He, however, shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm.
5. Shaking off the viper. The shaking off of the viper is a token of a quiet mind. For we see how greatly fear doth trouble and weaken men; and yet you must not think that Paul was altogether void of fear. For faith doth not make us blockish, as brain-sick men do imagine, when they be out of danger.
Paul was a planet, not a fixed star, and God had work for him even on this remote island. Though the shipwreck seemed an ill wind, it blew good to Malta. Providence continued its care when they reached shore; every kindness shown them came from God's hand, who makes strangers friends in their deepest need.
AI summary
Commenting on Acts 28:1-10
And he shook off the beast into the fire,.... Having held it a while, and as being master of it, and as not being afraid of it, though it was the ready way to provoke it to fasten on him again: and felt no harm; it having not bit him, nor infected him with its poison; and hereby was fulfilled what our Lord promised to his disciples, Mar 16:18;