28:8a
The father of Publius was sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery: The Greek words here are literally “And it happened to be that the father of Publius was lying down suffering with fevers and dysentery.” The phrase “it happened to be” indicates that the father was already sick when Paul arrived. Other ways to translate this clause are:
It happened that the father of Publius lay sick with fever and dysentery (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
At that time Publius’ father was very sick, lying in bed with fevers and dysentery
suffering: The word suffering indicates that Publius’ father was very sick. He was sick enough to be lying in bed.
dysentery: This refers to an infection in the intestines that causes diarrhea, pain, and fever.
28:8b
Paul went in to see him: This clause in Greek is literally “to whom Paul having gone in.” It indicates that Paul went to where Publius’ father was. He went to talk to him and pray for him. He did not go just to look at him. Other ways to translate this clause are:
Paul visited him (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
Paul went to him (God’s Word)
-or-
Paul entered his room to see him
after praying: Paul prayed before putting his hands on Publius’ father. He was probably asking if it was God’s will to heal him. By praying, he also showed Publius’ father that God did the healing.
28:8c
placing his hands on him: Paul probably placed his hands on Publius’ father’s head. In some languages it is necessary to say where Paul was placing his hands. For example:
placed his hands on his ⌊head⌋
he healed the man: Paul healed Publius’ father by the power of God. He did not heal him as a doctor heals. In some languages it is necessary to make that clear. For example:
he ⌊miraculously⌋ healed him
-or-
God healed him
-or-
⌊God enabled⌋ Paul to heal him
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