Acts 28:6
Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god. Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.
The voyage that brought Paul to Malta took place amid the hardships and dangers of first-century sea travel, when mariners guided themselves largely by the sun and stars, feared to venture into the open sea when those guides were hidden and storms threatened, and faced seasons when safe navigation was almost impossible.
The people of Malta protected Paul and his companions, and their kindness shows the Holy Spirit working in those who do not know God's written law or Christ, awakening sympathy contrary to nature and upbringing.
When a viper fastened on Paul's hand he calmly shook it into the fire because he trusted that God would keep it from harming him.
The islanders expected him to swell up or fall down dead suddenly from the bite, but after they had watched a great while and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.
Their change meant judging him first as a murderer pursued by vengeance and then as a god.
His protection from the poisonous serpent illustrates Jesus' promise that taking up serpents would not harm His messengers. It was a sign confirming the apostles' testimony and showing that they were guarded from deadly dangers as they preached.
The event was a witness to God's power through Paul that gave him influence, helped the islanders hear about Jesus and the gospel, and led some to be converted.