Acts 28:1-10

They soon discovered the island's name was Malta. The natives, who were descendants of Phoenicia, did not speak Greek, but they did show considerable kindness to those recently shipwrecked. Paul helped gather sticks to lay on the fire they had built. A viper, upon feeling the heat of the fire, latched onto the apostle's arm. Paul shook it off into the fire. The superstitious islanders believed he must truly have been guilty since a snake bit him after he had survived the sea. When he did not die, they decided he was a god.

They, perhaps meaning the centurion and ship's officers, along with Paul and his company, were invited to stay at the house of the chief man of the island, whose name was Publius. He entertained them for three days, during which time Paul healed Publius' father of a fever and dysentery by praying and laying his hands on him. Naturally, others who were sick were also brought to the apostle and he healed them. They bestowed honor on the apostle while he was with them and sent the whole company on their way with adequate provisions (Acts 28:1-10).