Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Acts 28:3-4
Acts 28:3-4. And when Paul Who had learned to make himself servant of all, and would stoop to any thing by which he might be serviceable, was laying on the fire a bundle of sticks Which he had gathered; there came a viper Which had been concealed among the wood; out of the heat, and fastened on his hand Round which it probably twisted itself, and bit it. And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast Or the fierce animal, as θηριον should rather be translated; the word beast ... read more
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Acts 28:3
Had gathered a bundle of sticks - For the purpose of making a fire.There came a viper - A poisonous serpent. See the notes on Matthew 3:7. The viper was doubtless in the bundle of sticks or limbs of trees which Paul had gathered, but was concealed, and was torpid. But when the bundle was laid on the fire, the viper became warmed by the heat, and came out and fastened on the hand of Paul.And fastened on his hand - καθῆψεν kathēpsen. This word properly means to join oneself to; to touch; to... read more