In the same quarters were possessions of the chief man of the island, whose name was Publius; who received us, and lodged us three days courteously. (8) And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of a bloody flux: to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him. (9) So when this was done, others also, which had diseases in the island, came, and were healed: (10) Who also honored us with many honors; and when we departed, they laded us with such things as were necessary.
There is somewhat very interesting in the account of this Publius. He must have been a man of great generosity, as well as wealth. He had no consciousness who this guest was, when he took him in. He reminds one of the patriarchs, when, like Abraham and Lot, they received angels as strangers. And, how graciously the Lord, of Paul took the kindness, in the recompense he enabled Paul his servant to make him and his people, in healing the sick of the island. And who shall make the calculation of all the mercies which they might have received beside? It is said, that Paul went in, and prayed, and laid his hands on the father of Publius, and healed him. And may we not hope, the souls of some of those islanders were brought acquainted with the Lord Jesus Christ by Paul's ministry, while he was blessed of the Lord to their bodies?