Acts 28:2
What does Acts 28:2 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 28:2 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 28:2 means
The islanders—called “barbarians” because they did not speak Greek or Latin—respond with uncommon kindness. They build a fire and welcome all because of the cold rain. Luke underscores the practical compassion of these people toward shipwrecked strangers. This is common grace at work: God stirring ordinary hospitality in unexpected places. Their kindness reminds us that God often meets physical needs first, providing warmth and shelter before deeper conversations occur. The fire and reception become the setting in which God will further vindicate His servant Paul and open doors of influence among people who, up to this moment, had no connection with the gospel or its messengers.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And the barbarous people shewed us no little kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And the simple people living there were uncommonly kind to us, for they made a fire for us, and took us in, because it was raining and cold.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and the foreigners were shewing us no ordinary kindness, for having kindled a fire, they received us all, because of the pressing rain, and because of the cold;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752For kindling a fire, they refreshed us all, because of the present rain and of the cold.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But the barbarians shewed us no common kindness; for, having kindled a fire, they took us all in because of the rain that was falling and because of the cold.
Context
Having reached shore, the soaked and shivering survivors are now at the mercy of the local population. Verse 2 reports generous hospitality that safeguards life and health after the ordeal. This warm reception sets a positive backdrop for the dramatic event of verses 3–6, where a snakebite tests local assumptions about guilt and divine justice and becomes an occasion for God to display His protection over Paul.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Corinthians 14:11
If then I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be to him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh will be a barbarian unto me.
- Ezra 10:9
Then all the men of Judah and Benjamin gathered themselves together unto Jerusalem within the three days (it was the ninth month, on the twentieth day of the month); and all the people sat in the broad place before the house of God, trembling because of this matter, and for the great rain.
- Acts 28:4
And when the barbarians saw the venomous creature hanging from his hand, they said one to another, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped from the sea, yet Justice hath not suffered to live.
- Leviticus 19:18
Thou shalt not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people; but thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself: I am Jehovah.
- Colossians 3:11
where there cannot be Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bondman, freeman; but Christ is all, and in all.
- John 18:18
Now the servants and the officers were standing there, having made a fire of coals; for it was cold; and they were warming themselves: and Peter also was with them, standing and warming himself.
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