Acts 27

H. Leo Boles Commentary On Acts 27 PAUL’ S VOYAGE TO ROMEAct_27:1 to Acts 28:10 FROM TO CRETEAct_27:1-121 And when it was determined that we should sail for Italy,— We do not know how long Paul remained in Caesarea as a prisoner ; it seems that there had been some doubt whether he was to be sent to “ Italy.” The time for sailing was now fixed. Luke and Aristarchus are now with Paul and are included in the “ we” of this verse. Some think that Luke was allowed to go as an attendant or slave of Paul; this was permissible under Roman law. It is possible that Luke was not with Paul during his trials before Felix, Fes tus, and Agrippa. The details and minute accuracy of Luke’ s account of this voyage and shipwreck reveal more about the ancient seafaring than may be read in other literature. “ Other prisoners” and “ a centurion named Julius” were with Paul. It is to be noted that Paul is classed with other prisoners.

The Julian house, like the Cornelian (Acts 10:1), was an illustrious one in Italy. Julius, like other centurions mentioned in the New Testament (Matthew 8:5; Mark 15:39; Acts 10:1), commands our respect. “ The Augustan band,” or “ cohort,” is thought to have been a corps of legionary centurions; the Augustan band may have been an independent cohort assigned to that particular service, and known as the Augustan or Imperial, because it corresponded in some sense to the emperor’ s lifeguard at Rome. 2 And embarking in a ship of Adramtyttium,—Paul’ s voyage to Rome and the shipwreck as recorded in this chapter. The “ Ship of Adramyttium” was a ship belonging to Adramyttium, a seaport of Mysia, on the western coast of Asia Minor, probably on its return journey from Caesarea. “ Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica" accompanied them. He is mentioned in Acts 19:29 Acts 20:4; Colossians 4:10; Philemon 1:24. 3 And the next day we touched at Sidon:—This was proba¬bly in August A.D. 59 or 60. Sidon was sixty-seven miles from Caesarea; it was the rival of Tyre. The ship stopped here for trade. Jalius was very kind to Paul and permitted him to leave the ship and visit for a while with “ his friends and refresh himself.” It may be that he had received orders from Festus and Agrippa to treat Paul courteously. At any rate, he was very kind to Paul and granted him favors that other prisoners did not receive. Paul had time to receive some personal comforts and clothing for the voyage. After two years in prison at Caesarea we may well believe that such things would be needed and acceptable to Paul. 4 And putting to sea from thence,—The ship remained at Sidon long enough to transact some business, which gave Paul some time with his friends. They sailed from Sidon “ under the lee of Cyprus,” which direction was northward along the coast, and by the east side of Cyprus past the northeast point of that island. Cyprus was thus on the left between the ship and the wind from the northwest. The Estesian winds were blowing from the northwest so that they could not go straight across from Sidon to Pa tara with Cyprus on the right. “ Lee” is the side sheltered from the wind. 5 And when we had sailed across the sea—The winds seem to have driven them farther north than the direct course which they should have followed. They sailed across the sea “ which is off Cilicia and Pamphylia.” The current runs westward along the coast of Cilicia and Pamphylia and the land would protect them from the wind. The ship came to Myra, “ a city of Lycia.” Myra was about two and a half miles from the coast of Lycia; it was near the mouth of the river Andriacus; Myra was at one time the metropolis of Lycia. Lycia is a province joining Pamphylia on the west. It is thought that the ship spent fifteen days struggling along the Pamphylian coast. 6 And there the centurion found a ship of Alexandria—This ship was from Alexandria in North Africa; it was bound directly for Italy with a cargo of wheat on board and two hundred seventy-six passengers. It is thought to have been one of the fleet of grain ships in use to carry wheat from Egypt to Italy. It must have been driven out of its direct course by the wind. The Alexandrian ships were very large; the vessel was steered, not by a rud¬der, but by two broad oars, one on each side of the stern. The rig consisted of one, or more than one, large square sail; flags floated from the top of the mast, as in modern vessels. The ancients had no compass, and all charts and instruments were very imperfect.

This rig was specially favorable for running with the wind, but they could sail within seven points of the wind; they could make about seven knots an hour. A “ knot” is a nautical mile, or 6,085 feet; hence, it would sail about 8.5 miles. These merchant ships were very large and could carry ten or eleven hundred tons; Josephus states that the ship in which he was wrecked had six hundred persons on board. The centurion transferred his prisoners to this ship. 7 And when we had sailed slowly many days,—The ship was large and heavy laden; the wind was contrary and they made very slow progress for many days. The prevailing wind was northwest, which was contrary to their course; hence, the ship worked slowly along from Myra to Cnidus. The distance from Myra to Cnidus is about one hundred thirty miles, but it seems that they were two or three weeks in making the journey on account of the strong westerly winds. The general direction of the coast till they reached Cnidus was westward. The ship was protected from the north by the land, but was open to head winds from the west, against which they struggled slowly on. The ship on leaving Cnidus seems to have turned southwest and “ sailed under the lee of Crete, over against Salmone.” Salmone was at the eastward end of the island of Crete; here they turned westward again and were protected from the northerly winds by the island of Crete; they sailed along the southern coast of Crete. 8 and with difficulty coasting along—They sailed along westward, protected by the island of Crete until they came to a place “ called Fair Havens.” “ Fair Havens” is on the south coast of Crete; it lies a few miles east of Cape Matala, beyond which the coast suddenly trends to the north. “ Lasea,” the ruins of which were discovered in 1856, was about two hours’ walk from Fair Havens. Fair Havens and Lasea are not mentioned by any writer except Luke. 9 And when much time was spent,—Much time was spent at Fair Havens waiting for favorable weather or making arrangements for the continuation of the journey. “ The voyage was now dangerous,” and Luke adds, “ because the Fast was now already gone by.” The ancient considered navigation on the Mediterranean unsafe from early October until the middle of March; the most dangerous season was from the middle of September to the middle of November. Navigation on the open sea was discontinued during that season. In A.D. 59 the “ Fast” occurred on October 5. The great Day of Atonement, as fixed by the law of Moses, occurred on the tenth day of Tisri (September-October). (Leviticus 16:29 Leviticus 23:27; Numbers 29:7.) It is not certain whether this was A.D. 59 or A.D. 60. In A.D. 60 the “ Fast” occurred on September 23. Since Paul and his companions were accustomed to reckoning time from tne Day ot Atonement, it is natural for Luke, who traveled with Paul, to mention this “ Fast.” “ Paul admonished them” of the great danger, but it seems that they did not heed his admonition. 10 and said unto them, Sirs, I perceive—Paul warned the captain and centurion and others that “ the voyage” would not only be dangerous, but “ with injury and much loss.” Some think that a consultation was held whether they should remain in the harbor, which lay open to many winds, though sheltered from the northwest, or try to get to the safe harbor of Phoenix at the western end of the island. Paul had warned them that there would be much loss of property and lives if they continued at this time. It seems that they did not heed Paul’ s warning; the centurion was in charge of the soldiers. 11 But the centurion gave more heed to the master—It is natural that the centurion who had charge of the soldiers would give more heed to what the captain and owner of the ship would say than to what a prisoner would say. The centurion was responsible for the soldiers, the prisoner, and the cargo of wheat; it was thought that this was a government ship. “ Master” is from the Greek “ kubernetei,” and means the steersman, pilot, sailing master. The centurion could not risk the criticism that would come upon him if he followed a prisoner’ s advice rather than those who controlled the vessel. 12 And because the haven was not commodious—It seems that a conference was held with those in control as to what should be done. Luke gives Paul’ s advice on the matter, and then states that there was division in judgment of the crew. The majority who advised the attempt to reach Phoenix were by no means sure that it would be successful— all were doubtful because of the present condition. Phoenix was a harbor in the south of Crete west from Fair Havens; it is said to be a safe harbor in winter, well closed in from the wind and from breakers; the harbor looked toward the east, or “ looking northeast and southeast.” There are two ways of interpreting the Greek; one is looking southwest and northwest, and the other is “ looking northeast and southeast.” It depends on the viewpoint from which one observed the harbor. If one is on the land and looks toward the harbor, the direction will be “ northeast and southeast,” but if one is in the harbor and looking toward the land, it will be southwest and northwest. The better interpretation is as the Revised Version has it.

THE STORM AND Act_27:13-44 13 And when the south wind blew softly,—While in Fair Havens the stormy northwest wind ceased; a gentle breeze came from the south; they set sail for the harbor of Phoenix; they meant to keep close to the shore of Crete as it was safer. Phoenix was about forty miles west of Fair Havens on the southern shore of Crete. It was natural to hope that the south wind would con¬tinue long enough for them to sail the forty miles, as it would take but a few hours for the voyage. They were so sure that they did not even take up the boat that they were towing behind the ship; they took up anchor and sailed close to shore around Cape Matala, a point on the south side of Crete a few miles west of Fair Havens. 14 But after no long time—In a short time after they set sail a violent northeast wind came down on the ship from over the hills of Crete and they could not face it, and had to go before it. This “ tempestuous wind” “ is called Euraquilo.” “ Euraquilo” describes the character of the wind; it comes from the Greek “ Eurakulon,” and is not found anywhere else in the New Testament; it has been called a “ hybrid” compounded of the Greek “ euros,” meaning “ east wind,” and the Latin “ aquilo,” meaning “ northeast.” The name here gives the direction of the wind. 15 and when the ship was caught,—The wind was so violent that the ship was unable to face it and go further but had to yield to the wind and be driven in its direction. The wind here is represented as seizing the ship so that it was not able to look in the eye of the wind; that is, to face it, and suddenly changed its course to the direction that the gale was going; the ship scudded before the wind. 16 And running under the lee of a small island—The ship was forced to run “ under the lee” for protection there; a small is¬land named “ Cauda,” or “ Clauda,” furnished the protection. Cauda was about twenty-three miles to the southwest of Crete. The ancients towed a small vessel behind, and it was very difficult to get this small vessel aboard. They were about to lose it. Luke uses the pronoun “ we” which indicates that the passengers as well as the sailors were forced to work and help rescue the small boat; it had to be lifted on board the ship. Their future safety depended on their saving this boat. 17 and when they had hoisted it up,—An ancient ship with sails was exposed to extreme dangers from such bursts of wind ; the straining of the great sail on a single mast was more than the hull could bear, and the ship was exposed to the storm and in danger of foundering in the open sea. Hence, “ under-girding,” with ropes or chains passing around the vessel, would help to hold the ship intact. Next they lowered all the sails, fearing that the gale might drive them southwest upon the “ Syrtis,” which meant the great African quicksands. The greater and lesser “ Syrtis” were on the north coast of Africa; the one was west of Cyrene, and the other near Carthage; they were the dread of Mediterranean sailors in Roman times. This verse does not imply that the ship was then near the Syrtis; the greater Syrtis is here meant. After making this preparation by girding the ship and lowering the sail, they let the vessel drift. 18-19 And as we labored exceedingly with the storm,—As the storm grew more furious the experienced sailors saw that the ship would not be able to weather it; hence, they put everyone to work. They labored with the storm the first day, and the second day they began to throw part of the cargo overboard. It is to be remembered that the ship was laden with wheat bound for Italy. The sailors and soldiers “ with their own hands” on the third day threw overboard “ the tackling of the ship.” “ Tackling” is from the Greek “ skeuen,” which means the furniture of the ship that could be spared. The danger was more imminent, and a part of the ship’ s gear would not have been thrown overboard without urgent necessity. The danger was great and increasing every moment; they had now disposed of the cargo of wheat and must suffer the loss of the furniture or equipment of the ship. The “ tackling” which they threw overboard must refer to that furniture which would be useless in time of storm. 20 And when neither sun nor stars shone—The weather was so cloudy, and the storm so furious and continued so long that the danger increased hourly. It should be remembered that the great reason which made ancient navigation perilous in winter was that the sky is then more overcast than at other seasons. They did not have efficient compass and were to large extent dependent upon the sun and stars for their bearings and steerings when the compass was not available. “ All hope” of rescue was lost. Two stages in the progress of increasing fear have been mentioned; the third stage was absolute despair. It was at this psychological moment, when no escape through human agency was possible, that Paul inter¬posed with divine encouragement. They did not know where they were drifting; no land was in sight; the ship was strained and pos¬sibly leaking; the tempest was high; and “ all hope that we should be saved was now taken away.” 21 And when they had been long without food,—Another thing which increased the hardship during this emergency was the lack of regular food. The fires were put out; the provisions were soaked with water; every effort that could be suggested for safety of the lives and ship was made. In the midst of the storm, when gloom and despair had settled heavily upon all, Paul stood in their midst and said: “ Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have set sail from Crete.” He did not remind them of this in order to taunt them, but chiefly to impress them more forcibly with the counsel which he was now about to give. Paul interfered four times, twice unsuccessfully and twice successfully; he spoke twice from his own experience and good judgment; he spoke twice to tell his vision which promised them safety in the end. (See verses 10, 21-26, 31, 33-35.) Paul had advised them to winter in Fair Havens; his advice was discussed, but rejected. Paul was the only one who was calm and able to encourage the others by his message from God; he was the only one who could encourage them not to give way to despair, but keep up their strength for what was before them; Paul alone had the presence of mind to prevent the escape of the sailors. 22 And now I exhort you to be of good cheer;—Paul, a pris¬oner, assumes authority to give advice and encourage the company. No doubt Paul’ s look and tone of voice helped his words to give encouragement to those in despair. It was unusual for a man, even a prisoner, to stand in the midst of a scene of misery and dejection with such calm confidence as Paul portrayed. Paul as¬sured them that there would “ be no loss of life among” them; he added that the only loss that would be sustained was the ship. No doubt that they were greatly encouraged when he gave the ground or basis of his encouragement. 23 For there stood by me this night an angel—Paul gave further reason for their taking courage; he recited his vision that night. Paul was a servant of God; he had committed his life to God and was in his care; hence, he was cheerful when others were disturbed, trustful when others doubted. Paul had seen an angel of God, and this angel had given courage to him. He now gives God the honor for his courage and assurance; he did not take any credit to himself as being wiser than others; he only pointed them to the God whom he served as being able to take care of him and others. 24 saying, Fear not, Paul;—This angel assured Paul that he should “ stand before Caesar.” Paul had been praying, and the angel came in answer to his prayer, and gave him the courage that he now manifested. “ God hath granted thee all them that sail with thee” shows that Paul had been praying, not only for himself and his Christian companions, but also for all on the ship. The lives of those that sailed with Paul had been presented to him as a gift. Since Paul was to stand before Caesar that meant that he would be brought safely through the present danger. There is no assurance here that all would become converted; only the safe arrival of all is meant. 25-26 Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer:—The faith that Paul had in God gave him an advantage over the others; he was made both captain and pilot of the ship; his calmness and courage enabled him to take the place of the centurion in caring for the prisoners. The most useful man on board was Paul, because he believed in God and God took care of him. Paul spoke with as¬surance when he warned them that they should be “ cast upon a certain island.” It is very probable that Paul preached the gospel to all that were on the ship, and gave them his reason for believing in God. Since he predicted that they would be cast upon a certain island, it appears that some details of the manner of their preservation had been made known to Paul by the angel. 27 But when the fourteenth night was come,—It is not clear as to the point of time that the “ fourteenth night” is calculated; it is very probable that the time is reckoned from their leaving Fair Havens. The ship was driven “ to and fro in the sea of Adria.” “ Adria” was a name given to the wide sweep of the Mediterranean lying between Greece, Italy, and Africa; this was not the Adriatic Sea as we now know it. “ About midnight the sailors” thought that “ they were drawing near to some country.” Possibly the sound of the breakers, the white lines of foam seen through the darkness, were interpreted by the experienced sailors that they were drawing nigh to land. They did not know their location; hence, they did not know the country or land that they might be near; they were in total darkness and lost on the wild tempest of waters. 28 and they sounded, and found twenty fathoms;—“ Sounded” is from the Greek “ bolisantes,” and is apparently from “ bolis,” which means “ a missile or dart,” and hence to throw down the lead into the sea, to heave the lead, to take soundings. A “ fathom” is reckoned as six feet; hence, the depth of the water at that point was one hundred twenty feet; however, “ after a little space,” or “ a little later,” they “ sounded” again, and found the depth to be only “ fifteen fathoms,” or about ninety feet; this was proof that a shore was near; they did not know what kind of shore, whether it was sandy or rocky; they feared that it was rocky. 29 And fearing lest haply we should be cast ashore—There was great fear that the ship would be cast upon a rocky shore; hence, “ they let go four anchors from the stern.” These “ four anchors” should be sufficient to hold the ship in position; however, it was unusual to anchor the ship from the “ stern.” The usual way of anchoring a ship was from the bow. In this situation, had they anchored by the bow, the ship would have swung round from the wind and would have been more difficult to manage after the storm ceased. The harbor of St. Paul’ s Bay, in Malta, is still good for small ships. The ship had been drifting since it left Cauda. It is about four hundred seventy-six miles from Cauda to Malta.

The only thing that they could do would be to wait for daylight. If the sailors had headed the ship toward the northwest to keep it from being driven upon the quicksands, it would have been beaten back by the northeast gale and would have drifted westward. 30 And as the sailors were seeking to flee—The hour of danger naturally aroused the instinct of self-preservation to the exclusion of better feelings. It was easy for the sailors to urge that the ship needed anchors fore as well as aft, and, while pretending to be occupied about this, to lower the boat which they had before hoisted on deck (Acts 27:16), and so effect their escape. The boat, it might appear, was necessary to their purpose, as their aim was not merely to pass anchors from the bow, but to carry them out to the full tether of the cable’ s length. This was a treacherous act on the part of the sailors. 31 Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers,—The shrewd observance of Paul detected what the sailors were doing, and he spoke to the centurion, and to the soldiers. He said: “ Ex¬cept these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved.” Paul had the courage to rebuke their action and to warn them of the danger of such a course. He had been assured of protection and safety by the angel of the Lord, but he could not supinely lie down and leave it all to God; he must do all that he could in order to be protected by God. The soldiers and prisoners could not handle the large ship under such critical conditions, so the presence and help of the sailors were essential to the safety of others. All should have been grateful to Paul for his thoughtful vigilance in these hours of dark¬ness and danger. 32 Then the soldiers cut away the ropes—Apparently there were four classes on board the ship; namely (1) the officials, in¬cluding captain, pilot, and centurion; (2) sailors; (3) soldiers; (4) prisoners. The sailors were attempting to flee, and when the soldiers heard what Paul had said they cut the rope by which the small ship had been lowered and let it fall off; this prevented the sailors from escaping. The soldiers settled the question with mili¬tary promptitude. The boat was left to drift off into the darkness and perhaps was dashed to pieces on the rocks. God had promised Paul that all should be saved; hence, he insists that all cooperate harmoniously in order to fulfill that promise. 33 And while the day was coming on,—While they were waiting for day to dawn, Paul again assumes the lead and takes command and “ besought them all to take some food.” Nothing could be done in the emergency until daylight; sleep was impossible; and anxiety and fear intense. Paul advised that since they had been fasting about fourteen days some food be taken. He knew that strength would be needed for hard work when morning came; he also knew that if they would take nourishment they would be encouraged for further duties. Soldiers and sailors would need something that would draw them together after the incident just mentioned; all were liable to be discouraged and irritable. It is not clear whether the waiting means fourteen days of continuous fasting, or only fourteen successive nights of eager watching without food. Paul probably means that they had taken no regular meals, and only bits of food now and then, as the word for “ fasting” is not that which is commonly used in the New Testament to express entire abstinence from food. 34 Wherefore I beseech you to take some food:—Paul encouraged all of them “ to take some food.” Paul had promised them their lives, but they must work and cooperate with him for their safety. Paul, a captive going to judgment, yet what a leader of men he is! It was necessary that they take nourishment for their “ safety.” The Greek for “ safety” is “ soteria,” which means personal or physical “ safety,” and not spiritual salvation. Paul meant that the preservation of his fellow passengers depended on their keeping up their strength. He reassures them that “ not a hair” should “ perish from the head of any of” them. This is a proverbial expression for safety. (1 Samuel 14:45; 2 Samuel 14:11; 1 Kings 1:52; Luke 21:18.) 35 And when he had said this,—Paul had given advice that they take some nourishment; he now sets the example by taking nourishment himself. Some have said that this was the Lord’ s Supper to Paul, Luke, and Aristarchus; however, it appears to be only a common meal, as Paul had encouraged all to take nourish¬ment. The Lord’ s Supper was never intended to furnish physical nourishment to anyone. Paul “ gave thanks to God” and then began to eat. “ Thanks” is from the Greek “ eucharistesen,” and means giving thanks, as did our Lord on different occasions. (Luke 24:30.) 36 Then were they all of good cheer,—Paul’ s words and example inspired cheerfulness and courage. It is wonderful how one calm, deliberate person can have such influence on others. The cheerfulness and hopefulness of Paul had spread to the entire company ; they now looked to him as their friend and leader, and followed his example in eating. The giving of thanks to God called attention again of all to God, whom Paul served, and who had protected them and promised safety to them. 37 And we were in all in the ship—The number is here given, either as a fact that had been omitted before, and was not without its interest, or probably because then for the first time, they were all gathered at their meal. Luke, the writer, had taken the trouble to count them. These two hundred seventy-six were under the influence now of Paul. This was a large company to be on this ship; however, the grain ships were large and frequently carried passengers. Some have interpreted the Greek to mean seventy- six, as this number is found in some ancient manuscript; these manuscripts are not of sufficient weight to change the text. 38 And when they had eaten enough,—“ Eaten” is from the Greek “ koresthentes,” and means “ to satisfy, to satiate.” Hence, they were filled. The first effect of this was seen in renewed activity for work. They began now to lighten the ship. The “ wheat” which they now cast out was a part of. the cargo which had been reserved probably for provisions. It appears that they had only thrown overboard a part of the cargo as mentioned in verse 18. As they could no longer continue in the ship, it was not necessary to keep the ship burdened with this wheat. They hoped to keep the ship floating until they could reach the shore. 39 And when it was day, they knew not the land:—None of the sailors, neither the officers, recognized the land when daylight came. They perceived “ a certain bay with a beach.” It was such a sandy beach as would suit to run the ship ashore. The main coast was not safe for such an attempt. Some think that it was strange that they did not know the land, for Melita was a well-known island, having an admirable harbor, familiar to Alexandrian sailors; however, these sailors were not at this moment in the harbor, but on a part of the coast which they had never before seen. They held a consultation together to decide what to do; they decided to attempt to run ashore. This required the help of experienced sailors, and showed that Paul was right in having the sailors kept on board. (See verse 31.) 40 And casting off the anchors,—“ Casting off” is from the Greek “ perielontes,” and literally means “ having taken away from around” ; that is, all four anchors from around the stern. These were left in the sea; they let the anchors go and the ropes fell down into the sea. They thought that they would have no further use for them. At the same time they loosed the bands of the rudders; the ancient ships were equipped with two rudders; these had been made fast and raised out of the water when the anchors were cast out. Since they now are to attempt to steer the ship toward the beach, they need to let down the rudders again into the water. Next, they hoisted “ up the foresail to the wind.” “ Foresail” is from the Greek “ artemona,” and scholars have been puzzled as to which sail is indicated; the majority of scholars have agreed that it is “ foresail.” This does not mean what we understand as the “ mainsail.” “ Wind,” as used here, means a breeze, and the change of words seems to imply that there was a lull in the fury of the gale. 41 But lighting upon a place where two seas met,—Instead of landing on a smooth, sandy beach, the ship was run and grounded on a mudbank between the small island and the coast. Unexpectedly the ship stuck in this mud bar. The ship did not touch dry land, but stuck fast in the bank over which the water was too shallow to allow the ship to go further; they were still some distance from the shore. The waves swept through the channel behind the island and struck the stern of the ship sideways, and the ship began to break in pieces. Modern scholars who have attempted to trace the journey of Paul have found just such conditions as described here by Luke, showing the accuracy of his description. The front part of the ship was stuck in the mud, while the hind part was in deep water and exposed to the force of the two currents; it seems that the hinder part of the ship was broken of? and the entire crew and passengers crowded to the fore part. 42 And the soldiers’ counsel was to kill the prisoners,—The soldiers were as cruel as the sailors. (Acts 28:30.) The sailors were willing to leave the soldiers and prisoners to perish, and now the soldiers want to kill the prisoners. Their excuse was to keep any of them from escaping. The soldiers were responsible for the lives of the prisoners. (Acts 12:19.) The Roman law made the soldiers answerable with their own lives for the prisoners placed under their charge. 43 But the centurion, desiring to save Paul,—Paul had won the friendship of the centurion; he had been instrumental in saving the entire crew. The centurion was not without gratitude; hence, he would seek some way to save Paul. The centurion was in charge of the soldiers, and they must obey his command. He suggested as an alternative that the soldiers who could swim should “ cast themselves overboard” and get to the land first; they could then take charge of the prisoners as they swam to land. The cen¬turion was in full command of the soldiers; he had not in the confusion lost his thoughtfulness and presence of mind. By his suggestion there would be a body of soldiers ready on shore to help those who only could float thither by the aid of something to which they were clinging.

We know that Paul had already been shipwrecked three times before this, and had been in the deep a night and a day. (2 Corinthians 11:15.) Hence, we may conclude that he was among those who swam to land. Many think that the centurion’ s suggestion included not only the soldiers who could swim, but even the prisoners who could swim were commanded to go to shore. It is probable that this suggestion came from Paul, as he had had experience in such trials. 44 and the rest, some on planks,—This strengthens the idea that all who could swim, both soldiers and prisoners, were commanded to do so. The others were to float on planks and such other things as could be had from the ship. It appears that there had been some broken pieces of timber from the bulwarks, loose spears, tables, stools, and other pieces of furniture, which could be used by those who could not swim. ‘‘ All escaped safe to the land.” This shows that Paul’ s prophecy (Acts 27:24) was fulfilled; Paul, the prisoner, is the guide in the voyage, the hero in the shipwreck, and the example to all in calmness.

J.W. McGarvey Commentary On Acts 27Acts 27:1-2. Not long after the interview with Agrippa, Paul saw an immediate prospect of departing upon his long-purposed voyage to Rome. The answer to his prayers was about to be realized, and the promise made him by night in the prison of Claudius Lysias that he should yet testify of Jesus in Rome as he had done in Jerusalem, was about to be fulfilled. This was being accomplished, not by any direct divine interference, but by a providential combination of circumstances. The machinations of the Jews, the corruption of Felix, the indecision of Festus, the prudence of Paul, and the Roman statute in behalf of citizens, had all most strangely, yet most naturally, combined to fulfill a promise of God made in answer to prayer. (1) “And when it was determined that we should sail into Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners to a centurion of the Augustan cohort, named Julius. (2) And embarking on a ship of Adramyttium, we put to sea, intending to sail to places along the coast of Asia, Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us.” Here, again, we find the significant “we” of Luke, showing that he was again in Paul’s company.

The last time we met with this term was upon the arrival of the apostolic company in Jerusalem. He had probably not been far from Paul during the two years of imprisonment in Cæsarea, and was now permitted to accompany him to Rome. Aristarchus was also a voluntary companion of the prisoner, as we infer from the manner in which his name is mentioned. There were, however, other prisoners on board. As the ship belonged to Adramyttium, which is on the coast of Mysia, it was now homeward bound, and was not expected to take the prisoners further than its own destination. But as they were about to touch at several “ places along the coast of Asia,” they could calculate upon falling in with some vessel bound for Rome. Acts 27:3. The apostolic company are now fairly launched upon their voyage, the details of which constitute a peculiar and most interesting passage in sacred history. (3) “And the next day we landed at Sidon: and Julius, treating Paul humanely, permitted him to go to the friends, and partake of their kindness.” Here we learn that Paul found friends, who were, doubtless, brethren, in the city of Sidon. Thus we find that both the Phenician cities, Tyre and Sidon, to whose wickedness the Savior once so significantly alluded, had, ere now, received the gospel. With the brethren in the former place Paul had spent a week on his voyage to Jerusalem, and now the beginning of another voyage, not much less mournful, is cheered by the hospitality of those in the latter. Acts 27:4. (4) “And having put to sea from that place, we sailed under the lee of Cyprus, because the winds were contrary.” As the proper course of the ship was westward, the contrary wind must have come from that quarter. With a favorable wind she would have passed to the south of Cyprus; but in tacking to make headway against a contrary wind, they necessarily passed to the east and north-east of that island, leaving it on the left. An additional reason for taking this tack may have been a desire to take advantage of a current which flows westward along the southern shore of Asia Minor, as far as the Archipelago, and greatly favors the progress of westward-bound vessels. Acts 27:5-6. Passing around the north-east point of Cyprus, the vessel entered the open to the south of Cilicia and Pamphylia. (5) “And when we had sailed across the sea along Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city of Lycia. (6) There the centurion found a ship of Alexandria, sailing for Italy, and put us on board of it.” Thus, according to expectation, they fell in with a vessel bound for Italy, and left the ship of Adramyttium. Their new vessel was one of the many grain ships which supplied Rome with bread from the granaries of Egypt. She was a vessel of good size, accommodating, on this voyage, two hundred and seventy-six passengers. She had, probably, undertaken to sail direct from Alexandria to Rome; but the same contrary winds which had thus far retarded the progress of the other vessel had compelled her to sail far to the northward of the direct route. Acts 27:7-8. The wind was still contrary when they left Myra. (7) “And having sailed slowly many days, we reached Cnidus with difficulty, the wind not favoring us, and sailed under the lee of Crete, over against Salmone; (8) and coasting along it with difficulty, we came into a place called Fair Havens, near which was the city of Lasea.” From Myra to the island of Cnidus is only one hundred and thirty miles; hence it must have been slow sailing to be “ many days” reaching that place. From that island their course to Cape Salmone, which was the most eastern point of the island of Crete, was a little to the west of south. The wind, to turn them this much out of their course, could have been but little, if any, north of west. The lee of Crete, under which they sailed, was the southern shore, which but partially protected them from the wind, rendering it difficult to keep near the shore until they reached the harbor called Fair Havens. This was about half way the length of the island. Acts 27:9-12. The voyage, thus far, had been so tedious that winter was approaching, and it was deemed unsafe to attempt to complete it before spring. It became a question, however, whether they would spend the winter where they were, or seek a more desirable winter haven. (9) “Much time having now elapsed, and navigation being already unsafe, because the fast had already passed, Paul admonished them, (10) saying, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with violence and much loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives. (11) But the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship rather than the things which were spoken by Paul. (12) And the harbor being inconvenient to winter in, the majority advised to depart thence, so as, if possible, to reach Phoenix, and spend the winter there, a harbor of Crete looking to the south-west and north-west.” Paul’s advice to the mariners was the beginning of an activity in behalf of the ship and crew which forms the chief matter of interest in the remainder of the voyage. We will yet see how nearly his prediction was fulfilled. He did not claim for it the authority of inspiration, and, therefore, we should not claim it for him; but he had some experience at sea, and expressed the result of his own judgment. It was quite natural, however, that the centurion, who seems to have had control of the matter, should put more confidence in the judgment of the owner and the master than in his. He had not yet learned to appreciate his prisoner as he did subsequently. The description given of the harbor of Phoenix had occasioned some perplexity to commentators. As the wind was blowing from north of west, a harbor “ looking to the north-west and south-west,” from the shore, would be entirely exposed to the weather; whereas this description is given to show that it was a safe harbor in which to spend the winter. Mr. Howson is undoubtedly right in assuming that Luke supposes the beholder to be looking from the water, where a vessel would lie at anchor, toward the inclosing shore, and means that to him the harbor would look to the north-west and the south-west. Such a harbor would be safe against any wind in the quadrant from south-west to north-west, and was precisely such as was needed at that time. Acts 27:13. The harbor called Fair Havens lay on the east side of Cape Matala, which they would have to round in order to reach Phoenix; but it could not be rounded in the face of a north-west wind, hence they had to wait for the wind to change. (13) “Now when the south wind blew moderately, thinking they had gained their purpose, they weighed anchor, and sailed close by the shore of Crete.” They felt that all was secure, and even had their boat swinging astern, as they tacked slowly along the smooth sea under a gentle southern breeze. It was deceitful lull, the prelude to unexpected disasters. Acts 27:14-17. (14) “But not long after, a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon, struck, against her, (15) and the ship being seized by it, and unable to face the wind, we gave up and were driven by it. (16) And running under the lee of an island called Clauda, with difficulty we were able to secure the boat. (17) When they had taken it up, they used helps, undergirding the ship. And fearing lest they should fall into the Syrtis, they lowered the sail, and so were driven.” It was just as they were rounding Cape Matala, and expected to be borne by the southern wind directly to Phoenix, that they were whirled away by this tempest. The direction from Crete to Clauda is south-west; the wind, therefore, must have been from the north-east. This is indicated by the name Euroclydon, which Bloomfield translates “the wave-stirring easter.” Such a wind, varying from north-east to south-east, is said still to prevail in those seas. While passing under the lee of Clauda, the island checked the violence of the storm, and enabled them to take some precautions which were impossible in the open sea. The first of these was to “ secure the boat,” which had thus far drifted astern, and was likely to be dashed in pieces. The second was to undergird the ship, a process called frapping in modern style, which consists in passing heavy cables under the hull, and fastening them securely on the deck, to prevent the timbers from parting under the force of the waves. The third precaution was to lower the sails, so as to prevent the vessel being driven too rapidly before the wind. Acts 27:18-20. (18) “And being exceedingly tempest-tossed, the next day we lightened the vessel, (19) and on the third day, with our own hands we cast out the tackling of the ship. (20) And as neither the sun nor the stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest lay on us, at last all hope that we should be saved was taken away.” The sailors now began to realize the truth of Paul’s prediction about the character of the voyage, and they were prepared to listen to him with more respect when he addressed to them the following speech: Acts 27:21-26. (21) “Now, after long abstinence, Paul stood in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, you should have hearkened to me, and not have sailed from Crete, and gained this harm and loss. (22) And now, I exhort you to be of good cheer; for there will be no loss of life among you, except of the ship. (23) For there stood by me this night an angel of God, whose I am and whom I serve, (24) saying, Fear not, Paul; you must be brought before Cæsar; and behold, God has given you all those who are sailing with you. (25) Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer; for I believe God, that it will be even as it was told me. (26) But we must fall upon a certain island.” Paul’s former prediction was already fulfilled in part, and they all believed that it was about to be in full. His reference to it was designed both to rebuke them for not heeding it, and to remind them of its correctness. His present prediction conflicted with the former in reference to loss of life; but their lives had been so completely despaired of, that they were not disposed to find fault with the former prediction, even in this particular. The present, however, was certainly spoken upon divine authority; and if we suppose the former to have been also, then the security of their lives may be regarded as a boon granted to Paul in answer to prayers offered subsequent to the first prediction. That their safety was in some sense owing to him, is evident from the words, “ God has given to you all those who are sailing with you.” Acts 27:27-29. Notwithstanding the assurance of final safety, their danger, for a time, became more imminent. (27) “And when the fourteenth night was come, as we were driven along in the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors supposed that they were drawing near to some land; (28) and having sounded, they found it twenty fathoms. And going a little farther, they sounded again, and found it fifteen fathoms. (29) Then fearing lest they should fall upon breakers, they cast four anchors out of the stern, and wished for day.” From this time till day-break, the ship lay with her bow to the shore, where the waves were dashing fearfully over the hidden rocks; and was held back from inevitable destruction only by the four anchors cast astern. It was a period of fearful suspense, rendered hideous by the darkness of the night and the raging of the storm. They “ wished for day,” but they knew not whether it would bring relief, or only render them more certain of destruction. Acts 27:30-32. Under circumstances like these, both the nobler and the baser traits of human character have fair opportunity to exhibit themselves. The strong and skillful have often been known to save themselves without concern for the more helpless; while, at times, the utmost magnanimity has been displayed by the few. Both traits of character were exhibited here; one by the sailors, the other by Paul. (30) “Now the sailors were seeking to escape from the ship, and letting down the boat into the sea, under pretense of casting anchors out from the bow; (31) when Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, Unless these remain in the ship, you can not be saved. (32) Then the soldiers cut off the ropes of the boat, and let her fall off.” Here we see that while the sailors, who alone could have any hope of steering the vessel safe to land, were selfishly leaving the passengers to their fate, and the soldiers were so paralyzed with fear as not to discover their design, Paul was perfectly self-possessed, and was watching for the safety of all. He had an assurance from God that no lives would be lost, yet he was just as watchful as though no such promise had been given; and he assured the soldiers that they would not be saved if the sailors were permitted to leave the vessel. We have here a happy illustration of the manner in which God’s decrees and human free agency harmonize to produce a given result.

It was a decree of God that the passengers and crew should be saved, and it was certain to be accomplished; but the voluntarily watchfulness of Paul, and the desire of self-preservation on the part of the soldiers, were contingencies on which the result depended, and which contributed to it. In determining, therefore, that a thing shall be done, or declaring that it will be done, God anticipates the voluntary action of parties concerned, and only interferes, by miracles, where such action would fail of the contemplated result. In the matter of salvation, we should act as Paul did in this case: be as watchful and laborious as though God had promised us no assistance, yet as confident of divine assistance as though all were dependent on it alone. Acts 27:33-36. In a time of extreme danger like the present, a man who is able to maintain complete self-possession has great control over those who are alarmed. Paul had already displayed his coolness and watchfulness to the soldiers, and had outgeneraled the sailors; consequently he became at once the leading spirit in the whole ship’s company. During the entire inactivity of the crew, while swinging at anchor and waiting for daylight, he endeavored to impart his own calmness to them all. (33) “Now while day was coming on, Paul besought them all to take some food; saying, This is the fourteenth day that you have been waiting, and continued fasting, having taken nothing. (34) Wherefore, I beseech you to take some food; for this is for your preservation; for not a hair shall fall from the head of any of you. (35) And when he had thus spoken, he took a loaf and returned thanks to God before all, and broke it, and began to eat. (36) Then all were of good cheer, and they also took some food.” The remark that they had taken no food for fourteen days must be interpreted in the light of the circumstances. It is not a remark of the Luke addressed to his readers, but one of Paul, addressed to his hearers. If they had taken any food at all during the time, which they certainly did, unless they were sustained by a miracle, they could but understand him as merely expressing, in strong terms, their severe abstinence.

Such was undoubtedly his meaning. If Luke had been describing the fact in his own words instead of Paul’s, perhaps he would have stated it to us with some qualification. Here, again, the apostle assures them that no harm shall befall them, yet in the same breath urged them to eat heartily, as a precaution for their safety. Their safety, though certain, was still dependent upon their exertions, and, in order that they might have strength for the labor before them, it was necessary that they should break their long and exhausting fast. The cheerfulness of Paul, as he gave thanks to God, broke the loaf, and began to eat, inspired them all with new courage. As their excitement subsided, their appetites returned; and a hearty meal, which generally smooths a rough temper, and acts as a sedative upon all mental excitement, completed her restoration of general cheerfulness, and prepared them to undertake, with alacrity, the work yet to be done. Acts 27:37-38. The gathering of the whole ship’s company to partake of this meal seems to have suggested to the historian to mention, here, the number of persons on board. (37) “Now all the souls in the ships were two hundred and seventy-six. (38) And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, casting the wheat into the sea.” This was all done between the time of eating and daylight, and was no inconsiderable labor. It was designed to lessen the draught of the vessel, so that when run ashore she might float into the shallow water. Acts 27:39-41. All was now done that could be, until daylight should reveal the nature of the shore ahead. (39) “And when it was day they did not recognize the land. But they discovered a certain inlet having a sandy shore, into which they determined, if it were possible, to thrust the ship. (40) And having cut away the anchors, they abandoned them to the sea; at the same time loosing the rudder-bands, and hoisting the foresail to the wind, they held toward the shore. (41) And falling into a place between two seas, they ran the ship aground; and the bow sticking fast, remained immovable; but the stern was broken by the violence of the waves.” At every point, except the one to which the vessel was steered, the shore was rocky; for this point was selected because it had a sandy shore. It required some seamanship to land where they did. While lying at anchor, the rudders, which were merely paddle-rudders, one at each side of the stern, had been lashed up, to prevent them from fouling with the four anchor-cables also astern. These were loosed to guide the vessel; and the foresail was unfurled to give the vessel the impetus necessary to a successful use of the rudders.

By a skillful use of both she was steered clear of the rocks, and stranded on the sandy beach. Here “ two seas met;” that is, the waves from two different points met each other, and spent their combined force upon the stern of the vessel, and she was rapidly going to pieces. Acts 27:42. At this critical juncture there was exhibited by the soldiers an instance of depravity even greater than that of the sailors the night before. They owed their present prospect of safety to the watchfulness of Paul, yet they felt no apparent gratitude to him, and while hoping to escape themselves, they were regardless of the lives of himself and the other prisoners. (42) “Now the purpose of the soldiers was, that they would kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim out and escape.” Such is the depravity of human nature, when void of religious truth, and trained to the cruelties of war. Acts 27:43-44. But God had a purpose and a promise to fulfill, which did not admit of such a disposition of the prisoners, and the more cultivated nature of the centurion was the means of saving them. The incidents of the voyage had made an impression upon his mind most favorable to Paul, and he would not ignore the gratitude which he owed him. (43) “But the centurion, determined to save Paul, kept them from their purpose, and commanded those who could swim to cast themselves out and go first to land; (44) and the remainder, some on boards, and some on fragments of the ship. And thus it came to pass that all escaped safe to land.” Paul’s last prediction was literally fulfilled, and his fellow-prisoners owed their lives to the centurion’s partiality for him.

“ACTS OF THE "

Chapter Twenty-Seven IN THIS CHAPTER

1. To observe how Paul’s trip to Rome began

2. To notice how Paul warned of a disaster and was ignored

3. To examine how the tempestuous sea became disastrous for the ship

4. To contemplate how all were saved in the shipwreck at Malta

SUMMARY When it was decided that the prisoners should sail to Italy, Julius, a centurion of the Augustan Regiment, took custody. They boarded a ship of Adramyttium to sail along the Asian coast. Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, accompanied Paul. When the ship arrived at Sidon, Julius treated Paul kindly. He was allowed to go to his friends and receive care. They then sailed near Cyprus, Cilicia, Pamphylia, and arrived at Myra. There, the centurion found an Alexandrian ship headed to Italy. They boarded this ship and departed. They sailed slowly for many days, as the wind made it difficult to sail. They continued to sail with difficulty near Cnidus and Crete off Salmone. Next, they arrived at Fair Havens, near the city of Lasea. (Acts 27:1-8)

A great amount of time had passed, and sailing became dangerous. Paul advised, “I perceive that this voyage will end with disaster and much loss…” The centurion ignored Paul, and rather listened to the helmsman and ship-owner, who considered the harbor “not suitable to winter in.” The majority wanted to sail on to Phoenix, a harbor of Crete. (Acts 27:9-12)

The south wind began to blow softly. Supposing this favorable, they put out to sea. They sailed close to Crete. Shortly after sailing, a “tempestuous head wind arose, called Euroclydon.” The ship was driven south of an island called Clauda. The sailors secured the ship with cables/ropes by passing them underneath the hull. The following day, they lightened the ship. The third day, they threw the ship’s tackle overboard. After several days in the storm, all hope was given up. They had not eaten for many days. Paul reminded them that he had recommended to not sail from Crete. Paul then assured them there would be no loss of life; only the ship would be lost. This message came from an angel of God. Paul affirmed his faith/trust in God that this surely would come to pass. Paul further revealed that the ship would run aground. After fourteen nights, the sailors sensed they were near land. They took soundings and determined they were nearing land. It was dark. They dropped four anchors to avoid running aground and prayed for daylight. The sailors lowered the skiff to appear that they were putting out more anchors; however, they intended to leave the ship. Paul told the centurion and soldiers, “Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved.” The soldiers cut the ropes to the skiff and let it fall away. As the day dawned, Paul encouraged them to eat. It had been fourteen days since they had eaten. Paul indicated they needed food for nourishment and survival. He reminded them they all would be safe. Paul then took bread, gave thanks to God, and began to eat before them. They were all encouraged by Paul and ate as well. After they had eaten enough, they threw the wheat into the sea to lighten the ship. There were two hundred seventy-six people aboard the ship. (Acts 27:13-38)

At daylight, they saw a bay with a beach, though they did not recognize the land. They desired to drive the ship onto the beach. They let the anchors go into the sea, hoisted the main sail, and headed for the beach. The ship ran aground “where two seas met” and the “prow stuck fast” - the ship was immovable. The waves violently began to break up the ship. The soldiers planned to kill the prisoners to keep any from escaping. The centurion stopped the soldiers’ plan. He wanted to save Paul. The centurion commanded all who could swim to jump overboard and swim for shore. The rest floated on boards or parts of the ship. They all escaped safely to the island. (Acts 27:39-44)

OUTLINE I. TRIP TO ROME BEGAN (Acts 27:1-8) A. SAILED A SHIP OF (Acts 27:1-5)1. It was decided that the prisoners should sail to Italy 2. Julius, a centurion of the Augustan Regiment, took custody 3. They boarded a ship of Adramyttium to sail along the Asian coast 4. Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, accompanied Paul 5. At Sidon, Julius treated Paul kindly a. Paul was allowed to go to his friends and receive care 6. They sailed near Cyprus, Cilicia, Pamphylia, and arrived at Myra

B. SAILED A SHIP OF (Acts 27:6-8)1. At Myra, the centurion found an Alexandrian ship headed to Italy 2. They boarded this ship and departed a. They sailed slowly for many days b. The wind made it difficult to sail 3. They continued to sail with difficulty near Cnidus, Crete off Salmone 4. They arrived at Fair Havens, near the city of Lasea

II. PAUL WARNED OF (Acts 27:9-12) A. SAILING BECAME ; PAUL WARNED OF (Acts 27:9-10)1. Much time had passed, and sailing became dangerous 2. Paul advised, “I perceive that this voyage will end with disaster and much loss…”

B. THE IGNORED PAUL’S WARNING (Acts 27:11-12)1. The centurion listened to the helmsman and ship-owner rather than Paul 2. They considered the harbor “not suitable to winter in” 3. The majority wanted to sail on to Phoenix, a harbor of Crete

III. THE SEA (Acts 27:13-38) A. A WIND BLEW (Acts 27:13)1. The south wind blew softly 2. Supposing this favorable, they put out to sea 3. They sailed close to Crete

B. THE TEMPEST BEGAN (Acts 27:14-20)1. Shortly after sailing, a “tempestuous head wind arose, called Euroclydon” 2. The ship was driven south of an island called Clauda 3. The sailors secured the ship with cables/ropes, passing them underneath 4. The following day, they lightened the ship 5. The third day, they threw the ship’s tackle overboard 6. After several days in the storm, all hope was given up

C. PAUL ASSURED THE MEN OF (Acts 27:21-26)1. They had not eaten for many days 2. Paul reminded them: he had recommended to not sail from Crete 3. Paul then assured them there would be no loss of life; only the ship would be lost - the message came from an angel of God 4. Paul affirmed his trust in God to the men by saying, “for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me” 5. Paul further revealed that the ship would run aground

D. THE CREW TO ABANDON THE SHIP (Acts 27:27-32)1. After fourteen nights, the sailors sensed they were near land 2. They took soundings and determined they were nearing land 3. It was dark; they dropped four anchors to avoid running aground and prayed for daylight 4. The sailors lowered the skiff to appear they were putting out more anchors; but they intended to leave the ship 5. Paul told the centurion and soldiers, “Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved.” 6. The soldiers cut the ropes to the skiff and let it fall away

E. THE TEMPEST BEGAN (Acts 27:33-38)1. As the day dawned, Paul encouraged them to eat; it had been fourteen days since they had eaten 2. Paul indicated they needed food for nourishment and survival 3. He reminded them they all would be safe 4. Paul took bread, gave thanks to God, and began to eat before them 5. They were all encouraged by Paul and ate as well 6. After they had eaten enough, they threw out the wheat to lighten the ship 7. There were two hundred seventy-six people aboard the ship

IV. AT MALTA (Acts 27:39-44) A. TO DRIVE THE SHIP ONTO THE BEACH (Acts 27:39-41)1. At daylight, they saw a bay with a beach 2. They desired to drive the ship onto the beach 3. They let the anchors go into the sea, hoisted the main sail and headed for the beach 4. The ship ran aground “where two seas met” and the “prow stuck fast” - the ship was immovable 5. The waves violently began to break up the ship

B. THEY SWAM AND/OR FLOATED TO SHORE; ALL WERE SAVED (Acts 27:42-44)1. The soldiers planned to kill the prisoners to keep any from escaping 2. The centurion stopped the soldiers’ plan a. He wanted to save Paul 3. The centurion commanded all who could swim to jump overboard and swim for shore a. The rest floated on boards or parts of the ship 4. They all escaped safely to the island

REVIEW FOR THE CHAPTER

1. What are the main events in this chapter?- Paul’s trip to Rome began (Acts 27:1-8)

• Paul warned of a disaster and was ignored (Acts 27:9-12)
• The tempestuous sea became disastrous for the ship (Acts 27:13-38)
• All were saved in the shipwreck at Malta (Acts 27:39-44)

2. Where were they to sail? (Acts 27:1)- Italy (Acts 27:1)

3. To whom were the prisoners, including Paul, delivered? (Acts 27:1)- Julius, a centurion of the Augustan Regiment (Acts 27:1)

4. Who was also sailing with Paul? (Acts 27:2)- Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica (Acts 27:2)

• Luke was travelling along as well – “we” and “us” (Acts 27:2)

5. How did the centurion treat Paul at Sidon? (Acts 27:3)- He treated Paul kindly and allowed him to go to his friends and receive care (Acts 27:3)

6. Why did they sail under the shelter of Cyprus? (Acts 27:4)- The winds were contrary (Acts 27:4)

7. Where did the centurion find the Alexandrian ship? (Acts 27:5-6)- Myra, a city of Lycia (Acts 27:6)

8. What caused the ship to sail slowly for many days? (Acts 27:7)- The wind did not permit them to proceed (7)

9. What was the name of the port near the city of Lasea? (Acts 27:8)- Fair Havens (Acts 27:8)

10. Now that the Fast was over, what was the condition for sailing? (Acts 27:9)- Sailing conditions were dangerous at that time of year (Acts 27:9)

11. Did the centurion heed Paul’s warning? Who did he listen to? (Acts 27:11)- No, he was “more persuaded” by others (Acts 27:11)

• The helmsman and the owner of the ship (Acts 27:11)

12. What did the majority advise to do? (Acts 27:12)- To set sail for Phoenix, a harbor of Crete, and winter there (Acts 27:12)

13. What did the sailors use to undergird the ship? Why? (Acts 27:17)- They used cables/ropes (Acts 27:17)

• They afraid of running aground (Acts 27:17)

14. On the third day, what did they throw overboard? (Acts 27:18-19)- The ship’s tackle (Acts 27:19)

15. What did the angel say to Paul? (Acts 27:23-24)- “Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.” (Acts 27:24)

16. What did Paul tell them must happen? (Acts 27:26)- The ship must run aground on a certain island (Acts 27:26)

17. When the sailors sensed they were nearing land, what did they attempt to do? (Acts 27:27-30)- They let the skiff down under pretense of letting out more anchors (30)

18. What did Paul tell the centurion? What did the soldiers do? (Acts 27:31-32)- “Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved.” (Acts 27:31)

• The soldiers cut away the ropes of the skiff and let it fall (Acts 27:32)

19. As Paul tried to convince them to eat, what did he assure them would not happen? (Acts 27:33-34)- “…not a hair will fall from the head of any of you” (Acts 27:34)

20. What did Paul do in the presence of all of them? (Acts 27:35) - He took bread, gave thanks to God, and began to eat (Acts 27:35)

21. How many people were on the ship? (Acts 27:37)- Two hundred seventy-six (Acts 27:37)

22. What did they do after they had all eaten enough? (Acts 27:38)- They lightened the ship and threw the wheat into the sea (Acts 27:38)

23. When it became day, what did they see? (Acts 27:39)- They say a bay with a beach (Acts 27:39)

24. As they attempted to run the ship onto the beach, what happened? (Acts 27:40-41)- They ran the ship aground where the two seas met; the ship was immovable and began to break up from the violent waves (Acts 27:41)

25. What did the soldiers plan to do to the prisoners? (Acts 27:42)- They planned to kill the prisoners, so none could escape (Acts 27:42)

26. Did the centurion go along with the plan? What did he do? Why? (Acts 27:43)- He did not go along with the soldiers’ plan (Acts 27:43)

• He commanded that those who could swim should jump overboard and get to land (Acts 27:43)
• He wanted to save Paul (Acts 27:43)

27. How did the rest get to shore? How many escaped safely to land? (Acts 27:44)- They floated on boards and parts of the ship to land (Acts 27:44)

• They all escaped safely to land (Acts 27:44)

Verse 1 The shipwrecked passengers and crew were all saved alive, fulfilling Paul’s prophecy made at a moment when all hope had perished. The population of Malta aided in the rescue, building a fire and “receiving” them kindly. Paul was snakebitten (Acts 28:1-6). Hospitality was extended to the victims of shipwreck by the first man of the island; and Paul wrought many cures of the sick and suffering of Malta (Acts 28:7-10). The voyage to Rome was continued after three months, ending very shortly at Puteoli, terminal port of the grain ship; and, thence by land, Paul soon arrived in Rome, being greeted by brethren on the way (Acts 28:11-16). As always, Paul sought and obtained first an interview with Jewish leaders who set a day to hear him a week later (Acts 28:17-22). The Jews of Rome, as invariably throughout Paul’s ministry, rejected Christ, despite the fact that some believed (Acts 28:23-28). The Book of Acts is concluded by a brief summary of the two whole years of Paul’s imprisonment; and the curtain rings down with Paul still in prison, because, when Luke wrote, the apostle’s release, although pending, had not yet occurred (Acts 28:30-31). And when we were escaped, then we knew that the island was called Melita. And the barbarians showed us no common kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us all, because of the present rain, and because of the cold. (Acts 28:1-2) Melita … This island is the one now known as Malta. Mention of the “Sea of Adria” in Acts 27:27 led some to suppose that Meleda, an island off the Dalmatian coast in the Adriatic sea, was meant; but there is abundant proof that the whole Mediterranean was called “Adria” by the sailors. “There is no reasonable doubt that Malta is the island in question."[1]The barbarians … Such a designation of the people meant merely that they did not speak Greek. “They spoke a language derived from Phoenician, and were little affected by the Greek-Roman culture."[2] Their conduct at once proved them not to be barbarians in the usual sense of the word. This island of Malta Isaiah 12 miles wide, 20 miles long, and 60 miles distant from Sicily. “It yields an abundance of honey, whence its name."[3]Rain and cold … Such storms as they had encountered always dump large quantities of water; and late in the autumn the weather was very disagreeable. The survivors needed and received help. [1] G. H. C. MacGreggor, The Interpreter’s Bible (New York: Abingdon Press, 1954), Vol. IX, p. 341. [2] Everett F. Harrison, Wycliffe Bible Commentary (Chicago: Moody Press, 1971), p. 337. [3] John Wesley, Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Book House), in loco. Verse 3 And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand. And when the barbarians saw the venomous creature hanging from his hand, they said one to another, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped from the sea, yet Justice hath not suffered to live.Venomous creature … Although the adjective is not in the Greek text, the meaning surely is. The statement of the islanders that “Justice hath not suffered to live” regarded Paul’s death so certain that they already referred to it in the past tense! It is hard not to lose patience with scholars like Ramsay who called this snake “harmless,” saying “it was not, as Luke calls it, a viper, which does not occur on Malta."[4] As if this were not enough, he even took a couple of passes at guessing what kind it really was! As Bruce said: The objections that have been advanced, that there are now no vipers in the island, and only one place where any wood grows, are too trivial to notice.[5]As Hervey pointed out, the population density of Malta is now over 1,200 people to the square mile,[6] and this alone accounts for the disappearance of vipers from Malta. Justice … The capitalization of this word in the English Revised Version (1885) indicates that the islanders referred to the goddess Justice. “Justilia was the daughter and assessor of Zeus, and the avenger of crime."[7][4] Sir William M. Ramsay, Pictures of the Apostolic Church (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Book House, 1959), p. 310. [5] F. F. Bruce, The Book of Acts (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm. B. Eerdmans, Publisher, 1954), p. 522. [6] A. C. Hervey, The Pulpit Commentary, Acts (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm. B. Eerdmans, Publisher, 1950), 2p. 319. [7] Ibid. Verse 5 Howbeit he shook off the creature into the fire, and took no harm. But they expected that he would have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly; but when they were long in expectation and beheld nothing amiss come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.The intelligence and understanding of such native peoples as those of Malta make it impossible to believe that they were mistaken regarding the deadly nature of the snake that bit Paul. It is preposterous to suppose that Paul’s being snakebit was the only case of such a thing that the people had ever seen! The critics who delight in rationalizing all of the New Testament miracles will have to come up with something better than a denial that this snake was poisonous. Shook … into the fire … People who are impressed with efforts to impose humane methods of killing rattlesnakes in Texas should take note of this. Burning the viper alive appeared to Paul as a suitable form of extermination; and none of the people who had to contend with such reptiles complained of it. Changed their minds … said he was a god … This is a strange reversal of what had happened at Lystra (Acts 14:12 ff), where Paul was first hailed as a god, and later stoned. The carnal man loves extremes, either worshiping himself in the person of his heroes, or by killing those who do not conform to his prejudices. Before leaving this, we cannot resist including the homely comment of McGarvey: Paul was not a preacher after the style of a modern clergyman, who is particular not to soil his hands with menial labor, expects everybody to be ready to serve him, while he preserves his dignity and looks on.[8]ENDNOTE: [8] J. W. McGarvey, Commentary on Acts (Cincinnati, Ohio: Standard Publishing Company), p. 275. Verse 7 Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the chief man of the island, named Publius; who received us, and entertained us three days courteously. And it was so that the father of Publius lay sick of fever and dysentery: unto whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laying his hands on him healed him. And when this was done, the rest also that had diseases in the island came, and were cured.Publius … chief man … “This exact word has been found in two inscriptions as a title of an official in Malta."[9] Although once disputed, Luke’s accuracy is again proved. Entertained us … If this refers to the entire 276 survivors, it would probably mean that many of the population opened their homes to the shipwrecked; but if Luke is speaking of Paul’s company and the centurion and ship’s officers, which is not unlikely, then it would appear that Publius himself entertained them. Fever and dysentery … Malta fever is a malady known in the United States at the present time, caused by drinking infected milk. The word “dysentery” is a strict medical term used by the physician Luke. Paul healed him … Thus Publius’ kindness was repaid. In being able to work such a wonder, Paul verified the truth of Jesus’ promise that his apostles should suffer no hurt from deadly serpents, and that they should lay hands on the sick and recover them. As Dummelow noted, “Here we have first hand evidence of a competent medical witness to the reality of Paul’s miraculous cures."[10]We agree with Trenchard that, “Although Luke does not mention preachings and conversions, the analogy of the Ephesian ministry … suggests that miracles always opened the way for the Word."[11] One likes to suppose that the centurion himself might have been converted, as his subsequent behavior would certainly suggest, and that some of those unfortunate prisoners on the way to the bloody sands of the Coliseum might, through their conversion to Christ, have been enabled to face such a wretched death in the strength of their hope of eternal life in Christ. [9] G. H. C. MacGreggor, op. cit., p. 343. [10] J. R. Dummelow, Commentary on the Holy Bible (New York: The Macmillan Company, 1937), p. 852. [11] E. H. Trenchard, A New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House, 1969), p. 338. Verse 10 Who also honored us with many honors; and when we sailed, they put on board such things as we needed.The “honors” here were not “honorariums” as understood today, not gifts at all, but honors of public favor, expressed in many ways. “Paul did not receive any remuneration for the exercise of his gift of healing … (which) would have been at variance with the command of Christ (Mark 10:8)."[12] This is proved by the contrast with material gifts placed on board the ship for the benefit of all. ENDNOTE: [12] Alexander Campbell, Acts of Apostles (Austin, Texas: Firm Foundation Publishing House), p. 185. Verse 11 And after three months we set sail in a ship of Alexandria which had wintered in the island, whose sign was The Twin Brothers.The ship of Alexandria was more fortunate than the first, for it had made the port of Malta and waited until spring to depart, or at least until the most dangerous part of the winter was past. After three months … This would still have been somewhat early for Mediterranean sailing vessels; but the relatively short part of their voyage remaining, coupled with the probability of an early spring or an atypical spell of good weather, enabled their sailing, as it would appear, about the middle of February. The Twin Brothers … The Greek word here is “the Dioscuri,” the mythical twin sons of Jupiter, pagan deities also called Castor and Pollux, and honored especially by sailors. The constellation Gemini is named for them, being one of the twelve sectors of the sky identified with the signs of the zodiac. Two coincidences of interest in this section are (1) both ships carrying Paul were ships of Alexandria, and (2) The Twin Brothers was the name and figurehead not only of the new ship, but also of Rhegium, their second port of call on the way to Rome.[13]This prevalence of the evidence in which the old pagan deities appeared still to dominate the hearts of the people must have been particularly offensive to Paul and Luke. ENDNOTE: [13] J. S. Howson, Life and Epistles of St. Paul (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm. B. Eerdmans, Publisher), p. 663. Verse 12 And touching at Syracuse, we tarried there three days. And from thence we made a circuit, and arrived at Rhegium: and after one day a south wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli.Made a circuit … indicates that the voyage from Syracuse to Rhegium required sailing in a circle, due to the direction of the wind. Rhegium is “the modern Reggio dis Calabria on the “toe” of Italy,"[14] and thus at the eastern extremity of the Strait of Massena, site of the famed rock of Scylla and the whirlpool of Charybdis.[15]Passing through the strait would avoid a voyage around Sicily; but the wind had to be just right. A south wind sprang up … This was exactly the break they needed, for Puteoli is due north of Rhegium, and the final leg of the voyage was quickly made in a little over a day. Puteoli … was a regular port of entry for the fleet of grain ships operating between Rome and Egypt, and was in those days a seaport of great importance. “Just eight miles Northwest of Naples, it was the greatest port in Italy. The large pier had twenty-five arches, of which thirteen ruined ones remain."[16]At Puteoli, “now Puzzuoli,” where frequently “the whole population” went out to welcome the arrival of the wheat ships,[17] Paul and his companions left the ship, accompanied, of course, by the centurion Julius and his command, with the purpose of continuing the final part of the trip by land. [14] G. H. C. MacGreggor, op. cit., p. 345. [15] J. R. Dummelow, op. cit., p. 853. [16] Don DeWelt, Acts Made Actual (Joplin, Missouri: College Press, 1953), p. 339. [17] A. C. Hervey, op. cit., p. 321. Verse 14 Where we found brethren, and were entreated to tarry with them seven days, and so we came to Rome.Ramsay was inclined not to believe this, noting that Paul was a prisoner who could not have tarried there seven days without the consent of Julius the centurion; but as Trenchard pointed out, A delay of seven days would enable him (Julius) to equip himself and his men, after the loss of everything in the wreck, before entering Rome.[18]Furthermore, it is not amiss to see in this seven days waiting in Puteoli an evidence, not certain of course, but probable, that Julius himself might have become a Christian. Certainly, induced him to honor the request of the Christians in Puteoli for Paul to remain with them over a Sunday in order to observe the Lord’s supper with them. “Thus Paul and his party would be with the Christians at the Lord’s table on the Lord’s Day, as they had been at Troas (Acts 20:6-7) and at Tyre (Acts 21:4)."[19] There can hardly be any doubt that all three instances of these seven-day periods of waiting were caused by the apostle Paul’s arrival on a Monday, in each case, and that a week’s delay was necessary to afford the opportunity of taking the Lord’s supper on the Lord’s Day. In this fact, such conceits as the Thursday observance of the Lord’s supper, or the daily observance of it, or any departure from the apostolic custom of observing it “on a fixed day,"[20] must be rejected out of hand, as being contrary to the word of the Lord. [18] E. H. Trenchard, op. cit., p. 338. [19] Orrin Root, Acts (Cincinnati, Ohio: Standard Publishing Company, 1966), p. 202. [20] Henry Bettenson, Documents of the Christian Church (New York and London: Oxford University Press, 1947), p. 6. Verse 15 And from thence the brethren, when they heard of us, came to meet us as far as The Market of Appius and The Three Taverns; whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage. And when we entered into Rome, Paul was suffered to abide by himself with the soldier that guarded him.The Market of Appius … This place was “forty-three miles from Rome,"[21] and the travel of some of the saints in Rome such a distance to welcome the beloved apostle was a source of great joy. He had written them several years earlier of his intention of coming, but neither any of them nor Paul could have supposed that the manner of his arrival would be as it came to pass. He entered as a prisoner, chained to a soldier, and filled with apprehension lest the brethren might be ashamed of his bonds. No wonder he “thanked God, and took courage.” The Lord had not forsaken him; faithful brethren stood by to cheer and welcome him. As for a description of this place on the old Appian Way, we shall leave it to the travelogues; but one priceless line from the poet Horace, for which we are indebted to Plumptre, is as follows: “With sailors filled, and scoundrel publicans!"[22]Three Taverns … was ten miles closer to Rome, indicating that some, possibly including women and children, had not traveled as rapidly as others. One should read the last chapter of Romans in connection with this welcoming scene, wondering if some of the names there might not have been those of persons appearing here. A mist comes in our eyes as we meditate upon all the emotions that swept over the hearts of the Christians at this historic meeting. This place was no better than The Market of Appius, both of them being typical commercial stops between the port of Puteoli and the “eternal city.” [21] H. Leo Boles, Commentary on Acts (Nashville: Gospel Advocate Company, 1953), p. 436. [22] E. H. Plumptre, Ellicott’s Commentary on the Holy Bible (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House, 1959), Vol. VII, p. 181. Verse 17 And it came to pass after three days he called together those that were the chief of the Jews: and when they were come together, he said unto them, I, brethren, though I had done nothing against the people, or the customs of our fathers, yet was delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.As Paul always did, he addressed himself to the Jews, “to the Jew first” (Romans 1:16); and the mention of this having been “after three days” suggests that the three days had been required for getting him settled in his quarters and perhaps visiting with personal friends, of whom he had many in Rome. As one appealing to Caesar, Paul might naturally have been supposed by the Jews in Rome to have been appealing against Jews; but it was the other way around. Paul was appealing against Roman courts to which the Jews had delivered him, and by their protests had prevented his acquittal. From Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans … How could Paul say that the Jews had delivered him to the Romans, when it was a Roman, Lysias, who had first arrested him? Both Felix and Festus would have released Paul, except for Jewish protests against it. He promptly explained that. Verse 18 Who, when they had examined me, desired to set me at liberty, because there was no cause of death in me. But when the Jews spake against it, I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar; not that I had aught whereof to accuse my nation.Paul’s forbearance here is notable, in that he made no mention of the repeated attempts against his life, aided and abetted by the high priest himself. His message to his countrymen in Rome was designed to be as conciliatory as possible. This passage sheds further light on what happened under Festus. It was the protest of the Jews that led Festus to withhold from Paul the liberty which was his right. Verse 20 For this cause therefore did I entreat you to see and to speak with me: for because of the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.For the hope of Israel … “By this, Paul meant that the Christian faith was the true fulfillment of the hope of God’s people."[23] Throughout his speeches and epistles, Paul ever insisted upon the identity of the New Covenant with all that had been prophesied and typified in the Old. Bound with this chain … McGarvey observed that: Paul remained chained day and night, the guard being changed according to uniform custom every three hours, unless an exception was made of the sleeping hours in this case.[24]The chain itself was a strong, relatively light one, fastened on one end to Paul’s arm, and to the soldier on the other. [23] Everett F. Harrison, op. cit., p. 488. [24] J. W. McGarvey, op. cit., p. 287. Verse 21 And they said unto him, We neither received letters from Judaea concerning thee, nor did any of the brethren come hither and report or speak any harm of thee. But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, it is known to us that everywhere it is spoken against.Acts 28:21 signals the end of any prosecution whatever against Paul in Rome, leading inevitably to his release from this first imprisonment. The speculation of some who would have it otherwise, to the effect that insufficient time had elapsed for the charges to arrive, is ridiculous. If they had wished to press charges, Paul’s three months delay after shipwreck gave them plenty of time to have crawled to Rome, if they had had any intention whatever of appearing. As to why the Sanhedrin decided not to send any charges, this was due to a number of possible reasons, any one of which was more than enough: (1) Only recently, the Jews had been expelled from Rome, and although the ban had by this time been relaxed, the Jerusalem hierarchy would have been loathe to open old wounds. (2) Having already failed miserably to convince the lower courts of Felix and Festus, they knew they had no case worthy of the name. (3) They had, at that time, no powerful advocate in Rome who could have aided their plea. The date here Isaiah 60 A.D., two whole years prior to Poppaea Sabina’s marriage to Nero.[25] (4) They were as busy as beavers with the intrigues leading to the outbreak of the Jewish war. (5) They could also count on Paul’s being held in prison for two more years without any charges being pressed by them; and they could have taken that option of keeping him in prison. As MacGreggor said, “There is some evidence that if the prosecution failed to put in an appearance within two years, they lost their case by default."[26] Therefore, it is the confident conclusion of this writer that Luke, by Acts 28:21, signals that the freedom of Paul was momentarily expected when he concluded this report. Paul was doubtless pleased with the indication that no further appearance of his old enemies from Jerusalem could be expected, else they would already have appeared. It was an additional bonus that the leaders of the Jews in Rome decided to hear his arguments on behalf of Christianity and promptly set a date. ISRAEL’S FINAL [25] F. F. Bruce, op. cit., p. 530. [26] G. H. C. MacGreggor, op. cit., p. 349. Verse 23 And when they had appointed him a day, they came to him into his lodging in great number; to whom he expounded the matter, testifying the kingdom of God, and persuading them concerning Jesus, both from the law of Moses and from the prophets, from morning until evening.This was a long and thorough presentation by Paul, in which he doubtless covered all of the arguments previously recorded by Luke in Acts. The exposition went on “from morning until evening.” Verse 24 And some believed the things which were spoken, and some disbelieved.Here occurred what always occurs when the gospel is preached: men are polarized with reference to it, some believing, some not believing (see 2 Corinthians 2:15-16). Verse 25 And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed after that Paul had spoken one word.As Bruce said, “It would be a great, mistake to suppose the exposition took the form of a monologue. The debate must have been keen and impassioned."[27] There is no need, then, to view the “one word” of this verse as being composed of Paul’s quotation from Isaiah which immediately follows, which is, in fact, not “one word” in any sense. What, therefore, is that “one word” which broke up this meeting? Luke had already related how the temple mob heard Paul patiently until a single word, the word “Gentiles” (Acts 22:21-22), the strong likelihood being that it was exactly that same word which signaled the end of the meeting here. Luke did not spell it out again; but Paul’s appeal to the prophecy of Isaiah as foretelling their rejection strongly infers this. Well spake the Holy Spirit through Isaiah the prophet unto your fathers, saying, Go thou unto this people, and say, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall in no wise understand; And seeing ye shall see, and shall in no wise perceive: For this people’s heart is waxed gross, And their ears are dull of hearing, And their eyes they have closed; Lest haply they should perceive with their eyes, And hear with their ears, And understand with their heart, And should turn again, And I should heal them.This is Isaiah 6:9-10; and although spoken “through” Isaiah, it is clearly presented here as the word of the Holy Spirit. This same passage was applied to Israel by Christ, as affirmed in all four gospels (Matthew 13:15 Matthew 13:15; Mark 4:12; Luke 8:10; and John 12:37-41). The significance of its being repeated here lies in the fact that the same blindness that closed the hearts of Israel to the Christ was still operative in closing their hearts against the gospel. Paul had already written in Romans a detailed prophecy of the hardening of Israel, proving by many Old Testament passages that their rejection had been foreknown of God from of old. Paul already had the most extensive knowledge of that self-induced blindness to the truth on the part of the chosen people, but he had no doubt hoped until now that some change in the pattern might come to pass in Rome. The interview just concluded blasted any such hopes. Up until this time, Paul had ever gone “to the Jew first,” but in the light of this final rejection in the heart of civilization, he promptly announced in the next verse the termination of that phase of Christianity. ENDNOTE: [27] F. F. Bruce, op. cit., p. 533. Verse 28 Be it known therefore unto you, that this salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles: they will also hear.In this, the book of Acts reaches a magnificent climax: rejection on the part of secular Israel, unlimited and glorious success among the Gentiles. This, however, is not the only climax, because the undeniable implication of Paul’s innocence, as proved by the absence of any charges against him in Rome, implies that his freedom was expected momentarily. Luke did not state that it was expected, any firm declaration having to wait on the event itself; but the anticipation of it is surely here. Any allegation that the charges would have been sent to the government, and not to the Jewish leaders, is refuted by the obvious truth that the charges would have been sent to both. Even at Caesarea, it will be recalled, the local Jews joined in the clamor for Paul’s death; and the fact that the Jerusalem priests had instigated no movement against Paul among their own in Rome proves that they had also failed to instigate any charges against him before their emperor. The fantasy that “the charges were lost in the wreck” dies of its own weight; for Festus would most certainly have exonerated Paul in any official report that might have been on board the wrecked ship. Verse 29 And he abode two whole years in his own hired dwelling, and received all that went in unto him, preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, none forbidding him.Two whole years … Luke had just revealed that no letters or charges of any kind had been received from Judaea; and, as any case before the emperor which was not prosecuted in two years was judged to be defaulted, this indicates an air of expectancy that the release might come any day. His own hired dwelling … Here again the question of Paul’s undeniable financial ability comes to mind, but we have no certain solution. Luke may very well have been wealthy; or Paul himself, as Ramsay believed, might have inherited wealth. The extreme and unusual courtesy extended to Paul could not have come about except, partially at least, through the favorable report of Festus, the same fact giving the falsehood to the notion that “the papers were lost in the wreck.” The papers would have been preserved in spite of the wreck. Received all that went in unto him … Paul preached to all comers; and there soon were “saints in Caesar’s household.” Intended by the Jews as a frustration of Paul’s efforts, keeping him imprisoned two years without charges, his imprisonment actually helped the gospel. Paul himself said, “The things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the progress of the gospel” (Philippians 1:12). Preaching the kingdom of God … MacGreggor said, “This comes near to being a synonym for the Christian church”;[28] but, in context, the expression is not “nearly” a synonym for Christianity, but exactly so! Many New Testament passages use “church” and “kingdom” interchangeably, as here. See my Commentary on Hebrews under Hebrews 12:29. With all boldness, none forbidding him … Safe from any efforts to assassinate him, Paul preached fearlessly and boldly to all who came near; and, in addition to those who came to him, he had a new prospect every three hours, every time the guard was changed. This brings us to the end of this magnificent sacred history. “The narrative ends as it does, because it has caught up with history, and at the moment there was nothing more to report."[29] Like all conservative scholars, we think that “From 62 to 65 A.D., Paul was a free man, visiting Crete and points around the Aegean Sea (Titus 1:5; 2 Timothy 4:13 2 Timothy 4:20), possibly even fulfilling his desire to go to Spain."[30]During the two full years mentioned here, Paul wrote “the epistle to the Ephesians, the epistle to the Colossians, and those to Philemon and the Philippians,"[31] according to Hervey; and it may also be assumed that he gave Luke some help on the book of Acts. How strange it is that Luke did not mention any of Paul’s writings. If Acts were all that we had, we would not even know that Paul was an author, despite the fact that his writings “have moved the world of mind and spirit more than all the writings of Plato, Aristotle, Cicero and Bacon all combined."[32]The sacred authors are unlike any others. How strange, for example, that there is no mention of the virgin birth of Christ in Acts; and if we did not also have the gospel of Luke by the same author, the radical critics would be screaming to high heaven that “Luke knew nothing of it!” Nothing? Well, read Luke, second chapter. This teaches Christians to be on guard against deductions based upon the silence of the Holy Scriptures. Long, and patiently, we have labored in these studies in Acts; and it is with a certain reluctance that we have come to the end of so profitable and delightful a pursuit. We shall honor the immortal J.W. McGarvey by repeating his final words on Acts, thus: We bid Paul adieu until the resurrection morning, well pleased that the course of the narrative on which we have commented has kept us for so long a time in his company.[33][28] G. H. C. MacGreggor, op. cit., p. 348. [29] Everett F. Harrison, op. cit., p. 490. [30] Ibid. [31] A. C. Hervey, op. cit., p. 325. [32] Ibid. [33] J. McGarvey, op. cit., p. 292. Questions by E.M. Zerr For Acts Chapter 271. What voyage was now determined upon? 2. Who are “ they” of first verse? 3. What was Julius? 4. Was Paul the only prisoner? 5. By what coast did they plan to sail ? 6. What man was with them? 7. At what place did they first touch land? 8. State the favors shown to Paul. 9. How was sailing after they launched again? 10. Where did they change ships? 11. On what vessel did they continue the journey? 12. How was sailing for some days now ? 13. Near what important island did they sail? 14. Unto what place did they come? 15. Were they making good progress now? 16. State the condition of sailing. 17. What fast is meant in ninth verse ? 18. How did this affect the nature of the sailing? 19. What did Paul do at this time? 20. Tell what he predicted. 21. Whose word was preferred to his? 22. Why did the majority wish to leave the haven? 23. At what place did they desire to winter ? 24. Of what island was this haven? 25. What directions did it serve? 26. What condition misled them into sailing ? 27. Tell what misfortune soon came upon them. 28. How were they forced to sail ? 29. Near what island did they float ? 30. What difficulty did they encounter ? 31. Tell what they did to strengthen the ship. 32. What were they fearing would happen ? 33. How did they try to avoid it? 34. What was done next day as a safety measure ? 35. State what caused them to do this. 36. On the third day what was done ? 37. Describe the condition in nature for some days. 38. What effect did it have on the party ? 39. How were they observing the time as to food? 40. What rebuke did Paul then give them ? 41. Also state the cheery words he gave them? 42. From whom had he receiced this word? 43. What definite predictions had God made for him 44. And what delay in the journey did Paul predict ? 45. On what body of water are they now sailing ? 46. What was discovered about midnight? 47. Why did they cast anchor? 48. Tell what the shipmen planned on doing ? 49. How were they prevented? 50. What instructions did Paul now give as to eating? 51. State the next safety measure used. 52. What move did they attempt for landing ? 53. With what results? 54. What would the soldiers have done to the prisoners ? 55. For whose sake was it prevented? 56. Give the orders of the centurion. 57. How many reached land?

Acts 27:1

1 Act 27:1. This chapter and half of the next has to do with the voyage to Rome in Italy, the capital city of the Roman Empire. The voyage was made necessary by Paul’s appeal from the lower courts (chapter 25:11; 26:32). Augustus’ band. Josephus writes of a “Troop of Sebaste [the Greek word for Augustus], of Caesarea,” and it was an officer of this band of soldiers who was given charge of Paul and the other prisoners.

Acts 27:2

2Act 27:2. The first ship sailing in the desired direction was from the city of Adramyttium. This Aristarchus was the same who was with Paul in chapter 19:29.

Acts 27:3

3Act 27:3. The ship landed next day at Sidon, a seaport on the coasts of Asia. While the ship was anchored here, Paul was permitted to visit his friends among the disciples.

Acts 27:4

4Acts 27:4. To sail under means “to sail close by,” according to Thayer. They sailed near the shore of this island to shield them from the winds that were blowing against them.

Acts 27:5

5Acts 27:5. Sea of Cilicia and Pam-phylia means the waters bordering on those provinces. Passing on they landed at Myra in Lycia, another province of the Roman Empire.

Acts 27:6

6Acts 27:6. At Myra all on board had to change to another ship.

Acts 27:7

7Acts 27:7. Scarce were come means they just barely made it to reach Cnidus on account of the opposing wind. Going on in a southwestern direction, they sailed between the islands of Salmone and Crete, passing nearer the former.

Acts 27:8

8Acts 27:8. Hardly (with difficulty) they sailed round along the southern shore of Crete and came to a harbor called fair havens, near the city of Lasea.

Acts 27:9

9Acts 27:9. The fast was now already past. The fast was the period of the Atonement which came on the 10th day of the 7th month (Leviticus 23:27). This ceremonial day had nothing to do with the sailing, but it so happened that it came about the beginning of a stormy season on the Mediterranean. The reference to it was merely as a date, indicating the season of the year when it was generally dangerous to sail.

Acts 27:10

0Acts 27:10. I perceive is from THEOREO, and the several definitions in the lexicon present the idea of a conclusion based on what one has seen or can see, in connection with his better judgment. From such a basis, Paul advised that it would be a risk to both their lives and to the ship for them to sail.

Acts 27:11

1Act 27:11. It was natural to prefer the judgment of these men to that of Paul since they were experienced seamen, and should have been in position to judge.

Acts 27:12

2Act 27:12. Just because the place was not commodious (convenient) where they were in which to winter, the majority of the crew advised leaving. They thought they could reach the haven of Phenice which faced the northwest and southeast. Due to some “weather conditions” with which I am not acquainted, this was thought to offer a safe place in which to remain until spring.

Acts 27:13

3Act 27:13. South wind blew softly. Such a wind seemed favorable, both as to direction and intensity. It would gently press them north and west along Crete.

Acts 27:14

4Acts 27:14. The chief characteristic of Euroclydon was that of churning up the water into huge waves, which accounts for the difficulties they had with the body of the ship. Thayer defines the word, “A S. E. wind raising mighty waves.

Acts 27:15

5Acts 27:15. Let her drive means they did not try to control the direction of the ship, but let it float in whatever direction the wind and waves drove it.

Acts 27:16

6Acts 27:16. Running under denotes going south of the island and passing near the shore. At this place the conditions had become so severe that they had difficulty to come by the boat, which means they could hardly manage the boat.

Acts 27:17

7Acts 27:17. The boat referred to was a lifeboat, which had been towed up to now because the waters were calm when they started. The word for boat is from SKAPHE which Robinson defines, “A skiff, boat.” They hoisted this boat (with “much work,” verse 16) up on deck, then gave their attention to the ship. To strengthen the hull, they passed ropes or chains around it and drew them up tight. Strake sail means they lowered the sails for fear the wind in them would force the ship into the quicksands. From now on they let the ship drift as it would with the wind and waves.

Acts 27:18

8Acts 27:18. Lightened the ship means they threw overboard some of the goods, thereby easing the weight the ship was compelled to carry in the storm.

Acts 27:19

9Acts 27:19. Tackling means the furniture, apparatuses and all other equipment of the ship. The situation was so grave the disciples assisted in throwing these things out.

Acts 27:20

0Acts 27:20. The obscurity of sun and stars indicates the storm continued throughout day and night. Not having any compass in those days, mariners had to depend on the heavenly bodies for their direction. This condition continued for so many days that all on board (except Paul) despaired of ever reaching land.

Acts 27:21

1Act 27:21. The long abstinence was natural under the terrible strain of the conditions. Paul was very kind and respectful, yet properly chided the group for having rejected the advice he offered them while at Crete.

Acts 27:22

2Act 27:22. Paul bade them to be of good cheer since the only loss that was to come to them would be regarding the ship; he then explained why he was thus assured.

Acts 27:23-24

4Acts 27:23-24. Stood by me . . . angel. (See Hebrews 1:13-14.) It was God’s will for Paul to appear before Caesar; many results were to come from that great event.

Acts 27:25-26

6Acts 27:25-26. Paul predicted the wreck of the ship, which was to intervene before the personal rescue of the crowd or his appearance before Caesar.

Acts 27:27

7Acts 27:27. Two weeks after leaving Crete the mariners thought they saw indications of being near land. They were being driven back and forth in Adria, the Adriatic Sea, which is that part of the Mediterranean between Greece and Italy.

Acts 27:28

8Acts 27:28. They sounded (measured the depth with a line and weight) and found it twenty fathoms, or about 120 feet. After going only a little further they found it fifteen fathoms, or about 90 feet.

Acts 27:29

9Acts 27:29. At that rate they feared the water would soon be too shallow for the ship to float. They cast four anchors out of the rear of the boat to hold it from moving, while waiting for daylight to come when they could see better about conditions.

Acts 27:30

0Acts 27:30. The sailors lowered the lifeboat under color (pretending) that they intended placing some anchors at the forepart of the ship, but in reality for the purpose of abandoning the ship and taking to the lifeboat.

Acts 27:31

1Act 27:31. The Lord promised to bring all the persons on board alive through the storm. However, He expected the cooperation of all concerned, especially the ones who were trained in affairs of water travel, hence Paul made this statement to the soldiers.

Acts 27:32

2Act 27:32. To prevent the escape of the shipmen, the soldiers cut the ropes and let the lifeboat go. As it was an emergency, the military men acted in this commandeering manner to save the lives of the whole group.

Acts 27:33-34

4Acts 27:33-34. While waiting for daylight, Paul advised them to break their fast for their- health. Too long abstinence from food would be injurious, and besides, as their ultimate escape was assured, there was no reason for them to punish themselves more.

Acts 27:35-37

7Acts 27:35-37. Paul led the way and began to eat, after giving thanks for the bread. The group of 276 persons then took courage and also partook of the food.

Acts 27:38

8Acts 27:38. After satisfying their hunger, they decided to ease the strain on the boat further by casting the wheat into the sea.

Acts 27:39

9Acts 27:39. Knew not the land denotes that they did not recognize it. All creeks of necessity have shores, so we learn that a clearer translation would be that they thought they saw a bay with a beach that would be a desirable place for a “forced landing.”

Acts 27:40

0Acts 27:40. Had taken up all comes from one Greek word which Thayer defines, “to cast loose.” The italicized word themselves refers to the anchors which they abandoned in order to relieve the ship of the weight. The rudders were large oars used to steer the ship. While at anchor they would be hoisted out of the water and held by bands or ropes; these were now cut loose. They next raised the mainsail and started toward the “bay” mentioned in the preceding verse.

Acts 27:41

1Act 27:41. Where two seas met all comes from , which Thayer defines, “an isthmus or tongue of land,” and he explains it, “the extremity of which is covered by the waves.” Both sides of this projection of land were washed by the sea which formed a sort of whirlpool, into which the forepart of the ship was thrust and stranded. The rear part of the boat was then lashed with the violence of this “whirlpool” and crushed.

Acts 27:42

2Act 27:42. When the jailer in chapter 16:27 thought his prisoners had escaped, he intended killing himself rather than be executed (as he thought) by the officers. The soldiers in our verse wanted to kill the prisoners, rather than face their superior officers under the charge of allowing the prisoners to escape. This indicates the harsh rules the Roman government established regarding the responsibility of those having charge of prisoners. It also explains why the Jews felt the necessity of assuring protection for the watchers at the tomb of Jesus. (Matthew 28:12-14.)

Acts 27:43

3Act 27:43. Paul was one of the prisoners and would have shared the fate of the others, had the soldiers been suffered to carry out their purpose. Whether the centurion cared much for the other prisoners we are not told. But his respect for the apostle Paul moved him to dissuade the soldiers from their evil design. Instead, he gave orders for all to get to land in whatever way they could.

Acts 27:44

4Acts 27:44. Some of the crowd were able to swim to shore. Others made it to safety by the aid of boards and pieces of the ship that helped them to float.