Matthew Henry Commentary Acts 28

God can make strangers into friends—friends in distress.

Those who are despised for simple manners are often more friendly than the more polished. Indeed, the conduct of heathens, or persons called barbarians, condemns many in civilized nations who profess to be Christians.

The people thought that Paul was a murderer and that the viper was sent by Divine justice to be the avenger of blood.

They knew that there is a God who governs the world, so that things do not happen by chance—no, not the smallest event—but all by Divine direction. They also knew that evil pursues sinners, and that there are good works which God will reward and wicked works which He will punish.

They also believed that murder is a dreadful crime, one which will not long go unpunished. However, they thought all wicked people were punished in this life. Although some are made examples in this world to prove that there is a God and a Providence, many are left unpunished to prove that there is a judgment to come. They also thought all who were severely afflicted in this life were wicked people.

Divine revelation puts this matter in its true light. Good people are often greatly afflicted in this life, for the trial and increase of their faith and patience. Observe Paul's deliverance from the danger. Thus, in the strength of the grace of Christ, believers shake off the temptations of Satan with holy resolution. When we despise the criticisms and reproaches of others and look upon them with holy contempt, having the testimony of our consciences for us, then, like Paul, we shake off the viper into the fire.

It does us no harm, unless we are kept by it from our duty. In this way, God made Paul remarkable among these people, and so prepared the way for the gospel to be received. The Lord raises up friends for His people in every place wherever He leads them and makes them blessings to those in affliction.

The common events of traveling are seldom worthy of being told; but the comfort of communion with the saints, and kindness shown by friends, deserve particular mention. The Christians at Rome were so far from being ashamed of Paul, or afraid of acknowledging him, because he was a prisoner, that they were all the more careful to show him respect. He had great comfort in this.

And if our friends are kind to us, God puts it into their hearts, and we must give Him the glory. When we see those even in unfamiliar places, who bear Christ's name, fear God, and serve Him, we should lift up our hearts to heaven in thanksgiving. How many great men have made their entry into Rome, crowned and in triumph, who really were plagues to the world!

But here a good man makes his entry into Rome, chained as a poor captive, who was a greater blessing to the world than any other mere man. Is this not enough to make us lose our high regard for worldly favor forever? This may encourage God's prisoners, that He can give them favor in the eyes of those who hold them captive.

When God does not soon deliver His people out of bondage, yet makes it easy for them, or makes them at ease under it, they have reason to be thankful.

It was for the honour of Paul that those who examined his case acquitted him. In his appeal he sought not to accuse his nation, but only to clear himself.

True Christianity settles what is of common concern to all mankind and is not built upon narrow opinions and private interests. It aims at no worldly benefit or advantage, but all its gains are spiritual and eternal.

It is, and always has been, the lot of Christ's holy religion, to be everywhere spoken against. Look through every town and village where Christ is exalted as the only Saviour of mankind, and where the people are called to follow him in newness of life, and we see those who give themselves up to Christ, still called a sect, a party, and reproached. And this is the treatment they are sure to receive, as long as there continues to be an ungodly man on earth.

Paul persuaded the Jews concerning Jesus. Some were moved by the word, and others hardened; some received the light, and others shut their eyes against it. And the same has always been the effect of the gospel. Paul parted with them, observing that the Holy Spirit had well described their state. Let all who hear the gospel, and do not heed it, tremble at their doom; for who shall heal them, if God does not?

The Jews afterward had much reasoning among themselves. Many have great reasoning, who do not reason correctly. They find fault with one another's opinions, yet will not yield to truth. Nor will people's reasoning among themselves convince them, without the grace of God to open their understandings. While we mourn on account of such despisers, we should rejoice that the salvation of God is sent to others, who will receive it; and if we are of that number, we should be thankful to Him who has made us to differ.

The apostle kept to his principle, to know and preach nothing but Christ and him crucified. Christians, when tempted from their main business, should bring themselves back with this question: What does this concern the Lord Jesus? What tendency has it to bring us to him, and to keep us walking in him? The apostle preached not himself, but Christ, and he was not ashamed of the gospel of Christ. Though Paul was placed in a very narrow opportunity for being useful, he was not disturbed in it.

Though it was not a wide door that was opened to him, yet no one was allowed to shut it; and to many it was an effectual door, so that there were saints even in Nero's household (Philippians 4:22). We also learn from Philippians 1:13 how God overruled Paul's imprisonment for the furtherance of the gospel. And not only the residents at Rome, but all the church of Christ, to the present day and in the most remote corners of the globe, have abundant reason to bless God that during the most mature period of his Christian life and experience, he was detained a prisoner.

It was from his prison, probably chained hand to hand to the soldier who kept him, that the apostle wrote the epistles to the Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Hebrews. These epistles show, perhaps more than any others, the Christian love with which his heart overflowed and the Christian experience with which his soul was filled.

The believer of the present time may have less triumph and less heavenly joy than the apostle, but every follower of the same Savior is equally sure of safety and peace at the last. Let us then seek to live more and more in the love of the Savior and to labor to glorify Him by every action of our lives. As a result, we will assuredly, by His strength, be among the number of those who now overcome our enemies, and by His free grace and mercy, we will hereafter be among the blessed company who will sit with Him upon His throne, even as He also has overcome and is sitting on His Father's throne, at God's right hand forevermore.