37 And we were in all in the ship two hundred threescore and sixteen souls.

-38 And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, and cast out the wheat into the sea.

39 And when it was day, they knew not the land: but they discovered a certain creek with a shore, into the which they were minded, if it were possible, to thrust in the ship.

40 And when they had taken up the anchors, they com mitted themselves unto the sea, and loosed the rudder-bands, and hoised up the mainsail to the wind, and made toward shore.

41 And falling into a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the forepart stuck fast, and remained unmovable, but the hinder part was broken with the violence of the waves.

42 And the soldiers' counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim out, and escape.

37. Two hundred threescore and sixteen] Two hundred and seventysix. The Alexandrian merchantmen were proverbially bulky, and fitted for carrying many passengers. Josephus speaks of a ship in which he sailed which was cast away in the Adriatic Sea with six hundred persons on board.

38. Cast out the wheat] Probably the ship's provisions at this time, as the lading had been thrown out before.

39. A certain creek] An inlet, a narrow bay. With a shore] Convenient for landing.

40. Taken up] Having weighed or lifted the anchors. Loosed the rudder-bands] Among the ancients, large ships appear to have had two rudders, one in the bow, and one at the stern; these appear to have been secured or fastened when at anchor, (perhaps raised up out of the water,) or in a harbor, and to have ⚫ been loosed for the purpose of steering when they set sail. Hoised up the mainsail] There is a doubt about this sail; probably it was a kind of jib or triangular sail at the bow of the vessel.

41. Where two seas met] Probably a sand-bank caused by the meeting of opposite currents.

42. The soldiers' counsel] They were responsible for the prisoners, and held accountable for their loss; they feared that they would escape, and their own lives be the penalty. How cruel and bloodthirsty this advice, after such a scene as they had just passed through!

48 But the centurion, willing to save Paul, kept them from their purpose, and commanded that they which could swim, should cast themselves first into the sea, and get to land:

44 And the rest, some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship. And so it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land.

43. Willing to save Paul] From personal respect, or fearing if he should be killed they would all be lost.

44. The rest] Who could not swim, he ordered to save themselves on floats made of plank and portions of the wreck.

CHAPTER XXVIII.

1. They land upon the Island of Malta, and are kindly entertained by the inhabitants. 5. Paul exposed to a poisonous viper, but uninjured. 8. Heals diseased persons. 11. They depart toward Rome. 17. He calls the chief of the Jews together, and informs them of the cause of his coming. 24. Some believe. 30. Preaches in Rome two years.

ΑΝ

ND when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita.

2 And the barbarous people showed us no little kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold.

3 And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand.

1. Melita] The modern name of this island is Malta; it is situated about midway in the Mediterranean, between Europe and Africa, south of the Island of Sicily.

2. And the barbarous people] They were chiefly Carthaginians or Phoenicians, but were then under a Roman governor. The Greeks and Romans called all other nations, speaking a different language from themselves, barbarians; so that the term here has nearly the same force as the word foreigners with us; although, from their pride of character, they also associated with it an idea of inferiority. St. Paul thus uses this word in 1 Cor. xiv, 11: "If I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian ; and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me." Showed us no little kindness] That is, showed us special kindness-a common expression; their sympathy being the more excited by the driving rain and the bitter cold.

3. There came a viper out of the heat] Rather, "urged by the heat,"

4 And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live.

5 And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm. 6 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.

7 In the same quarters were possessions of the chief man of the island, whose name was Publius; who received us, and lodged us three days courteously.

8 And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever, and of a bloody-flux: to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him.

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

there came out of the heat." He had undoubtedly been hidden, perhaps torpid, in the bundle of sticks, and the fire revived and drove him out. It appears to have been a very poisonous serpent.

4. Venomous beast] The word beast is usually applied to the larger animals; but the original word is applicable to wild animals of any species. Yet vengeance suffereth not to live] They knew he was a prisoner by his guards or bonds; and they supposed he had received a fatal wound from the viper. By vengeance, they meant the divine justice, or malediction with which the barbarians believed their gods always pursued heinous criminals.

6. Swollen, or fallen down dead] The symptoms and result of a poisonous bite. They changed their minds, and said that he was a god] Knowing the universal effect of the viper's bite, and seeing that Paul was entirely unharmed, they immediately concluded that he must be a supernatural being, having a different nature from the race of men.

7. Were possessions] The estates-the property. Of the chief man] The principal or most influential person; probably, however, the word here refers to his office as Roman prefect. Lodged us three days courteously] Received them as guests, and most hospitably entertained them.

8. Lay sick] Of fever and dysentery; a most dangerous situation. To whom Paul entered in] Into whose sick room he entered; came into his presence. And prayed] For the divine power to heal. And laid his hands on him] According to his custom; the Spirit using this outward symbol as the sign of his powerful descent upon a person. Mark xvi, 18. And healed him] Instrumentally, through divine aid.

10 Who also honored us with many honors; and when we departed, they laded us with such things as were necessary.

11 And after three months we departed in a ship of Alexandria, which had wintered in the isle, whose sign was Castor and Pollux.

12 Anl anding at Syracuse, we tarried there three days.

13 And from thence we fetched a compass, and came to Rhegium and after one day the south wind blew, and we came the next day to Puteoli:

14 Where we found brethren, and were desired to tarry with them seven days: and so we went toward Rome.

15 And from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they

10. Honored us with many honors] Bestowed upon us the most respectful attentions; or honors here may mean gifts-bestowed many generous gifts. Such things as were necessary] They had made them presents before, now they loaded them with provisions for their voyage.

11. Whose sign was Castor and Pollux] The ancients were accustomed to have images of deities upon the prows and poops of their ships, and the ships were known by the name of these gods; they were also considered the especial patrons of the ship and crew. Castor and Pollux were, according to their mythology, the twin sons of Jupiter, and were considered the peculiar patrons of mariners; it was very common, therefore, for vessels to choose them as their sign, or mark of distinction and recognition.

12. Syracuse] On the southern part of the Island of Sicily-a noted city of antiquity.

13. Fetched a compass, and came to Rhegium] Not sailing directly, as probably the wind was contrary, but by a long tack outward, they were enabled at length to run into the port of Rhegium, in Italy. This town was near the south-western extremity of Italy; now called Reggio. Puteoli] Passing through the Sicilian Straits with a fair wind, they sailed to the above port. This was the usual port for the landing of cargoes from the east, and was well known to the Jews who debarked here when they came to Rome; many of whom resided here. It was noted for its mineral and hot baths.

14. We found brethren] Christians. Tarry with them seven days] "It is probable that they had arrived there the day after the Lord's day. Hence, they were requested to stay the next Lord's day over, to give an opportunity to all the Christians of hearing Paul's preaching."-BLOOMFIELD.

15. When the brethren heard of us] The brethren of the church at Rome. having heard by letter or messenger. That church had pro

came to meet us as far as Appii-forum, and The Three Taverns; whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage.

16 And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard: but Paul was suffered to dwell by himself, with a soldier that kept him.

17 And it came to pass, that after three days, Paul called the chief of the Jews together. And when they were come together, he said unto them, Men and brethren, though I have committed nothing against the people, or customs of our fathers, yet was I delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans:

bably been founded by the "strangers from Rome," who were present at the Pentecost, and were converted at that time. Acts ii, 5. Came-as far as Appii-forum] A distance of fifty-one miles from Rome; showing their great respect for the apostle Paul. It was a small town, situated upon the celebrated Appian way-a paved way leading from Rome to the city of Brundusium, a distance of three hundred and fifty miles. It received its name from its situation. The Three Taverns] Another small village; receiving its name from its being a common stopping place for those journeying to and from Rome, and provided with refreshment houses. It was about thirtythree miles from Rome. Two companies came out, one as far as Appii-forum, the other to the Three Taverns. Thanked God, and took courage] How consoling this Christian visit must have been! It called forth his thankfulness to the Giver of every good and perfect gift. And took courage] From this evidence of the kindness he should receive from the Roman Church, and of an overruling and gracious Providence.

16. The centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard] The prefect of the emperor's guards, into whose custody all prisoners sent to Rome were delivered. But Paul was suffered to dwell by himself] The other prisoners were placed in the camp, or barracks; but, perhaps through the testimony of Julius, the centurion who came with Paul, and also the letters of Festus and Agrippa, Paul was permitted to dwell by himself under the guard of a single soldier, to whom he was probably chained. (See verse 20.)

17. Paul called the chief of the Jews] The principal Jews of Rome, of whom there were a large number in the city. Being sent to Rome on an accusation brought against him by his own nation, he called them to him to explain the circumstances, and to prevent their prejudice and opposition against him, his cause, and his gospel labors while in Rome. Delivered prisoner-into the hands of the