Acts 28:6
What does Acts 28:6 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 28:6 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 28:6 means
The islanders wait for swelling or sudden death, but nothing happens. Their prolonged watch strengthens the credibility of the miracle—this is no fleeting illusion. Then they swing to the other extreme, calling Paul a god. Human opinion proves fickle: first condemning, now deifying. Both errors miss the mark. Paul is neither criminal nor deity; he is a servant protected by the true God. Luke’s point is not to exalt Paul but to show God’s power authenticating His messenger. This marvel prepares the community to receive further mercy through Paul’s ministry and highlights how signs, though striking, must be joined to sound teaching to lead people from superstition to saving truth.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000But they expected that he would have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but when they were long in expectation and beheld nothing amiss come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901But they expected that he would have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but when they were long in expectation and beheld nothing amiss come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But they had the idea that they would see him becoming ill, or suddenly falling down dead; but after waiting a long time, and seeing that no damage came to him, changing their opinion, they said he was a god.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and they were expecting him to be about to be inflamed, or to fall down suddenly dead, and they, expecting <FI>it<Fi> a long time, and seeing nothing uncommon happening to him, changing <FI>their<Fi> minds, said he was a god.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752But they supposed that he would begin to swell up and that he would suddenly fall down and die. But expecting long and seeing that there came no harm to him, changing their minds, they said that he was a god.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But they expected that he would have swollen or fallen down suddenly dead. But when they had expected a long time and saw nothing unusual happen to him, changing their opinion, they said he was agod.
Context
Verses 4–6 recount the full arc of public perception: from presuming guilt to marveling at divine protection. With confidence now in Paul’s unique status, the narrative moves in verse 7 to a warm reception by Publius, the island’s chief man. This opens a path for a conspicuous act of healing (v. 8), which will draw many more to seek help (v. 9) and establish goodwill that equips the survivors for the remainder of their journey (v. 10).
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Matthew 21:9
And the multitudes that went before him, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.
- Acts 12:22
And the people shouted, saying, The voice of a god, and not of a man.
- Acts 14:11
And when the multitude saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voice, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men.
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