Contradiction with Mark 16:18
Mark 16:18 suggests believers can take up serpents without harm, appearing to affirm the miraculous protection shown in Acts 28:5 rather than contradicting it.
Mark 16:18: They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
Contradiction with Genesis 3:1-5
The serpent in Genesis deceives Eve leading to harm, contrasting the harmlessness of the snake in Acts 28:5.
Genesis 3:1-5: Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? [Yea...: Heb. Yea, because, etc.]
Contradiction with Numbers 21:6
In Numbers 21:6, serpents are a source of deadly harm, contradicting the harmless snake in Acts 28:5.
Numbers 21:6: And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died.
Contradiction with Isaiah 11:8
This prophecy suggests a future time when serpents will not harm, which Acts 28:5 seemingly illustrates, yet Isaiah speaks of an eschatological hope.
Isaiah 11:8: And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice' den. [cockatrice': or, adder's]
Contradiction with Proverbs 23:32
Describes a serpent's bite as ultimately harmful, while Acts 28:5 shows no harm caused.
Proverbs 23:32: At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder. [an...: or, a cockatrice]
Paradox #1
Some might see a contradiction in Acts 28:5 because it describes a person surviving a venomous snake bite without harm. Scientifically, venomous snake bites typically require prompt medical treatment to avoid severe effects or death. Surviving without any treatment or consequence contradicts what is known about such bites.