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Acts 27

1And when it was determined that we should sail for Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners to a centurion named Julius, of the Augustan band.

1And 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.

Commentary · verse 1

It was determined that Paul would be sent to Italy (Rome) in the custody of a centurion named Julius.

2And embarking in a ship of Adramyttium, which was about to sail unto the places on the coast of Asia, we put to sea, Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us.

3And the next day we touched at Sidon: and Julius treated Paul kindly, and gave him leave to go unto his friends and refresh himself.

2And 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.

3And the next day we touched at Sidon. And Julius courteously entreated Paul, and gave him liberty to go unto his friends to refresh himself.

Commentary · verses 2-3

They made it to Sidon and Julius treated Paul well.

4And putting to sea from thence, we sailed under the lee of Cyprus, because the winds were contrary.

4And when we had launched from thence, we sailed under Cyprus, because the winds were contrary.

Commentary · verse 4

They sailed under the island of Cyprus because of harsh winds.

5And when we had sailed across the sea which is off Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city of Lycia.

5And when we had sailed over the sea of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city of Lycia.

Commentary · verse 5

They sailed by Cilicia and Pamphylia and landed in Myra.

6And there the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing for Italy; and he put us therein.

7And when we had sailed slowly many days, and were come with difficulty over against Cnidus, the wind not further suffering us, we sailed under the lee of Crete, over against Salmone;

6And there the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing into Italy; and he put us therein.

7And 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;

Commentary · verses 6-7

They sailed off of Cnidus and then off Salmone, Crete. The winds were not helping them, which made this trip take longer than expected.

8and with difficulty coasting along it we came unto a certain place called Fair Havens; nigh whereunto was the city of Lasea.

8And, hardly passing it, came unto a place which is called The fair havens; nigh whereunto was the city of Lasea.

Commentary · verse 8

They came to a place called Fair Havens near Lasea, Crete.

9And when much time was spent, and the voyage was now dangerous, because the Fast was now already gone by, Paul admonished them, 10and said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that the voyage will be with injury and much loss, not only of the lading and the ship, but also of our lives.

9Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them,

10And 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.

Commentary · verses 9-10

They were now sailing after the Day of Atonement (our October) and the Mediterranean was very treacherous to sail during the winter months.

11But the centurion gave more heed to the master and to the owner of the ship, than to those things which were spoken by Paul.

12And because the haven was not commodious to winter in, the more part advised to put to sea from thence, if by any means they could reach Phoenix, and winter there; which is a haven of Crete, looking north-east and south-east.

11Nevertheless the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul.

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 an haven of Crete, and lieth toward the south west and north west.

Commentary · verses 11-12

Paul advised against leaving right then because of bad weather. The centurion wanted to make it to Phoenix and spend the winter there.

13And when the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, they weighed anchor and sailed along Crete, close in shore.

14But after no long time there beat down from it a tempestuous wind, which is called Euraquilo:

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 against it a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon.

Commentary · verses 13-14

The weather looked favorable. However, it did not take long for a tempestuous wind called "Euraquilo" to come against them. The word "Euraquilo" meant "a violent agitation."

15and when the ship was caught, and could not face the wind, we gave way to it, and were driven.

15And when the ship was caught, and could not bear up into the wind, we let her drive.

Commentary · verse 15

They now were at the mercy of this hurricane-like wind.

16And running under the lee of a small island called Cauda, we were able, with difficulty, to secure the boat: 17and when they had hoisted it up, they used helps, under-girding the ship; and, fearing lest they should be cast upon the Syrtis, they lowered the gear, and so were driven.

16And running under a certain island which is called Clauda, we had much work to come by the boat:

17Which 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.

Commentary · verses 16-17

In verse 16, "the boat" was what we would call "the life-boat." They wrapped cables around the hull to ease the strain so that the mast would not break.

18And as we labored exceedingly with the storm, the next day they began to throw the freight overboard; 19and the third day they cast out with their own hands the tackling of the ship.

20And when neither sun nor stars shone upon us for many days, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was now taken away.

18And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next day they lightened the ship;

19And the third day we cast out with our own hands the tackling of the ship.

20And 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.

Commentary · verses 18-20

The hurricane-like storm was large and unwavering so that hope of surviving was diminishing.

21And when they had been long without food, then Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have set sail from Crete, and have gotten this injury and loss.

22And now I exhort you to be of good cheer; for there shall be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship.

21But 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.

22And 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.

Commentary · verses 21-22

Paul told them they should have listened to him but he assured them that no man would lose his life. Why was Paul sure?

23For there stood by me this night an angel of the God whose I am, whom also I serve, 24saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must stand before Cæsar: and lo, God hath granted thee all them that sail with thee.

23For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve,

24Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Cesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.

Commentary · verses 23-24

Paul received a message from an angel of God that he would make it to Caesar, and the rest of the people would be saved because of God's purpose for Paul.

25Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even so as it hath been spoken unto me.

26But we must be cast upon a certain island.

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.

Commentary · verses 25-26

Paul warned them that they would end up running the ship aground on an island.

27But when the fourteenth night was come, as we were driven to and fro in the sea of Adria, about midnight the sailors surmised that they were drawing near to some country: 28and they sounded, and found twenty fathoms; and after a little space, they sounded again, and found fifteen fathoms.

29And fearing lest haply we should be cast ashore on rocky ground, they let go four anchors from the stern, and wished for the day.

30And as the sailors were seeking to flee out of the ship, and had lowered the boat into the sea, under color as though they would lay out anchors from the foreship, 31Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved.

27But 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;

28And sounded, and found it twenty fathoms: and when they had gone a little further, they sounded again, and found it fifteen fathoms.

29Then fearing lest we should have fallen upon rocks, they cast four anchors out of the stern, and wished for the day.

30And 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,

31Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved.

Commentary · verses 27-31

They were getting nearer to land. Some sailors were attempting to use the life-boat for themselves. Paul told the centurion and the soldiers that the only people who would survive were those who remained in the ship.

32Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the boat, and let her fall off.

32Then the soldiers cut off the ropes of the boat, and let her fall off.

Commentary · verse 32

The soldiers listened to Paul and set the empty life-boat free so no one would use it.

33And while the day was coming on, Paul besought them all to take some food, saying, This day is the fourteenth day that ye wait and continue fasting, having taken nothing.

34Wherefore I beseech you to take some food: for this is for your safety: for there shall not a hair perish from the head of any of you.

33And 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.

34Wherefore 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.

Commentary · verses 33-34

Again, Paul assured them they would survive the storms and asked them to eat. They did not need to fast in order to survive so the food was needed for strength.

35And when he had said this, and had taken bread, he gave thanks to God in the presence of all; and he brake it, and began to eat.

36Then were they all of good cheer, and themselves also took food.

37And we were in all in the ship two hundred threescore and sixteen souls.

35And 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.

36Then were they all of good cheer, and they also took some meat.

37And we were in all in the ship two hundred threescore and sixteen souls.

Commentary · verses 35-37

There were 276 people on board.

38And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, throwing out the wheat into the sea.

39And when it was day, they knew not the land: but they perceived a certain bay with a beach, and they took counsel whether they could drive the ship upon it.

40And casting off the anchors, they left them in the sea, at the same time loosing the bands of the rudders; and hoisting up the foresail to the wind, they made for the beach.

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 discovered a certain creek with a shore, into the which they were minded, if it were possible, to thrust in the ship.

40And 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.

Commentary · verses 38-40

They picked a spot to run the ship aground.

41But lighting upon a place where two seas met, they ran the vessel aground; and the foreship struck and remained unmoveable, but the stern began to break up by the violence of the waves.

42And the soldiers’ counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim out, and escape.

41And 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.

42And the soldiers’ counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim out, and escape.

Commentary · verses 41-42

The ship began to break apart once it ran aground. The soldiers on the ship advised that the prisoners be killed so they would not escape. This included Paul.

43But the centurion, desiring to save Paul, stayed them from their purpose; and commanded that they who could swim should cast themselves overboard, and get first to the land;

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:

Commentary · verse 43

The centurion did not want Paul to die so he kept the soldiers from their plan to kill the prisoners.

44and the rest, some on planks, and some on other things from the ship. And so it came to pass, that they all escaped safe to the land.

44And 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.

Commentary · verse 44

Paul's prophecy was fulfilled: They had a shipwreck and they all escaped safe to the land.

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