Definition: And when the barbarians saw the [venomous] beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down that verse from Acts 28:4. It’s a really important and dramatic passage about a Jewish leader named Peter. Here's what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Situation: Peter is being arrested: Peter was accused of a serious crime – killing someone. A "venomous beast" appears: He had a large, dangerous animal (likely a wild pig) hanging on his hand. It was visibly harming him. This “beast” symbolized something he’d done – perhaps he’d been acting in a way that caused pain or harm to others. The Barbarians are watching: The "barbarians" were a group of people from the area who weren't Jewish and weren't part of Peter’s community. They were observing this situation. What they said: “No doubt this man is a murderer…” They didn’t think he was innocent. They immediately suspected he was guilty of murder. "...whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live." This is the core of the verse's meaning. It means: “Even though he’s escaped the sea… (meaning he’s safe from punishment), God does suffer vengeance against him.” What it’s saying: The barbarians were deeply troubled and worried. They realized Peter was in serious danger, but they didn't believe God would let him get away with his actions. They feared that God would punish him severely for what he had done. It speaks to the idea of divine justice – God being incredibly fair and holding people accountable for their choices. In a nutshell: This verse describes a moment of intense fear and worry among the barbarians when they realized Peter was in danger, but they also recognized that God would not let him escape punishment. It highlights a tension between human judgment and divine justice. --- Do you want me to explain any part of this verse in more detail? For example, I could go into: The context of the story – what was happening before this? The symbolism behind "the venomous beast." What it might mean for Peter's future?