Jamieson, Fausset and Brown on Acts 28:2

2. the barbarous people--so called merely as speaking neither the Greek nor the Latin language. They were originally Phoenician colonists.

showed us no little--"no ordinary"

kindness, for they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain--"the rain that was on us"--not now first falling, but then falling heavily.

and because of the cold--welcomed us all, drenched and shivering, to these most seasonable marks of friendship. In this these "barbarians" contrast favorably with many since bearing the Christian name. The lifelike style of the narrative here and in the following verses gives it a great charm.