The account of Paul being bitten by a viper is found in Acts 28:3–6 and serves as a sign of divine protection and credibility as a servant of God. It occurs after Paul and others survive a shipwreck and arrive on the island of Melita (Malta):
“But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat, and fastened on his hand. So when the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said… ‘No doubt this man is a murderer…’ But he shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm.”
At first, the islanders assumed Paul was being judged, thinking the bite was divine punishment. But when he suffered no ill effects, their opinion changed:
“After they had looked for a long time and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.”
This event confirmed Paul’s calling and God’s supernatural protection over him. It fulfilled Jesus’ words in Mark 16:18:
“They will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them…”
This does not endorse snake-handling as a religious practice. Rather, it illustrates God’s power to preserve His servant for the sake of the gospel.
Paul’s lack of harm not only refuted superstition but opened a door for ministry. He went on to heal many on the island, and the people honored him greatly.
The viper incident is a reminder that God can use even dangerous events to glorify Himself and validate His messengers. It also affirms that His will cannot be thwarted by the natural elements when His purpose must be fulfilled.
