But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand.
THE SURROUNDING PASSAGE
Acts 28:3 in context
Acts 28:1–6
1
When we had escaped, then they learned that the island was called Malta.
2
The natives showed us uncommon kindness; for they kindled a fire and received us all, because of the present rain and because of the cold.
3
Selected verse
But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand.
4
When the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped from the sea, yet Justice has not allowed to live.”
5
However he shook off the creature into the fire, and wasn’t harmed.
6
But they expected that he would have swollen or fallen down dead suddenly, but when they watched for a long time and saw nothing bad happen to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.
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