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Acts Chapter Twenty-seven

Synopsis: This whole chapter is taken up with an account of Paul's voyage towards Rome, when he was sent thither a prisoner by Festus the governor, upon his appeal to Cæsar. I. The beginning of the voyage was well enough, it was calm and prosperous, Ac 27:1-8. II. Paul gave them notice of a storm coming, but could not prevail with them to lie by, Ac 27:9-11. III. As they pursued their voyage, they met with a great deal of tempestuous weather, which reduced them to such extremity that they counted upon nothing but being cast away, Ac 27:12-20. IV. Paul assured them that though they would not be advised by him to prevent their coming into this danger, yet, by the good providence of God, they should be brought safely through it, and none of them should be lost, Ac 27:21-26. V. At length they were at midnight thrown upon an island, which proved to be Malta, and then they were in the utmost danger imaginable, but were assisted by Paul's counsel to keep the mariners in the ship, and encouraged by his comforts to eat their meat, and have a good heart on it, Ac 27:27-36. VI. Their narrow escape with their lives, when they came to shore, when the ship was wrecked, but all the persons wonderfully preserved, Ac 27:37-44. Matthew Henry's Whole Bible Commentary

Acts 27:1-8 (KJV) And when it was determined that we should sail into Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners unto one named Julius, a centurion of Augustus' band. And entering into a ship of Adramyttium, we launched, meaning to sail by the coasts of Asia; one Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us. And the next day we touched at Sidon. And Julius courteously entreated Paul, and gave him liberty to go unto his friends to refresh himself. And when we had launched from thence, we sailed under Cyprus, because the winds were contrary. And when we had sailed over the sea of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city of Lycia. And there the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing into Italy; and he put us therein. And when we had sailed slowly many days, and scarce were come over against Cnidus, the wind not suffering us, we sailed under Crete, over against Salmone; And, hardly passing it, came unto a place which is called the fair havens; nigh whereunto was the city of Lasea.


This Chapter is an account of the Apostle Paul’s fourth missionary journey. It is called a missionary journey because, as we shall see, God has called Paul to go to Rome and preach the Gospel there. In other words, he was on a mission from God. The trials at Jerusalem and Caesarea were over, and because Paul had appealed his case to the hearing of Caesar, Festus, the Roman Governor at Caesarea had been forced to send him to Rome, though he did not convict him of any crime, and, indeed, thought him to be innocent of all the charges brought against him by the Jews. And when it was determined that we (evidently, Luke is now with him) should sail into Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners unto one named Julius, a centurion of Augustus' band. Some have said that this is the finest description of a sea voyage ever written in literature. It seems that Luke must have been trained as a sailor at some point. He uses the technical terms of sailing and sailing vessels to describe in detail exactly what is going on with the ship, and how the wind and weather affect the way ships are sailed. That we should sail. The use of the term "we" here shows that the author of this book, Luke, was with Paul. He had been the companion of Paul; and though he had not been accused, yet it was resolved that he should still accompany him. Whether he went at his own expense, or whether he was sent at the expense of the Roman government, does not appear. It could have been that Luke was also a prisoner, but nothing along those lines can be determined from the text. Suffice to say, Luke was there, by Divine Providence, to chronical this final evangelical journey of the Apostle Paul. And certain other prisoners. Who were probably also sent to Rome for a trial before the emperor. Dr. Lardner has proved that it was common to send prisoners from Judea and other provinces to Rome. Credibility, Part i., chap. x., & 10, pp. 248, 249. Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Perhaps, at least some of these prisoners were sent to Rome to be gladiators, or slaves, since this was a common practice at the time. Julius: the centurion (a Roman officer in charge of 100 men) of the Augustan cohort, or the emperor's body-guard, in whose charge Paul


was sent prisoner to Rome (Ac 27:1,3,43). He entreated Paul "courteously," showing in many ways a friendly regard for him. Easton's Bible Dictionary

Of Augustus' band. It was a division in the Roman army, consisting of from four to six hundred men. It was called "Augustus' band" in honour of the Roman emperor Augustus, and was probably distinguished in some way for the care in enlisting or selecting them. Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible

And entering into a ship of Adramyttium, we launched, meaning to sail by the coasts of Asia; one Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us. Adramyttium, a city on the west coast of Mysia, in Lesser Asia, over against the isle of Lesbos. It was in a ship belonging to this place, that St. Paul sailed from Cesarea to proceed to Rome as a prisoner, Ac 27:2. It is now called Edremit. Watson's Biblical and Theological Dictionary

ARISTARCHUS, spoken of by St. Paul in his Epistle to the Col 4:10, and often mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles. He was a Macedonian, and a native of Thessalonica. He accompanied St. Paul to Ephesus, and there continued with him during the two years of his abode in that place, sharing with him in all the dangers and labours of the ministry, Ac 19:29; 20:4; 27:2. He was near losing his life in a tumult raised by the Ephesian silversmiths. He left Ephesus with the Apostle, and went with him into Greece. From thence he attended him into Asia; from Asia into Judea, and from Judea to Rome. Watson's Biblical and Theological Dictionary

Again, it is not clear from scripture if Aristarchus was a prisoner with Paul, or if he was allowed to go with him as an attendant. It had been the custom of the Roman Governors (Felix and Festus) to entreat Paul favorably and to allow his friends and acquaintances to come to him and minister to his needs. Acts 24:23 (KJV) And Felix commanded a centurion to keep Paul, and to let him have liberty, and that he should forbid none of his acquaintance to minister or come unto him. It could be Festus allowed Paul to take Luke and Aristarchus along with him to Rome. And the next day we touched at Sidon. And Julius courteously entreated Paul, and gave him liberty to go unto his friends to refresh himself.


And gave him liberty, etc. The same thing had been done by Felix, Ac 24:23. Unto his friends. In Sidon. Paul had frequently travelled in that direction, in going to and returning from Jerusalem; and it is not improbable, therefore, that he had friends in all the principal cities. To refresh himself. To enjoy the benefit of their kind care, to make his present situation and his voyage as comfortable as possible. It is probable that they would furnish him with many supplies which were needful to make his long and perilous voyage comfortable. Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible

It is interesting to see how God had softened the hearts of many of the pagan men toward Paul that he came in contact with. It seems everywhere he went, there was someone there to help him along his way—believers and non-believers. It seems quite the paradox that it is often the non-believers that show more kindness and compassion toward God’s ministers than some so-called believers do. And when we had launched from thence, we sailed under Cyprus, because the winds were contrary. That means they sailed south of Cyprus because the wind was contrary—opposite, to the direction they wished to sail. This will


eventually force them out into the open Mediterranean, as God intended. And when we had sailed over the sea of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city of Lycia. The sea of Cilicia and Pamphylia. The sea which lies off the coast from these two regions. We came to Myra, a city of Lycia. Lycia was a province in the south-western part of Asia Minor, having Phrygia and Pisidia on the north, the Mediterranean on the south, Pamphylia on the east, and Caria on the west. Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible

And there the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing into Italy; and he put us therein. When they were in Lycia, Julius, the centurion, found a ship sailing from Alexandria, Egypt to Italy, and he and his soldiers boarded themselves and the prisoners thereon. And when we had sailed slowly many days, and scarce were come over against Cnidus, the wind not suffering us, we sailed under Crete, over against Salmone; And, hardly passing it, came unto a place which is called the fair havens; nigh whereunto was the city of Lasea. They were having great difficulty sailing because they had to tack into a foul wind. Of course, you can’t sail directly into the wind, so if it is contrary to your course, you have to sail obliquely against it. This is the reason why they sailed south out of Myra and then sailed around Crete passing by Salome, The Fair Heavens, and Lasea which are on the southern coast of Crete.


Acts 27:9-13 (KJV) Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them, And said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives. Nevertheless the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul. And because the haven was not commodious to winter in, the more part advised to depart thence also, if by any means they might attain to Phenice, and there to winter; which is an haven of Crete, and lieth toward the south west and north west. And when the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, loosing thence, they sailed close by Crete.

Up to this point, the Apostle Paul had been relatively silent. Apparently, this portion of the voyage had taken place during the Feast of Atonement, the most high and holy day of the year for the Jews. This would place the time somewhere near the end of our month of September, the seventh month on the Jewish calendar, which would be the month of Ethanim or Tisri, which is the month that begins the fall feasts of the Israelites. This feast is not a feast at all but a fast, and is probably the fast that is mentioned in this passage. Seventh month, on the tenth day - The month Ethanim or Tisri, as being the seventh in the Sacred year, has been called the sabbatical month. On the first day was celebrated the Feast of Trumpets Le 23:24, the tenth day was the Day of Atonement, and on the fourteenth day the Feast of tabernacles commenced (Le 23:24; Ex 23:16). That time is also a season of sometimes volatile change in the weather of the Mediterranean Sea, and is known to be a time when the Jews would avoid sailing if at all possible. Sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past - It is generally allowed that the fast mentioned here was that of the great day of atonement which was always celebrated on the tenth day of the seventh month, which would answer to the latter end of our September; see Le 16:29; 23:27, etc. As this was about the time of the autumnal equinox, when the Mediterranean Sea was sufficiently tempestuous, we may suppose this feast alone to be intended. To


sail after this feast was proverbially dangerous among the ancient Jews. Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Finally, when the fast was over, Paul admonished them, and said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives. Dr. J. Vernon McGee (Through the Bible Radio) says that Paul was a poised personality, who believed in prudence before providence, and this is very evident here. He is admonishing the Centurion and the Captain of the ship, but he is very respectful in doing so. As we have seen, Paul can lose his temper (Acts 23:3), but generally speaking he is very self-composed. He had what some have called sanctified sanity, but what we call common sense. I think the world has gone crazy because they are ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth (2 Timothy 3:7). 1 Corinthians 1:20-21 (KJV) Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. Nevertheless the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul. After all, Paul was a mere prisoner, and the master of the ship was an experience sea captain in these waters, and should have been very familiar with the weather patterns of that area. And because the haven was not commodious to winter in, the more part advised to depart thence also, if by any means they might attain to Phenice, and there to winter; which is an haven of Crete, and lieth toward the south west and north west. These fall winds were foreboding enough to cause the Centurion and the Captain and crew to want to seek a sheltered port to pass the winter in, but they did not want to stay in the Fair Havens, because it was only a fair haven in the summer. In the fall and winter, it was anything but a fair haven. And because the haven was not commodious to winter in, Which was called the "Fair Havens", Ac 27:8 which name it might have by an antiphrasis, it being just the reverse; it might be a good summer


haven, but not be fit for winter: perhaps it might be an open road or bay, and having nothing to shelter from the boisterous waves, was a place very improper for a ship to be in, in stormy weather; for in open places, as bays and roads, the sea tumbles in very violently in bad weather: this was a haven fit for fair weather only, and therefore might be so called: the more part advised to depart thence also; the major part of the ship's company were of the same opinion with the master and owner of it, and advised as well as they, to sail from the Fair Havens in quest of a better port; the Syriac version reads, "the most of ours", of the apostle's companions; so that they were against him, according to that version, which is not likely; however, the majority in the ship were for sailing: if by any means they might attain to Phenice, and there to winter, which is an haven of Crete, and lieth toward the south west and north west: this place is called in the Syriac version Phoenix; and Ptolomy makes mention both of the city and haven of Phoenix, as on the south side of the island of Crete: and whereas it is here said to lie towards the south west and north west, this may be reconciled to that, as well as to itself; for the haven considered in general lay towards the south, but having its windings and turnings, with respect to them it lay towards both the south west and the north west, and so was a very commodious haven to winter in. John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible And when the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, loosing thence, they sailed close by Crete. They left the Fair Havens with a fair wind and sailed along the Crete coast line.

Acts 27:14-20 (KJV) But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon. And when the ship was caught, and could not bear up into the wind, we let her drive. And running under a certain island which is called Clauda, we had much work to come by the boat: Which when they had taken up, they used helps, undergirding the ship; and, fearing lest they should fall into the quicksands, strake sail, and so were driven. And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next day they lightened the ship; And the third day we cast out with our own hands the tackling of


the ship. And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away.

But not long after they departed from the Fair Havens there arose against the ship a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon. Euroclydon: The Sinaiticus, Vaticanus, and Alexandrinus manuscripts read Euraquilon, i.e. the E.N.E. wind, just the wind best suited to the facts. It came down from the island of Crete, S. of which Paul was sailing. It was "typhoon like" (tufonikos, KJV "tempestuous"), such gales in the Levant being often accompanied by terrific squalls from the mountains. Fausset's Bible Dictionary

Some who live on or near the Northeast Atlantic coast of the U.S. call these storms nor’easters. And just like we have names for hurricanes and tropical storms in the Atlantic and Pacific, this storm in the Mediterranean was called Euroclydon. These storms were sometimes called a Levanter, as well.

Levanter: A strong easterly wind peculiar to the Mediterranean. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1913

Easton's Bible Dictionary describes Euroclydon as a southeast wind.


I think the discrepancies arise from the fact that it was a cyclonic wind—winds that blow in a circular pattern around a low-pressure center. That means it is blowing at every direction at once. Cyclone: a large-scale, atmospheric wind-and-pressure system characterized by low pressure at its center and by circular wind motion, counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere, clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere. Dictionary.com

And when the ship was caught, and could not bear up into the wind, we let her drive. Luke says the ship was caught in the storm and could not withstand its strong gale, and they had no choice but to let the wind carry her where it would. And running under a certain island which is called Clauda, we had much work to come by the boat: Which when they had taken up, they used helps, undergirding the ship; and, fearing lest they should fall into the quicksands, strake sail, and so were driven. Clauda is a small island southwest of Crete. They were attempting to run the ship south of the island to use it as a wind break against the northeast wind.


The boat referred to here is probably a small boat used to go ashore or perhaps as a life boat. Evidently the wind had broken it loose from its moorings, and it probably was flouncing around on the deck putting the passengers and crew in danger. Because Luke here says, when they had taken up (the boat), some have speculated that the boat was washed overboard and was being, towed along behind the ship, still attached by one of the mooring lines, full of water, and making it even more difficult to control the ship in the wind. When they had finally gotten the boat back in its place and secured it, they then turned their attention to keeping the ship from being broken up by the wind and waves. It was probably ready to burst apart at the seams because of all the rain water it had taken on. They used helps, undergirding the ship.—The word "helps" answers to what we should call "precautions," or "remedial measures." The process described, technically known as "frapping," consisted in carrying a strong cable several times round the ship from stem to stern, so as to keep the planks from starting to separate, and guard against the consequent leakage. Ellicott's Bible Commentary for English Readers The quicksands,— The greater and lesser Syrtis on the African shore, infamous for their destruction of mariners. Many approved writers of antiquity have described them. Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible They were afraid of being swept away to the African coast and torn apart on the quicksand there, so they took down all the sails, and possibly the mast, and let the ship go where the wind would take it. Strake sail. Or, rather, lowered or took down the mast, or the yards to which the sails were attached. There has been a great variety of interpretations proposed on this passage. The most probable is, that they took down the mast, by cutting or otherwise, as is now done in storms at sea, to save the ship. They were at the mercy of the wind and waves; and their only hope was by taking away their sails. Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible

When there was no letup in the storm and the ship was being exceedingly tossed with the tempest, the next day they lightened the ship. That is, they threw part of the cargo overboard. And the third day we cast out with our own hands the tackling of the ship.


the tackling of the ship--whatever they could do without that carried weight. This further effort to lighten the ship seems to show that it was now in a leaking condition, as will presently appear more evident. Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary

They did not throw out all the sails and tackling, nor did they throw all the anchors into the sea, as we shall see later on. It seems the lightening of the ship was done by degree as long as there was still hope that they might yet be saved from the storm. But when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, Luke says, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away. The crew and passengers with one exception, had fallen into utter despair.

Acts 27:21-26 (KJV) But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss. And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man's life among you, but of the ship. For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee. Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me. Howbeit we must be cast upon a certain island.

But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss. This was not a time for gasconading or vaunting the fact that he had been correct that they should have stayed where they were in Crete until the stormy season passed, and that is certainly not what Paul is doing here. He is very respectful to the Captain of the ship and to the Centurion, but it is imperative that he get across to them that when he says the Lord or an angel told him something, that something would come to pass. And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man's life among you, but of the ship.


This was the only positive thing that any of these men on the ship had heard in days, and because they were completely desperate and at their wits end, they began to believe in the things Paul was saying to them. For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee. Paul said, my God is still in charge of this situation, and He said that Paul was going to Rome to appear before Caesar, and because He had heard the prayers of Paul for his fellow passengers, He was going to save them as well. Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me. Howbeit we must be cast upon a certain island. Paul is an Apostle of Jesus Christ, and the Apostles are all both prophets and priests. Here Paul speaks to them as a prophet saying thus sayeth the Lord, and because of his confidence in the Word of his God, and because he was right before, they began to believe him. Really, because of their disparate situation, they had no choice but to believe him. It was the only ray of hope they had seen in many dark days.

Acts 27:27-29 (KJV) But when the fourteenth night was come, as we were driven up and down in Adria, about midnight the shipmen deemed that they drew near to some country; And sounded, and found it twenty fathoms: and when they had gone a little further, they sounded again, and found it fifteen fathoms. Then fearing lest we should have fallen upon rocks, they cast four anchors out of the stern, and wished for the day.

Now, Paul had told the Captain and the Centurion that the ship would be lost but the passengers and crew saved, but they still were desperately trying to save it, because, in spite of what Paul had said about no loss of life among them, they still believed their only hope to be saved was the ship. But, Luke says, when the fourteenth night was come, as we were driven up and down in Adria, that is, the


Adriatic Sea, about midnight the shipmen deemed that they drew near to some country; and sounded, and found it twenty fathoms: and when they had gone a little further, they sounded again, and found it fifteen fathoms. In Adria. In the Adriatic Sea. This sea is properly situated between Italy and Dalmatia, now called the Adriatic Gulf. But, among the ancients, the name was given not only to that gulf, but to the whole sea lying between Greece, Italy, and Africa, including the Sicilian and Ionian Sea. It is evident, from the narrative, that they were not in the Adriatic Gulf, but somewhere in the vicinity of Malta. It had been fourteen days and nights since the Tempest had commenced, and there was no let-up in sight. Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Though it was midnight the well-experienced seamen of the ship knew by the change of attitude of the sea that they were near some land, and they let down sounding lines to check the depth, and it was 20 fathoms. One fathom equals 6 feet. So, it was 120 feet deep at the first sound. Then they sounded again a little later and found it 15 fathoms, or 90 feet deep. It was getting shallower quite rapidly.


Then fearing lest they should have fallen upon rocks, they cast four anchors out of the stern, and wished for the day. In the black of a cloudy night they could not see the land they knew they were drawing near, and they cast out four anchors to slow their approach to it, to try to keep from running aground on the rocks, and wished for daylight.

Acts 27:30-37 (KJV) And as the shipmen were about to flee out of the ship, when they had let down the boat into the sea, under colour as though they would have cast anchors out of the foreship, Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved. Then the soldiers cut off the ropes of the boat, and let her fall off. And while the day was coming on, Paul besought them all to take meat, saying, This day is the fourteenth day that ye have tarried and continued fasting, having taken nothing. Wherefore I pray you to take some meat: for this is for your health: for there shall not an hair fall from the head of any of you. And when he had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in presence of them all: and when he had broken it, he began to eat. Then were they all of good cheer, and they also took some meat. And we were in all in the ship two hundred threescore and sixteen souls.

And as the shipmen were about to flee out of the ship, when they had let down the boat into the sea, under colour as though they would have cast anchors out of the foreship. The sailors thought that the ship would soon be broken up on the rocks, and they decided—whether on their own, or by the Captain’s order cannot be known, to let down the boat that was on deck, and to abandon ship, leaving the soldiers, the prisoners, and the other passengers to their fate. But they knew the soldiers would prevent them from this purpose, so they let the boat down under color—in pretense, as though they were going to use it to put anchors out in the foreship, or front of the ship. But Paul knew what they were up to, and he knew what the angel had said to him, that they would all survive and be cast on some island. In order for that to happen, all the crew and passengers had to stay in the ship until such time as they were close enough to shore to allow


all to escape to land, and not just the few that the life boat could carry. If the sailors had accomplished their purpose, they would have all perished in the sea and on the rocks because they had left the safety of the company of God’s man, the Apostle Paul. When Paul saw what the sailors were about to do, Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved. Then the soldiers cut off the ropes of the boat, and let her fall off. As you can see, Paul was making a believer out of some of his fellow passengers. It is an interesting thing to see how God works all things by the council of his own will (Ephesians 1:11). A true prophesy comes from the foreknowledge of God (1 Peter 1:2), but all those who are involved in the prophesy are before ordained (Ephesians 2:10) to perform their part in its fulfillment, even if it is against their own will. Matthew 1:22 (KJV) Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet…. The storm had been so fierce and fearful, and the work to come by the ship was so consuming that all the passengers and crew did not take time even to eat, but had fasted for two weeks. Now, even those who were in the best of condition physically could withstand a fast of that length under extremely strenuous and mentally challenging conditions without suffering from total exhaustion. And while the day was coming on, Paul besought them all to take meat, saying, This day is the fourteenth day that ye have tarried and continued fasting, having taken nothing. Wherefore I pray you to take some meat: for this is for your health: for there shall not an hair fall from the head of any of you. The only positive words that had been spoken since the storm began were by the Apostle Paul. Here, he tells his companions and all those on ship with him, eat something for your health’s sake, and fear not for you will all be saved. And when he had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in presence of them all: and when he had broken it, he began to eat.


When the passengers and crew saw the confidence of Paul, and how great a faith he had in his God, they, too took heart and began to eat. Then were they all of good cheer, and they also took some meat. And we were in all in the ship two hundred threescore and sixteen souls. As you can see, this ship must have been a rather large one for that day, because it carried 276 people plus a large cargo of grain and other sundry items. And we were in all in the ship . . .—The number is given here, either as a fact that had been omitted before, and was not without its interest, or probably because then for the first time, when they were all gathered at their meal, the writer had taken the pains to count them. A man does not commonly count the number of passengers on board a ship until there is some special occasion, and here it comes naturally as explaining the "all" of the previous verse. It was, we may well imagine, a striking spectacle to see the two hundred and seventy-six all under the influence of one brave and faithful spirit. Ellicott's Bible Commentary for English Readers two hundred and threescore and sixteen souls; This account of the number is given to show, that the historian, who was one of them, had an exact knowledge of all in the ship; and this being recorded before the account of the shipwreck, may serve to make the truth of the relation the more to be believed that none of them perished, since their number was so precisely known; and makes it the more marvellous, that such a number of men should be saved, and in a shipwreck; and shows, that there must be a wonderful interposition of divine power to bring them all safe to land. John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

Acts 27:38-40 (KJV) And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, and cast out the wheat into the sea. And when it was day, they knew not the land: but they discovered a certain creek with a shore, into the which they were minded, if it were possible, to thrust in the ship. And when they had taken up the anchors, they committed themselves unto the sea, and loosed the rudder bands, and hoised up the mainsail to the wind, and made toward shore.


When they finished eating—when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, and cast out the wheat into the sea. Evidently, the Captain and owner of the vessel had tried, up to this point, to save at least some of the cargo—in this case, wheat. But now he realizes his ship is going to be lost, and he needs to lighten the load she carries as much as possible in order to get her as close to the shore as he can so that the soldiers, passenger, and crew can be saved. And when it was day, they knew not the land: but they discovered a certain creek with a shore, into the which they were minded, if it were possible, to thrust in the ship. They did not have the instrumentation available to mariners today, and being disoriented by the storm, they did not know what this island was where they had been blown. But they saw a creek that had a shore—that is a shore without rocks, and they thought to put the ship in there. And when they had taken up the anchors, they committed themselves unto the sea, and loosed the rudder bands, and hoised up the mainsail to the wind, and made toward shore. taken up, etc. or, cut the anchors, they left them in the sea. the rudder bands. Or, "the bands of the rudders;" for large vessels in ancient times had two or more rudders, which were fastened to the ship by means of bands, or chains, by which they were hoisted out of the water when incapable of being used. These bands being loosed, the rudders would fall into their proper places, and serve to steer the vessel into the creek, which they had in view, and hoisted. Treasury of Scripture Knowledge Isaiah 33:23 (KJV) Thy tacklings are loosed; they could not well strengthen their mast, they could not spread the sail: then is the prey of a great spoil divided; the lame take the prey. We see now that they had the four anchors still attached, and they had not gotten rid of the mainsail. But now they cut the lines to the anchors and hoist the mainsail, and commit themselves to the mercy of God who controls the wind and the sea (Matthew 8:27), hoping against hope that Paul is right when he says they all will be saved. Hebrews 6:18-19 (KJV) That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong


consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast ….

Acts 27:41-44 (KJV) And falling into a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the forepart stuck fast, and remained unmoveable, but the hinder part was broken with the violence of the waves. And the soldiers' counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim out, and escape. But the centurion, willing to save Paul, kept them from their purpose; and commanded that they which could swim should cast themselves first into the sea, and get to land: And the rest, some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship. And so it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land.

And falling. Being carried by the wind and waves. Into a place where two seas met. Gr., Into a place of a double sea. . That is, a place which is washed on both sides by the sea. It refers properly to an isthmus, tongue of land, or a sand-bar, stretching out from the main land, and which was washed on both sides by the waves. It is evident that this was not properly an isthmus that was above the waves, but was probably a long sandbank that stretched far out into the sea, and which they did not perceive. In endeavouring to make the harbour, they ran on this bar or sand-bank. They ran the ship aground. Not designedly, but in endeavouring to reach the harbour, Ac 27:39. The hinder part was broken. The stern was broken or staved in. By this means the company was furnished with boards, etc., on which they were safely conveyed to the shore. Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible Ezekiel 27:26 (KJV) Thy rowers have brought thee into great waters: the east wind hath broken thee in the midst of the seas. Ezekiel 27:34 (KJV) In the time when thou shalt be broken by the seas in the depths of the waters thy merchandise and all thy company in the midst of thee shall fall. When the ship had run aground, the soldiers' counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim out, and escape. But the centurion, willing to save Paul, kept them from their purpose. I think the Centurion was one of the few people, aside from Paul’s own companions, that believed Paul was a true man of God.


He might still be a pagan, but certainly, now, he knew that Paul’s God was true, even though he had been skeptical at the beginning. And instead of allowing the soldiers to kill the prisoners, he commanded that they which could swim should cast themselves first into the sea, and get to land: And the rest, some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship. And again, just as the Apostle Paul had prophesied, they all made it to land safe and sound, and only the ship was lost. The man-made means of salvation was lost but not the people. They were saved by Divine Providence. Psalm 107:28-30 (KJV) Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses. He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven. All are saved that God has pledged himself to save. Isaiah 49:25 (KJV) But thus saith the LORD, Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered: for I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children. All that God has contracted to save through Jesus Christ our Lord, are saved, every last one of them, because Jesus is a perfect Savior. That means there is a hundred percent salvation of the people of God. John 6:39 (KJV) And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. Paul had been the calm in the midst of the storm, because he believed and trusted God. Acts 27:25 (KJV) Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me. Oh, if we could only have like faith to believe God and not lean on our own understanding. Proverbs 3:5 (KJV) Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

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