Acts 27
Acts 27 details the perilous sea voyage of Paul as he travels as a prisoner to Rome. Amid adverse weather conditions and contrary winds, the narrative illustrates Paul’s leadership, the fear and struggle of those aboard, and the providential care of God in preserving their lives. The chapter provides insights into ancient maritime practices and the fulfillment of God’s promise to Paul that he would testify in Rome.
Acts 27:1-5 (NKJV)
And when it was decided that we should sail to Italy, they delivered Paul and some other prisoners to one named Julius, a centurion of the Augustan Regiment. So, entering a ship of Adramyttium, we put to sea, meaning to sail along the coasts of Asia. Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, was with us. And the next day we landed at Sidon. And Julius treated Paul kindly and gave him liberty to go to his friends and receive care. When we had put to sea from there, we sailed under the shelter of Cyprus, because the winds were contrary. And when we had sailed over the sea which is off Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city of Lycia.
The journey to Rome begins under difficult circumstances, with Paul and other prisoners handed over to Julius, a centurion. This opening passage introduces key figures and sets the scene for the voyage. The mention of Aristarchus signifies the companionship and support Paul had. The narrative highlights Julius' unusual kindness to Paul, allowing him visitation by friends at Sidon for care, reflecting the respect Paul commanded. Their route, dictated by adverse winds, shows the challenges faced in ancient seafaring, forcing them to navigate with caution around Cyprus.
Acts 27:6-8 (NKJV)
There the centurion found an Alexandrian ship sailing to Italy, and he put us on board. When we had sailed slowly many days, and arrived with difficulty off Cnidus, the wind not permitting us to proceed, we sailed under the shelter of Crete off Salmone. Passing it with difficulty, we came to a place called Fair Havens, near the city of Lasea.
Transitioning to a larger Alexandrian ship indicates a change meant to expedite their travel to Italy. However, the journey remains fraught with difficulty due to persistent adverse winds, demonstrating the unpredictable and treacherous nature of Mediterranean maritime travel. The narrative emphasizes the struggle against the elements and the cautious approach taken to navigate around Crete, eventually arriving at Fair Havens. This name ironically contrasts with the troubles they've faced thus far.
Acts 27:9-12 (NKJV)
Now when much time had been spent, and sailing was now dangerous because the Fast was already over, Paul advised them, saying, "Men, I perceive that this voyage will end with disaster and much loss, not only of the cargo and ship, but also our lives." However, the centurion was more persuaded by the helmsman and the owner of the ship than by the things spoken by Paul. And because the harbor was not suitable to winter in, the majority advised to set sail from there also, if by any means they could reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete facing southwest and northwest, and winter there.
Paul, perceiving the dangers ahead, warns of disaster, highlighting his discernment and concern for all aboard. This sets up a conflict of judgment as the centurion opts to trust the experienced sailors rather than Paul's intuition. The decision to leave Fair Havens, driven by the unsuitability of the harbor for wintering, illustrates the practical considerations of ancient seafaring, yet foreshadows the upcoming hardships due to ignoring Paul's divine insight.
Acts 27:13-15 (NKJV) When the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their desire, putting out to sea, they sailed close by Crete. But not long after, a tempestuous head wind arose, called Euroclydon. So when the ship was caught, and could not head into the wind, we let her drive.
The crew initially believes their decision justified as a gentle south wind begins, but their relief is short-lived. The sudden arrival of Euroclydon, a violent northeaster, quickly turns their situation dire. Unable to steer effectively against such a fierce wind, the crew is forced to let the ship be driven by the storm, illustrating the immense power of natural forces and the vulnerability of ancient ships to such elements.
Acts 27:16-19 (NKJV) And running under the shelter of an island called Clauda, we secured the skiff with difficulty. When they had taken it on board, they used cables to undergird the ship; fearing lest they should run aground on the Syrtis Sands, they struck sail and so were driven. And because we were exceedingly tempest-tossed, the next day they lightened the ship. On the third day we threw the ship’s tackle overboard with our own hands.
Seeking refuge near Clauda, the crew undertakes emergency measures to stabilize the ship, highlighting the severity of the storm. Undergirding the ship with cables was a desperate attempt to prevent the hull from breaking apart. Their fear of running aground on the notorious Syrtis Sands prompts them to further reduce sail, leaving them at the mercy of the storm. The jettisoning of cargo and equipment over the next days underscores their escalating desperation to lighten the ship and improve its buoyancy.
Acts 27:20-26 (NKJV) Now when neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest beat on us, all hope that we would be saved was finally given up. But after long abstinence from food, then Paul stood in the midst of them and said, "Men, you should have listened to me, and not have sailed from Crete and incurred this disaster and loss. And now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve, saying, 'Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.' Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me. However, we must run aground on a certain island."
With navigation impossible due to obscured celestial bodies, the crew's despair deepens. Paul then provides a pivotal moment of divine reassurance; an angelic visitation reaffirms God's control and Paul's destiny to stand before Caesar. His declaration that all on board will survive but the ship will be lost reflects his unshakeable faith in God’s promise. This assurance, juxtaposed with the crew's previous despair, highlights a profound turning point in their ordeal, driven by divine intervention.
Acts 27:27-32 (NKJV) Now when the fourteenth night had come, as we were driven up and down in the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors sensed that they were nearing land. They took soundings and found it to be twenty fathoms; and when they had gone a little farther, they took soundings again and found it to be fifteen fathoms. Then, fearing lest we should run aground on the rocks, they dropped four anchors from the stern, and prayed for day to come. And as the sailors were seeking to escape from the ship, when they had let down the skiff into the sea, under pretense of putting out anchors from the prow, Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, "Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved." Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the skiff and let it fall off.
After two weeks adrift, the crew senses land nearby, a critical moment marked by their use of soundings to gauge depth—a common ancient navigational technique. The decision to drop anchors reveals their hope to stabilize and survive until daylight. Paul’s sharp intervention to prevent the sailors' escape underscores his leadership and the importance of collective action for survival, reflecting his strategic thinking and commitment to the divine promise that all would be saved.
Acts 27:33-38 (NKJV) And as day was about to dawn, Paul implored them all to take food, saying, "Today is the fourteenth day you have waited and continued without food, and taken nothing. Therefore I urge you to take nourishment, for this is for your survival, since not a hair will fall from the head of any of you." And when he had said these things, he took bread and gave thanks to God in the presence of all; and when he had broken it, he began to eat. Then they were all encouraged, and also took food themselves. In all we were two hundred seventy-six persons on the ship. When they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship further by throwing out the wheat into the sea.
Paul’s role as a caretaker emerges as he encourages the crew and passengers to eat, recognizing the necessity of physical strength for the challenges ahead. His action of giving thanks and breaking bread may remind some readers of the Last Supper, symbolizing trust in God’s provision. The final act of throwing wheat overboard to lighten the ship further signifies a last-ditch effort to ensure their survival by enhancing the ship’s buoyancy, demonstrating practical wisdom coupled with spiritual leadership.
Acts 27:39-44 (NKJV) When it was day, they did not recognize the land, but they observed a bay with a sandy beach, onto which they planned to run the ship if possible. And when they had let go the anchors, they left them in the sea, meanwhile loosing the rudders and hoisting the foresail to the wind, they made for the beach. But striking a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the prow stuck fast and remained immovable, but the stern was being broken up by the violence of the waves. And the soldiers’ plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim away and escape. But the centurion, wanting to save Paul, kept them from their intentions and commanded that those who could swim should jump overboard first and get to land, and the rest, some on boards and some on parts of the ship. And so it was that they all escaped safely to land.
As dawn breaks, the crew makes a final effort to reach safety by aiming for a sandy beach. The chaotic conditions at the point where two seas meet cause the ship to run aground, fulfilling Paul’s prophecy of the ship’s loss but sparing human life. The centurion’s intervention to prevent the execution of prisoners, especially to save Paul, underscores his respect and belief in Paul’s words. The miraculous survival of all on board, as they reach shore by swimming or clinging to debris, powerfully concludes the narrative, reaffirming God’s protective hand over Paul and his companions as promised.