Melita

Melita (meaning affording honey, corresponding to the modern island of Malta) was the island on which Paul was shipwrecked during his voyage to Rome as a prisoner (Acts 27:27–28:1). After fourteen days adrift in the Adriatic storm, the ship ran aground on Melita and was broken apart by the waves, though all 276 persons aboard survived — in fulfillment of the angel's promise to Paul (Acts 27:24). The inhabitants of Melita showed remarkable hospitality, lighting a fire for the cold and wet survivors.

During his three-month stay on the island, Paul shook off a viper that fastened on his hand without suffering harm (Acts 28:3–6) — an event the islanders first interpreted as divine punishment and then as marking him a god. He healed the father of the island's chief man, Publius, of fever and dysentery, and others on the island came and were healed (Acts 28:7–9). Melita thus became an unexpected scene of apostolic ministry before Paul sailed on to Rome.