Acts 28:5
New International Version
But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no ill effects.

New Living Translation
But Paul shook off the snake into the fire and was unharmed.

English Standard Version
He, however, shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm.

Berean Standard Bible
But Paul shook the creature off into the fire and suffered no ill effects.

Berean Literal Bible
Then indeed, having shaken off the creature into the fire, he suffered no injury.

King James Bible
And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.

New King James Version
But he shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm.

New American Standard Bible
However, Paul shook the creature off into the fire and suffered no harm.

NASB 1995
However he shook the creature off into the fire and suffered no harm.

NASB 1977
However he shook the creature off into the fire and suffered no harm.

Legacy Standard Bible
However he shook the creature off into the fire and suffered no harm.

Amplified Bible
Then Paul [simply] shook the creature off into the fire and suffered no ill effects.

Christian Standard Bible
But he shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no harm.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
However, he shook the creature off into the fire and suffered no harm.

American Standard Version
Howbeit he shook off the creature into the fire, and took no harm.

Contemporary English Version
Paul shook the snake off into the fire and wasn't harmed.

English Revised Version
Howbeit he shook off the beast into the fire, and took no harm.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Paul shook the snake into the fire and wasn't harmed.

Good News Translation
But Paul shook the snake off into the fire without being harmed at all.

International Standard Version
But he shook the snake into the fire and wasn't harmed.

Majority Standard Bible
But Paul shook the creature off into the fire and suffered no ill effects.

NET Bible
However, Paul shook the creature off into the fire and suffered no harm.

New Heart English Bible
However he shook off the creature into the fire, and was not harmed.

Webster's Bible Translation
And he shook off the animal into the fire, and felt no harm.

Weymouth New Testament
He, however, shook the reptile off into the fire and was unhurt.

World English Bible
However he shook off the creature into the fire, and wasn’t harmed.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
he then, indeed, having shaken off the beast into the fire, suffered no evil,

Berean Literal Bible
Then indeed, having shaken off the creature into the fire, he suffered no injury.

Young's Literal Translation
he then, indeed, having shaken off the beast into the fire, suffered no evil,

Smith's Literal Translation
Who truly then, having shaken off the beast into the fire, suffered nothing evil.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he indeed shaking off the beast into the fire, suffered no harm.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But shaking off the creature into the fire, he indeed suffered no ill effects.

New American Bible
But he shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no harm.

New Revised Standard Version
He, however, shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But Paul shook his hand and threw the viper into the fire, and felt no harm.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Then Paulus shook his hand and threw the viper into the fire, and nothing bad happened to him.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Then he shook the reptile from him into the fire, and suffered no harm.

Godbey New Testament
Then indeed, having shaken off the beast into the fire, he suffered no injury:

Haweis New Testament
But he then shaking off the venomous animal into the fire, suffered no manner of inconvenience.

Mace New Testament
but Paul shook off the animal into the fire without having receiv'd any hurt.

Weymouth New Testament
He, however, shook the reptile off into the fire and was unhurt.

Worrell New Testament
He, therefore, having shaken off the beast into the fire, suffered no harm;

Worsley New Testament
But he shook off the creature into the fire, and suffered no hurt.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Ashore on Malta
4When the islanders saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “Surely this man is a murderer. Although he was saved from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live.” 5 But Paul shook the creature off into the fire and suffered no ill effects. 6The islanders were expecting him to swell up or suddenly drop dead. But after waiting a long time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god.…

Cross References
Mark 16:18
they will pick up snakes with their hands, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not harm them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will be made well.”

Luke 10:19
Behold, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy. Nothing will harm you.

Psalm 91:13
You will tread on the lion and cobra; you will trample the young lion and serpent.

Isaiah 43:2
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you go through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched; the flames will not set you ablaze.

Daniel 6:22
My God sent His angel and shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, for I was found innocent in His sight, and I have done no wrong against you, O king.”

Exodus 4:3-4
“Throw it on the ground,” said the LORD. So Moses threw it on the ground, and it became a snake, and he ran from it. / “Stretch out your hand and grab it by the tail,” the LORD said to Moses, who reached out his hand and caught the snake, and it turned back into a staff in his hand.

Numbers 21:6-9
So the LORD sent venomous snakes among the people, and many of the Israelites were bitten and died. / Then the people came to Moses and said, “We have sinned by speaking against the LORD and against you. Intercede with the LORD so He will take the snakes away from us.” So Moses interceded for the people. / Then the LORD said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent and mount it on a pole. When anyone who is bitten looks at it, he will live.” ...

2 Kings 4:39-41
One of them went out to the field to gather herbs, and he found a wild vine from which he gathered as many wild gourds as his garment could hold. Then he came back and cut them up into the pot of stew, though no one knew what they were. / And they poured it out for the men to eat, but when they tasted the stew they cried out, “There is death in the pot, O man of God!” And they could not eat it. / Then Elisha said, “Get some flour.” He threw it into the pot and said, “Pour it out for the people to eat.” And there was nothing harmful in the pot.

Matthew 10:16
Behold, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.

Matthew 28:20
and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

John 14:12
Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever believes in Me will also do the works that I am doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.

John 16:33
I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take courage; I have overcome the world!”

Romans 8:28
And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.

2 Corinthians 11:25
Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked. I spent a night and a day in the open sea.

2 Corinthians 12:9
But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me.


Treasury of Scripture

And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.

felt.

Numbers 21:6-9
And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died…

Psalm 91:13
Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.

Mark 16:18
They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

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Animal Beast Creature Damage Effects Evil Felt Fire Harm Harmed Howbeit However Ill Indeed Paul Reptile Shaken Shaking Shook Snake Suffered Unhurt Wasn't
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Acts 28
1. Paul, after his shipwreck, is kindly entertained on Malta.
5. The snake on his hand hurts him not.
8. He heals many diseases in the island.
11. They depart toward Rome.
17. He declares to the Jews the cause of his coming.
24. After his preaching some were persuaded, and some believed not.
30. Yet he preaches there two years.














But Paul
The phrase "But Paul" introduces a contrast between the expectations of the onlookers and the reality of the situation. Paul, whose Hebrew name was Saul, was a Pharisee and a Roman citizen, uniquely positioned to bridge Jewish and Gentile worlds. His transformation from a persecutor of Christians to a devoted apostle is a testament to the power of divine intervention and grace. In this context, "But Paul" signifies the beginning of a miraculous event, highlighting his role as a vessel of God's power and protection.

shook the creature off
The action of shaking off the creature, a viper, is significant. The Greek word used here, "apotinassō," implies a decisive and forceful action. This act symbolizes Paul's faith and authority over the natural world, granted by God. In a broader spiritual sense, it represents the believer's ability to cast off spiritual attacks and temptations through faith and reliance on God's power. The imagery of shaking off the creature into the fire also evokes the idea of purification and the ultimate defeat of evil.

into the fire
The fire serves as a symbol of both physical and spiritual purification. In the ancient world, fire was often associated with divine presence and judgment. Here, it represents the consuming power of God that destroys evil and protects His servants. The fire not only consumes the viper but also serves as a metaphor for the trials and tribulations that refine and strengthen the believer's faith. This imagery is consistent with biblical themes where fire is used to test and purify, as seen in passages like 1 Peter 1:7.

and suffered no ill effects
This phrase underscores the miraculous nature of the event. The Greek word "kakōsis," translated as "ill effects," refers to harm or injury. The absence of harm to Paul is a testament to God's protection and the fulfillment of His promises. It echoes Jesus' words in Mark 16:18, where believers are assured of divine protection against deadly threats. This miraculous preservation serves as a powerful witness to the onlookers and reinforces the message of God's sovereignty and care for His people.

Verse 5. - Howbeit for and, A.V.; look for felt, A.V.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
But
μὲν (men)
Conjunction
Strong's 3303: A primary particle; properly, indicative of affirmation or concession; usually followed by a contrasted clause with de.

[Paul] shook
ἀποτινάξας (apotinaxas)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 660: To shake off. From apo and tinasso; to brush off.

the
τὸ (to)
Article - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

creature
θηρίον (thērion)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 2342: Properly: a wild beast, hence: any animal; met: a brute. Diminutive from the same as thera; a dangerous animal.

{off} into
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

the
τὸ (to)
Article - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

fire
πῦρ (pyr)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4442: Fire; the heat of the sun, lightning; fig: strife, trials; the eternal fire. A primary word; 'fire'.

[and] suffered
ἔπαθεν (epathen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3958: I am acted upon in a certain way, either good or bad; I experience ill treatment, suffer.

no
οὐδὲν (ouden)
Adjective - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3762: No one, none, nothing.

ill effects.
κακόν (kakon)
Adjective - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 2556: Bad, evil, in the widest sense. Apparently a primary word; worthless, i.e. depraved, or injurious.


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NT Apostles: Acts 28:5 However he shook off the creature into (Acts of the Apostles Ac)
Acts 28:4
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