Acts 28:4
And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live.
Original Language Analysis
ὡς
when
G5613
ὡς
when
Strong's:
G5613
Word #:
1 of 31
which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)
εἶδον
saw
G1492
εἶδον
saw
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
3 of 31
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐκ
on
G1537
ἐκ
on
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
9 of 31
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
χειρὸς
hand
G5495
χειρὸς
hand
Strong's:
G5495
Word #:
11 of 31
the hand (literally or figuratively (power); especially (by hebraism) a means or instrument)
αὐτοῦ
his
G846
αὐτοῦ
his
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
12 of 31
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ἔλεγον
they said
G3004
ἔλεγον
they said
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
13 of 31
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
πρὸς
among
G4314
πρὸς
among
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
14 of 31
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
Πάντως
No doubt
G3843
Πάντως
No doubt
Strong's:
G3843
Word #:
16 of 31
entirely; specially, at all events, (with negative, following) in no event
φονεύς
a murderer
G5406
φονεύς
a murderer
Strong's:
G5406
Word #:
17 of 31
a murderer (always of criminal (or at least intentional) homicide; which g0443 does not necessarily imply; while g4607 is a special term for a public
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
19 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
οὗτος
this
G3778
οὗτος
this
Strong's:
G3778
Word #:
21 of 31
the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)
ὃν
whom
G3739
ὃν
whom
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
22 of 31
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
διασωθέντα
though he hath escaped
G1295
διασωθέντα
though he hath escaped
Strong's:
G1295
Word #:
23 of 31
to save thoroughly, i.e., (by implication or analogy) to cure, preserve, rescue, etc
ἐκ
on
G1537
ἐκ
on
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
24 of 31
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
25 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
27 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
δίκη
yet vengeance
G1349
δίκη
yet vengeance
Strong's:
G1349
Word #:
28 of 31
right (as self-evident), i.e., justice (the principle, a decision, or its execution)
Cross References
Luke 13:2And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things?Luke 13:4Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem?Acts 28:2And the barbarous people shewed us no little kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold.Acts 28:5And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.
Historical Context
Ancient Mediterranean cultures believed deities actively punished evildoers through 'natural' calamities. The personification of Justice (Dikē) as a goddess pursuing vengeance was common in Greek and Phoenician thought. The Maltese conclusion reflects universal natural law awareness (Romans 1:32, 2:14-15).
Questions for Reflection
- How do you distinguish between divine discipline and random suffering in your life?
- What does this account teach about conscience and moral awareness in all cultures?
Analysis & Commentary
The barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand—Their instant theological interpretation reveals universal human recognition of moral cause and effect. They reasoned: No doubt this man is a murderer (πάντως φονεύς ἐστιν)—retributive justice from the gods. Whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live—Greek 'dikē' (Δίκη, justice/vengeance) was personified as a goddess ensuring murderers received punishment. Their theology mirrors Job's friends: suffering proves guilt. Though wrong about Paul, they rightly perceived that ultimate justice transcends human courts—a truth Christianity affirms, though correcting its simplistic application. Ironically, Paul the former persecutor did carry guilt, but covered by Christ's atonement.