CHAPTER 27
The Book of Acts here begins another “we” section, indicating that once more Dr. Luke is on board. The last “we” reference was 21:18. Commentators have wondered just how Luke, as well as Aristarchus, were able to get on this voyage. Some have assumed that Luke signed on as Paul’s physician and Aristarchus as his personal attendant.1
It is normally thought that this voyage began at Caesarea, since it was a modern and popular port and was nearby. We are told that Paul and some other prisoners were handed over to the centurion in charge. That centurion was named Julius and we are told that he was a part of the Imperial Regiment. Bruce feels that he might have been a member of the frumentarius. This was the group charged with supervising Rome’s important grain transport.2 Others have felt that he was part of a special group that acted as liaison between the emperor and the provinces.3 It was a fairly common thing in those days for soldiers to accompany criminals in their transport. Convicted criminals arriving in Rome would very likely provide entertainment for the Roman public as they were killed in the games.4
“We boarded a ship from Adramyttium about to sail for ports along the coast of the province of Asia, and we put out to sea. Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica, was with us” (27:2). The ship boarded was from Adramyttium, (modern Edremit), a seaport of Mysia in the far northwest coast of Asia Minor. This ship was of the smaller variety that would hug the coast and stop at various ports along the way. The first leg of the journey was to the ancient Phoenician port of Sidon, an approximate 70 mile trip (112 km.). We note that the voyage was being made north along the coastline rather than directly across the Mediterranean to Rome. The reason for this was that in the summer and early fall there was usually a prevailing wind blowing from the west.5 As we mentioned, Aristarchus was accompanying Paul on this trip (cf. 19:29; 20:4; Col. 4:10; Phm. 1:24).
Thus, Paul’s epic journey is underway. J. R. Dummelow says of it that it is, “The most detailed account of an ancient voyage which we possess, and is our principal source of knowledge of the ancient art of navigation.” 6 Marshall says, “The story of Paul’s journey gives a fascinating glimpse into ancient sea travel.” 7
JOURNEY AROUND CYPRUS
The next day we landed at Sidon; and Julius, in kindness to Paul, allowed him to go to his friends so they might provide for his needs. Acts 27:3
The small boat arrived at Sidon and apparently spent some time there. Marshall says, “Anybody familiar with the ways of coastal shipping knows how these boats can spend a remarkable amount of time loading and unloading cargo whenever they put in to harbor.” 8 We see that the centurion Julius expressed great kindness toward Paul. He was thus able to go visit the Christian community and receive their assistance. Guthrie says, “…it is remarkable how the centurions in the New Testament are uniformly presented in a favorable light.” 9 No doubt, a soldier was sent along to accompany Paul.
“From there we put out to sea again and passed to the lee of Cyprus because the winds were against us” (27:4). When we read “lee” we are likely to think that the ship is sailing along the southern coast of Cyprus. However, “lee” in seafaring language means the side that is protected from the wind. Because of the prevailing wind, they were hugging the mainland and traveling around the north side of Cyprus. Some two and a half years before this, Paul and company had made good time as they passed by the southern side of the island with the full wind in their sails.10 God does not always give us favorable winds in the events of our lives. Chrysostom says, “See how God does not alter or change the order of nature but allows him to sail into unfavorable winds. But even so the miracle happens.” 11 As the poets have said, “It is not the gale but the set of the sail…”
“When we had sailed across the open sea off the coast of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we landed at Myra in Lycia” (27:5). Myra was located in the western portion of Asia Minor’s (modern Turkey’s southern coastline). In Roman times it was one of the most important harbors for Rome’s grain trade with Egypt. This famous harbor of Andriake later became silted up. Paul and his ship had managed to make it this far, likely because of the steady westward current that runs along the coast.12 Again, Paul had probably smiled as he passed by his home area of Tarsus of Cilicia and the area of Pamphylia as well, where he had long before conducted his First Missionary Journey.
“There the centurion found an Alexandrian ship sailing for Italy and put us on board” (27:6). Since Myra was a great center for the shipment of grain, it was probably no trouble for the centurion to find a grain ship going to Rome. In this era, Egypt had become the main granary of Rome.13 Keener says of the grain trade and its shipping:
Rome’s grain fleet dominated Mediterranean trade…This journey took from as little as fifty days to over two months, although the reverse voyage from Rome to Alexandria could take as little as nine to twelve days. The Egyptian grain ships were about 180 feet long [55 m.], 45 feet wide [14 m.] and (at their deepest) over 40 feet deep; the fleet may have transported some 150,000 tons of Egyptian grain to Italy each year. This was the largest mercantile fleet known to Europe before the 1700s.14
The grain ships were very large and bulky. They were difficult to maneuver, especially in foul weather. Some of these large ships were found pictured in the ruins of Pompeii and they are also described in Lucian’s writings around AD 150.15 These great ships were absolutely necessary to bring food for the spiraling population of Rome. It is thought that the private ship owners received special consideration from the Roman government due to the critical importance of the grain supply.16
“We made slow headway for many days and had difficulty arriving off Cnidus. When the wind did not allow us to hold our course, we sailed to the lee of Crete, opposite Salmone” (27:7). Obviously, the large ship was having great difficulty trying to move along the coast. Eventually it arrived off Cnidus (Knidos). From the Greek wording here it appears that the ship could not get into port at Cnidus.17 Normally this was the last port of call for ships going on to Rome. Apparently the winds were too much and the large ship was forced to make a 150 mile (241 km.) run southwest to the island of Crete. The ship sailed around the eastern promontory of Salmone and sought protection from the wind on the lee (south side) of Crete. This large island was once the home of the ancient Minoan civilization.
“We moved along the coast with difficulty and came to a place called Fair Havens, near the town of Lasea” (27:8). Fair Havens (Kaloi Limenes today) was a poor harbor in New Testament times. It appears that the host city was small and not too comfortable or inviting, while the port itself was open to the winter storms that might come along. One commentator suggested in fun that the local chamber of commerce must have given the place a name like Fair Havens.
THE FATEFUL DECISION
Much time had been lost, and sailing had already become dangerous because by now it was after the Day of Atonement. So Paul warned them, “Men, I can see that our voyage is going to be disastrous and bring great loss to ship and cargo, and to our own lives also.” Acts 27:9-10
The whole trip, mostly against a steady wind, had taken a lot of extra time. The days had gone by, even the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), and it was getting past the time of safe sailing on the Mediterranean. Each year the dangerous time for sailing started around September 14 and ran until November 11. After that date all sailing came to an end for the winter. In AD 59, likely the year of this voyage, Yom Kippur fell on October 5. In surrounding years it fell much earlier.18 So, we can see that the sea was already dangerous for ships. Sailing would not normally resume until March 10.
The other crewmembers were not inclined to spend the winter in a place like Fair Havens. However, Paul perceived that to go further would be courting disaster. Paul was a mere prisoner but he was a Roman citizen and a man with great experience and sound judgment. In 2 Corinthians 11:25, we are told that he had been shipwrecked three times. In this same verse he noted that he had spent a night and a day in the open sea. He probably had more practical experience than any other person on board.
Apparently Paul’s warning did not just come from his experience. Wiersbe notes how this warning sounds much like prophecy and that God may have given him a premonition concerning the voyage and danger ahead.19 Pagan people were used to such premonitions. Keener says of them: “Pagans undertaking sea voyages always sacrificed to the gods and sought their protection. Bad omens, astrological interpretations or dreams sometimes prevented a ship from sailing if they were taken seriously.” 20
“But the centurion, instead of listening to what Paul said, followed the advice of the pilot and of the owner of the ship. Since the harbor was unsuitable to winter in, the majority decided that we should sail on, hoping to reach Phoenix and winter there. This was a harbor in Crete, facing both southwest and northwest” (27:11-12). We basically see the centurion making the final decision about trying to sail on. Keener says, “…because his vessel is part of the imperial grain fleet, the centurion functions as a Roman official with greater authority than the ship owner, just as he would on land in Egypt.” 21
The decision was to push on to the port of Phoenix, some 40 miles (64 km.) west on the Cretan coast. Phoenix was a much more desirable place to winter. It seems that so often we human beings are lured by that which seems more desirable but in the end becomes disastrous. The ship would sail away from Fair Havens.
THE STORM
When a gentle south wind began to blow, they saw their opportunity; so they weighed anchor and sailed along the shore of Crete. Before very long, a wind of hurricane force, called the Northeaster, swept down from the island. Acts 27:13-14
A nice south wind began to blow and it was just the temptation needed. The ship sailed away, up the coast of Crete. Just a short distance beyond Fair Havens the coast of Crete veers sharply northward. At that, the ship was exposed to a harsh northeasterly wind from the island.22 The wind seemed to be sweeping down from Mt. Ida, an 8,000 ft. (2456 m.) peak. The seafaring men called this wind Euroquilo. This was a hybrid compound of Euros, meaning the east wind, and the Latin Aquilo, meaning the north wind. Others simply called it the north-easter.23
As we have said, the grain ships were bulky and difficult to manage. They were not built for storms. The sailing boats of the ancient Mediterranean were not as large but they too were not sturdy enough to plow through winter waves.24 In the Greek, this storm is called tuphōnikos, a wind like a typhoon or tornado causing the clouds and currents to swirl.25 It is a word from which we get typhoon today.
A number of modern commentators have referred to the classic book written in 1856 by James Smith. The book was entitled Voyage and Shipwreck of St. Paul. The book has gone through several editions and is still available today. Smith was a Scottish merchant, man of letters and accomplished yachtsman. He carefully studied Paul’s shipwreck and traveled to thoroughly experience and examine that area of the Mediterranean. Today commentators lean heavily upon the information he presented concerning the voyage and shipwreck.
“The ship was caught by the storm and could not head into the wind; so we gave way to it and were driven along” (27:15). This wind was driving the ship southward and as they left Crete they knew that there were no more ports available. They were being swept out into the middle of the Mediterranean Sea. What an empty and hopeless feeling that must have been for everyone on board.
“As we passed to the lee of a small island called Cauda, we were hardly able to make the lifeboat secure, so the men hoisted it aboard. Then they passed ropes under the ship itself to hold it together. Because they were afraid they would run aground on the sandbars of Syrtis, they lowered the sea anchor and let the ship be driven along” (27:16-17). The men began to do their best to prepare for the siege of an awful storm. It seems they were temporarily in the shelter of a small island and they used that opportunity to haul the lifeboat aboard. It was undoubtedly filling with water and could have crashed into the ship. It must have taken many of the hands on board (including Luke) to get the boat aboard.
Next the men worked to place ropes under the ship. This was to insure that the ship would not begin to come apart in the storm. The men were expressing a great fear of running upon the sandbars of Syrtis. This was a reference to Syrtis Major in the modern Gulf of Siddra. This was a vast shoal off Cyrenaica along the coast of Africa.26 These sandbanks and quicksands were a graveyard for ancient ships. Although these sands were at this point about 380 miles (611 km.) to the south, they were still greatly dreaded.
They then let down the sail or else put out a sea anchor (floating anchor) to slow their progress.27 We cannot possibly feel the helplessness of these ancient seamen. In those early days ships were navigated by the sun and stars. Unfortunately, they could not see either for days upon days. Ancient ships were not blessed with a compass or sextant.28 They were literally helpless before the howling wind.
We have mentioned how these large ships were difficult to handle. They had no rudder but were equipped with two great paddles, one on each side. They had a single mast with one large square sail. This made it impossible to sail into the wind. The large single mast placed great strain on the timbers, so when a gale began they often foundered.29
“We took such a violent battering from the storm that the next day they began to throw the cargo overboard” (27:18). The crew was losing all hope and throwing everything they could spare away. They began to rid the ship of precious cargo because all hope of making a profit had now vanished.30
“On the third day, they threw the ship’s tackle overboard with their own hands. When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved” (27:19-20). Barnes assumes that the tackle had to do with extra anchors, cables, baggage, and perhaps even some of the sails.31 Obviously all spare gear went over the side.
Ancient seafarers lived in great fear of drowning. Keener says, “Pagans felt that those who died at sea never entered the realm of the dead; instead their souls wandered aimlessly forever above the waters in which they perished.” 32 These poor seamen were beginning to abandon all hope of ever being saved.
PAUL GIVES COMFORT TO THE CREW
After they had gone a long time without food, Paul stood up before them and said: “Men, you should have taken my advice not to sail from Crete; then you would have spared yourselves this damage and loss.” Acts 27:21
It was the preacher Joseph Parker who said, “…A crisis does not make a person; a crisis shows what a person is made of…” 33 In this crisis Paul stood tall. He almost became the captain of the ship while others trembled with fear around him. What a picture of faith in God. It reminds us of that great hymn written by Isaac Watts in 1719:
Our God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast,
And our eternal home.
Under the shadow of thy throne
thy saints have dwelt secure;
Sufficient is thine arm alone,
And our defense is sure.34
Once the crew of the captain Sir Humphrey Gilbert became terrified on one of their long voyages. They asked Gilbert to turn back but he would not. He said, “I am as near to God by sea, as ever I was by land.” 35 We remember Jesus who was once soundly asleep in the boat during a vicious and life-threatening Galilee storm. (Lk. 8:23-24). Paul had learned well from the Master. The men with Paul were fearful, weak, and emaciated from doing without nourishment, but Paul’s great comfort lifted them up. However, the apostle was human enough to slip in an “I told you so” in his speech.36 They should have listened to Paul and now they were more than happy to do so.
“But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed” (27:22). At this point Paul gives some really good news to the fearful and discouraged passengers. Not one person would be lost in this storm. What was good news for the passengers was not all good news for the captain and owner. The ship would be lost. Bruce says something that is really true and I have noticed this in life: “…Human society has no idea how much it owes, in the mercy of God, to the presence in it of righteous men and women.” 37 In a very real sense it is righteous men and women who keep our old world afloat.
“Last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you’” (27:23-24). Paul had experienced a heavenly visitor during the night. The wonderful Psalm 34 says, “The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them” (Ps. 34:7). In Hebrews 1:14 we read, “Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?” (Heb. 1:14). God is so gracious. Not only would he spare Paul but he would spare everyone traveling with Paul.
“So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me. Nevertheless, we must run aground on some island” (27:25-26). “Paul presents a noble picture, standing there in the gray dawn while the heavy seas are breaking over the ship. He seems to have become by force of character the commander of the entire company” 38 He challenged the weak and fearful to have faith in the True God. Things would happen just as he said. No doubt, some of these men later believed God when they saw their ship being beached upon the island of Malta.
THE SHIPWRECK
On the fourteenth night we were still being driven across the Adriatic Sea, when about midnight the sailors sensed they were approaching land. Acts 27:27
The ship had been adrift for two weeks. During that time the wind must have changed somewhat to blow them in more of a westerly direction. It was on that fourteenth night that the sailors sensed they were nearing land. The sea around Malta today is not called the Adriatic Sea but in ancient times it was called this as well as the “Sea of Adria.” 39
We might wonder how the sailors sensed that they were near land. It is possible that they heard the breakers, recognized certain fish or birds, or even smelled the land. Earlier we mentioned James Smith and his study of this area. Smith had calculated that it would take exactly fourteen days of drifting to reach Malta from the island of Cauda.40 During the stormy period they were blown almost five hundred miles (804 km.) off course.
“They took soundings and found that the water was a hundred and twenty feet deep. A short time later they took soundings again and found it was ninety feet deep. Fearing that we would be dashed against the rocks, they dropped four anchors from the stern and prayed for daylight” (27:28-29). The sailors made their soundings by dropping a weighted cord and measuring the depth.41 They realized that the water was quickly becoming shallow. It had gone from 120 feet (36 m.) to 90 feet (27 m.). There was a growing fear that the ship would crash upon the rocks and they immediately dropped anchors from the stern or rear of the ship. Normally anchors would have been dropped from the bow of the ship, but in this case they were dropped from the stern or rear. There was a danger that the ship could be blown around.42 Coffman says: “This paraphrase of the last clause suggests many a time in life when there is hardly anything to do except to cast anchor and wait for day, filling the hours with prayer, even as Paul did.” 43
“In an attempt to escape from the ship, the sailors let the lifeboat down into the sea, pretending they were going to lower some anchors from the bow” (27:30). The sailors were obviously not men of faith and they were intent on doing anything to save their own necks. Their plan was to take the lifeboat and make a dash for the shore. Their ruse was quickly discovered by Paul. Guzik says: “First, the ships passengers desperately needed the crew’s expertise, and it would be fatal if the crew abandoned the passengers. Second, Paul probably sensed that Gods promise to give him the lives of the whole ships company assumed that they would stay together.” 44
“Then Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, ‘Unless these men stay with the ship, you cannot be saved.’ So the soldiers cut the ropes that held the lifeboat and let it drift away” (27:31-32). The lifeboat was quickly cut away and the selfish plan was defeated. Bruce comments: “By this time the centurion had learned that it was unwise to disregard Paul’s advice…” 45 Barclay says, “As we read the narrative, into the tempest there seems to come a strange calm. The man of God has somehow made others sure that God is in charge of things.” 46
PAUL’S BLESSED MINISTRY
Just before dawn Paul urged them all to eat. “For the last fourteen days,” he said, “you have been in constant suspense and have gone without food— you haven’t eaten anything. Now I urge you to take some food. You need it to survive. Not one of you will lose a single hair from his head.” Acts 27:33-34
The storm had raged so furiously for two weeks that the men had not eaten. No doubt the ship was taking on water from the storm and it is likely that food items were wet and perhaps much of it was spoiled. The men may have been too frightened or too seasick to eat.47 Of course, there would have been little time or opportunity to cook. Paul makes the crew a wonderful promise that they would not lose a single hair from their heads. This was no doubt a well-known proverb but now it had become a sure promise of God.
“After he said this, he took some bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all. Then he broke it and began to eat. They were all encouraged and ate some food themselves” (27:35-36). Paul first gave thanks for the bread as was the Jewish custom. Then he and the crew began to eat. Some have tried to make this meal into a sort of Christian sacrament but there is really no evidence of that. Bock does say, “There is almost a feel of worship to this description…There is something sacred going on as Paul takes all two hundred seventy-six people (v. 37) under God’s care and direction.” 48
“Altogether there were 276 of us on board. When they had eaten as much as they wanted, they lightened the ship by throwing the grain into the sea” (27:37-38). It seems that Paul had fed almost a small multitude. We may wonder how so many people could be on a grain ship. Some years later the historian Josephus also went to Rome on a ship that supposedly had 600 people on board. This ship was also wrecked in the Sea of Adria.49 With renewed vigor the crew went back to work throwing out what was left of the cargo in order to lessen the ship’s draught, so that it might move closer to the shore.
DAYLIGHT
When daylight came, they did not recognize the land, but they saw a bay with a sandy beach, where they decided to run the ship aground if they could. Acts 27:39
James Smith did considerable work on the island of Malta. Through his work he determined that the site of the shipwreck was the traditional site known as St. Paul’s Bay. This site is located on the island’s northeast coast.50 Today the bay is there but the sandy beach is not. Smith determined that the wasting action of the sea had worn the beach away over the centuries.51 He determined that it was this very location where the ship was run aground.
“Cutting loose the anchors, they left them in the sea and at the same time untied the ropes that held the rudders. Then they hoisted the foresail to the wind and made for the beach” (27:40). The anchors were cut loose and left in the sea. The rudders, or giant paddles we mentioned earlier were also loosened. Then the sail was unfurled to the wind. Commentators are quite sure that this was not the very large main sail but the small foresail. Smith too was certain it was the foresail or jib that was unfurled.52
“But the ship struck a sandbar and ran aground. The bow stuck fast and would not move, and the stern was broken to pieces by the pounding of the surf” (27:41). Smith in his explorations discovered that beneath the sand there was tenacious clay and it was this into which the ship stuck and was held fast.53 Once the ship was immobilized the violent surf quickly did its job in breaking the ship apart.
“The soldiers planned to kill the prisoners to prevent any of them from swimming away and escaping” (27:42). It was Roman military law that any soldier who let a prisoner escape must receive the penalty that the prisoner would have suffered.54 For this reason the leaders were intent upon killing the prisoners immediately. That would have included the Apostle Paul.
“But the centurion wanted to spare Paul’s life and kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and get to land” (27:43). We have previously noted the good qualities of this centurion. Clearly, he had become quite impressed with Paul and was determined to save him. Thus the centurion would not allow the prisoners to be killed. Instead, he gave orders that everyone should make an effort to get to shore, either by swimming, floating on wreckage or even being carried by others.55
“The rest were to get there on planks or on other pieces of the ship. In this way everyone reached land safely” (27:44). By one means or another all 276 of the passengers made it safely to shore. To this miracle the scholar Ramsay said: “…the foreship was held together until every passenger got safe to dry land. Only the rarest conjunction of favorable circumstances could have brought about such a fortunate ending to their apparently hopeless situation…” 56