Chapter Twenty-Seven

The Apostle Paul on the way to Rome — from Caesarea to Myra in Lycia (1–5). From Myra to Crete and near Crete (6–13). From Crete to Malta (14–44).

Acts 27:1. When it was decided that we should sail to Italy, they handed over Paul and some other prisoners to a centurion of the Augustan regiment named Julius. “That we should sail.” The author of Acts again begins to narrate as a traveling companion of the apostle, and continues thus all the way to his arrival in Rome. Besides Luke, Aristarchus was with Paul on this journey (v. 2). “A centurion of the Augustan regiment” — in Greek and Slavonic: σπείρας Σεβαστῆς, of the Spira of the Sebastians — of the Sebastene detachment, named after the city of Sebastia.

Acts 27:2. We boarded a ship of Adramyttium and set out, intending to sail along the coasts of Asia. With us was Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica. “A ship of Adramyttium” — Adramyttium was a coastal city in the Mysian province of Asia Minor, not far from Troas and Assos (see the note to Acts 16:7-8). This was probably a ship belonging to one of the merchants of Adramyttium. “To sail along the coasts of Asia” — that is, along the coasts of Syria and Asia Minor as far as Adramyttium. The prisoners were placed on this ship evidently for lack of any other ship heading directly to Italy, in the expectation of transferring at one of the ports of Asia Minor to another ship bound for Italy. Such ships, given the lively trade relations between Asia Minor and Italy, could always be found there, as indeed happened now (Acts 27:6). On “Aristarchus” see Acts 19:29; Col 4:10; Phlm 1:24.

Acts 27:3. The next day we put in at Sidon; and Julius, treating Paul with kindness, allowed him to go to his friends and to receive their care. “Sidon” — the most ancient commercial city of Phoenicia (Matt 11:22), about 100 versts from Caesarea. The ship arrived here “the next day,” which shows the complete favorableness of the sailing. “To go to his friends.” The ship probably had a rather long stop here, during which the apostle received from the kind Julius permission (with an escort, of course) to visit his friends — that is, the Christians (cf. Acts 11:19) — and to receive their care to supply the needs of the apostle and his companions (Christians) for the further voyage. “Paul probably had need of this after many hardships from chains, from fear, from the constant change of places. See how the writer does not conceal even that he desired to receive assistance” (Chrysostom).

Acts 27:4. Setting out from there, we sailed under the lee of Cyprus, because the winds were contrary, “Sailed under the lee of Cyprus” — see the note to Acts 4 and parallels. This happened, apparently, contrary to the original intention of the voyagers (Acts 27:2) “because the winds were contrary,” deflecting the ship from its chosen course.

Acts 27:5. and, having sailed across the sea off Cilicia and Pamphylia, we arrived at Myra in Lycia. Acts 27:6. There the centurion found an Alexandrian ship sailing to Italy and put us on board. “Having sailed across the sea off Cilicia and Pamphylia...” — (see the notes to Acts 11 and Acts 13:13), hence not calling at their coastal cities — “we arrived at Myra in Lycia,” a flourishing city at the time in the Lycian province of Asia Minor, about 4 versts from the sea, on a river navigable to the city itself. Here the centurion found an Alexandrian ship sailing to Italy, onto which the prisoners and their escort were transferred. This was probably also a merchant ship, of very large size, carrying a cargo of wheat (Acts 27:38) and, besides that, up to 276 persons (Acts 27:37). Why this ship, sailing from Alexandria to Italy, had deviated so far from the direct route, finding itself in Asia Minor, is unknown: perhaps it had been driven off course by contrary winds, perhaps by commercial business, delivery or taking on of cargo, and so on.

Acts 27:7. Sailing slowly for many days and barely arriving off Cnidus, since the wind did not allow us to proceed, we sailed under the lee of Crete off Salmone; Acts 27:8. and, making our way along it with difficulty, we came to a place called Fair Havens, near which was the city of Lasea. From Myra in Lycia to “Cnidus” — a city in the Carian province of Asia Minor, on the Cnidian peninsula — under favorable sailing conditions one could sail in one day, and equally from Cnidus to the well-known large island of “Crete.” But the ship sailed these distances “slowly, for many days,” detained by unfavorable winds. “Off Salmone” — a cape on the eastern coast of Crete. “Fair Havens, near the city of Lasea” — on the southern coast of Crete. Here was a bay well protected from the north-westerly winds that had been hindering the ship’s voyage and compelling it to seek shelter under Crete in order to sail further along its southern side. But here, compounding the previous adversity, a new one arose — equally strong and contrary south-westerly winds.

Acts 27:9. Since much time had been spent and sailing was already dangerous, because the Fast had already passed, Paul urged them, “The Fast had already passed” — this refers, without doubt, to the most important fast of the Day of Atonement — the 10th day of the month Tishri (in the second half of September). This was thus after the autumnal equinox, when sea voyaging, especially in those waters, is very unsafe.

Acts 27:10. saying to them: men! I can see that this voyage will be with danger and much loss not only to the cargo and the ship, but also to our lives. “Paul urged them, saying.” The apostle of Christ had experienced sufficiently the difficulties and dangers of sea voyages (2 Cor 11 ff.) and was experienced enough to foresee the disasters of the continued voyage, from which he gave a prudent and timely counsel to refrain. Such a natural foreseeing of the disasters of the voyage, based on experience, does not preclude the possibility of a special prophetic foreknowledge of them, which is especially noted below (Acts 27:22-24).

Acts 27:11. But the centurion paid more attention to the pilot and the owner of the ship than to the words of Paul. Acts 27:12. And since the harbor was not suitable for wintering, the majority gave counsel to set sail from there, to try if they could reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete, facing in the direction of the southwest and northwest winds, and there spend the winter. Acts 27:13. When a south wind blew gently, supposing that they had attained their purpose, they weighed anchor and sailed close along the shore of Crete. Acts 27:14. But not long after there rushed down from it a tempestuous wind called the Euroclydon. Acts 27:15. The ship was caught by it and could not face the wind, so we gave way to it and were driven along. The matter should be understood more clearly as follows: Paul gave counsel to winter immediately, even if it meant staying in the harbor not very well suited for wintering, preferring the lesser of two evils. But the centurion, as was only natural, preferred to trust the apparently more experienced sailors rather than a mere passenger. And these sailors in turn preferred to yield to other counsels — to seek at once a more convenient harbor, without waiting. The plan was to make for the harbor of “Phoenix” on the same southern coast of Crete, being better sheltered from the winds by jutting headlands. A southerly wind that began to blow further kindled the hopes of the voyagers, who were already imagining they had obtained what they desired. Then suddenly an unexpected strong squall — the ευροκλύδων, a north-easterly wind — not only thwarted their attempt to reach the intended harbor but swept them completely away from Crete into the open sea (v. 16), all the way to the small island of “Clauda” (to the south-west of Lasea and Fair Havens, directly in the path of the Euroclydon).

Acts 27:16. Running under the shelter of a small island called Clauda, we were barely able to secure the ship’s boat. Acts 27:17. After hoisting it up, they used various means to brace the ship, undergirding it with ropes; and fearing lest they should run aground on the Syrtis, they lowered the sail and so were driven along. Acts 27:18. The next day, since the storm was very violent, they began to jettison the cargo, Acts 27:19. and on the third day they threw out the ship’s tackle with their own hands. Acts 27:20. When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and the storm was not small, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned. The proximity of the small island did not diminish the danger of the voyage but only increased it, given the extensive shallows in that area. The waves battered the ship and the small boat that usually accompanied it, which could barely be kept from being lost. The usual measures in such dangers were taken to preserve the ship itself: bracing it with strong ropes and chains, and so on. “Fearing lest they should run aground.” The direction of the wind gave reason to suppose the possibility that, near the African shore (probably not unknown to the Alexandrian sailors), the ship might be driven onto the so-called Greater Syrtis — an enormous shoal not far from Tripolis, to the east. In view of these fears, the sailors first of all “lowered the sail,” so that the ship would not strike and be driven into the shoal so forcefully in case it ran aground. This left the ship completely helpless, drifting among the waves. Then they “began to jettison the cargo” (beginning, probably, with the heavier and less valuable items) to lighten the ship, whose deep draft — with the sail inactive — threatened special danger from the waves. When this measure for saving the ship seemed insufficient, they proceeded to the last extreme measure — throwing overboard all the baggage and personal belongings of the passengers. These things, in the words of the author of Acts, the passengers “threw overboard with their own hands” — that is, without sparing anything of their own for the common good and possible safety. Finally, “all hope” of salvation began to disappear: a brief and powerful depiction of the terrible hardships of the voyage, when even the strong soul of Paul found it necessary to have heavenly encouragement and support — “do not be afraid” (Acts 27:24).

Acts 27:21. And since they had gone long without food, Paul then stood up among them and said: men! you should have listened to me and not set sail from Crete, and so avoided this damage and loss. Acts 27:22. But now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. Acts 27:23. For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve, Acts 27:24. and he said: “do not be afraid, Paul! You must stand before Caesar, and behold, God has granted you all those who are sailing with you. Acts 27:25. Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be exactly as I have been told. Acts 27:26. We must run aground on some island. “Had gone long without food...” — certainly because of the terrible rolling and the intense anxiety for their fate. There was apparently no shortage of provisions on the ship: there was still enough wheat remaining (Acts 27:38). In a moment of universal despondency and despair, the apostle sheds a comforting ray of hope into all souls — by announcing the revelation he had received, that no one would perish, only the ship. “An angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve” (cf. Rom 1:9) — by these expressions the apostle inspires in his listeners confidence in his words, as a man who is close to God and wholly devoted to Him. “Appeared to me this night” — how? in sleep or in a waking vision (cf. the note to Acts 25:11) — is not clear from the text. “You must stand before Caesar” — for the resolution of your case (Acts 25:11). Consequently, the apostle was not destined to perish at sea, however great the danger. And not only the apostle — but together with him and for his sake — all his companions would be saved: “God has granted you all those sailing with you...” — in virtue of that same mercy of His by which previously, for the sake of a few righteous people, He had declared His willingness to preserve entire cities from destruction (Gen 18:22-32). For greater assurance of their safety, the apostle points to his faith in God’s revelation, which indeed could not fail to have its effect amid universal despair, and to his certainty that soon they all must be cast aground “on some island.” Whether this too had been revealed to Paul, or was his conclusion from the angel’s words, or, finally, his own conjecture — his word did indeed very soon come to pass.

Acts 27:27. When the fourteenth night had come, as we were being driven about in the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors began to suspect that land was drawing near; Acts 27:28. and, having sounded, they found twenty fathoms; and a little farther, having sounded again, they found fifteen fathoms. Acts 27:29. Fearing lest we should run aground on rocky ground, they cast four anchors from the stern and prayed for daylight. “The fourteenth night” — from the time of departure from the bay. “In the Adriatic Sea” — in ancient times this name was sometimes used not in the narrow sense of the present-day Adriatic Sea or the Gulf of Venice, but for all the sea area between Greece on the east and southern Italy and Sicily on the west (including the island of Malta). “Began to suspect” — perhaps from a peculiar rumbling from the surf. “Cast four anchors from the stern” — for greater firmness of the ship while lying at anchor.

Acts 27:30. And as the sailors were trying to flee from the ship and had lowered the ship’s boat into the sea, under the pretext of wanting to cast anchors from the bow, “The sailors were trying to flee,” abandoning the ship to its fate: so strong was their despair of salvation and their thirst for life. The sailors probably saw the impossibility of continuing the voyage on the ship. They also saw that the small boat could not be salvation for all, which is why they decided to use it to save themselves, leaving the rest to their fate.

Acts 27:31. Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers: unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved. Acts 27:32. Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the boat and let it fall off. Paul, having understood the sailors’ intentions, calls on the centurion and soldiers to forestall them, since their force alone could stop the plan that was ruinous for the rest of the passengers — for in the absence of the sailors, the passengers and soldiers, inexperienced in seamanship, would have prematurely brought the ship to ruin together with themselves. Noteworthy is Paul’s expression: “you cannot be saved” if the sailors do not remain on the ship... So firm was his certainty of his own salvation. True, he had to believe in the salvation of all as well (Acts 27:24), but this not only did not rule out human means but presupposed them, which is why even the briefest measures were required against any attempt to ruin the business of the common — not merely individual — salvation of all. By cutting the ropes from the boat, immediately carried off by the waves, the selfish scheme was foiled and the hope of saving everyone secured.

Acts 27:33. Just before daybreak, Paul urged them all to take food, saying: this is the fourteenth day that you have been in suspense and continued fasting, taking nothing at all. Acts 27:34. Therefore I urge you to take food, for it is for your survival, since not a hair of any of your heads will be lost. Cf. Acts 27 and Acts 27:21, note. The proximity of land and the promised salvation for all required, however, waiting also for the foretold destruction of the ship, which presupposed a catastrophe and no small effort to survive. Foreseeing all this, the apostle — who had contributed so much encouragement to his companions — again cheers them, urging everyone to take food to fortify their strength.

Acts 27:35. Having said this, he took bread and gave thanks to God before all of them and, breaking it, began to eat. Acts 27:36. Then all of them were cheered and also took food. Acts 27:37. We were in all two hundred and seventy-six persons on the ship. Acts 27:38. When they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, throwing the wheat into the sea. “Throwing the wheat into the sea” — probably the last remnants of the cargo of the ill-fated ship, so that, lightened of everything, it might be driven closer to the shore, since the small boat for communication with the shore was already gone.

Acts 27:39. When it was day, they did not recognize the land; but they observed a certain bay with a sandy beach, toward which they decided to drive the ship if they could. “They did not recognize the land.” Although this was the well-known Malta (see below Acts 28:1), they did not recognize the island, evidently because the storm had driven them to a part of it unfamiliar to them.

Acts 27:40. And casting off the anchors, they left them in the sea, and at the same time untied the ropes of the rudders; and hoisting the foresail to the wind, they made for the shore. Acts 27:41. But striking a reef, they ran the ship aground; the bow stuck fast and remained immovable, while the stern was broken up by the force of the waves. A simple and vivid depiction of the attempt to approach the shore. “Untied the ropes of the rudders,” which were normally tied for protection against the force of the waves when the ship simply gave itself over to the winds, or when it dropped anchor. “Hoisting the foresail,” so as not to sail too quickly toward the shore, which — given the sailors’ ignorance of the location — could be dangerous. But — God’s revelation had to be fulfilled (Acts 27:26): the ship ran aground all the same, and the waves immediately began to break it up completely.

Acts 27:42. The soldiers’ plan was to kill the prisoners, so that none of them would swim away and escape. Acts 27:43. But the centurion, wishing to save Paul, kept them from carrying out their plan, and ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and make for the land, Acts 27:44. and the rest to get to land, some on planks and some on other things from the ship; and so it came about that all were saved and reached land. There was a moment of new danger for the prisoners and for Paul, when the soldiers doubted the possibility of guarding those entrusted to their custody on an unknown land, and had agreed to kill them rather than answer for them under the strict law (cf. Acts 12:19). Fortunately, the prudent counsel and resourcefulness of the centurion — who wished to save Paul in particular, both out of personal respect for him and on account of the procurator’s instructions — did not allow those whom the sea had not been permitted to destroy, for all its fury, to perish. To prevent the possibility of the prisoners’ escape, the centurion first orders those of the guard who were good swimmers to throw themselves into the water and swim to shore. Thus a sufficient guard was assembled on the shore to prevent any flight on the part of the escaping prisoners, after which all were saved ashore, making use — when unable to swim — of the broken remains and articles from the ship. Thus was fulfilled with complete accuracy the word of God through the angel to Paul (Acts 27:22).