Year of the Bible
Acts of the Apostles 28
Commentary on the Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 28:
Paul and the soldiers make it to shore by swimming and floating on debris (vs. 1). The hospitality of the pagan strangers is a contrast to how some of Paul’s fellow Jews originally received him back in Jerusalem, when this long travel-trial episode began (21:21). Three months after arriving in Malta (approximately 30 years after Jesus’ ascension!) Paul makes it to Rome (vs. 11-16). As we’ve come to expect, Paul first aims to share the Good News from the Scriptures with his fellow Jews (vs. 22-23) and the reality of human free will, the mixed response to the Gospel that even we receive today is still present (vs. 24). Luke, who wrote both Acts and the Gospel bearing his name, ends Acts of the Apostles with a bit of a cliff hanger--not revealing if Paul is set free and travels further west (possibly to Spain) or is martyred while in confinement under Nero’s reign. However, the message of God’s gift of salvation for all--to Israel and all nations (the Gentiles)--is clear. Luke includes a passage from the very beginning of Isaiah’s ministry (vs. 25-28), an assurance that God’s plan is bigger than the particular rejection Isaiah experienced from Israel and the 1st century rejection Paul experiences from some of his fellow Jews. For all who believe, Jesus truly is (as Luke included at the start of his Gospel, with a different allusion to Isaiah), “a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel” (Luke 2:32).
The Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 28:
Paul on the Island of Malta
1 After we had escaped, we then learned that the island was called Malta. 2 And the natives showed us unusual kindness, for they kindled a fire and welcomed us all, because it had begun to rain and was cold. 3 Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and put them on the fire, when a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand. 4 When the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer. Though he has escaped from the sea, justice has not allowed him to live.” 5 He, however, shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. 6 They waited, expecting him to swell up or suddenly fall down dead; but when they had waited a long time and saw no misfortune come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.
7 Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the chief man of the island, named Publius, who received us and entertained us hospitably for three days. 8 It happened that the father of Publius lay sick with fever and dysentery; and Paul visited him and prayed, and putting his hands on him healed him. 9 And when this had taken place, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases also came and were cured. 10 They presented many gifts to us; and when we sailed, they put on board whatever we needed.
Paul Comes to Rome
11 After three months we set sail in a ship which had wintered in the island, a ship of Alexandria, with the Twin Brothers as figurehead. 12 Putting in at Syracuse, we stayed there for three days. 13 And from there we made a circuit and arrived at Rhegium; and after one day a south wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli. 14 There we found brethren, and were invited to stay with them for seven days. And so we came to Rome. 15 And the brethren there, when they heard of us, came as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns to meet us. On seeing them Paul thanked God and took courage. 16And when we came into Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier that guarded him.
Paul and Jewish Leaders in Rome
17 After three days he called together the local leaders of the Jews; and when they had gathered, he said to them, “Brethren, though I had done nothing against the people or the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans. 18 When they had examined me, they wished to set me at liberty, because there was no reason for the death penalty in my case. 19 But when the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar—though I had no charge to bring against my nation. 20 For this reason therefore I have asked to see you and speak with you, since it is because of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain.” 21 And they said to him, “We have received no letters from Judea about you, and none of the brethren coming here has reported or spoken any evil about you. 22But we desire to hear from you what your views are; for with regard to this sect we know that everywhere it is spoken against.”
Paul Preaches in Rome
23 When they had appointed a day for him, they came to him at his lodging in great numbers. And he expounded the matter to them from morning till evening, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus both from the law of Moses and from the prophets. 24 And some were convinced by what he said, while others disbelieved. 25 So, as they disagreed among themselves, they departed, after Paul had made one statement: “The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet:
26 ‘Go to this people, and say,
You shall indeed hear but never understand,
and you shall indeed see but never perceive.
27 For this people’s heart has grown dull,
and their ears are heavy of hearing,
and their eyes they have closed;
lest they should perceive with their eyes,
and hear with their ears, and understand with their
heart,
and turn for me to heal them.’
28 Let it be known to you then that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen.”
30 And he lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him, 31 preaching the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ quite openly and unhindered.
*Daily Lectio Divina Question:
For these past 28 days we have read of the early beginnings of the Church with it's miracles, bravery, death, community, conflict and joy. Today, thank the Lord for all those who have gone before us in faith and ask Him to show how you fit into the "acts" which are still moving the Kingdom and the Church forward.
Biblical Commentary provided by the Catholic Biblical School of Michigan. Join a Catholic Biblical School of Michigan class this September at Holy Family in Grand Blanc or online.
Revised Standard Version; Second Catholic Edition. (San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 2006).
Permission to use the RSV-2CE given for Bishop's Year of the Bible by Ignatius Press. Many thanks to Ignatius for this.
If you're looking for a good Catholic edition of the Bible, look no further.
1 Una vez a salvo, supimos que la isla
se llamaba Malta. 2 Los nativos tuvieron
con nosotros una humanidad poco común.
Hicieron una hoguera, a causa de la
lluvia que caía y del frío, y nos recibieron a
todos.
3 Pablo había reunido un montón de
ramas secas y, al colocarlas en la hoguera,
una víbora que huía del calor le mordió
en la mano. 4 Cuando los nativos vieron
al animal colgando de su mano, se
dijeron unos a otros:
–Seguramente este hombre es un
asesino que, aunque ha escapado del
mar, la Justicia no le permite vivir.
5 Entonces él sacudió el animal sobre
el fuego y no sufrió daño alguno. 6 Esperaban
ellos que se hinchara o cayera
muerto de repente. Pero después de esperar
un tiempo y ver que nada malo le
ocurría, cambiaron de parecer y decían
que era un dios.
7 Por aquellos lugares tenía unas propiedades
el hombre principal de la isla,
llamado Publio, que nos acogió y hospedó
amablemente tres días. 8 Coincidió
que el padre de Publio se hallaba en
cama, aquejado de fiebres y disentería.
Pablo entró a verle, oró, le impuso las
manos y le curó. 9 Como había ocurrido
esto, se presentaron también otros enfermos
de la isla y fueron curados. 10 Nos
trataron con todo tipo de consideraciones
y cuando nos embarcamos nos facilitaron
todo lo necesario.
11 Pasados tres meses nos hicimos a la
mar en una nave alejandrina que había
invernado en la isla y llevaba los Dioscuros
como enseña. 12 Llegamos a Siracusa
y permanecimos tres días. 13 Desde
allí, costeando, arribamos a Regio.
Al día siguiente se levantó viento del
sur y a los dos días llegamos a Putéoli.
14 Encontramos allí algunos hermanos,
que nos rogaron que permaneciéramos
con ellos siete días. Y así nos dirigimos
a Roma. 15 Los hermanos, al enterarse
de nuestra llegada, vinieron desde allí a
nuestro encuentro hasta el Foro Apio y
Tres Tabernas. Al verles, Pablo dio gracias
a Dios y cobró ánimos.
16 Cuando llegamos a Roma, le fue
permitido a Pablo vivir por cuenta propia
con un soldado que le custodiara.
Tres días después convocó a los
principales judíos, y cuando se reunieron
les dijo:
–Hermanos, sin haber hecho nada
contra el pueblo ni contra las tradiciones
de los padres fui apresado en Jerusalén
y entregado en manos de los romanos,
18 que después de interrogarme
querían ponerme en libertad por no haber
en mí ninguna causa de muerte. 19 Y
ante la oposición de los judíos, me vi
obligado a apelar al César, pero no para
acusar de nada a los de mi nación. 20 Por
esta razón os he pedido veros y hablaros,
pues llevo estas cadenas por la esperanza
de Israel.
21 Ellos le respondieron:
–Nosotros no hemos recibido de Judea
ninguna carta que nos hable de ti,
ni ha llegado ningún hermano que nos
haya comunicado o hablado nada malo
de ti. 22 Deseamos, sin embargo, escuchar
de ti mismo lo que piensas, pues de
esa secta sabemos que en todas partes se
la contradice. Concertaron con él un día y acudieron
muchos a la casa en que se alojaba.
Desde la mañana hasta la tarde,
él les explicaba el Reino de Dios dando
testimonio y tratando de convencerles
sobre Jesús mediante la Ley de
Moisés y los Profetas. 24 Unos aceptaron
con fe lo que decía, pero otros no creyeron.
25 Cuando se marchaban divididos
entre sí, Pablo tan solo dijo estas
palabras:
–Con razón habló el Espíritu Santo
a vuestros padres por medio del profeta
Isaías:
26 Ve a este pueblo y dile:
«Con el oído oiréis, pero no entenderéis,
con la vista miraréis, pero no veréis.
27 Porque se ha embotado el corazón
de este pueblo,
han hecho duros sus oídos,
y han cerrado sus ojos;
no sea que vean con los ojos,
y oigan con los oídos,
y entiendan con el corazón y se conviertan,
y yo los sane».
28 Sabed, por tanto, que esta salvación
de Dios ha sido enviada a los gentiles.
Ellos sí la oirán. (29 )
30 Pablo permaneció dos años completos
en el lugar que había alquilado,
y recibía a todos los que acudían a él.
31 Predicaba el Reino de Dios y enseñaba
lo referente al Señor Jesucristo con toda
libertad y sin ningún estorbo.
Pregunta de Lectio Divina del día de hoy
Durante estos 28 días hemos leído sobre los primeros comienzos de la Iglesia, con sus milagros, su valentía, su muerte, su comunidad, sus conflictos y su alegría. Hoy, agradece al Señor por todos los que nos han precedido en la fe y pídele que te muestre cómo encajas tú en los " hechos " que siguen haciendo avanzar el Reino y la Iglesia.
La Biblia de Navarra
Permiso para usar esta versión de la primera edición de la Biblia de Navarra
para el Año de la Biblia del Obispo
dado por Ediciones Universidad de Navarra, S.A. (EUNSA).