Acts 28
Acts chapter 28 concludes the book of Acts by recording Paul’s ministry on Malta, his arrival in Rome, and his continued proclamation of the Gospel while under house arrest. The chapter emphasizes God's faithfulness to His promises, the unstoppable advance of the Gospel, and the centrality of Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan.
1. Ministry on Malta (Acts 28:1–10)
After surviving the shipwreck, Paul and the others discover they are on the island of Malta.
The islanders show unusual kindness to the survivors. While helping gather wood for a fire, Paul is bitten by a venomous snake. The locals assume he must be under divine judgment, but when he suffers no harm, they reverse their opinion and begin to regard him as a god.
This event echoes Jesus' promise that His servants would be protected as they carried out His mission (cf. Mark 16:18). More importantly, it demonstrates that God's purpose for Paul cannot be thwarted before his mission is complete.
Paul then heals the father of Publius, the island's leading official, and many others come and are healed.
The ministry on Malta shows:
Even while a prisoner, Paul remains an instrument of blessing.
2. Paul Arrives in Rome (Acts 28:11–16)
After three months on Malta, Paul resumes the journey to Rome.
Along the way, believers come out to meet him. When Paul sees them:
"he thanked God and took courage." (v. 15)
This simple statement reminds us of the importance of Christian fellowship and encouragement.
At last, Paul reaches Rome, fulfilling the Lord's promise:
"you must also bear witness at Rome" (Acts 23:11).
What began with persecution in Jerusalem has now carried the Gospel to the capital of the Roman Empire.
Though under guard, Paul is permitted to live in his own rented house, giving him freedom to receive visitors and continue his ministry.
3. Paul Addresses the Jewish Leaders (Acts 28:17–22)
Paul immediately seeks out the Jewish leaders in Rome.
He explains that he has committed no crime against:
Yet he has been delivered into Roman custody.
Paul makes clear that his imprisonment is ultimately because of:
"the hope of Israel" (v. 20)
As throughout Acts, Paul presents Christianity as the fulfillment of Israel's promises rather than a departure from them.
The Jewish leaders express interest in hearing more about "this sect" because it is widely spoken against.
4. The Final Appeal to Israel (Acts 28:23–29)
A large group gathers to hear Paul.
From morning until evening he:
"explained and solemnly testified of the kingdom of God" (v. 23)
His method remains consistent:
Some believe, while others reject the message.
Paul then quotes Isaiah 6:9–10, a passage frequently used in the New Testament to explain persistent unbelief despite clear revelation.
The problem is not lack of evidence but hardness of heart.
Paul concludes:
"the salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will hear it!" (v. 28)
This statement summarizes a major theme running throughout Acts: the Gospel goes first to the Jews and then increasingly to the Gentile world.
5. The Unfinished Ending (Acts 28:30–31)
The book closes with Paul living under house arrest for two years:
"preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him." (v. 31)
Luke does not record Paul's trial, release, or death.
The ending is intentional.
The focus is not on Paul but on the continuing advance of the Gospel.
The final words emphasize:
The Gospel has traveled from Jerusalem to Rome, just as Jesus promised in Acts 1:8.
Major Themes in Acts 28:
Key Takeaway
Acts 28 closes the narrative, but not the mission. Paul's journey demonstrates that no storm, prison, opposition, or government can stop the purposes of God. The book begins with Jesus commissioning His followers to be His witnesses and ends with that witness reaching Rome, the center of the known world. Luke leaves the story open-ended because the mission continues. The same risen Christ who empowered the early Church still calls His people to proclaim the Gospel "with all confidence" until He returns.
Lasting Impact of Malta
One of the remarkable observations from Acts 28 is that Paul's unplanned stop on Malta appears to have left a lasting spiritual legacy. During his three months on the island, Paul healed many people, including the father of Publius, the island's chief official, and demonstrated the power and compassion of Christ to the Maltese people (Acts 28:1–10).
While Acts does not explicitly state that Paul founded a church there, Christian tradition has long held that the Gospel took root on Malta through his ministry. Nearly 2,000 years later, Malta remains one of the most historically Christian nations in the world and continues to commemorate Paul's shipwreck and ministry on the island.
This serves as a fitting illustration of one of the major themes of Acts: God often uses unexpected circumstances to advance the Gospel. What began as a shipwreck and an apparent detour became an opportunity for Gospel witness whose influence may still be seen today. The story reminds us that faithful obedience to Christ can leave an impact far beyond what we can see in our own lifetime.