Acts 28:7-13 - Paul placed his hands on him and healed him

28:7-10

The warm welcome they received continued with the chief official of the island, a man called Publius. Maybe it was because it was an island and they appreciated the importance and dangers of the sea that they were so welcoming.  Publius’ kindness was rewarded. His father was sick in bed with fever and dysentery. Paul prayed for him, and he was healed. News about this spread around the island and many other sick people came to him and were cured. Sometimes the argument is made that the number of reported miracles and healings declines as we progress through Acts, and therefore we should expect fewer healings today. This verse shows that this is a very weak argument. Miracles did still happen. Luke did not write his account so that we had a record of all the healings, and his purpose developed as we work through Acts. The kindness of the islanders continued until they were ready to leave.

28:11-13

It was three months before they put to sea again, going on another ship that had wintered there. Luke gives a few more details, as was his habit. Castor and Pollux were the twin sins of Zeus, in Greek mythology. They were thought to provide protection for sailors. There were a couple of stops on the way, at Syracuse and Rhegium. Syracuse was on Sicily, and Rhegium was at the southern tip of Italy. Finally they arrived at Puteoli, a major port for Rome.