Acts 28 9

Acts 28:9 kjv

So when this was done, others also, which had diseases in the island, came, and were healed:

Acts 28:9 nkjv

So when this was done, the rest of those on the island who had diseases also came and were healed.

Acts 28:9 niv

When this had happened, the rest of the sick on the island came and were cured.

Acts 28:9 esv

And when this had taken place, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases also came and were cured.

Acts 28:9 nlt

Then all the other sick people on the island came and were healed.

Acts 28 verses

Acts 28 9 Meaning

Following the miraculous healing of Publius's father from a serious illness, news of God's power working through the Apostle Paul spread across the island of Malta. Consequently, many other inhabitants who suffered from various diseases came to Paul, seeking relief. Through God's divine power working through Paul, these individuals were continuously and progressively healed from their ailments. This demonstrated God's ongoing compassionate work and affirmed the divine authority and truth of the gospel message carried by Paul.

Acts 28 9 Context

Acts 28:9 is part of the final chapter of Acts, detailing Paul's journey to Rome. Having been shipwrecked on the island of Malta, Paul and his companions find shelter among the locals. Initially, the islanders believe Paul is a murderer destined for divine judgment after a viper bites him, yet he remains unharmed (Acts 28:1-6). This extraordinary survival leads them to think he might be a god (Acts 28:6).

Immediately preceding verse 9, Paul demonstrates the power of the living God by miraculously healing Publius’s father, who was suffering from a severe fever and dysentery. Paul laid his hands on him and prayed, and the man was healed (Acts 28:7-8). This powerful act, coming after Paul's unexplainable immunity to the viper's venom, served as an irrefutable sign to the Malteṣe. Verse 9 then describes the ripple effect of this specific healing: the fame of this miracle spreads, prompting all others on the island afflicted with illnesses to come to Paul, seeking similar divine intervention.

Acts 28 9 Word analysis

• So when this was done (Τοῦ δὲ γενομένου / Tou de genomenu): This phrase acts as a temporal marker and a causal link.

  • Τοῦ δὲ: "And/but this," a connecting particle.
  • γενομένου: Aorist middle participle of γίνομαι (ginomai), meaning "to become," "to happen," "to occur." Used here in the genitive absolute construction, it clearly signifies "when this happened" or "this having taken place."
  • Significance: It explicitly ties the subsequent actions (people coming for healing) as a direct consequence of the previous miraculous healing of Publius's father (Acts 28:8). It highlights cause and effect.

• others who had diseases (οἱ λοιποὶ οἱ ἔχοντες ἀσθενείας / hoi loipoi hoi echontes astheneias): Refers to the remaining sick people on the island beyond Publius’s father.

  • οἱ λοιποὶ: "The rest, the others, the remainder." It signifies the wider community beyond the initial recipient of healing.
  • οἱ ἔχοντες: Present active participle, "those having." This denotes an ongoing state or possession.
  • ἀσθενείας (astheneias): Accusative plural of ἀσθένεια (astheneia), meaning "weakness, sickness, infirmity, disease." This is a broad term for various physical ailments, not limited to one type.
  • Significance: It suggests a general and widespread state of illness among the population, underscoring the community's need for healing and the impact of Paul’s miracles. The "others" imply a significant number of people.

• on the island (ἐν τῇ νήσῳ / en tē nēsō): Specifies the geographical scope of these healings.

  • Significance: This indicates the miracles were locally impactful and not just confined to Publius’s household. The limited geography of an island would ensure rapid spread of the news.

• also came (προσήρχοντο κἀκεῖνοι / prosērchonto kakeinoi): Describes the action of the sick people approaching Paul.

  • προσήρχοντο (prosērchonto): Imperfect active indicative of προσέρχομαι (proserchomai), "to come toward, to approach." The imperfect tense here is crucial.
  • κἀκεῖνοι (kakeinoi): A strengthened form of "also they," emphasizing that these people, too, followed the pattern established by Publius’s father.
  • Significance: The imperfect tense signifies a continuous or repeated action, indicating that people "kept coming" or "were coming" in an ongoing stream. It was not a single event but a sustained period of people approaching Paul. This shows the mounting interest and the pervasive need for healing.

• and were cured (ἐθεραπεύοντο / etherapeuonto): Details the outcome of their coming to Paul.

  • ἐθεραπεύοντο (etherapeuonto): Imperfect passive indicative of θεραπεύω (therapeuō), "to heal, to cure, to restore health." This imperfect tense, like the previous verb, signifies continuous or repeated action. The passive voice indicates that the healing was being done to them, highlighting God's power acting through Paul, not from Paul himself.
  • Significance: This demonstrates that the healings were numerous and ongoing. The divine power was consistently active, not just a one-time phenomenon. The repetitive nature solidifies Paul’s miraculous ministry and divine approval. The implication is that Paul did not refuse anyone and that all who came were healed, showcasing God’s boundless compassion and power.

Acts 28 9 Bonus section

• Demonstration of Apostolic Signs: This passage exemplifies the "signs of an apostle" (2 Cor 12:12), which included mighty wonders and miracles. These outward demonstrations were crucial in authenticating Paul's ministry, especially among new, pagan audiences unfamiliar with the God of Israel.
• Contrast with Pagan Beliefs: The sequence of events (viper bite, healing of Publius's father, widespread healings) would have contrasted sharply with Malteṣe pagan beliefs or superstitions. Paul’s unharming after the snake bite and the subsequent continuous healings would have shown the impotence of local deities or spirits compared to the power of the One True God. This provided a natural opening for Paul to preach the gospel later, as the people had already witnessed God’s undeniable power.
• Reciprocal Generosity: The subsequent verse (Acts 28:10) indicates that the islanders showed great honor to Paul and provided for his and his companions' needs. This demonstrates a natural, grateful response to the divine acts performed through him, reflecting how kindness and divine grace often beget human generosity.
• Theological Implication: These healings point to the comprehensive nature of salvation offered through Christ, which addresses not only spiritual brokenness but also extends to physical well-being, although ultimate glorification (including freedom from sickness) awaits the New Heavens and New Earth. God's kingdom broke into the present reality through these acts of compassion.

Acts 28 9 Commentary

Acts 28:9 is a succinct but potent statement on the overflow of God's power in the Apostle Paul's ministry. It naturally follows the healing of Publius's father, which served as a clear demonstration of divine favor and authority. The spread of news regarding this initial miracle generated an intense and sustained interest from the sick on the island of Malta. The imperfect tense used for "came" and "were cured" is a key linguistic detail, indicating a continuous, unceasing flow of people seeking healing and receiving it. This was not a singular event but a prolonged season of God's active hand upon the community through Paul.

The consistent healing served multiple purposes: it showcased God's compassionate character, confirming His desire for the well-being of humanity; it validated Paul's apostolic commission and the divine origin of the message he carried; and it softened the hearts of the islanders, preparing them to hear the gospel. In a pre-modern world where physical infirmities were often seen as divine curses or unchangeable fates, the consistent curing of diseases by God’s power through Paul would have been an overwhelmingly compelling witness. It underscores that God is not only the God of creation but also the God who intervenes directly and supernaturally in human suffering, providing relief and revealing His presence. This narrative resonates with other instances in Acts where widespread healings by apostles, following Jesus's example, authenticate their ministry and spread the gospel.