And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita.

ACTS 28:1KJV
Know the Bible

Acts 28:1 (KJV)

What does Acts 28:1 mean?

Acts 28:1 tells how Paul and his fellow travelers learned where they had landed after surviving a shipwreck. The island was called Melita, the name used here for Malta, an island in the Mediterranean Sea.

The word “escaped” refers to the travelers getting safely through the danger at sea. The narrator includes himself among them by saying “we,” placing him with Paul’s group as they reached shore.

The Greek behind Acts 28:1

  • “escaped” — διασῴζω (diasōzō): This word carries the sense of being brought safely through danger. Here, “escaped” points to surviving the wreck, not to fleeing from captivity.
  • “knew” — ἐπιγινώσκω (epiginōskō): This word can mean to recognize or find out. In this sentence, the travelers came to know the island’s name after reaching safety.

Why Acts 28:1 matters

  • The verse marks a change from uncertainty about their location to knowing where they were. During the storm, Acts 27:27 says the sailors sensed that they were drawing near land.
  • The name Melita identifies the place where the events that follow happen. Acts 28:2 describes the people of the island receiving the shipwrecked travelers.

Where else these words appear

“escaped” Greek G1295 · used in 8 verses

  • Matthew 14:36 And besought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment: and as many as touched were made perfectly whole.
  • Acts 23:24 And provide them beasts, that they may set Paul on, and bring him safe unto Felix the governor.
  • Acts 27:44 And the rest, some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship. And so it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land.

“island” Greek G3520 · used in 9 verses

  • Acts 13:6 And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus:
  • Acts 28:7 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.
  • Revelation 1:9 I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.

“knew” Greek G1921 · used in 38 verses

  • Matthew 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
  • Luke 7:37 And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment,
  • Acts 25:10 Then said Paul, I stand at Caesar's judgment seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest.

“called” Greek G2564 · used in 138 verses

  • Matthew 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
  • Luke 7:39 Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.
  • Romans 9:26 And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God.