25“Therefore take heart, men, jfor I believe God that it will be just as it was told me.
26“However, kwe must run aground on a certain island.”
27Now when the fourteenth night had come, as we were driven up and down in the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors sensed that they were drawing near some land.
28And they took soundings and found it to be twenty fathoms; and when they had gone a little farther, they took soundings again and found it to be fifteen fathoms.
29Then, fearing lest we should run aground on the rocks, they dropped four anchors from the stern, and 7prayed for day to come.
30And as the sailors were seeking to escape from the ship, when they had let down the skiff into the sea, under pretense of putting out anchors from the prow,
31Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved.”
32Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the skiff and let it fall off.
33And as day was about to dawn, Paul implored them all to take food, saying, “Today is the fourteenth day you have waited and continued without food, and eaten nothing.
34“Therefore I urge you to take nourishment, for this is for your survival, lsince not a hair will fall from the head of any of you.”
35And when he had said these things, he took bread and mgave thanks to God in the presence of them all; and when he had broken it he began to eat.
36Then they were all encouraged, and also took food themselves.
37And in all we were two hundred and seventy-six npersons on the ship.
38So when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship and threw out the wheat into the sea.
Shipwrecked on Malta
39When it was day, they did not recognize the land; but they observed a bay with a beach, onto which they planned to run the ship if possible.
40And they 8let go the anchors and left them in the sea, meanwhile loosing the rudder ropes; and they hoisted the mainsail to the wind and made for shore.
41But striking 9a place where two seas met, othey ran the ship aground; and the prow stuck fast and remained immovable, but the stern was being broken up by the violence of the waves.
42And the soldiers’ plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim away and escape.
43But the centurion, wanting to save Paul, kept them from their purpose, and commanded that those who could swim should jump overboard first and get to land,
44and the rest, some on boards and some on parts of the ship. And so it was pthat they all escaped safely to land.
Acts 28
Paul’s Ministry on Malta
1Now when they had escaped, they then found out that athe island was called Malta.
2And the bnatives1 showed us unusual kindness; for they kindled a fire and made us all welcome, because of the rain that was falling and because of the cold.
3But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat, and fastened on his hand.
4So when the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped the sea, yet justice does not allow to live.”
5But he shook off the creature into the fire and csuffered no harm.
6However, they were expecting that he would swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had looked for a long time and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds and dsaid that he was a god.
7In that region there was an estate of the 2leading citizen of the island, whose name was Publius, who received us and entertained us courteously for three days.
8And it happened that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and dysentery. Paul went in to him and eprayed, and fhe laid his hands on him and healed him.
9So when this was done, the rest of those on the island who had diseases also came and were healed.
10They also honored us in many gways; and when we departed, they provided such things as were hnecessary.
Arrival at Rome
11After three months we sailed in ian Alexandrian ship whose figurehead was the 3Twin Brothers, which had wintered at the island.
12And landing at Syracuse, we stayed three days.
13From there we circled round and reached Rhegium. And after one day the south wind blew; and the next day we came to Puteoli,
14where we found jbrethren, and were invited to stay with them seven days. And so we went toward Rome.
15And from there, when the brethren heard about us, they came to meet us as far as Appii Forum and Three Inns. When Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage.
16Now when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard; but kPaul was permitted to dwell by himself with the soldier who guarded him.
Paul’s Ministry at Rome
17And it came to pass after three days that Paul called the leaders of the Jews together. So when they had come together, he said to them: “Men and brethren, lthough I have done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, yet mI was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans,
18“who, nwhen they had examined me, wanted to let me go, because there was no cause for putting me to death.
19“But when the 4Jews spoke against it, oI was compelled to appeal to Caesar, not that I had anything of which to accuse my nation.
20“For this reason therefore I have called for you, to see you and speak with you, because pfor the hope of Israel I am bound with qthis chain.”
21Then they said to him, “We neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor have any of the brethren who came reported or spoken any evil of you.
22“But we desire to hear from you what you think; for concerning this sect, we know that rit is spoken against everywhere.”
23So when they had appointed him a day, many came to him at his lodging, sto whom he explained and solemnly testified of the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus tfrom both the Law of Moses and the Prophets, from morning till evening.
24And usome were persuaded by the things which were spoken, and some disbelieved.
25So when they did not agree among themselves, they departed after Paul had said one word: “The Holy Spirit spoke rightly through Isaiah the prophet to 5our fathers,
26“saying,
v‘Go to this people and say:
“Hearing you will hear, and shall not understand;
And seeing you will see, and not perceive;
27For the hearts of this people have grown dull.
Their ears are hard of hearing,
And their eyes they have closed,
Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears,
Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn,
So that I should heal them.” ’
28“Therefore let it be known to you that the salvation of God has been sent wto the Gentiles, and they will hear it!”
296And when he had said these words, the Jews departed and had a great dispute among themselves.
30Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who came to him,
31xpreaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him.
Acts Commentaries
Acts 1
1:1 former account. The Gospel of Luke (Luke 1:1–4; see Introduction: Background and Setting). That account chronicled the life and teaching of Jesus, through His death, resurrection, and ascension (Luke 24:51). Theophilus. The original recipient of this book. See note on Luke 1:3. all that Jesus began both to do and teach. Jesus taught the disciples by word and deed the truth necessary to carry on His work. On the cross, He finished the work of redemption, but He had only started the proclamation of its glories.
1:2 taken up. Christ’s ascension to the Father (cf. Luke 24:51). Luke uses this term 3 other times
(vv. 9, 11, 22) to describe the end of the Lord’s earthly ministry (cf. John 6:62; 13:1, 3; 16:28; 17:13; 20:17). through the Holy Spirit had given commandments. The Spirit was the source and power of Jesus’ earthly ministry (cf. Matt. 4:1; 12:18; Mark 1:12; Luke 3:22; 4:1, 14, 18) and of the apostles’ service (cf. Luke 24:49; John 14:16, 17; 16:7). “Commandments” are authoritative NT truths, revealed to the apostles (cf. John 14:26; 16:13–15). He had chosen. The Lord sovereignly chose the apostles for salvation and service (cf. John 6:70; 15:16).
1:3 presented Himself…by many infallible proofs. Cf. John 20:30; 1 Cor. 15:5–8. To give the apostles confidence to present His message, Jesus entered a locked room (John 20:19), showed His crucifixion wounds (Luke 24:39), and ate and drank with the disciples (Luke 24:41–43). forty days. The time period between Jesus’ resurrection and ascension during which He appeared at intervals to the apostles and others (1 Cor. 15:5–8) and provided convincing evidence of His resurrection. kingdom of God. Cf. 8:12; 14:22; 19:8; 20:25; 28:23, 31. Here this expression refers to the sphere of salvation, the gracious domain of divine rule over believers’ hearts (see notes on 1 Cor. 6:9; Eph. 5:5; cf. 17:7; Col. 1:13, 14; Rev. 11:15; 12:10). This was the dominant theme during Christ’s earthly ministry (cf. Matt. 4:23; 9:35; Mark 1:15; Luke 4:43; 9:2; John 3:3–21).
1:4 being assembled together with them. An alternative reading, “eating with them,” is preferred (cf. 10:41; Luke 24:42, 43). The fact that Jesus ate provides additional proof of His bodily resurrection. wait for the Promise of the Father. Jesus repeatedly promised that God would send them His Spirit (Luke 11:13; 24:49; John 7:39; 14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7; see note on John 20:22).
1:5 John…baptized with water. See note on 2:38. baptized with the Holy Spirit. The apostles had to wait until the Day of Pentecost, but since then all believers are baptized with the Holy Spirit at salvation (see note on 1 Cor. 12:13; cf. Rom. 8:9; 1 Cor. 6:19, 20; Titus 3:5, 6). not many days from now. God’s promise was fulfilled just 10 days later.
1:6 restore the kingdom to Israel. The apostles still believed the earthly form of the kingdom of Messiah would soon be re-established (cf. Luke 19:11; 24:21). They also knew that Ezek. 36 and Joel 2 connected the coming of the kingdom with the outpouring of the Spirit whom Jesus had promised.
1:7 This verse shows that the apostles’ expectation of a literal, earthly kingdom mirrored what Christ taught and what the OT predicted. Otherwise, He would have corrected them about such a crucial aspect of His teaching. times or seasons. These two words refer to features, eras, and events that will be part of His earthly kingdom reign, which will begin at the second coming (Matt. 25:21–34). The exact time of His return, however, remains unrevealed (Mark 13:32; cf. Deut. 29:29).
1:8 The apostles’ mission of spreading the gospel was the major reason the Holy Spirit empowered them. This event dramatically altered world history, and the gospel message eventually reached all parts of the earth (Matt. 28:19, 20). receive power. The apostles had already experienced the Holy Spirit’s saving, guiding, teaching, and miracle-working power. Soon they would receive His indwelling presence and a new dimension of power for witness (see notes on 2:4; 1 Cor. 6:19, 20; Eph. 3:16, 20). witnesses. People who tell the truth about Jesus Christ (cf. John 14:26; 1 Pet. 3:15). The Gr. word means “one who dies for his faith” because that was commonly the price of witnessing. Judea. The region in which Jerusalem was located. Samaria. The region immediately to the N of Judea (see note on 8:5).
1:9 taken up. See note on v. 2. God the Father took Jesus, in His resurrection body, from this world to His rightful place at the Father’s right hand (Luke 24:51; cf. 2:33; John 17:1–6). a cloud. A visible reminder that God’s glory was present as the apostles watched the ascension. For some of them, this was not the first time they had witnessed divine glory (Mark 9:26); neither will it be the last time clouds accompany Jesus (Mark 13:26; 14:62; see note on Rev. 1:7).
1:10 two men…in white apparel. Two angels in the form of men (cf. Gen. 18:2; Josh. 5:13–15; Mark 16:5).
1:11 Men of Galilee. All the apostles were from Galilee except for Judas, who had killed himself by this time (cf. v. 18). in like manner. Christ one day will return to earth (to the Mt. of Olives), in the same way He ascended (with clouds), to set up His kingdom (cf. Dan. 7:13; Zech. 14:4; Matt. 24:30; 26:64; Rev. 1:7; 14:14).
1:12 mount called Olivet. Located across the Kidron Valley, E of Jerusalem, this large hill rising about 200 ft. higher in elevation than the city, was the site from which Jesus ascended into heaven (Luke 24:50, 51). Sabbath day’s journey. One-half of a mi. (about 2,000 cubits), the farthest distance a faithful Jew could travel on the Sabbath to accommodate the prohibition of Ex. 16:29. This measurement was derived from tradition based on Israel’s encampments in the wilderness. The tents farthest out on the camp’s perimeter were 2,000 cubits from the center tabernacle—the longest distance anyone had to walk to reach the tabernacle on the Sabbath (Josh. 3:4; cf. Num. 35:5).
1:13 upper room. Where the Last Supper may have been celebrated (Mark 14:15) and where Jesus had appeared to the apostles after His resurrection. Bartholomew. This disciple is also called Nathanael (John 1:45–49; 21:2). James the son of Alphaeus. See note on Matt. 10:2. The same person as James the younger, also called “the Less” to distinguish him from James, the brother of John (Mark 15:40). Zealot. See note on Matt. 10:4. Judas the son of James. The preferred rendering is “the brother of.” See note on Matt. 10:3. He was also known as Thaddaeus (Mark 3:18).
1:14 continued…in prayer. The pattern of praying in the name of Jesus started at this time (cf. John 14:13, 14). with the women. Doubtless they included Mary Magdalene, Mary the wife of Clopas, the sisters Mary and Martha, and Salome. Some of the apostles’ wives also may have been present (cf. 1 Cor. 9:5). Mary the mother of Jesus. See notes on Luke 1:27, 28. Mary’s name does not appear again in the NT. brothers. Jesus’ half-brothers, named in Mark 6:3 as James, Joses, Judas, and Simon. James was the leader of the Jerusalem church (12:17; 15:13–22) and author of the epistle that bears his name. Judas (Jude) wrote the epistle of Jude. At this time they were new believers in Jesus as God, Savior, and Lord, whereas only 8 months earlier John had mentioned their unbelief (John 7:5).
1:15 in those days. Some unspecified time during the believers’ 10 days of prayer and fellowship between the ascension and Pentecost. Peter. See note on Matt. 10:2. The acknowledged leader of the apostles took charge.
1:16 Men and brethren. The 120 believers who were gathered (v. 15). this Scripture had to be fulfilled. The two OT passages Peter quotes in v. 20 are Pss. 69:25; 109:8. When God gives prophecies, they will come to pass (cf. Ps. 115:3; Is. 46:10; 55:11). the Holy Spirit…by the mouth of David. Scripture contains no clearer description of divine inspiration. God spoke through David’s mouth, actually referring to his writing (see note on 2 Pet. 1:21).
1:17 obtained a part in this ministry. Judas Iscariot was a member of the 12, but was never truly saved which is why he was called “the son of perdition” (John 17:12). See Matt. 26:24; John 6:64, 70, 71; cf. 2:23; Luke 22:22.
1:18 this man purchased a field. Because the field was bought with the money the Jewish leaders paid Judas to betray Jesus, which he returned to them (Matt. 27:3–10), Luke refers to Judas as if he was the buyer (cf. Zech. 11:12, 13). wages of iniquity. The 30 pieces of silver paid to Judas. falling headlong. Apparently the tree on which Judas chose to hang himself (Matt. 27:5) overlooked a cliff. Likely, the rope or branch broke (or the knot slipped) and his body was shattered on the rocks below.
1:19 Akel Dama…Field of Blood. This is the Aram. name of the field bought by the Jewish leaders. Traditionally, the field is located S of Jerusalem in the Valley of Hinnom, where that valley crosses the Kidron Valley. The soil there was good for making pottery, thus Matthew identifies it as “the potter’s field” (Matt. 27:7, 10; see notes on v. 18).
1:20 it is written. See note on v. 16. Peter used the most compelling proof, Scripture, to reassure the believers that Judas�
� defection and the choice of his replacement were both in God’s purpose (cf. Ps. 55:12–15).
Acts 1:20
Ministries of the Holy Spirit
Baptismal Medium—1 Cor. 12:13
Calls to Ministry—Acts 13:2-4
Channel of Divine Revelation—2 Sam. 23:2; Neh. 9:30; Zech. 7:12; John 14:17
Empowers—Ex. 31:2, 3; Judg. 13:25; Acts 1:8
Fills—Luke 4:1; Acts 2:4; Eph. 5:18
Guarantees—2 Cor. 1:22; 5:5; Eph. 1:14
Guards—2 Tim. 1:14
Helps—John 14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7
Illuminates—1 Cor. 2:10-13
Indwells—Rom. 8:9-11; 1 Cor. 3:16; 6:19
Intercedes—Rom. 8:26, 27
Produces fruit—Gal. 5:22, 23
Provides Spiritual Character—Gal. 5:16, 18, 25
Regenerates—John 3:5, 6, 8
Restrains/Convicts of Sin—Gen. 6:3; John 16:8-10; Acts 7:51
Sanctifies—Rom. 15:16; 1 Cor. 6:11; 2 Thess. 2:13
Seals—2 Cor. 1:22; Eph. 1:14; 4:30
Selects Overseers—Acts 20:28
Source of Fellowship—2 Cor. 13:14; Phil. 2:1
Source of Liberty—2 Cor. 3:17, 18
Source of Power—Eph. 3:16
Source of Unity—Eph. 4:3, 4
Source of Spiritual Gifts—1 Cor. 12:4-11
Teaches—John 14:26; Acts 15:28; 1 John 2:20, 27
1:21 went in and out among us. The first requirement for Judas’ successor was that he had participated in Jesus’ earthly ministry.
1:22 baptism of John. Jesus’ baptism by John the Baptist (Matt. 3:13–17; Mark 1:9–11; Luke 3:21–23). a witness with us of His resurrection. A second requirement for Judas’ successor was that he had to have seen the resurrected Christ. The resurrection was central to apostolic preaching (cf. 2:24, 32; 3:15; 5:30; 10:40; 13:30–37).
1:23 Barsabas…Justus. Barsabas means “son of the Sabbath.” Justus (“the righteous”) was Joseph’s Lat. name. Many Jews in the Roman Empire had equivalent Gentile names. Matthias. The name means “gift of God.” The ancient historian Eusebius claims Matthias was among the 70 of Luke 10:1.
The MacArthur Study Bible, NKJV Page 546