The Meaning of Acts 28:3 Explained

Acts 28:3

KJV: 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.

YLT: but Paul having gathered together a quantity of sticks, and having laid them upon the fire, a viper -- out of the heat having come -- did fasten on his hand.

Darby: And Paul having gathered a certain quantity of sticks together in a bundle and laid it on the fire, a viper coming out from the heat seized his hand.

ASV: But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out by reason of the heat, and fastened on his hand.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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. 

What does Acts 28:3 Mean?

Verse Meaning

Paul made himself useful by gathering firewood; he did not sit around expecting others to take care of him. Evidently he unknowingly picked up a small snake with his wood. It would have been sluggish because of the cold weather, but the heat of the fire woke it up. This snake is a "viper" in Greek. A viper Isaiah , of course, a specific variety of poisonous snake. The fact that there are no vipers on Malta now, which has been a stumbling block to some, simply shows that this variety of snake became extinct there after Paul"s visit. [1] Vipers do not normally fasten on what they bite; they strike and then retreat. However in this case the snake was evidently still somewhat lethargic and did not behave normally. Perhaps it got hung up on Paul"s hand by its fangs.
This was the third life-threatening situation that Paul faced on his journey to Rome, the others being the storm at sea and the shipwreck.

Context Summary

Acts 28:1-10 - Kindness Richly Repaid
It is pleasant to read of the kindness of these Maltese. In humanity everywhere there are kindly traits, and often there will be ready help for the really destitute.
Accidents are not punishments. The clinging of the viper to Paul's hand was not an evidence of the anger of God, but was permitted in order to give these simple-hearted people an evidence which they would appreciate of God's care for His own.
How changeable is human opinion, shifting in a moment from the highest to the lowest estimate of our fellows, and basing that estimate solely on the favorable or unfavorable aspect of outward circumstances! Let us not judge by appearance, but righteously. Because Paul cast off the viper, they accounted him divine; if he had died, they would have thought him a felon. Let us also shake off temptation. We cannot prevent its attacking us, but we need not take the viper into our heart.
Paul's unfailing influence for good shows what a blessing even one Christian man can be wherever he goes, if he lives in the power of God. [source]

Chapter Summary: Acts 28

1  Paul, after his shipwreck, is kindly entertained on Malta
5  The snake on his hand hurts him not
8  He heals many diseases in the island
11  They depart toward Rome
17  He declares to the Jews the cause of his coming
24  After his preaching some were persuaded, and some believed not
30  Yet he preaches there two years

Greek Commentary for Acts 28:3

When Paul had gathered [συστρεπσαντος του Παυλου]
Genitive absolute with first aorist active participle of συστρεπω — sustrephō old verb to twist or turn together or roll into a bundle. In N.T. only here and Matthew 17:22. [source]
A bundle of sticks [πρυγανων τι πλητος]
“Some multitude (or pile) of dry twigs” Laid (επιτεντος — epithentos). So genitive absolute again with second aorist active participle of επιτιτημι — epitithēmi to place upon. Few things show Paul to better advantage than this incident. By reason of the heat Old word, only here in N.T. Ablative case with απο — apo (from the heat). The viper was in a state of torpor in the bundle of sticks. The heat wakened him. A viper (εχιδνα — echidna). The old word used by the Baptist of the Pharisees (Matthew 3:7; Luke 3:7) and by Jesus also (Matthew 12:34; Matthew 23:33). It is objected that there is little wood in the island today and no vipers, though Lewin as late as 1853 believes that he saw a viper near St. Paul‘s Bay. But the island now has 1, 200 people to the square mile and snakes of any kind have a poor chance. The viper has also disappeared from Arran as the island became more frequented (Knowling). Ramsay thinks that the small constrictor (Coronella Austriaca) which still exists in the island may be the “viper,” though it has no poison fangs, but clings and bites. The natives thought that it was a poisonous viper. Fastened on his hand First aorist active indicative of καταπτω — kathaptō to fasten down on with the genitive case. Old verb, here only in N.T. Cf. Mark 16:18. [source]
Laid [επιτεντος]
So genitive absolute again with second aorist active participle of επιτιτημι — epitithēmi to place upon. Few things show Paul to better advantage than this incident. [source]
By reason of the heat [απο της τερμης]
Old word, only here in N.T. Ablative case with απο — apo (from the heat). The viper was in a state of torpor in the bundle of sticks. The heat wakened him. A viper (εχιδνα — echidna). The old word used by the Baptist of the Pharisees (Matthew 3:7; Luke 3:7) and by Jesus also (Matthew 12:34; Matthew 23:33). It is objected that there is little wood in the island today and no vipers, though Lewin as late as 1853 believes that he saw a viper near St. Paul‘s Bay. But the island now has 1, 200 people to the square mile and snakes of any kind have a poor chance. The viper has also disappeared from Arran as the island became more frequented (Knowling). Ramsay thinks that the small constrictor (Coronella Austriaca) which still exists in the island may be the “viper,” though it has no poison fangs, but clings and bites. The natives thought that it was a poisonous viper. Fastened on his hand First aorist active indicative of καταπτω — kathaptō to fasten down on with the genitive case. Old verb, here only in N.T. Cf. Mark 16:18. [source]
A viper [εχιδνα]
The old word used by the Baptist of the Pharisees (Matthew 3:7; Luke 3:7) and by Jesus also (Matthew 12:34; Matthew 23:33). It is objected that there is little wood in the island today and no vipers, though Lewin as late as 1853 believes that he saw a viper near St. Paul‘s Bay. But the island now has 1, 200 people to the square mile and snakes of any kind have a poor chance. The viper has also disappeared from Arran as the island became more frequented (Knowling). Ramsay thinks that the small constrictor (Coronella Austriaca) which still exists in the island may be the “viper,” though it has no poison fangs, but clings and bites. The natives thought that it was a poisonous viper. [source]
Fastened on his hand [κατηπσε της χειρος αυτου]
First aorist active indicative of καταπτω — kathaptō to fasten down on with the genitive case. Old verb, here only in N.T. Cf. Mark 16:18. [source]
Of sticks [φρυγάνων]
Only here in New Testament. From φρύγω , to roast or parch. Hence, dry sticks. [source]
Out of [ἐκ]
The best texts read ἀπό , by reason of. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Acts 28:3

Mark 16:18 They shall take up serpents [οπεις αρουσιν]
Jesus had said something like this in Luke 10:19 and Paul was unharmed by the serpent in Malta (Acts 28:3.). [source]
Acts 24:27 But when two years were fulfilled [διετιας δε πληρωτεισης]
Genitive absolute first aorist passive of πληροω — plēroō common verb to fill full. Διετια — Dietia late word in lxx and Philo, common in the papyri, in N.T. only here and Acts 28:30. Compound of δια — dia two (δυο δις — duoετος — dis) and ελαβεν διαδοχον — etos year. So Paul lingered on in prison in Caesarea, waiting for the second hearing under Felix which never came. Caesarea now became the compulsory headquarters of Paul for two years. With all his travels Paul spent several years each at Tarsus, Antioch, Corinth, Ephesus, though not as a prisoner unless that was true part of the time at Ephesus for which there is some evidence though not of a convincing kind. We do not know that Luke remained in Caesarea all this time. In all probability he came and went with frequent visits with Philip the Evangelist. It was probably during this period that Luke secured the material for his Gospel and wrote part or all of it before going to Rome. He had ample opportunity to examine the eyewitnesses who heard Jesus and the first attempts at writing including the Gospel of Mark (Luke 1:1-4). [source]
Acts 28:2 Showed us [παρειχαν]
Imperfect active of παρεχω — parechō with αν — ̇an instead of ον — ̇on as ειχαν — eichan in Mark 8:7 (Robertson, Grammar, p. 339). It was their habit on this occasion, Luke means, they kept on showing. No common kindness (ου την τυχουσαν πιλαντρωπιαν — ou tēn tuchousan philanthrōpian). The old word πιλαντρωπια — philanthrōpia (πιλος — philos αντρωπος — anthrōpos), love of mankind, occurs in the N.T. only here and Titus 3:4 (adverb in Acts 27:3). See note on Acts 19:11 for this use of ου την τυχουσαν — ou tēn tuchousan “not the kindness that happens every day.” They were not “wreckers” to take advantage of the calamity. They kindled a fire The only N.T. example and Acts 28:3 of the old word πυρα — pura (from πυρ — pur fire), a pile of burning fuel (sticks). First aorist active participle of απτω — haptō to set fire to, to kindle. Cf. αναπτω — anaptō in Luke 12:49. Received us all (προσελαβοντο παντας ημας — proselabonto pantas hēmās). Second aorist middle (indirect indicative of προσλαμβανω — proslambanō They took us all to themselves (cf. Acts 18:26). The present Second perfect active participle (intransitive) of επιστημι — ephistēmi “the rain that stood upon them” (the pouring rain). Only in Luke and Paul in N.T. [source]
Acts 28:2 They kindled a fire [απσαντες πυραν]
The only N.T. example and Acts 28:3 of the old word πυρα — pura (from πυρ — pur fire), a pile of burning fuel (sticks). First aorist active participle of απτω — haptō to set fire to, to kindle. Cf. αναπτω — anaptō in Luke 12:49. Received us all (προσελαβοντο παντας ημας — proselabonto pantas hēmās). Second aorist middle (indirect indicative of προσλαμβανω — proslambanō They took us all to themselves (cf. Acts 18:26). The present Second perfect active participle (intransitive) of επιστημι — ephistēmi “the rain that stood upon them” (the pouring rain). Only in Luke and Paul in N.T. [source]
Acts 28:16 Paul was suffered to abide by himself [επετραπη τωι Παυλωι μενειν κατ εαυτον]
Second aorist passive of επιτρεπο — epitrepo to permit or allow. Literally, “It was permitted to Paul to abide by himself.” Some late documents (Textus Receptus) here add: “The centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard” (or the στρατοπεδαρχ — stratopedarch). This officer used to be considered Burrus who was Prefect of the Praetorian Guard a.d. 51-62. But it is by no means certain that Julius turned the prisoners over to this officer. It seems more likely that Julius would report to the captain of the Peregrini. If so, we may be sure that Julius would give a good report of Paul to this officer who would be kindly disposed and would allow Paul comparative freedom (living by himself, in his lodging, Acts 28:23, his own hired house Acts 28:30, though still chained to a soldier). [source]
Philippians 1:13 In all the palace [ἐν ὅλῳ τῷ πραιτωρίῳ]
Rev., throughout the whole praetorian guard. So Lightfoot, Dwight, Farrar. This appears to be the correct rendering. The other explanations are, the imperial residence on the Palatine, so A.V.; the praetorian barracks attached to the palace, so Eadie, Ellicott, Lumby, and Alford; the praetortan camp on the east of the city, so Meyer. The first explanation leaves the place of Paul's confinement uncertain. It may have been in the camp of the Praetorians, which was large enough to contain within its precincts lodgings for prisoners under military custody, so that Paul could dwell “in his own hired house,” Acts 28:30. This would be difficult to explain on the assumption that Paul was confined in the barracks or within the palace precincts. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
The Praetorians, forming the imperial guard, were picked men, ten thousand in number, and all of Italian birth. The body was instituted by Augustus and was called by him praetoriae cohortes, praetorian cohorts, in imitation of the select troop which attended the person of the praetor or Roman general. Augustus originally stationed only three thousand of them, three cohorts, at Rome, and dispersed the remainder in the adjacent Italian towns. Under Tiberius they were all assembled at Rome in a fortified camp. They were distinguished by double pay and special privileges. Their term of service was originally twelve years, afterward increased to sixteen. On completing his term, each soldier received a little over eight hundred dollars. They all seem to have had the same rank as centurions in the regular legions. They became the most powerful body in the state; the emperors were obliged to court their favor, and each emperor on his accession was expected to bestow on them a liberal donative. After the death of Pertinax (a.d. 193) they put up the empire at public sale, and knocked it down to Didius Julianus. They were disbanded the same year on the accession of Severus, and were banished; but were restored by that emperor on a new plan, and increased to four times their original number. They were finally suppressed by Constantine. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
The apostle was under the charge of these troops, the soldiers relieving each other in mounting guard over the prisoner, who was attached to his guard's hand by a chain. In the allusion to his bonds, Ephesians 6:20, he uses the specific word for the coupling-chain. His contact with the different members of the corps in succession, explains the statement that his bonds had become manifest throughout the praetorian guard. [source]

2 Timothy 4:17 Might be fully known [πληροφορηθῇ]
See on 2 Timothy 4:5. Lit. might be fulfilled; fully carried out by being proclaimed before rulers in the capital of the world. Comp. Romans 15:19; Acts 23:11; Acts 28:31; Philemon 1:12-14. [source]

What do the individual words in Acts 28:3 mean?

Having gathered now - Paul of sticks a quantity and having laid [them] on the fire a viper out from the heat having come fastened on the hand of him
Συστρέψαντος δὲ τοῦ Παύλου φρυγάνων τι πλῆθος καὶ ἐπιθέντος ἐπὶ τὴν πυράν ἔχιδνα ἀπὸ τῆς θέρμης ἐξελθοῦσα καθῆψεν τῆς χειρὸς αὐτοῦ

Συστρέψαντος  Having  gathered 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Participle Active, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: συστρέφω  
Sense: to twist together, roll together.
δὲ  now 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: δέ  
Sense: but, moreover, and, etc.
τοῦ  - 
Parse: Article, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
Παύλου  Paul 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: Παῦλος  
Sense: Paul was the most famous of the apostles and wrote a good part of the NT, the 4 Pauline epistles.
φρυγάνων  of  sticks 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Neuter Plural
Root: φρύγανον  
Sense: a dry stick, a twig.
πλῆθος  quantity 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Neuter Singular
Root: πλῆθος  
Sense: a multitude.
ἐπιθέντος  having  laid  [them] 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Participle Active, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: ἐπιτίθημι  
Sense: in the active voice.
πυράν  fire 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: πυρά  
Sense: a fire, a pile of burning fuel.
ἔχιδνα  a  viper 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Feminine Singular
Root: ἔχιδνα  
Sense: a viper, offspring of vipers.
ἀπὸ  out  from 
Parse: Preposition
Root: ἀπό 
Sense: of separation.
θέρμης  heat 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root: θέρμη  
Sense: heat.
ἐξελθοῦσα  having  come 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Participle Active, Nominative Feminine Singular
Root: ἐξέρχομαι 
Sense: to go or come forth of.
καθῆψεν  fastened 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: καθάπτω  
Sense: to fit or fasten to, bind on.
τῆς  on  the 
Parse: Article, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
χειρὸς  hand 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root: χείρ  
Sense: by the help or agency of any one, by means of any one.
αὐτοῦ  of  him 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Root: αὐτός  
Sense: himself, herself, themselves, itself.