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Acts 28
Acts 28:1
General Information:
Here the word "we" refers to Paul, the writer, and those who traveled with them, but not to the reader. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-exclusive)
Connecting Statement:
After the shipwreck, people on the island of Malta helped Paul and everyone on the ship. They stay there for 3 months.
When we were brought safely through
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "When we arrived safely" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
we learned
Paul and Luke learned the name of the island. Alternate translation: "we learned from the people" or "we found out from the residents" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-exclusive)
the island was called Malta
Malta is an island located south of the modern-day island of Sicily. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-names)
Acts 28:2
The native people
"The local people"
offered to us not just ordinary kindness
Being kind to someone is spoken of as if it were an object that someone offers. Alternate translation: "were not only very kind to us" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
not just ordinary kindness
This phrase is used to emphasize the opposite of what is said. Alternate translation: "a great deal of kindness" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-litotes)
they lit a fire
"they put together twigs and branches and burned them"
welcomed us all
Possible meanings are 1) "welcomed all of the people from the ship" or 2) "welcomed Paul and all his companions."
Acts 28:3
a viper came out
"a poisonous snake came out of the bundle of sticks"
fastened onto his hand
"bit Paul's hand and did not let go"
Acts 28:4
This man certainly is a murderer
"For sure, this man is a murderer" or "This man is truly a murderer"
Justice
"Justice" was the name of a goddess that the people on the island worshiped. Alternate translation: "the goddess called Justice" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
Acts 28:5
shook the animal into the fire
"shook his hand so that the snake fell from his hand into the fire"
suffered no harm
"Paul was not hurt at all"
Acts 28:6
become inflamed with a fever
Possible meanings are 1) his body would swell because of the snake venom or 2) he would become very hot with fever.
nothing was wrong with him
This can be stated in positive form. Alternate translation: "everything about him was as it should be" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-doublenegatives)
they changed their minds
To think differently about a situation is spoken of as if a person is changing his mind. Alternate translation: "they thought again" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
said that he was a god.
Perhaps the people believed that someone who lived after a poisonous snake bite was divine or a god. This can be stated as a direct quotation. Alternate translation: "said, 'This man must be a god.'" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-quotations)
Acts 28:7
General Information:
Here the words "us" and we" refer to Paul, Luke, and those traveling with them, but not to the reader. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-exclusive)
Now in a nearby place
"Now" is used to introduce a new person or event in the account.
chief man of the island
Possible meanings are 1) the main leader of the people or 2) someone who was the most important person on the island, perhaps because of his wealth.
Acts 28:8
It happened that the father of Publius ... fever and dysentery
This is background information about Publius' father that is important to understanding the story. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/writing-background)
was lying afflicted
"was in bed, ill"
afflicted with a fever and dysentery
Dysentery is an infectious disease of the intestines.
placed his hands on him
"touched him with his hands"
Acts 28:9
were healed
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "he healed them too" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
Acts 28:10
honored us with many honors
Probably they honored Paul and those with him by giving them gifts.
Acts 28:11
Connecting Statement:
Paul's journey to Rome continues.
that had spent the winter at the island
"that the crew left at the island for the cold season"
a ship of Alexandria
Possible meanings are this refers to 1) a ship that came from Alexandria, or 2) a ship that was registered or licensed in Alexandria.
the twin gods
On the bow of the ship, there was a carving of the two idols called "the twin gods." Their names were Castor and Pollux.
Acts 28:12
city of Syracuse
Syracuse is a city on the southeast coast of the modern-day island of Sicily, just southwest of Italy. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-names)
Acts 28:13
city of Rhegium
This is the port city located at the southwestern tip of Italy. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-names)
a south wind sprang up
"the wind began to blow from the south"
city of Puteoli
Puteoli is located in modern-day Naples on the west coast of Italy. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-names)
Acts 28:14
There we found
"There we met"
brothers
These were followers of Jesus, including both men and women. Alternate translation: "fellow believers" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-gendernotations)
were invited
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "they invited us" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
In this way we came to Rome
Once Paul reached Puteoli, the rest of the journey to Rome was on land. Alternate translation: "And after we stayed seven days with them, we went to Rome"
Acts 28:15
General Information:
The Market of Appius was a popular market village about 60 kilometers south of the city of Rome on a road called the Appian Way. The Three Taverns was another village about 50 kilometers south of Rome. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-names)
after they heard about us
"after they heard we were coming"
he thanked God and took courage
Courage is spoken of as if it were an object that a person could take. Alternate translation: "this encouraged him, and he thanked God" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
Acts 28:16
General Information:
Here the word "we" refers to the writer, Paul, and those traveling with them, but not to the reader. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-exclusive)
Connecting Statement:
Paul arrives in Rome as a prisoner but with the freedom to stay in his own place. He calls the local Jews together to explain what has happened to him.
When we entered Rome, Paul was allowed to
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "After we had arrived in Rome, the Roman authorities gave Paul permission to" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
Acts 28:17
Then it came about that
This phrase is used here to mark the beginning of a new part of the story. If your language has a way for doing this, you could consider using it here.
the leaders among the Jews
These are the Jewish civil or religious leaders present in Rome.
Brothers
Here this means "Fellow Jews."
against the people
"against our people" or "against the Jews"
I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "some of the Jews arrested me in Jerusalem and placed me in the custody of the Roman authorities" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
into the hands of the Romans
Here "hands" stands for power or control. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
Acts 28:18
there was no reason for the death penalty in my case
"there was no reason for them to execute me" or "I had done nothing to cause them to kill me"
Acts 28:19
the Jews
This does not mean all of the Jews. Alternate translation: "the Jewish leaders" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-synecdoche)
spoke against their desire
"complained about what the Roman authorities wanted to do"
I was forced to appeal to Caesar
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "I had to ask for Caesar to judge me" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
although it is not as if I were bringing any accusation against my nation
The abstract noun "accusation" can be stated as the verb "accuse." Here "nation" stands for the people. Alternate translation: "but it was not because I wanted to accuse the people of my nation before Caesar" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
Acts 28:20
the hope of Israel
Here the word "hope" is what a person desires to happen and is confident will happen. In this case it is what the people of Israel hope for. Alternate translation: "what Israel joyfully waits for" or "what the people of Israel confidently expect" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-abstractnouns)
the hope of Israel
Paul did not state clearly what Israel hoped for. He may have been referring 1) to their hope that the Messiah would come or 2) to their hope that God would cause those who have died to live again.
Israel
Here "Israel" stands for the people. Alternate translation: "the people of Israel" or "the Jews" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
that I am now wearing this chain
Here "wearing this chain" stands for being a prisoner. Alternate translation: "that I am a prisoner" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
Acts 28:21
General Information:
Here the word "We" refers to the Jewish leaders in Rome. (See: Acts 28:17 and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-exclusive)
Connecting Statement:
The Jewish leaders respond to Paul.
nor did any of the brothers
Here "brothers" stands for fellow Jews. Alternate translation: "nor did any of our fellow Jews"
Acts 28:22
General Information:
Here the words "we" and "us" refer to the Jewish leaders in Rome. (See: Acts 28:17 and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-exclusive)
you think about this sect
A sect is a smaller group within a larger group. Here it refers to those who believe in Jesus. Alternate translation: "you think about this group to which you belong"
because it is known by us
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "because we know" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
it is spoken against everywhere
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "many Jews all over the Roman Empire are saying bad things about it" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
Acts 28:23
General Information:
Here all instances of "they" and "them" refer to the Jewish leaders in Rome. All instances of "him," "his," and "He" refer to Paul (Acts 28:17).
had appointed a day for him
"had chosen a time for him to speak to them"
testified about the kingdom of God
Here "kingdom of God" stands for God's rule as king. Alternate translation: "told them about God's rule as king" or "told them how God would show himself as king" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
from the prophets
Here "the prophets" refers to what they wrote. Alternate translation: "from what the prophets wrote" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
Acts 28:24
Some were convinced about the things which were said
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "Paul was able to convince some of them" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
Acts 28:25
General Information:
Here the word "they" refers to the Jewish leaders in Rome (Acts 28:17). The word "your" refers to the people to whom Paul had been speaking.
Connecting Statement:
As the Jewish leaders were ready to leave, Paul quoted the Old Testament scriptures that were appropriate for this time.
after Paul had spoken this one word
Here "word" stands for a message or statement. Alternate translation: "after Paul had said one more thing" or "after Paul had made this statement" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
The Holy Spirit spoke well through Isaiah the prophet to your fathers.
This sentence contains quotations within quotations. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-quotesinquotes)
Acts 28:26
General Information:
Paul begins to quote the prophet Isaiah.
He said, 'Go to this people and say, "By hearing you will hear, but you will not understand; and by seeing you will see, but you will not perceive
This is the end of the sentence that begins with the words "The Holy Spirit spoke" in verse 25 and that contains quotations within quotations. You can translate one of the inner quotations as an indirect quotation, or you can translate two of the inner quotations as indirect quotations. "The Holy Spirit spoke well through Isaiah the prophet to your forefathers when the Spirit told Isaiah to go tell them that they will hear but will not understand and they will see but they will not perceive" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-quotesinquotes)
By hearing you will hear ... by seeing you will see
The words "hear" and "see" are repeated for emphasis. "You will listen carefully ... you will look intently"
but you will not understand ... but you will not perceive
Both of these phrases mean basically the same thing. They emphasize that the Jewish people will not understand God's plan. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-parallelism)
Acts 28:27
General Information:
Translate Paul's quotation of Isaiah as a direct quotation or an indirect quotation according to how you translated it in Acts 28:25-26.
Connecting Statement:
Paul finishes quoting Isaiah the prophet.
For the heart of this people has become dull
People who stubbornly refuse to understand what God is saying or doing are spoken of as if their heart is dull. Here "heart" is a metonym for the mind. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
with their ears they hardly hear, and they have shut their eyes
People who stubbornly refuse to understand what God is saying or doing are spoken of as if they are unable to hear and are shutting their eyes so that they will not see. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
understand with their heart
Here "heart" stands for the mind. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
turn again
To start obeying God is spoken of as though the person were physically turning toward God. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
I would heal them
This does not mean God would only heal them physically. He would also heal them spiritually by forgiving their sins.
Acts 28:28
Connecting Statement:
Paul finishes speaking to the Jewish leaders in Rome.
this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles
God's message about how he saves people is spoken of as if it were an object that is sent. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "God is sending his messengers to the Gentiles to tell them about how he will save them" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
they will listen
"some of them will listen." This response of the Gentiles is in contrast to the way the Jews of that time responded.
Acts 28:29
General Information:
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Acts 28:30
General Information:
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Acts 28:31
Connecting Statement:
Luke ends the story of Paul in the book of Acts. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/writing-endofstory)
He was proclaiming the kingdom of God
Here "kingdom of God" refers to God's rule as king. Alternate translation: "He was preaching about God's rule as king" or "He was preaching about how God will show himself as king" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)