Bible Study Acts 27: 1-44

 

Commentary of the Book of the Acts of the Apostles

By Dr. Barry L. Jenkins

Text Used: Legacy Standard Bible

Bible Study Acts 27: 1-44

Text:

Paul Is Sent to Rome

27 Now when it was decided that we would sail for Italy, they proceeded to deliver Paul and some other prisoners to a centurion of the Augustan [a]cohort named Julius. 2 And getting aboard an Adramyttian ship, which was about to sail to the regions along the coast of [b]Asia, we set sail accompanied by Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica. 3 The next day we put in at Sidon, and Julius treated Paul with consideration and allowed him to go to his friends and receive care. 4 And from there we set sail and sailed under the shelter of Cyprus because the winds were against us. 5 And when we had sailed through the sea along the coast of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we landed at Myra in Lycia. 6 There the centurion found an Alexandrian ship sailing for Italy, and he put us aboard it. 7 And when we had sailed slowly for a good many days, and with difficulty had arrived off Cnidus, since the wind did not permit us to go farther, we sailed under the shelter of Crete, off Salmone; 8 and with difficulty, we sailed past it and came to a place called Fair Havens, near which was the city of Lasea.

9 And when considerable time had passed and the voyage was now dangerous, since even the [c]Fast was already over, Paul began to advise them, 10 and said to them, “Men, I perceive that the voyage will certainly be with damage and great loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives.” 11 But the centurion was being more persuaded by the pilot and the [d]captain of the ship than by what was being said by Paul. 12 And because the harbor was not suitable for wintering, the majority reached a decision to set sail from there, if somehow they could arrive at Phoenix, a harbor of Crete facing southwest and northwest, to spend the winter there.

13 And when a moderate [e]south wind came up, thinking that they had attained their purpose, they weighed anchor and began sailing along [f]the shore of Crete.

The Storm at Sea

14 But before very long there rushed down from [g]the land a violent wind, called [h]Euraquilo; 15 and when the ship was caught in it and could not face the wind, we gave way to it and let ourselves be carried along. 16 And running under the shelter of a small island called Clauda, we were scarcely able to get the ship’s [i]boat under control. 17 After they had hoisted it up, they used [j]supporting cables in undergirding the ship. Fearing that they might run aground on the shallows of Syrtis, they let down the [k]sea anchor and in this way let themselves be carried along. 18 And the next day as we were being violently storm-tossed, [l]they began to jettison the cargo; 19 and on the third day they cast the ship’s tackle overboard with their own hands. 20 And since neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small storm was assailing us, from then on all hope of our being saved was gradually abandoned.

21 And [m]when they had gone a long time without food, then Paul stood up in their midst and said, “Men, you ought to have [n]followed my advice to not set sail from Crete and to [o]avoid this damage and loss. 22 And now I advise you to be cheerful, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. 23 For this very night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood before me, 24 saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar; and behold, God has granted you all those who are sailing with you.’ 25 Therefore, be cheerful, men, for I believe God that [p]it will turn out exactly as I have been told. 26 But we must run aground on some island.”

27 But when the fourteenth night came, as we were being carried about in the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors began to suspect that some land was approaching them. 28 And when they took soundings, they found it to be [q]twenty fathoms; and a little farther on they took another sounding and found it to be [r]fifteen fathoms. 29 And fearing that we might run aground somewhere on the [s]rocks, they cast four anchors from the stern and were praying for daybreak. 30 But as the sailors were trying to escape from the ship and had let down the ship’s boat into the sea, on the pretense of intending to lay out anchors from the bow, 31 Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, “Unless these men remain in the ship, you yourselves cannot [t]be saved.” 32 Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the ship’s boat and let it fall away.

33 Until the day was about to dawn, Paul was encouraging them all to take some food, saying, “Today is the fourteenth day that you have been constantly watching and going without eating, having taken nothing. 34 Therefore I encourage you to take some food, for this is for your [u]salvation, for not a hair from the head of any of you will perish.” 35 And having said these things, he took bread and gave thanks to God in the presence of all. And he broke it and began to eat. 36 And all of them became cheerful and they themselves also took food. 37 And all of us in the ship were 276 [v]persons. 38 And when they had eaten enough, they began to lighten the ship by throwing out the wheat into the sea.

The Shipwreck

39 Now when day came, they [w]could not recognize the land; but they were noticing a bay with a beach, and they were resolving to drive the ship onto it if they could. 40 And casting off the anchors, they left them in the sea while at the same time they were loosening the ropes of the rudders. And hoisting the foresail to the wind, they were heading for the beach. 41 But striking a [x]reef where two seas met, they ran the vessel aground; and the bow stuck fast and remained immovable, but the stern began to be broken up by the force of the waves. 42 Now the soldiers’ plan was to kill the prisoners, so that none of them would swim away and escape; 43 but the centurion, wanting to bring Paul safely through, kept them from their intention, and ordered that those who could swim should [y]jump overboard first and get to land, 44 and the rest should follow, some on planks, and others on various things from the ship. And so it happened that they all were brought safely to land.

Verse by verse commentary: 

Verse 1: “Now when it was decided that we would sail for Italy, they proceeded to deliver Paul and some other prisoners to a centurion of the Augustan cohort named Julius.”

The reappearance of the pronoun "we" signals the return of Paul's close friend, Luke, who had been absent. It's probable that Luke had been residing near Caesarea to care for Paul during his imprisonment. He now rejoined the apostle for the journey to Rome.

Julius, a centurion of the Augustan Regiment, likely held a detached duty, escorting significant prisoners. A cohort of this name was stationed in Judea during the reign of Agrippa II.

Verse 2: “And getting aboard an Adramyttian ship, which was about to sail to the regions along the coast of Asia, we set sail accompanied by Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica.”

The centurion intended to find a ship bound for Italy in Adramyttium, a city located on the northwest coast of Asia Minor (modern Turkey) near Troas. The journey by sea commenced from Caesarea, with the ship sailing 70 miles north to Sidon. Aristarchus, who had previously been apprehended by the crowd during the riot in Ephesus while accompanying Paul to Jerusalem with the offering, was also present on the voyage. He would remain with Paul during the apostle's initial imprisonment in Rome.

Verse 3: “The next day we put in at Sidon, and Julius treated Paul with consideration and allowed him to go to his friends and receive care.”

Sidon, an eastern Mediterranean port, is located in modern-day Lebanon.

Verse 4: “And from there we set sail and sailed under the shelter of Cyprus because the winds were against us.”

“Under the shelter of Cyprus” means to shelter from the prevailing westerly winds of summer and fall, the ship sailed close under the island's eastern point.

Verse 5: “And when we had sailed through the sea along the coast of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we landed at Myra in Lycia.”

This describes sailing along the coasts of Cilicia and Pamphylia.

Verse 6: “There the centurion found an Alexandrian ship sailing for Italy, and he put us aboard it.”

The Alexandrian ship was a vessel belonging to the imperial grain fleet.

Verse 7: “And when we had sailed slowly for a good many days, and with difficulty had arrived off Cnidus, since the wind did not permit us to go farther, we sailed under the shelter of Crete, off Salmone;”

Cnidus was situated on a peninsula in the extreme southwest of Asia Minor, this port was a hub for imperial grain fleet ships. Strong headwinds prevented the ship from sailing further west from Cnidus, compelling it to alter course south towards the island of Crete. Crete was a  substantial island, located off the southwest coast of Asia Minor, offering some respite from the powerful northwest winds that battered the ship. Salmone was a high point of land that jutted into a large body of water found on the northeast coast of Crete.

Verse 8: “and with difficulty, we sailed past it and came to a place called Fair Havens, near which was the city of Lasea.”

After battling the elements, the ship rounded the southeastern tip of Crete and found refuge in Fair Havens bay.

Verse 9: “And when considerable time had passed and the voyage was now dangerous, since even the Fast was already over, Paul began to advise them,”

Sea travel was perilous between mid-September and mid-November, and it stopped completely from then until February. Given that the Fast (Day of Atonement) had already passed in late September or early October, continued travel was exceedingly risky.

Verse 10: “and said to them, ‘Men, I perceive that the voyage will certainly be with damage and great loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives.’”

Given the advanced time of year and the challenges they had already faced, Paul's prudent advice was to winter at Fair Havens.

Verse 11: “But the centurion was being more persuaded by the pilot and the captain of the ship than by what was being said by Paul.”

The captain and owner desired to reach Phoenix, a larger and safer harbor approximately forty miles to the west. However, traveling west past Cape Matala would expose the ship to northwesterly winds.

Verse 12: “And because the harbor was not suitable for wintering, the majority reached a decision to set sail from there, if somehow they could arrive at Phoenix, a harbor of Crete facing southwest and northwest, to spend the winter there.”

Fair Havens was considered an inadequate wintering location by the professional sailors. Phoenix, 40 miles away from Fair Havens, offered a harbor with superior protection from winter storms.

Verse 13: “And when a moderate south wind came up, thinking that they had attained their purpose, they weighed anchor and began sailing along the shore of Crete.”

Their journey was uncertain, a mere "supposition" guided by a gentle south wind. While the captain relied on his own judgment and human wisdom, Paul placed his trust in God. Later, Paul would declare to these men, "I believe God" (v. 25), emphasizing his direct belief in God's word rather than a general belief in God's existence.

Verse 14: “But before very long there rushed down from the land a violent wind, called Euraquilo;”

Euraquilo combines the Greek word euros ("east wind") and the Latin word aquilo ("north wind"). This powerful and perilous windstorm was a significant dread for those navigating the Mediterranean.

Verse 15: “and when the ship was caught in it and could not face the wind, we gave way to it and let ourselves be carried along.”

Out in the Mediterranean Sea, they were carried westward from the island of Crete, forced to let the wind guide the ship.

Verse 16: “And running under the shelter of a small island called Clauda, we were scarcely able to get the ship’s boat under control.”

Clauda was an island located 23 miles southwest of Crete. Taking advantage of Clauda's shelter, the sailors secured the boat by hauling the ship's dinghy on board to prepare the ship for the storm.

Verse 17: “After they had hoisted it up, they used supporting cables in undergirding the ship. Fearing that they might run aground on the shallows of Syrtis, they let down the sea anchor and in this way let themselves be carried along.”

Ancient Mediterranean vessels carried ropes to strengthen the hull during violent storms. The ropes were tied sideways around the hull in emergencies. The sailors lowered the sail, fearing they would be driven to the Syrtis, a sandy region near modern Libya and Tunisia. The Greek description also suggests they might have lowered a sea anchor to slow the ship.

Verse 18: “And the next day as we were being violently storm-tossed, [a]they began to jettison the cargo;”

Lightening the ship by throwing overboard all non-essential gear and cargo would allow it to navigate the waves with greater ease.

Verse 19: “and on the third day they cast the ship’s tackle overboard with their own hands.”

They jettisoned all heavy cargo from the ship.

Verse 20: “And since neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small storm was assailing us, from then on all hope of our being saved was gradually abandoned.”

The author Luke describes a formidable tempest that engulfed them. His use of the diminutive emphasizes the severity of the storm, which threatened their lives. Hope had gradually disappeared due to the fiereness of the storm and the darkness about them.

Verse 21: “And when they had gone a long time without food, then Paul stood up in their midst and said, “Men, you ought to have followed my advice to not set sail from Crete and to avoid this damage and loss.”

Paul reprimands them for disregarding his counsel to remain in Lasea: "Men, you ought to have followed my advice to not set sail from Crete and to avoid this damage and loss." If harm and loss in the world lead us to detach from present concerns and contemplate a future state, they can truly be considered gain. Despite their failure to heed Paul's warning, he offers comfort and relief now that they are in danger, demonstrating God's compassion towards those in misery, even when their predicament is self-inflicted due to thoughtlessness or wilfulness. However, Paul first aims to make them realize their sin in not listening to him before offering comfort.

Verse 22: “And now I advise you to be cheerful, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship.”

Paul promised the sailors their lives would be spared, despite losing their ship. He gently reminded them of their mistake, then offered hope: And now I advise you to be cheerful." This approach is similar to how we counsel repentant sinners: "You should have listened, but now, be cheerful. Though you presumed, don't despair."

At their lowest, Paul revived the hopeless sailors, assuring them that if they fought, they would survive. This promise, delivered when they expected death, made the news of their survival even more powerful.

Verse 23: “For this very night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood before me,”

This message brought immense encouragement to everyone on board, serving as their sole source of hope. The apostle Paul's powerful declaration, "to whom I belong and whom I serve stood," reveals the bedrock of his unwavering confidence in God.

Verse 24: “saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar; and behold, God has granted you all those who are sailing with you.’”

God, in His kindness, saved everyone on the ship. The promise Jesus had previously made to Paul was reaffirmed by the angel.

Verse 25: “Therefore, be cheerful, men, for I believe God that it will turn out exactly as I have been told.”

He provides them with the same comfort he himself received. However, they could only rely on the word of Paul since they were not believers in God. Paul had the Word of his Sovereign Lord and he knew the outcome because he knew Who was in control.

Verse 26: “But we must run aground on some island.” 

"Some island" refers to Malta, an island located south of Sicily.

Verse 27: “But when the fourteenth night came, as we were being carried about in the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors began to suspect that some land was approaching them.”

The sailing journey from Fair Havens took place in the central Mediterranean Sea, also known as the Adriatic Sea in Paul's time, not the present-day Adriatic Sea between Italy and Croatia, which was then called the Gulf of Adria. The sailors likely detected the sound of waves breaking on a shore.

Verse 28: “ And when they took soundings, they found it to be twenty fathoms; and a little farther on they took another sounding and found it to be fifteen fathoms.”

Using a weighted rope, the sailors measured the sea's depth. The discovery of decreasing depths, from 120 feet (twenty fathoms) to 90 feet (fifteen fathoms), confirmed the ship's approach to land.

Verse 29: “And fearing that we might run aground somewhere on the rocks, they cast four anchors from the stern and were praying for daybreak.”

Four anchors were deployed from the stern in an effort to secure the ship and maintain the bow's orientation towards the shore.

Verse 30: “But as the sailors were trying to escape from the ship and had let down the ship’s boat into the sea, on the pretense of intending to lay out anchors from the bow,”

The dinghy previously brought aboard (v. 16) was used. Anchors were then deployed from the prow to provide additional stability.

Verse 31: “Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, ‘Unless these men remain in the ship, you yourselves cannot be saved.’”

Paul assures the centurion that their only hope of safety lies in remaining with the ship, a testament to Paul's trust in God's Word. The angel of God had promised Paul that he and the men would be saved, but this salvation depended on adhering to God's plan, which was to stay on the ship, not on their own efforts. It was a choice between believing God's promise and taking matters into their own hands. Paul, having declared his faith in God, insists that for their salvation, all must remain aboard.

Verse 32: “Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the ship’s boat and let it fall away.”

Having heard Paul's information, the centurion now instructs the soldiers to cut the ropes to the lifeboats, ensuring everyone remains on board.

Verse 33: “Until the day was about to dawn, Paul was encouraging them all to take some food, saying, Today is the fourteenth day that you have been constantly watching and going without eating, having taken nothing.’”

For two weeks since their departure from Fair Havens, the passengers and crew had barely eaten due to seasickness and the challenges of food preparation and preservation.

Verse 34: “Therefore I encourage you to take some food, for this is for your salvation, for not a hair from the head of any of you will perish.”

"Not a hair will fall" was a common Jewish expression signifying complete protection.

Verse 35: “And having said these things, he took bread and gave thanks to God in the presence of all. And he broke it and began to eat.”

Paul offered a powerful testimony by giving thanks to God in front of everyone. This exemplifies Paul's successful journey to Rome. One might question this, thinking, "That doesn't sound very prosperous; it seems he's acting outside of God's will!" However, Paul was indeed within God's will.

Verse 36: “And all of them became cheerful and they themselves also took food..”

The positive effect on everyone was evident when they all “became cheerful". Witnessing Paul's own faith in the message God sent them, despite sharing the same perilous situation, emboldened them to believe. 

Verse 37: “ And all of us in the ship were 276 persons.”

The number of passengers on an ancient seagoing vessel was not unusual, as some ships of that period could carry significantly more.

Verse 38: “And when they had eaten enough, they began to lighten the ship by throwing out the wheat into the sea.”

Earlier, they jettisoned the cargo. Now, they cast off all their food.

Verse 39: “Now when day came, they could not recognize the land; but they were noticing a bay with a beach, and they were resolving to drive the ship onto it if they could.”

Though unaware of the country or the nature of its inhabitants, they spotted a creek with a level shore, hoping to guide the ship into it. Dry land was a welcome sight after their long journey at sea, and they resolved to trust in the mercy of whoever lived there.

Verse 40: “And casting off the anchors, they left them in the sea while at the same time they were loosening the ropes of the rudders. And hoisting the foresail to the wind, they were heading for the beach.”

When the anchors were cast off, some believe the crew carefully weighed them to be reused ashore. Others suggest the crew acted so quickly that they had to cut the cables, abandoning the anchors. The original text supports both interpretations.

Verse 41: “ But striking a reef where two seas met, they ran the vessel aground; and the bow stuck fast and remained immovable, but the stern began to be broken up by the force of the waves.”

The presence of specific nautical details, such as the narrow channel in St. Paul's Bay between Malta and the island of Salmonetta where currents form sandbars, suggests that Luke was an eyewitness to this event.

Verse 42: “Now the soldiers’ plan was to kill the prisoners, so that none of them would swim away and escape;”

The soldiers planned to kill the prisoners, as they faced punishment or death if the prisoners escaped.

Verse 43: “but the centurion, wanting to bring Paul safely through, kept them from their intention, and ordered that those who could swim should jump overboard first and get to land,”

However, the centurion, intending to save Paul, prevented their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and head for shore.

Verse 44: “But the centurion, willing to save Paul, kept them from their purpose; and commanded that they which could swim should cast themselves first into the sea, and get to land:”

Through divine intervention, Paul and all 276 individuals on board safely reached land, a fulfillment of God's promise. Although not necessarily a miracle, their landing was certainly miraculous.