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

ACTS 28:5KJV
Know the Bible

Acts 28:5 (KJV)

What does Acts 28:5 mean?

Acts 28:5 describes how Paul, after being bitten by a poisonous snake, simply shook the animal off into the fire and suffered no injury or ill effect. The verse highlights Paul's calm reaction and the surprising lack of harm from what should have been a dangerous situation.

Paul was shipwrecked on the island of Malta with other survivors. While gathering firewood, a snake latched onto his hand, which the islanders expected would be fatal. Instead, Paul shook the creature off, and nothing happened to him, surprising the onlookers and setting the stage for their amazement and respect.

The Greek behind Acts 28:5

  • "beast" (θηρίον, thērion): This word refers to a wild animal, in this context a venomous snake. The use of "θηρίον" emphasizes the danger Paul faced.
  • "felt" (ἔπαθεν, epathe): This word means to suffer or experience something, often something bad. The verse stresses that Paul did not experience any harm at all, which was unexpected given the situation.
  • "harm" (κακόν, kakon): This word means evil, harm, or injury. The Greek here makes clear that Paul was completely unharmed, not just physically but in any negative way.

Why Acts 28:5 matters

  • Acts 28:5 clears up the misunderstanding that Paul was miraculously immune to harm because of his own power; the context shows that this was seen as a sign of divine protection.
  • The verse emphasizes the dramatic contrast between what was expected (serious harm or death) and what actually happened (no harm at all), highlighting the extraordinary nature of the event.
  • This moment connects to the wider passage by shifting the islanders’ perception of Paul, leading them to listen to him and opening doors for his ministry on Malta.

Where else these words appear

“off” Greek G660 · used in 2 verses

  • Luke 9:5 And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them.

“beast” Greek G2342 · used in 38 verses

  • Mark 1:13 And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him.
  • Revelation 13:4 And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?
  • Revelation 16:13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.

“felt” Greek G3958 · used in 41 verses

  • Matthew 16:21 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.
  • Acts 1:3 To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:
  • Hebrews 9:26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.

“harm” Greek G2556 · used in 46 verses

  • Matthew 21:41 They say unto him, He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons.
  • Romans 7:21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.
  • Colossians 3:5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: