The story of Paul being bitten by a viper is found in Acts 28:1-6. After being shipwrecked on the island of Malta, Paul and the other survivors are warmly welcomed by the island's inhabitants. As Paul was gathering a bundle of sticks to put on a fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened onto his hand. The islanders, seeing the snake hanging from Paul's hand, immediately assumed that Paul must be a murderer whom, though he had escaped the sea, justice would not allow to live.

However, Paul shook off the snake into the fire and suffered no harm. The people waited, expecting him to swell up or suddenly fall dead, but after waiting a long time and seeing that nothing unusual happened to him, they changed their minds and started saying that he was a god.

This incident is part of the narrative that demonstrates Paul's journey to Rome and his unwavering commitment to spreading the gospel, despite the numerous challenges and dangers he faced. It also showcases the miraculous protection Paul received from God, which served as a witness to those around him, furthering the spread of the Christian faith.