Acts 27

1 Paul is sent to Rome by the Captain Julius with other prisoners, 2 and being gone with them into a ship of Adramyttium, accompanied with Aristarchus; 3 cometh to Sidon. 4 Saileth by Cyprus, 5 cometh to Myra, 6 from thence they sail in a ship of Alexandria, along by Cnidus and Crete unto Fair-havens. 9 where Paul counselleth the Captain to abide for a time, because of the inconvenience of the season. 11 But the Captain rather believing the Ship-master and Pilot, sails forward. 13 They sail by Crete and meet with a great Tempest, 16 come to the Island Clauda, 18 and are constrained by Tempest to cast the goods out of the ship. 21 Paul exhorts them to be of good courage, seeing God had by an Angel given him to understand that none of them should perish, 29 They cast out four anchors, 0 the Seamen seek to escape out of the ship with the boat, 31 which Paul hinders. 33 The people having long fasted, upon Pauls advice take meat, 38 and cast the corn over-board. 41 The ship is acast away. 42 The Souldiers would kill the prisoners, which the Captain hinders, 43 and the people swim to shore.

1. And when it was decreed, [Namely, by Festus, and his Council, Acts 25:12.] that we should sail away towards Italy, [hereby and by the following relation it appears, that Luke also who wrote these Acts, was in Pauls company, in this whole journey] they delivered over Paul and some other prisoners, to a Centurion by name Julius, of the Imperiall [Gr.Sebastes, i.e.of the August] band. [of this word see Acts 10:1 This Julius is said to be a Captain of this band, because he had command over a company which belonged to the Emperours guard: who therefore also seemeth to be chosen hereunto, that the prisoners under his oversight might be the better kept, and delivered into the Emperours hand.]

2. And we being gone into the ship of Adramyttium, [Namely, whose home was at Adramyttium, which is a City in Mysia, over against Mitylene] seeing we were to sail [namely, according to their intent, although because of the contrary winds they were forced to take another course, as appears from the following relation] the places along, Asia [namely, Asia the less, in which Mysia also lay] we put off: and Aristarchus the Macedonian [This was a man of dignity, who followed Paul from thence, who also in many journeys with Paul endured great troubles, as may be seen Acts 19:29.and 20. 4.who also kept Paul company in imprisonment even unto Rome, as a fellow-prisoner as it seemeth, or who being come to Rome was put in prison with Paul as appears Colossians 4:10.] of Thessalonica [of this City, see Acts 17:1.] was with us.

3. And the next (day) we arrived at Sidon, [A city in Phaenicia, whereof see Matthew 11:21. Acts 12:20.] and Julius dealing kindly with Paul, permitted (him) to go to his friends [that is, the disciples or some among them] to be taken care of (by them) [that is, to receive all ease and refreshment, or else to be provided of somthings needfull for his greater ease in the journey.

4. And having put off from thence, we sailed under Cyprus, [Or beneath Cyprus, of this Island, see Acts 11:19.and chapter 13.v. 4.] because the winds were against (us.)

5. And having sailed through the Sea which is along Cilicia [This was a Region in Asia the less, situate on the Midland Sea betwixt Syria and Pamphylia. See Acts 6:9.and 15. 23, 41.] and Pamphylia, [of this Country, see also Acts 2:10.and 13. 13.and 14. 24.] we arrived at Myra [a City in a land of Lycia, which bordered on Pamphylia, where this first ship seemed to have finished its voyage] in Lycia.

6. And the Captain having found there a ship of Alexandria, [The chief City of Egypt and Lybia, which ship was come out of Egypt into Myra, to go from thence forward towards Italy] which sailed towards Italy, caused us to pass over into the same.

7. And when we sailed forward slowly many daies, and were scarce come over against Chidus, [An Island in the Midland Sea over against Caria: others take it for a point of Caria shooting out over against Crete] for as much as the wind suffered us not, we syale under Crete, [an Island in the same Sea, at this day called Candys. See of the same, Titus 1:5.] over against Salmone. [a corner of Crete stretching out towards the East.]

8. And hardly sailing by the same, we came into a certain place called Fair havens: [Or good havens, called still to this day Boniporto, a City in Crete, so called from the conveniency of its haven] nigh unto which was the City Lasea. [but somewhat more in towards the Land, as Pliny testifieth, lib. 4.cap. 12.but he calleth it Lasos.]

9. And when much time was past and sayling was now doubtfull, because also the fast [That is, the yearly fast of the Jews, on which the atonement of all the people was made by the High Priest in the holy of holies, as may be seen Leviticus 16:29.and 23. 27.which day was the tenth of the seventh moneth which agreed partly with our September, partly with our October: so that the tenth day came about the beginning of October, after which moneth the Sea was not failed (in) by the ancients until the beginning of March, because of the shortness of the days and the Tempests, which are much betwixt that time. See Veget.de re malit.lib.4.cap.39.which therefore is nothing like to the fasting times which some keep at this day, which were not known in the Church long after the Apostles times] was now past, Paul exhorted them;

10. And said unto them, men, I see [Namely, not only by the condition of the reason, but especially by the inspiration of Gods Spirit] that the voyage will be made with hinderance and great damage, not only of the lading and of the ship, but also of our lives. [Gr.of our souls.]

11. But the Captain believed rather the Pilot and the Ship-master, [Namely, who seem to have thought that there yet remained some days, within which they might be able to come into another haven: especially because the wind served them] then that which was said by Paul.

12. And forasmuch as the haven was inconvenient to winter (in) the greatest (part) gave counsel also to sail thence, if in any wise they might arrive at Phaenice to winter, being an haven in Crete, [this is added here that it might not be thought that he spake of Phaenicia in Syria] stretching [Gr.looking] towards the South-west, and towards the North-west. [that is, lying crooked like a half Moon, and therefore free from all windes.]

13. And forasmuch as the South-wind blew softly, they thought they had obtained their purpose., and put off, they sailed along close by Crete.

14. But not long after, there smote against the same [Namely, Island Crete: the ship being driven off from the same by this wind] a stormy wind [or turning wind, whirle] called Euroclydon. [that is an East wind, which raiseth mightily billowes.]

15. And when the ship was pluckt away therewith, and could not bear up [Gr.ey against] against the wind we gave it up, [that is, we let it drive at Gods mercy, whither the wind drove it] and drove away.

16. And running under a certain little I stand, called Clauda [A little Island by the end the West, now called Gozo] we could hardly have power of the boat.

17. Which having drawn up, they used (all) helps, under-girding the ship: [Namely, with cables and ropes, which they brought through under the keele, to binde the sides of the ship the faster one to another, against the violence of the waves] and seeing they feared that they should fall on the (shelf) Syrtus, [a dangerous shelf or flat of wel-sand, and ful of whirlings lying under Africa in the Midland Sea] they strake sayle [Gr.the vessel as Acts 10:11.whereby is understood the sayle with the yard, and the ropes hanging on it] and so drove away.

18. And seeing we were violently tossed by the tempest, the (day), following they made a casting-out. [Namely, of the lading of Merchandise which was in the ship, to lighten the ship.]

19. And the third (day) we cast out with our hands the ships furniture. [Namely, of ballast, ropes, cables, chests &c.that which was superfluous in the ship. For that they still kept that which was necessary, appears from ver.28.29.30.&c.]

20. And when neither sun nor star appeared in many daies, and no small tempest pressed (us,) [Gr.lay on] all hope thenceforth to be saved was taken from (us.)

21. And when they had been long time [Namely, about fourteen daies ver.33.] without eating, [that is,without holding ordinary meals, be reason of the fear of death, and the tossing of the ship] then Paul stood (up) in the midst of them, and said, O men, ye ought indeed to have given ear to me, and not to have sayled away from Crete, and to have avoided [Gr.to have gained i.e. to have prevented] this hindrance and this damage.

22. Yet even now I exhort you to be of good cheer; for there shall happen no loss of (any ones) life [Gr.soule] among you, but only of the ship.

23. For this same night stood by me an Angel of God, hose I am [Namely, Gods, Apostle oe servant I am] whom also I serve.

24. Saying, fear not Paul, thou must be set before Cesar [Or, stand, let thy self] and behold, God hath freely given thee all that sayle with thee [i.e. hath given them their lives for thy sake. See the like Gen.18.32.and 19.31.]

25. Therefore ie of good cheer Omen: for I believe God, that it shall be so, as it was said unto me.

26. But we must fall upon a certain Island.

27. Now when the fourteenth night was come, as we [Or, that we] were driven hither and thither in the Adriatick sea, [Gr. Adria, which is properly that Sea which at this day is called Golfo di Venetia, but is also often by the Ancients, as also here, taken more largely, for that part of the Midland ea, which besides that, comprehends also the Sea of Sicily and Jonia. See Strabo.lib.7. Geograph] about the midnight, the Seamen supposed that some land drew neer unto them.

28. And having cast out the sounding lead, they found twenty fathoms: [Namely, depth to the ground] and being gone forth a little, they cast out the sounding lead again, and found it fifteen fathoms.

29. And fearing that they might any where fall upon hard places [Or, sharpe, rockie] they cast four anchors out of the hind ship, and wished that it were day.

30. But when the shipmen sought to flee out of the ship, and let down the boat into the Sea [Namely, which before they had haled up into the ship ver. 17.] under shew as if they would bring forth [Gr.stretch forth] the anchors out of the foreship, [that is, the foremost part of the ship.]

31. Paul said unto the Captain and to the souldiers, If these abide not in the ship, ye cannot be saved. [For although God had by his Angel promised Paul that none of the ship should perish ver.24.nevertheless the means are not thereby taken away, whereby God would execute his promise. And he that is negligent therein, he doth not believe God, but tempt God.]

32. Then the souliders cut of the ropes of the boat, and let it fall off.

33. And in the mean while, till it was day, Paul exhorted (them) all, that they should take meat: [Gr.food] and said, It is to day the fourteenth day that ye have tarried without eating, and have taken nothing. [That is, as it were nothing, very little: or have held no meal as ver.21.for otherwise a healthfull person (as Physicians testifie) cannot well fast above seven days without dying.]

34. Therefore I exhort you to take meat: for that serves for your safety: [Namely, to have strength in governing of the ship, and to be able to help your selves, when we shall be constrained to save our selves] for there shall not an haire fall from the head of any of you. [that is, shall not suffer any loss of his life or health Hebr. See 1 King 1. 52.

35. And when he had said this and taken bread, he gave thanks to God in presence of all; [Namely, for the benefit which he had yet affoorded them, of having meat and being able to enjoy it for the strengthening of their faculties, as Christ was wont to do also, Mat.14.ver.19. John 6:11.and Paul exhorts all Christians, 1 Tim.4.4, 5.] and having broken (the same) he began eat.

36. And they all being become of good cheer, took meat also themselves. [Gr.food.]

37. Now we were in the ship in all, two hundred seventy and six souls. [That is, men, persons, Acts 2:41.and 7. 14.Romans 13:1.

38. And when they were satisfied with meat, they lightened the ship and cast out the corn into the Sea.

39. And when it was day they knew not the land: but they observed a certain creek [Gr.a lap or bosome which had a shore [or strand] against the which they judged best if they were able, to put on the ship.]

40. And when they had drawn up the anchors, they gave over the ship) to the Sea [Or had cut of the anchors, they left them in the sea] together loosing the rudder-bands; [namely iwth which they had before made fast the rudder, when the ship drove at Gods mercy, against the tossing of the sea] and having pulled up the main-sayle towards the wind, they kept towards theshore.

41. But falling on a place which had the Sea on both sides [That is, a shore or point shooting out, which not withstanding lay under water on the former part, on which they steered the ship] they ran the ship on ground thereon: and the foreship setting fast remained immoveable, but the hind-ship brake by the force of the waves [Namely, which beat violently against the hind-ship.]

42. Now the consultation [That is, counsel, advice, purpose, &c.] of the Souldiers was, that they should the prisoners, that no man being swom out should escape, [so easily had they forgotten that they had saved their lives by Paul, which was great ingratitude, which the Captain justly withstood.]

43. But the Captain being willing to save Paul, hindred them (from) that purpose, and commanded that they which could swim should first cast themselves off, and come to land.

44. And the other [Namely, he commanded he get to land] some on the planks, and some on certain (peeces) of the ship. And so it happened that they came all safe to land.