Acts 28:8 Study Bible: It happened that the father of Publius lay sick of fever and dysentery. Paul entered in to him, prayed, and laying his hands on him, healed him.

◄ Acts 28:8 ►

The father of Publius was sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him, and after praying and placing his hands on him, he healed the man.

Study Bible

The father of Publius
This phrase introduces us to a significant figure in the narrative, the father of Publius. Publius is identified as the chief official of the island of Malta, indicating a position of authority and respect. The mention of his father highlights the personal nature of the miracle that is about to occur. In the cultural context of the time, family ties were of utmost importance, and the healing of a family member would have had profound implications for Publius and the community. This sets the stage for a demonstration of God's power and compassion through Paul.

lay sick in bed
The description of the father as "lay sick in bed" paints a vivid picture of his condition. The Greek word used here, "katakeimai," implies a state of being bedridden, suggesting a severe illness that rendered him unable to perform daily activities. This detail emphasizes the gravity of the situation and the need for divine intervention. It also reflects the human condition of suffering and the hope for healing that is a recurring theme throughout the Bible.

suffering from fever and dysentery
The specific mention of "fever and dysentery" provides insight into the medical understanding of the time. These symptoms were likely indicative of a serious gastrointestinal infection, which could be life-threatening without modern medical treatment. The historical context suggests that such illnesses were common and often fatal in the ancient world. This detail underscores the miraculous nature of the healing that is about to take place, as it demonstrates God's power over even the most dire physical ailments.

Paul went in to see him
This phrase highlights Paul's willingness to engage personally with those in need. The Greek verb "eiserchomai" suggests an intentional act of entering into the presence of the sick man. Paul's actions reflect the Christian call to minister to the suffering and to be present with those who are hurting. It also demonstrates his faith in God's ability to heal, as he approaches the situation with confidence and compassion.

and after praying
The act of praying is central to this narrative. The Greek word "proseuchomai" indicates a form of prayer that is earnest and directed towards God. This highlights the importance of seeking divine guidance and intervention in times of need. Prayer is portrayed as a powerful tool for believers, serving as a conduit for God's will to be manifested on earth. It also reflects the dependence on God that is a hallmark of the Christian faith.

he laid his hands on him
The laying on of hands is a significant gesture in biblical tradition, often associated with the impartation of blessing, healing, or authority. In this context, it symbolizes the transfer of God's healing power through Paul. The physical act of laying hands serves as a tangible expression of faith and a means of connecting with the person in need. It also reflects the communal and relational nature of the Christian faith, where believers are called to support and uplift one another.

and healed him
The culmination of the verse is the miraculous healing of Publius' father. The Greek word "iaomai" denotes a complete and restorative healing, emphasizing the totality of God's power over sickness. This act of healing serves as a testament to the truth of the Gospel and the authority of Jesus Christ, whom Paul represents. It also serves as a catalyst for further ministry and the spread of the Christian message on the island of Malta. The healing is a powerful reminder of God's compassion and the hope that is found in Christ.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Paul
The apostle who, after being shipwrecked on the island of Malta, continues his ministry by healing the sick.

2. Publius
The chief official of the island of Malta, who showed hospitality to Paul and his companions.

3. Father of Publius
The man who was suffering from fever and dysentery, whom Paul healed.

4. Malta
The island where Paul and his companions were shipwrecked and where this healing took place.

5. Healing Event
Paul prays and lays hands on the father of Publius, resulting in his healing.

Teaching Points

The Power of Prayer and Faith
Paul's healing of Publius' father underscores the importance of prayer and faith in God's power to heal. Believers are encouraged to pray with faith for those who are sick.

The Role of Hospitality
Publius' hospitality towards Paul and his companions opened the door for God's work to be manifested. Christians are reminded of the blessings that come from showing hospitality to others.

God's Sovereignty in Adverse Circumstances
Despite being shipwrecked, Paul continues to serve and minister, demonstrating that God can use any situation for His glory and purpose.

The Ministry of Healing
The laying on of hands and prayer for healing is a practice rooted in the early church and continues to be a vital ministry today. Believers are encouraged to seek and participate in this ministry.

Witness Through Action
Paul's actions on Malta serve as a powerful witness to the islanders, showing that our actions can speak volumes about our faith and the God we serve.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does Paul's response to the situation in Malta reflect his faith and trust in God, and how can we apply this to our own challenging circumstances?

2. In what ways does the healing of Publius' father demonstrate the power of prayer and faith? How can we incorporate these practices into our daily lives?

3. What role does hospitality play in the account of Acts 28:8, and how can we practice hospitality in our own communities?

4. How does this passage connect to other instances of healing in the New Testament, and what does it teach us about the nature of Jesus' ministry?

5. How can we be a witness to others through our actions, as Paul was on Malta, and what practical steps can we take to ensure our actions align with our faith?

Connections to Other Scriptures

James 5:14-15
This passage discusses the power of prayer and anointing the sick with oil in the name of the Lord, which parallels Paul's actions of prayer and laying on of hands.

Mark 16:18
Jesus speaks of signs that will accompany believers, including laying hands on the sick and healing them, which is demonstrated by Paul in this event.

Luke 4:38-39
Jesus heals Peter's mother-in-law, who was suffering from a high fever, similar to how Paul heals the father of Publius.

Acts 19:11-12
Describes how God performed extraordinary miracles through Paul, emphasizing the divine power at work in his ministry.

Sermons

Christian Returns for Kindness Shown	R. Tuck	Acts 28:8
A Picture of the Human	W. Clarkson	Acts 28:1-10
Occurrences At Malta	E. Johnson	Acts 28:1-10
Good in Heathendom	D. Thomas, D. D.	Acts 28:1-14
Paul At Malta	Lisco.	Acts 28:1-14
Paul At Malta	S. S. Times	Acts 28:1-14
Paul At Malta	J. Jackson Wray.	Acts 28:1-14
Paul At Malta	D. S. Clark.	Acts 28:1-14
Paul At Malta	J. Parker, D. D.	Acts 28:1-14
Paul At Malta	J. A. Fletcher.	Acts 28:1-14
The Barbarian	F. W. Robertson, M. A.	Acts 28:1-14
The Maltese	K. Gerok.	Acts 28:1-14
The World's Judgments Foolish	Lisco.	Acts 28:1-14
Tomorrow, a Revealer	H. C. Trumbull, D. D.	Acts 28:1-14
A Type of the Beneficent Action of Christianity	P.C. Barker	Acts 28:7-10
The Healing of the Nations	R.A. Redford	Acts 28:7-10
Five Remarkable Things	J. Parker, D.	Acts 28:7-15
Good in Christianity	D. Thomas, D.	Acts 28:7-15
Prayer with the Sick		Acts 28:7-15
Publius	J. Burn.	Acts 28:7-15

People

Esaias, Isaiah, Paul, Publius

Places

Alexandria, Forum of Appius, Jerusalem, Judea, Malta, Puteoli, Rhegium, Rome, Syracuse, Three Taverns

Topics

Afflicted, Aggravated, Attacks, Bed, Bloody, Bloody-flux, Cured, Disease, Dysentery, Entered, Fever, Feverish, Flux, Hands, Healed, Heats, However, Ill, Laid, Lay, Laying, Lying, Pass, Paul, Placed, Prayed, Prayer, Praying, Pressed, Publius, Putting, Recurrent, Sick, Stomach, Suffering, Visited

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Acts 28:8

     5229   bed
     5561   suffering, nature of
     5568   suffering, causes
     7372   hands, laying on
     8602   prayer

Acts 28:7-8

8427 evangelism, kinds of
8619 prayer, in church

Acts 28:7-9

1416 miracles, nature of

Acts 28:7-10

8470 respect, for God

Acts 28:8-9

5297 disease
5333 healing

Library

After the Wreck
'And 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. 4. And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: The Acts

The Last Glimpse of Paul
'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; 18. Who, when they had examined me, would have let me go, because there was no cause of death in me. 19. But when the Jews spake against it, I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar; not that …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: The Acts

Paul in Rome
And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, 31. Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.' --ACTS xxviii. 30, 31. So ends this book. It stops rather than ends. Many reasons might be suggested for closing here. Probably the simplest is the best, that nothing more is said for nothing more had yet been done. Probably the book was written during these two years. …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: The Acts

On Faith
"Without faith it is impossible to please him." Heb. 11:6. 1. But what is Faith? It is a divine "evidence and conviction of things not seen;" of things which are not seen now, whether they are visible or invisible in their own nature. Particularly, it is a divine evidence and conviction of God, and of the things of God. This is the most comprehensive definition of faith that ever was or can be given; as including every species of faith, from the lowest to the highest. And yet I do not remember any …
John Wesley—Sermons on Several Occasions

Pastoral and Personal
FOURTH GROUP OF EPISTLES FIRST TIMOTHY. TITUS. SECOND TIMOTHY. THE PLACE OF THE EPISTLES +When Written.+--It is generally agreed among scholars that no place can be found for the writing of First Timothy, Titus, and Second Timothy in the period covered by Luke in his narrative in Acts. Agreeing with the tradition of the church, however, the opinion of many eminent scholars is that Paul was released from the first Roman imprisonment (Acts 28:16, 30), that he again took up his missionary work, and …
Henry T. Sell—Bible Studies in the Life of Paul

The Supremacy of Christ
THIRD GROUP OF EPISTLES COLOSSIANS. PHILEMON. EPHESIANS. PHILIPPIANS. THE QUESTION AT ISSUE +The Supremacy of Christ.+--These Epistles mark a new stage in the writings of Paul. The great question discussed in the second group of Epistles was in regard to the terms of salvation. The question now at issue (in Colossians, Ephesians, Philippian+The Reason for the Raising of this Question+ was the development of certain false religious beliefs among which were, "asceticism, the worship of angels, …
Henry T. Sell—Bible Studies in the Life of Paul

The Apostle's Position and Circumstances
PHILIPPIANS i. 12-20 Disloyal "brethren"--Interest of the paragraph--The victory of patience--The Praetorian sentinel--Separatism, and how it was met--St Paul's secret--His "earnest expectation"--"Christ magnified"--"In my body" St Paul has spoken his affectionate greeting to the Philippians, and has opened to them the warm depths of his friendship with them in the Lord. What he feels towards them "in the heart of Christ Jesus," what he prays for them in regard of the growth and fruit of their …
Handley C. G. Moule—Philippian Studies

The New Name of Methodism
Sunday, 9.--I declared to about ten thousand, in Moorfields, what they must do to be saved. My mother went with us, about five, to Kennington, where were supposed to be twenty thousand people. I again insisted on that foundation of all our hope, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and thou shalt be saved." From Kennington I went to a society at Lambeth. The house being filled, the rest stood in the garden. The deep attention they showed gave me a good hope that they will not all be forgetful hearers. Sunday, …
John Wesley—The Journal of John Wesley

Wesley in Wales
Monday, 15.--Upon a pressing invitation, some time since received, I set out for Wales. About four in the afternoon I preached on a little green at the foot of the Devauden (a high hill, two or three miles beyond Chepstow) to three or four hundred plain people on "Christ our wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption." After sermon, one who I trust is an old disciple of Christ, willingly received us into his house: whither many following, I showed them their need of a Saviour from these …
John Wesley—The Journal of John Wesley

The Theme of Acts
'The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach. 2. Until the day in which He was taken up.'--ACTS i. 1, 2. 'And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, 31. Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.' --ACTS xxviii. 30, 31. So begins and so ends this Book. I connect the commencement and the close, because I think …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: The Acts

Lix. What was Learned in God's House. Isaiah vi.
NOT SEEN BY EVERYONE THERE.--Isaiah had his eyes opened. The same awful Person had been present before, but had not been seen, and He is still there, but how few of us are conscious of His presence. How differently the church and chapel-goers would look next Sunday morning as they come home, if only they realised what had been going on in the place where they had spent the last hour. I. A LESSON FROM HISTORY.--"In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord." The King of Judah was dead, but …
Thomas Champness—Broken Bread

The Church of Jerusalem and the Labors of Peter.
Su hei Petros, kai epi taute petra oikodomeso mou ten ekklesian, kai pulai hadou ou katischusousin autes.--Matt. 16:18. Literature. I. Genuine sources: Acts 2 to 12; Gal. 2; and two Epistles of Peter. Comp. the Commentaries on Acts, and the Petrine Epistles. Among the commentators of Peter's Epp. I mention Archbishop Leighton (in many editions, not critical, but devout and spiritual), Steiger (1832, translated by Fairbairn, 1836), John Brown (1849, 2 vols.), Wiesinger (1856 and 1862, in Olshausen's …
Philip Schaff—History of the Christian Church, Volume I

Quotations from the Old Testament in the New.
1. As it respects inspiration, and consequent infallible authority, the quotations of the New Testament stand on a level with the rest of the apostolic writings. The Saviour's promise was: "When he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth;" literally, "into all the truth," that is, as immediately explained, all the truth pertaining to the Redeemer's person and work. When, therefore, after the fulfilment of this promise, Peter and the other apostles expounded to their brethren …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible

Chronology of the Apostolic Age.
See the works quoted in § 20 p. 193, 194, especially Wieseler. Comp. also, Hackett on Acts, pp. 22 to 30 (third ed.). The chronology of the apostolic age is partly certain, at least within a few years, partly conjectural: certain as to the principal events from a.d. 30 to 70, conjectural as to intervening points and the last thirty years of the first century. The sources are the New Testament (especially the Acts and the Pauline Epistles), Josephus, and the Roman historians. Josephus ( b. 37, …
Philip Schaff—History of the Christian Church, Volume I

Mission and Return of the Seventy.
(Probably in Judæa, October, a.d. 29.) ^C Luke X. 1-24. ^c 1 Now after these things the Lord appointed seventy others [i. e., other messengers in addition to the twelve apostles], and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself was about to come. [Luke has told us of the journey through Samaria to Jerusalem, and John has told us what occurred at the Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem. We learn from John also that Jesus was at the Feast of Dedication (John …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Ancient Versions of the Old Testament.
In the present chapter only those versions of the Old Testament are noticed which were made independently of the New. Versions of the whole Bible, made in the interest of Christianity, are considered in the following part. I. THE GREEK VERSION CALLED THE SEPTUAGINT. 1. This is worthy of special notice as the oldest existing version of the holy Scriptures, or any part of them, in any language; and also as the version which exerted a very large influence on the language and style of the New Testament; …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible

Preaching (iii. ).
Eternal Fulness, overflow to me Till I, Thy vessel, overflow for Thee; For sure the streams that make Thy garden grow Are never fed but by an overflow: Not till Thy prophets with Thyself run o'er Are Israel's watercourses full once more. Again I treat of the sermon. We have looked, my younger Brother and I, at some main secrets and prescriptions for attractive preaching. What shall I more say on the subject of the pulpit? In the first place I will offer a few miscellaneous suggestions, and then …
Handley C. G. Moule—To My Younger Brethren

Divine Healing.
The thirty-fifth chapter of Isaiah is a prophecy beautifully extolling the glories and virtues of Christ's redemptive works. "The desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose." "It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing: the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon, they shall see the glory of the Lord, and the excellency of our God.... Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the …
Charles Ebert Orr—The Gospel Day

The Work of the Holy Spirit in Prophets and Apostles.
The work of the Holy Spirit in apostles and prophets is an entirely distinctive work. He imparts to apostles and prophets an especial gift for an especial purpose. We read in 1 Cor. xii. 4, 8-11, 28, 29, R. V., "Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.... For to one is given through the Spirit wisdom; and to another the word of knowledge, according to the same Spirit; to another faith, in the same Spirit; and to another gifts of healings, in the one Spirit; and to another workings …
R. A. Torrey—The Person and Work of The Holy Spirit

First Missionary Journey Scripture
STUDY III FIRST MISSIONARY JOURNEY Scripture, Acts 13:1-14:26 INTRODUCTION TO THE THREE MISSIONARY JOURNEYS Before taking up the study of the first missionary journey, attention is called to certain points which should be considered in regard to all three of them (Acts 13:1-21:17). We have now arrived at what we might call the watershed of the Acts of the Apostles. Hitherto we have had various scenes, characters, personages to consider. Henceforth Paul, his labors, his disputes, his speeches, occupy …
Henry T. Sell—Bible Studies in the Life of Paul

The Purpose in the Coming of Jesus.
God Spelling Himself out in Jesus: change in the original language--bother in spelling Jesus out--sticklers for the old forms--Jesus' new spelling of old words. Jesus is God following us up: God heart-broken--man's native air--bad choice affected man's will--the wrong lane--God following us up. The Early Eden Picture, Genesis 1:26-31. 2:7-25: unfallen man--like God--the breath of God in man--a spirit, infinite, eternal--love--holy--wise--sovereign over creation, Psalm 8:5-8--in his own will--summary--God's …
S. D. Gordon—Quiet Talks about Jesus

Interpretation of Prophecy.
1. The scriptural idea of prophecy is widely removed from that of human foresight and presentiment. It is that of a revelation made by the Holy Spirit respecting the future, always in the interest of God's kingdom. It is no part of the plan of prophecy to gratify vain curiosity respecting "the times or the seasons which the Father hath put in his own power." Acts 1:7. "Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God"--this is its key-note. In its form it is carefully adapted to this great end. …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible

The Epistles of Paul.
1. The apostolic epistles are a natural sequence of the office and work committed by the Saviour to the apostles. They were the primitive preachers of the gospel, and, under Christ, the founders of the Christian church. From the necessity of the case they had a general supervision of all the local churches, and their authority in them was supreme in matters of both faith and practice. It was to be expected, therefore, that they should teach by writing, as well as by oral instruction. It does not …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible

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