Shook off (αποτιναξας). First aorist active participle of αποτινασσω, to shake off. Rare word (Euripides, Galen, LXX). In N.T. onl…

And he shook off, etc. In this, the promise of the Savior was remarkably fulfilled: They shall take up serpents, etc. ([Reference…

And laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand. And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on…

Seeing that Paul was unaffected by the snakebite, the islanders decided that he must be a god—or, perhaps, a favorite of the gods. Nothing is said …

Shaking off the viper. The shaking off of the viper is a sign of a calm mind. For we see how greatly fear troubles and weakens people. Yet…

And he shook off the beast into the fire
Having held it a while, and as being master of it, and as not being afraid …

God can make strangers into friends—friends in distre .