island of Malta. After the traumatic sea voyage and shipwreck, the natives show unexpected kindness, kindling a fire to warm the soaked survivors. While Paul is actively helping by gathering sticks for the fire, an adder, roused by the heat, suddenly fastens onto his hand. This dramatic event immediately causes the islanders to conclude that Paul must be a murderer, suggesting divine "justice" (Dike) is catching up with him, despite surviving the sea. Their expectation is that he will soon swell up or fall down dead. Verse 5 is the pivotal moment where Paul defies these expectations through a divine miracle, dramatically shifting the islanders' perception of him.

Acts 28 5 Word analysis

• ἀποτινάξας (apotinaxas, from apotinassō): "shook off."
  • Signifies a swift, decisive, and forceful action. Not a casual flick, but a determined dislodgement.
  • Implies a complete rejection or separation, often used for shaking dust off one's feet (Acts 13:51, Matt 10:14) as a testimony. Here, it's against an actual threat.
• τὸ θηρίον (to thērion): "the creature" or "the wild animal/beast."
  • Translators often render it "the snake" or "the viper" based on context, as θηρίον can refer to any wild, potentially dangerous animal.
  • In Greek literature, thērion sometimes has connotations of monstrous or dangerous beasts. Here it implies a clear, immediate threat.
  • Its use also distinguishes it from domestic animals.
• εἰς τὸ πῦρ (eis to pyr): "into the fire."
  • This is a practical and symbolic act. The fire immediately consumes and neutralizes the danger.
  • It symbolizes destruction of evil or harmful elements, contrasting with the fire that was providing warmth and safety.
• ἔπαθεν οὐδὲν κακόν (epathen ouden kakon): "suffered nothing evil/bad" or "suffered no harm."
  • Epathen (from paschō) means "suffered" or "experienced." Ouden means "nothing." Kakon means "bad," "evil," "harm."
  • Emphasizes absolute lack of injury or negative effect, reinforcing the miraculous nature of the event. Paul was not merely unaffected in the long run but experienced no immediate pain, swelling, or systemic poisoning. This defies natural expectations for a venomous snakebite.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "shook off the creature": Highlights Paul's calm demeanor and immediate action in the face of peril, demonstrating faith rather than panic. This reflects a practical trust in divine protection.
• "into the fire": Demonstrates Paul's agency and also a symbolic disposal of the threat. The fire that brings comfort now becomes the agent of destruction for the source of danger. It signifies that even in unexpected dangers, solutions can be found through immediate action combined with divine aid.
• "and suffered no harm": This phrase is the climax, defying the expectations of the natural world and the islanders. It is a direct fulfillment of Jesus' promise to believers in Mark 16:18 and signifies God's powerful protection over His servant. This outcome authenticated Paul's divine commission, presenting God's power as supreme over perceived natural forces and local deities of justice.

Acts 28 5 Bonus section

The incident of the snakebite on Malta also serves as a potent, though indirect, polemic against local pagan beliefs. The islanders initially perceived the snakebite as divine "justice" (Dike) administering punishment to a murderer, reflecting their animistic and superstitious worldview where misfortunes were attributed to gods' vengeance. Paul's complete immunity directly contradicted their understanding of Dike, challenging the power of their pagan deities. When he remained unharmed, their interpretation shifted dramatically; they concluded he must be a god himself. This demonstrates a progression from misinterpreting a divine act through a pagan lens, to recognizing an extraordinary, superhuman power, setting the stage for Paul to point them to the one true God. The episode highlights God's authority over the created order, including the very forces they attributed to their vengeful deities. The symbolism of crushing the serpent's head, echoing Gen 3:15, is subtly present here, as Paul, a messenger of the Messiah, literally shrugs off the attack of a serpent.

Acts 28 5 Commentary

Acts 28:5 is a profound display of divine protection and an affirmation of Paul's apostleship. After a harrowing shipwreck, Paul faces another life-threatening situation, but God's providential care is clearly evident. The snakebite, which by all natural expectations should have been fatal or severely debilitating, had no effect. This miracle served several purposes: it powerfully demonstrated God's sovereignty over nature and evil, it provided immediate vindication for Paul against the islanders' misjudgment that he was a criminal, and it confirmed the power accompanying the gospel message, echoing Jesus' promises about signs following believers (Mark 16:18, Luke 10:19). The event prepared the way for the effective ministry Paul would have on Malta, turning initial superstition into a reception of God's power and message.

Practical usage:

• Amidst unexpected dangers and adversities, believers can trust in God's protective hand, not necessarily immunity from trials, but divine presence and preservation through them.
• God often uses supernatural interventions to confirm His message and validate His messengers.
• We should not hastily judge people based on misfortunes that befall them, as the Maltese initially did with Paul.