1Paul is conducted in a ship toward Rome: 9he foretelleth the danger of the voyage, but is not credited: 12the ship setting sail against his advice is tossed with a tempest: 21Paul comforteth his fellow travellers with assurances of having their lives saved, but foretelleth a shipwreck: all which is verified by the event.
1AND when it was 1determined that 2we should sail into Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners unto one named Julius, a centurion of 3Augustus’ 4band.
1 Namely, by Festus and his counsel, Acts 25:12.
2 Hereby, and by the following narration, it appears that Luke, who wrote these Acts, was in Paul’s company this entire journey.
3 Gr. sebastes, that is, of the Augustus’ band.
4 Of this word see Acts 10:1. This Julius is said to be a captain of this band, because he had command over a company which belonged to the emperor’s guard, who therefore also seems to be chosen hereunto, that the prisoners, under his supervision would be the better guarded, and delivered into the emperor’s hand.
2Anda entering into a 5ship of Adramyttium, we launched, meaning 6to sail by the coasts of 7Asia; one 8Aristarchus, a Macedonian of 9Thessalonica, being with us.
a 2 Cor. 11:25.
5 Namely, which base was at Adramyttium, which is a city in Mysia, over against Mitylene.
6 Namely, according to their intent, although, because of the contrary winds, they were forced to take another course, as appears from the following account.
7 Namely, Asia Minor, in which Mysia was also situated.
8 This was a man of dignity, who followed Paul from there, who endured also great troubles in many journeys with Paul, as may be seen in Acts 19:29 and 20:4, who also kept Paul company in this imprisonment even unto Rome, as a fellow prisoner as it seems, or who being come to Rome was put in prison with Paul, as appears in Col. 4:10.
9 Of this city see Acts 17:1.
3And the next day we touched at 10Sidon. And Julius courteouslyb entreated Paul, and gave him liberty to go unto 11his friends to 12refresh himself.
10 A city in Phenicia, whereof see Mat. 11:21; Acts 12:20.
b Acts 24:23; 28:16.
11 That is, the disciples or some among them.
12 That is, to receive all kinds of attention and refreshments, or else to be provided of some things needful for his greater ease in the journey.
4And when we had launched from thence, we sailed 13under Cyprus, because the winds were contrary.
13 Or, beneath Cyprus. Of this island see Acts 11:19 and 13:4.
5And when we had sailed over the sea of 14Cilicia and 15Pamphylia, we came to 16Myra, a city of Lycia.
14 This was a region in Asia Minor, situated at the Mediterranean Sea between Syria and Pamphylia. See Acts 6:9 and 15:23, 41.
15 Of this region see also Acts 2:10; 13:13 and 14:24.
16 A city in the land of Lycia, which bordered on Pamphylia, where this first ship seemed to have finished its voyage.
6And there the centurion found a ship of 17Alexandria sailing into Italy; and he put us therein.
17 The capital city of Egypt and Libya, which ship was come out of Egypt into Myra, to go from there forward towards Italy.
7And when we had sailed slowly many days, and scarce were come over against 18Cnidus, the wind not suffering us, we sailed under 19Crete, over against 20Salmone;
18 An island in the Mediterranean Sea over against Caria; others take it for a protruding point of Caria over against Crete.
19 An island in the same sea, at this day called Candia. See of the same, Titus 1:5.
20 A projected corner of Crete, towards the east.
8And, hardly passing it, came unto a place which is called 21The fair havens; 22nigh whereunto was the city of Lasea.
21 Or, good havens, called still to this day Boniporto, a city in Crete, so called from the convenience of its haven.
22 But somewhat more in towards the land, as Pliny testifies, lib. 4, cap. 12. Yet he calls it Lasos.
9Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because 23the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them,
23 That is, the yearly fast of the Jews, on which the atonement of all the people was made by the high priest in the Holy of Holies, as may be seen in Lev. 16:29 and 23:27, which day was the tenth of the seventh month which agreed partly with our September, partly with our October; so that the tenth day came about the beginning of October, after which month the sea was not sailed in by the ancients until the beginning of March, because of the shortness of days and the storms, which are much between that time. See Vegetius, De re militari, lib. 4, cap. 39. This has therefore no connection with the times of fasting which some keep at this day, which were not known in the early church long after the apostles’ times.
10And said unto them, Sirs, I 24perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also 25of our lives.
24 Namely, not only by the occasion of the season, but especially by the inspiration of God’s Spirit.
25 Gr. of our souls.
11Nevertheless the centurion 26believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul.
26 Namely, who seem to have thought that there yet remained some days in which they might be able to come into another haven; especially because the wind served them.
12And 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 27an haven of Crete, and 28lieth 29toward the south west and north west.
27 This is added here that it might not be thought that he spoke of Phenicia in Syria.
28 Gr. looking.
29 That is, situated crooked like a half moon, and therefore free from all winds.
13And when the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, loosing thence, they sailed close by Crete.
14But not long after there arose 30against it a 31tempestuous wind, called 32Euroclydon.
30 Namely, island Crete; the ship being driven off from the same by this wind.
31 Or, turning-wind, whirlwind.
32 That is, an east wind, which creates mighty billows.
15And when the ship was caught, and could not 33bear up into the wind, we 34let her drive.
33 Gr. eye against.
34 That is, we surrendered it to God’s mercy, to where the wind drove it.
16And running under a certain island which is called 35Clauda, we had much work to come by the boat:
35 A little island by the end of Crete, against the west, now called Gozo.
17Which when they had taken up, they used helps, 36undergirding the ship; and, fearing lest they should fall into 37the quicksands, strakec38sail, and so were driven.
36 Namely, with cables and ropes, which they brought through under the keel to bind the sides of the ship the faster one to another, against the violence of the waves.
37 Or, Syrtis Major. A dangerous shelf or shoal of well-sand, full of whirlings, situated on the north coast of Africa in the Mediterranean Sea.
c lowered sail.
38 Gr. the vessel, as in Acts 10:11; whereby is understood the sail with the sprit, and the ropes hanging on it.
18And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next day they 39lightened the ship;
39 Namely, of the cargo or merchandise which was in the ship, to lighten the ship.
19And the third day we cast out with our own hands the 40tackling of the ship.
40 Namely, of ballast, ropes, cables, chests, etc. what was superfluous in the ship. For, that they still kept that which was necessary, appears from verses 28, 29, 30, etc.
20And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest 41lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away.
41 Or, pressed on us.
21But after 42long 43abstinence 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 44gained this harm and loss.
42 Namely, about fourteen days, verse 33.
43 That is, without holding ordinary meals, by reason of the fear of death, and the tossing of the ship.
44 Or, to have avoided, that is, to have prevented.
22And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man’s 45life among you, but of the ship.
45 Gr. soul.
23For there stood by me this night the angel of God, 46whose I am, and whom I serve,
46 Namely, God’s apostle or servant I am.
24Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be 47brought before Caesar: and, lo, 48God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.
47 Or, stand, set thyself.
48 That is, has given them the life for your sake. See the similar, Gen. 18:32 and 19:21.
25Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.
26Howbeit we must be cast upon a certain island.d
d Acts 28:1.
27But when the fourteenth night was come, 49as we were driven up and down in 50Adria, about midnight the shipmen deemed that they drew near to some country;
49 Or, that we.
50 Gr. Adria; which is properly that sea which at this day is called Gulf of Venice, but is also often taken more largely by the ancients, as also here, for that part of the Mediterranean Sea, which, besides that, comprehends also the sea of Sicily and Jonia. See Strabo, lib. 7.
28And sounded, and found it 51twenty fathoms:e and when they had gone a little further, they sounded again, and found it fifteen fathoms.
51 Namely, depth to the ground.
e (Gr. orguia) 6 feet or 1.83 meters.
29Then fearing lest we should have fallen upon 52rocks, they cast four anchors out of the stern, and wished for the day.
52 Or, sharp, hard places.
30And as the shipmen were about to flee out of the ship, when they had 53let down the boat into the sea, under colour as though they 54would have cast anchors out of 55the foreship,
53 Namely, which before they had lifted up into the ship, see verse 17.
54 Gr. stretch forth. Or, to bring out.
55 That is, the foremost part of the ship.
31Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship, 56ye cannot be saved.
56 For, although God had by His angel promised Paul that no one in the ship would perish, verse 24, nevertheless the means are not thereby taken away, whereby God would execute His promise. And he, who is negligent therein, he does not believe God, but tempts God.
32Then the soldiers cut off the ropes of the boat, and let her fall off.
33And while the day was coming on, Paul besought them all to take 57meat, saying, This day is the fourteenth day that ye have tarried and continued fasting, having taken 58nothing.
57 Gr. food.
58 That is, as it were nothing, very little; or, have held no meal as verse 21, for, otherwise a healthy person (as physicians testify) cannot well fast above seven days without dying.
34Wherefore I pray you to take some meat: for this is 59for your health: for there shall not 60an hairf fall from the head of any of you.
59 Namely, to have strength in governing the ship, and to be able to help yourselves, when we shall be constrained to save ourselves.
60 That is, shall not suffer any loss of one’s life or health. Hebraism. See 1 Kings 1:52.
f Mat. 10:30.
35And when he had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave 61thanksg to God in presence of them all: and when he had broken it, he began to eat.
61 Namely, for the benefit which God had yet afforded them of having meat, and being able to enjoy it for the strengthening of their faculties, as Christ was wont to do also, Mat. 14:19; John 6:11, and Paul all Christians exhorts, 1 Tim. 4:4, 5.
g 1 Sam. 9:13; John 6:11; 1 Tim. 4:3.
36Then were they all of good cheer, and they also took some 62meat.
62 Gr. food.
37And we were in all in the ship two hundred threescore and sixteen 63souls.
63 That is, people, persons, Acts 2:41 and 7:14; Rom. 13:1.
38And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, and cast out the wheat into the sea.
39And when it was day, they knew not the land: but they discoveredh64a certain creek with a 65shore, into the which they were minded, if it were possible, to thrust in the ship.
h come in view of*
64 Gr. a lap, or bosom.
65 Or, beach.
40And when they had taken up 66the anchors, they committed themselves unto the sea, and loosed 67the rudder bands, and hoisedi up the mainsail to the wind, and made toward shore.
66 Or, had cut off the anchors, they left them in the sea.
67 Namely, with which they previously had fastened the rudder, when the ship drove at God’s mercy, against the tossing of the sea.
i hoisted.
41Andj falling into 68a 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 69of the waves.
j 2 Cor. 11:25.
68 That is, a shore or point sticking out, which frontage, notwithstanding, lay under water, on which they steered the ship.
69 Namely, which violently beat against the stern.
42And the soldiers’ 70counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim out, and escape.
70 That is, consultation, advice, purpose, etc. So easily had they forgotten that by Paul they had saved their life, which was a great ingratitude, which the captain justly withstood.
43But 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:
44And 71the 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.
71 Namely, he commanded to get to land.