King James Version

What Does Acts 28:6 Mean?

Acts 28:6 in the King James Version says “Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while ,... — study this verse from Acts chapter 28 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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.

Acts 28:6 · KJV


Context

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.

5

And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.

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.

7

In the same quarters were possessions of the chief man of the island, whose name was Publius; who received us, and lodged us three days courteously.

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.


Commentary

KJV Study 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.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural 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.

Reflection Questions

  1. What false binaries in your thinking obscure the truth about God's work?
  2. How do you point others to God when they mistakenly credit you with his work?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 27 words
οἱ1 of 27
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

δὲ2 of 27

Howbeit

G1161

but, and, etc

προσδοκώντων3 of 27

after they had looked

G4328

to anticipate (in thought, hope or fear); by implication, to await

αὐτὸν4 of 27

him

G846

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

μέλλειν5 of 27

should

G3195

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

πίμπρασθαι6 of 27

have swollen

G4092

to fire, i.e., burn (figuratively and passively, become inflamed with fever)

7 of 27

or

G2228

disjunctive, or; comparative, than

καταπίπτειν8 of 27

fallen down

G2667

to fall down

ἄφνω9 of 27

suddenly

G869

unawares, i.e., unexpectedly

νεκρόν10 of 27

dead

G3498

dead (literally or figuratively; also as noun)

ἐπὶ11 of 27

a great while

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

πολὺ12 of 27
G4183

(singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely

δὲ13 of 27

Howbeit

G1161

but, and, etc

αὐτὸν14 of 27

him

G846

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

προσδοκώντων15 of 27

after they had looked

G4328

to anticipate (in thought, hope or fear); by implication, to await

καὶ16 of 27

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

θεωρούντων17 of 27

saw

G2334

to be a spectator of, i.e., discern, (literally, figuratively (experience) or intensively (acknowledge))

μηδὲν18 of 27

no

G3367

not even one (man, woman, thing)

ἄτοπον19 of 27

harm

G824

out of place, i.e., (figuratively) improper, injurious, wicked

εἰς20 of 27

to

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

αὐτὸν21 of 27

him

G846

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

γινόμενον22 of 27

come

G1096

to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)

μεταβαλλόμενοι23 of 27

they changed their minds

G3328

to throw over, i.e., (middle voice figuratively) to turn about in opinion

ἔλεγον24 of 27

and said

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

θεόν25 of 27

a god

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

αὐτὸν26 of 27

him

G846

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

εἶναι27 of 27

was

G1511

to exist


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Acts. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Acts 28:6 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Acts 28:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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