Acts 28:6
Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.
Original Language Analysis
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
προσδοκώντων
after they had looked
G4328
προσδοκώντων
after they had looked
Strong's:
G4328
Word #:
3 of 27
to anticipate (in thought, hope or fear); by implication, to await
αὐτὸν
him
G846
αὐτὸν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
4 of 27
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
μέλλειν
should
G3195
μέλλειν
should
Strong's:
G3195
Word #:
5 of 27
to intend, i.e., be about to be, do, or suffer something (of persons or things, especially events; in the sense of purpose, duty, necessity, probabili
πίμπρασθαι
have swollen
G4092
πίμπρασθαι
have swollen
Strong's:
G4092
Word #:
6 of 27
to fire, i.e., burn (figuratively and passively, become inflamed with fever)
ἐπὶ
a great while
G1909
ἐπὶ
a great while
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
11 of 27
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
πολὺ
G4183
πολὺ
Strong's:
G4183
Word #:
12 of 27
(singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely
αὐτὸν
him
G846
αὐτὸν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
14 of 27
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
προσδοκώντων
after they had looked
G4328
προσδοκώντων
after they had looked
Strong's:
G4328
Word #:
15 of 27
to anticipate (in thought, hope or fear); by implication, to await
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
16 of 27
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
θεωρούντων
saw
G2334
θεωρούντων
saw
Strong's:
G2334
Word #:
17 of 27
to be a spectator of, i.e., discern, (literally, figuratively (experience) or intensively (acknowledge))
ἄτοπον
harm
G824
ἄτοπον
harm
Strong's:
G824
Word #:
19 of 27
out of place, i.e., (figuratively) improper, injurious, wicked
εἰς
to
G1519
εἰς
to
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
20 of 27
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
αὐτὸν
him
G846
αὐτὸν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
21 of 27
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
γινόμενον
come
G1096
γινόμενον
come
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
22 of 27
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
μεταβαλλόμενοι
they changed their minds
G3328
μεταβαλλόμενοι
they changed their minds
Strong's:
G3328
Word #:
23 of 27
to throw over, i.e., (middle voice figuratively) to turn about in opinion
ἔλεγον
and said
G3004
ἔλεγον
and said
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
24 of 27
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
θεόν
a god
G2316
θεόν
a god
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
25 of 27
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
Historical Context
Greco-Roman polytheism easily incorporated new deities and divine manifestations. Gods were believed to visit humans in disguise (cf. Ovid's account of Zeus and Hermes visiting Phrygia). The shift from criminal to god reflects Mediterranean cultures' interpretive framework for supernatural events lacking biblical revelation.
Questions for Reflection
- What false binaries in your thinking obscure the truth about God's work?
- How do you point others to God when they mistakenly credit you with his work?
Analysis & Commentary
The Maltese looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly (πίμπρασθαι ἢ καταπίπτειν ἄφνω νεκρόν)—medical observation expecting typical viper bite symptoms. But after they had looked a great while shows patient verification, not hasty conclusions. Their theological pendulum swings dramatically: from 'murderer cursed by the gods' to they changed their minds, and said that he was a god (θεὸν αὐτὸν εἶναι). This recalls Lystra's similar mistake (Acts 14:11-15). The extremes—demon-cursed criminal or deity—miss the truth: Paul is neither, but rather a redeemed servant protected by the one true God. Their error reveals humanity's tendency toward false binaries while missing grace's middle ground.