Illustration created for this project.

Publius

The chief man of Malta, whose estate lay near where Paul's ship was wrecked. He received the whole company hospitably for three days. His father was lying ill with fever and dysentery; Paul went in, prayed, laid hands on him and healed him — after which the rest of the sick on the island came and were cured, and the islanders loaded the travellers with honours and supplies when they sailed.

Role: Chief man of Malta

Lived: 1st century

Belonged to: Romans

Born: Malta

What we know — and how we know it

Bible — stated in scripture (with verse) · 1 Archaeology — physical evidence · 1

Life, role & deeds

Bible'The chief man of the island' of Malta, who lodged Paul after the shipwreck; Paul healed his father of a fever.

Acts 28:7–8

↳ Paul the Apostle

ArchaeologyLuke's title 'the first man (protos) of the island' matches Maltese inscriptions that use exactly this rank for the island's leading official.

Greek inscription IG XIV 601 and Latin CIL X 7495 from Malta, recording the title 'prōtos Melitaiōn' / 'primus omnium Melitensium' ('first of the Maltese') for the island's chief official; cf. Acts 28:7

Where in scripture

Acts

Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the chief man of the island, named Publius, who received us, and courteously entertained us for three days.
Acts 28:7 — Received them hospitably

The father of Publius lay sick of fever and dysentery. Paul entered in to him, prayed, and laying his hands on him, healed him.
Acts 28:8

Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, a public-domain translation.

Acts 28:7 Acts 28:8

Related reading

Publius

What we know — and how we know it

Where in scripture

Places in their life