Acts 28:8
And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of a bloody flux: to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him.
Original Language Analysis
ἐγένετο
it came to pass
G1096
ἐγένετο
it came to pass
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
1 of 24
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πατέρα
that the father
G3962
πατέρα
that the father
Strong's:
G3962
Word #:
4 of 24
a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ποπλίου
of Publius
G4196
Ποπλίου
of Publius
Strong's:
G4196
Word #:
6 of 24
apparently "popular"; poplius (i.e., publius), a roman
πυρετοῖς
a fever
G4446
πυρετοῖς
a fever
Strong's:
G4446
Word #:
7 of 24
inflamed, i.e., (by implication) feverish (as noun, fever)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
8 of 24
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
συνεχόμενον
sick of
G4912
συνεχόμενον
sick of
Strong's:
G4912
Word #:
10 of 24
to hold together, i.e., to compress (the ears, with a crowd or siege) or arrest (a prisoner); figuratively, to compel, perplex, afflict, preoccupy
κατακεῖσθαι
lay
G2621
κατακεῖσθαι
lay
Strong's:
G2621
Word #:
11 of 24
to lie down, i.e., (by implication) be sick; specially, to recline at a meal
πρὸς
to
G4314
πρὸς
to
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
12 of 24
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,
ὃν
whom
G3739
ὃν
whom
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
13 of 24
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Παῦλος
Paul
G3972
Παῦλος
Paul
Strong's:
G3972
Word #:
15 of 24
(little; but remotely from a derivative of g3973, meaning the same); paulus, the name of a roman and of an apostle
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
17 of 24
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τὰς
G3588
τὰς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
20 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
χεῖρας
his hands
G5495
χεῖρας
his hands
Strong's:
G5495
Word #:
21 of 24
the hand (literally or figuratively (power); especially (by hebraism) a means or instrument)
αὐτόν
him
G846
αὐτόν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
22 of 24
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
Cross References
Acts 9:40But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up.Mark 6:5And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them.Mark 16:18They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.Matthew 9:18While he spake these things unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshipped him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live.1 Corinthians 12:9To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;1 Corinthians 12:28And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.Matthew 10:1And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.Matthew 10:8Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.
Historical Context
Dysentery was endemic in Mediterranean regions due to poor sanitation and contaminated water. Malta's geography made medical care limited. The combination of fever and bloody flux often proved fatal in the first century. Paul's healing would have been seen as miraculous deliverance from near-certain death.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you combine prayer with action in ministry opportunities?
- What hospitality you've received has opened unexpected doors for serving others?
Analysis & Commentary
The father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of a bloody flux (πυρετοῖς καὶ δυσεντερίῳ)—medical terminology describing gastric fever and dysentery, common Mediterranean ailments. Luke the physician's precise description suggests chronic, life-threatening illness. Paul's response: entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him (προσευξάμενος ἐπιθεὶς τὰς χεῖρας αὐτῷ ἰάσατο). Note the sequence: prayer first (acknowledging God's power), then laying on hands (apostolic sign gift), then healing (God's action). Paul doesn't heal by inherent power but as Christ's instrument. This healing reciprocates Publius' hospitality, demonstrating kingdom gratitude and opening doors for broader ministry (v. 9).