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.

ACTS 28:8KJV
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Acts 28:8 (KJV)

What does Acts 28:8 mean?

Acts 28:8 describes how Paul visited the father of Publius, who was very sick with a fever and dysentery, prayed for him, laid his hands on him, and healed him. The verse shows Paul acting with compassion and God’s power to heal, even while he was a shipwrecked prisoner on the island of Malta.

In this scene, Paul is staying on Malta after surviving a shipwreck. Publius is the leading official of the island, and his father is seriously ill. Paul goes to see him, prays, and physically lays hands on him, resulting in the man’s recovery. This event sets the stage for further kindness from the islanders and demonstrates the continuing work of God through Paul, even in unexpected places.

The Greek behind Acts 28:8

  • "ἔθεντο" (ethento, laid): This word means to place or put, and here it refers to Paul deliberately placing his hands on the sick man, a gesture often associated with healing or blessing in the New Testament.
  • "προσηύξατο" (prosēuxato, prayed): This word emphasizes that Paul did not heal by his own power but sought God’s help through prayer, highlighting dependence on God for the miracle.
  • "ἰάσατο" (iasato, healed): The Greek word here specifically means to cure or restore to health, making it clear that the man’s recovery was complete and attributed to God’s intervention through Paul.

Why Acts 28:8 matters

  • Acts 28:8 clears up any idea that Paul healed by his own power; the verse stresses prayer and God’s action, not magic or personal ability.
  • The verse highlights Paul’s compassion and willingness to serve others, even while he himself is in a vulnerable situation as a prisoner.
  • This healing leads to greater openness from the people of Malta, setting up further opportunities for Paul to share his message and for others to receive help.

Where else these words appear

“Publius” Greek G4196 · used in 2 verses

  • 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.

“fever” Greek G4446 · used in 6 verses

  • Matthew 8:15 And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them.
  • Mark 1:31 And he came and took her by the hand, and lifted her up; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them.
  • Luke 4:39 And he stood over her, and rebuked the fever; and it left her: and immediately she arose and ministered unto them.

“lay” Greek G2621 · used in 11 verses

  • Mark 1:30 But Simon's wife's mother lay sick of a fever, and anon they tell him of her.
  • Mark 14:3 And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head.
  • John 5:3 In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water.

“of” Greek G4912 · used in 12 verses

  • Matthew 4:24 And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.
  • Luke 8:45 And Jesus said, Who touched me? When all denied, Peter and they that were with him said, Master, the multitude throng thee and press thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?
  • Acts 7:57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord,