Publius
Publius
Info
- #benefactor
- Home:: Malta
- Other Locales:: None recorded
- References:: Acts 28#28:7-10
Notes
- Called "the chief man of the island" (ho prōtos tēs nēsou) - the leading civic official of Malta
- His father was healed by Paul
Summary
Publius appears in Acts 28#28:7-10, during Paul's shipwreck and three-month stay on Malta. Luke identifies him as "the chief man of the island" (ho prōtos tēs nēsou), a title confirmed by Maltese inscriptions as the official designation for the Roman governor or senior magistrate of Malta.
Publius "received us and entertained us hospitably for three days" (Acts 28#28:7), a generous act given that Paul's party included 276 shipwreck survivors (Acts 27#27:37). During this stay, Paul healed Publius's father, who was "sick with fever and dysentery," by praying and laying hands on him (Acts 28#28:8). News of this healing drew others on the island who were ill, and they too were cured (Acts 28#28:9). In response, the Maltese "honored us greatly, and when we were about to sail, they put on board whatever we needed" (Acts 28#28:10).
Publius's praenomen (Publius was a common first name, not a surname) suggests his full Roman name was longer, but Luke uses the personal name only, perhaps reflecting how the islanders addressed him. His hospitality, combined with his father's healing, likely opened the door for the gospel on Malta. Church tradition names Publius as the first bishop of Malta, and later traditions claim he became bishop of Athens, though these identifications are late and unverifiable.
References
- wrightChallengeActsRediscovering2024 - Wright's study of Acts as theological history, covering Publius's role in Acts 28:7-10.
- polhillActs1992 - Polhill's Acts commentary covering Publius in Acts 28:7-10.
- paoActsIsaianicNew2002 - Pao's study of Acts through the lens of Isaiah's new exodus, providing theological context for Publius's narrative in Acts 28:7-10.
- addisonActsMovementGod2023 - Addison examines the Acts narrative as a movement model, including Publius's contribution in Acts 28:7-10.
- Acts 28:7 Commentaries - BibleHub
- Saint Publius - Wikipedia