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

This verse describes a sudden and violent attack by a venomous viper upon Paul after he survived a shipwreck. The islanders, witnessing this, initially conclude Paul is a murderer, deserving of divine punishment, because he was not immediately killed by the serpent.

Acts 28 5 Context

Following a perilous shipwreck, the Apostle Paul and his companions find themselves on the island of Malta. The local inhabitants, the "barbarians," show them kindness and hospitality. They build a fire to warm them. During this act of gathering wood, Paul is bitten by a venomous viper, which attaches itself to his hand. This event occurs immediately after a charitable act, highlighting the unexpected dangers encountered by Paul and the mixed reactions of those around him.

Acts 28 5 Word Analysis

• "doxie" (doxie): This Greek word refers to a venomous snake or serpent, particularly a viper. It is used here to describe the creature that bites Paul. The emphasis is on its dangerous and poisonous nature.
• "kataphoskoµpentos" (καταφώσκοντος): This present participle of "kataphoskoµpeoµ" means "clinging to" or "fastened to." It emphasizes the viper's tenacious grip on Paul's hand, indicating it did not easily let go, thus increasing the perceived threat.
• "autou" (αὐτοῦ): This is the genitive pronoun for "him," referring back to Paul.
• "ideµµte" (ἰδόντες): From the verb "eidoµ" (to see), meaning "having seen." This highlights the observation of the islanders.
• "epektomenou" (ἐπεκτεμένου): This participle means "hanging from" or "suspending from." It further illustrates the viper remaining attached to Paul.
• "outoµi" (τούτῳ): Dative pronoun for "this one," referring to Paul.
• "anthropou" (ἀνθρώπου): Genitive of "anthroµpos," meaning "man" or "human being."
• "adeikon" (αἱμάτων): While not in the verse provided for analysis (Acts 28:5), the root would be "haima," meaning blood. If a variant word were used, context would clarify.
• "nomou" (νόμου): Genitive of "nomos," meaning "law."
• "poineµn" (ποινὴν): Accusative of "poineµ," meaning "punishment" or "retribution."
• "aµdeitoµ" (ἀδίκημα): Accusative of "adikemeµa," meaning "wrongdoing" or "injustice."
• "ouden" (οὐδὲν): Neuter pronoun meaning "nothing."
• "ek ton" (ἐκ τῶν): Prepositional phrase "out of the."
• "agathon" (ἀγαθῶν): Genitive of "agathon," meaning "good" or "good things."
• "pateµoµnti" (πατοῦντι): From the verb "patoµeµoµ" (to tread upon, to trample), a present participle meaning "treading" or "trampling."
• "theµrizoµntos" (θεριζομένου): From the verb "therizoµ" (to reap, to gather in a harvest), a present participle, passive, meaning "reaping" or "gathering."
• "ouk ekeµntais" (οὐκ ἐκλείπεται): From the verb "eµk Dimitri" (to fail, to perish, to not be extinguished), meaning "did not cease" or "did not pass away."
• "en autoµi" (ἐν αὐτῷ): Prepositional phrase "in him."

Phrase/Group Analysis:

• "doxie de ek tes oµkiseµon": "a viper from the heat" - This describes the source of the viper, suggesting it emerged due to the warmth of the fire Paul had built, emphasizing the unexpectedness of the encounter.
• "epifasmenh" (ἐπιψαμένῃ): "having fastened" or "clinging" - This depicts the snake's action, showing its aggressive and sustained attack.
• "prostephomenh tou de deiros": "fastened to his hand" - Specifies the point of attack, making the danger visceral and immediate.
• "oute auton daxantas deinotoµran": "no harm whatsoever" - This phrase from an earlier verse (Acts 28:4) sets up the contrast with the islanders' expectation.
• "oute toutoµ autou ou µh de to aµrtiaµ ekeµntais": "that he was a murderer" - The conclusion drawn by the islanders, linking the viper's behavior to a perceived sin in Paul.
• "dia tou nomou": "according to the law" - The islanders frame their judgment by a perceived divine law of retribution.
• "toutoµ ou de poineµn: "nothing" (implying no punishment due) - The expectation is that any wrongdoing should receive immediate consequence, in their view.
• "agathon toutoµ toutoµ toµ aµdikhrinoutou toutou autou ou mhde poineµn ouden ekeµntos de kai toutoµ: "but when they saw him suffer no harm" - The crucial observation that contradicts their expectation.

Acts 28 5 Bonus Section

The inhabitants of Malta were often referred to as "barbarians" in classical Greek and Roman literature. This term did not necessarily imply rudeness or brutality but rather that they spoke a language other than Greek or Latin and had customs different from the Hellenistic Roman world. The narrative emphasizes their transition from fear and suspicion based on misinterpreting suffering to amazement as they witnessed Paul's miraculous survival. This shift underscores the transformative power of divine intervention and truth in challenging people's ingrained beliefs and prejudices. The islanders' reaction to Paul's survival aligns with their later acceptance of healing through his ministry (Acts 28:8-9), showing how the miraculous can lead to belief and transformation.

Acts 28 5 Commentary

The islanders' immediate assumption that Paul must be a guilty criminal because he was bitten by a poisonous snake reflects a common ancient belief that suffering was always a direct consequence of personal sin. This view is challenged throughout Scripture, particularly by Jesus' teaching and Paul's own experiences. While acknowledging God's sovereignty and judgment, the Bible also shows that suffering can be part of God's plan, a test of faith, or even unrelated to personal guilt. Paul, accustomed to facing adversity, demonstrates remarkable composure and resilience, unbothered by the venom, a testament to the spiritual protection God provides his servants even in life-threatening situations. His eventual shaking off of the snake, unharmed, points to his divine empowerment.