Devine Scripture

Acts 28:1

What does Acts 28:1 mean?

A plain-English look at Acts 28:1 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Acts 28:1 means

Luke continues the first-person account, noting that after everyone escaped the shipwreck, they learned the island was called Melita. The survivors are disoriented but alive, and only after reaching safety do they discover their location. This simple notice highlights God’s providence: the same Lord who promised Paul he would reach Rome has guided them to land. Naming the island grounds the narrative in real geography and reassures readers that the journey, though harrowing, unfolds under God’s sovereign direction. Survival is not the end of the story; it is the platform for further witness and mercy that will soon be shown to and through Paul on the island.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And when we were safe, we made the discovery that the island was named Melita.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And having been saved, then they knew that the island is called Melita,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And when we had escaped, then we knew that the island was called Melita. But the barbarians shewed us no small courtesy.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And when we got safe [to land] we then knew that the island was called Melita.

Context

Acts 27 ended with the entire ship’s company, by God’s mercy, reaching land after a violent storm. Now Acts 28 opens by identifying the place as Melita (Malta). The survivors have not yet interacted with the locals or settled their immediate needs. The next verses will describe the reception they receive from the islanders and a remarkable incident involving Paul and a viper, which becomes an entry point for testimony and ministry that follows the shipwreck.

v.1This passage

v.2And the barbarians showed us no common kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us all, because of the present rain, and because of the cold.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Acts 27:44

    and the rest, some on planks, and some on other things from the ship. And so it came to pass, that they all escaped safe to the land.

  • Acts 27:39

    And when it was day, they knew not the land: but they perceived a certain bay with a beach, and they took counsel whether they could drive the ship upon it.

  • Acts 27:26

    But we must be cast upon a certain island.

  • Acts 16:10

    And when he had seen the vision, straightway we sought to go forth into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel unto them.

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