Acts 28:2 Meaning and Explanation
“And the barbarous people shewed us no little kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The islanders, though strangers, welcome the soaked and shivering survivors with a fire and open hospitality.
What Does Acts 28:2 Mean?
The survivors stagger ashore wet and cold in the driving rain. The local people, whose tongue the travelers did not share, meet them not with suspicion but with warmth, building a fire and receiving every last one of them.
Kindness from unexpected hands is one of the quiet mercies of God. These strangers had no reason to help, yet they showed 'no little kindness' to the weary and the prisoner alike. Through their open hearts the Lord continued to care for Paul and his companions. Often God's comfort comes clothed in the welcome of ordinary people, and the simplest gift, a fire on a cold shore, becomes a sign that we are not forgotten.
Acts 28:2 in the Original Language
barbaros (βάρβαρος), 'barbarous' -- simply one who did not speak Greek, not an insult to character.
Frequently Asked Questions About Acts 28:2
What does Acts 28:2 mean?
The islanders, though strangers, welcome the soaked and shivering survivors with a fire and open hospitality.