Publius

Biblical Account

Publius appears only in Acts 28. While Paul was being taken as a prisoner to Rome, his ship was wrecked, and he came ashore on the island of Melita (present-day Malta). The text introduces Publius as "the chief man of the island" and notes that he owned land in that vicinity. He received Paul and his companions and "lodged us three days courteously" (Acts 28:7).

At that time Publius's father "lay sick of a fever and of a bloody flux" (dysentery). Paul went in to him, prayed, laid his hands on him, and healed him (Acts 28:8). Afterward, others on the island who had diseases also came and were healed. The islanders "honoured us with many honours," and when the company departed, they "laded us with such things as were necessary" (Acts 28:9–10). This is the entire biblical record concerning Publius.

Significance Within Scripture

This passage is one of the sections of Acts narrated in the first-person plural ("we"). For this reason it has traditionally been regarded as an account of events that Luke personally experienced. Within the flow of Acts, the scene is read as an example of a prominent figure in a Gentile land showing hospitality to those who proclaim the gospel, and of God's power being displayed through healing. Some interpreters see a parallel between this healing of a person with a fever and Jesus' healing of Peter's mother-in-law in Luke 4.

Interpretation and Points of Discussion

• The title "chief man": The Greek expression used in the original text is reportedly also attested in inscriptions found on Malta as the official title of a local chief magistrate. Some scholars therefore cite it as evidence supporting the historical accuracy of the narrative.
• The name: Publius was a common Roman name.
• Later tradition: Maltese Catholic tradition holds that Publius became a believer, served as the first bishop of Malta, and died a martyr. This account is a later tradition not found in the biblical text. Nor does Acts say whether he embraced the faith.

In the Korean Church

In the Korean church, Publius is less often the subject of a sermon in his own right than mentioned in passing when preachers address the account of Paul's stay on Melita in Acts 28. He is commonly presented as an example of hospitality toward strangers and of divine healing through prayer and the laying on of hands.