Which being done, all that had diseases in the island came and were healed.
τουτου ουν γενομενου και οι λοιποι οι εχοντες ασθενειας εν τη νησω προσηρχοντο και εθεραπευοντο
8 Church Fathers comment on this verse
And not only to him, but also to many other sick people, he grants healing. In gratitude for this, they pay him honors and bring gifts. The writer expresses this in the following words: "They also honored us with many honors, and when we departed, they supplied what was needed."
The father of Publius was afflicted with fever and dysentery. Dysentery, a disease difficult to cure, was healed by Paul and brought many to faith.
Dysentery is a disease difficult to cure. The one who received healing from Paul brought many to faith. Thus miracles, for the most part, occur for unbelievers and among unbelievers.
The circumstances of the disastrous voyage were meant to draw Paul's companions' attention to him. The event on the island of Malta was meant to dispose the local inhabitants favorably toward him. The harmless bite of the serpent and the healing of many sick people, including the father of the chief man of the island, Publius, during the three-month stay on Malta, were a preparatory means of Providence for the conversion of the island's inhabitants.
The Apostle's stay on the island of Malta was afterward marked by other miraculous events: the healing of the father of Publius, the chief man of the island, from fever combined with abdominal pain, and likewise the healing of many sick people. All this inspired respect and affection for Paul and his companions among the islanders. When Paul departed, they supplied him with everything necessary.
The report of this healing spread throughout the whole island. As a result, the inhabitants began bringing the sick to him from every side, and they received healing. One may be certain that the Apostle Paul, though he did not found a church here, did not miss this favorable opportunity to preach the Gospel.
"He healed him." This was undoubtedly done miraculously, as were the healings of the other sick islanders (v. 9), as the tone of the whole narrative indicates. As a result, the islanders showed Paul and his companions many honors and supplied them with what they needed for the further journey.
Healings were performed here over others also. Therefore the apostles enjoyed general respect. When the travelers were leaving, they were abundantly supplied with everything necessary. Of course, all were convinced that Paul was a man, though not like other men, sinful and far from God.
“See,” says Saint John Chrysostom, “how even after deliverance from the storm they did not remain without protection, but found a gracious reception because of Paul. For three months all of them received support there. And they gave provisions for the journey to the others also. He did not take a reward. Rather, here what is written was fulfilled: ‘The laborer is worthy of his food’ (Mt 10:10). It is evident that those who so received them also received the preaching.
For he would not have spoken with them for three months if they had not truly believed and shown the fruits of faith. This is clear proof that there were many believers here.”
Let those who say, “Do not do good to those in prison,” be ashamed. Let them be ashamed before these strangers. They did not know what sort of men the prisoners were. But simply pitying their misfortune, they remembered that they were human beings, and therefore showed them humanity.
Passages read together with this verse.
Greek text, 15 words with lemma, transliteration and Strong’s number. Tap to expand.
THEOSIS