Acts 27 Acts 27:1–8 Paul is conducted in a ship toward Rome. Acts 27:9–11 He foretells the danger of the voyage, but is not credited. Acts 27:12–20 The ship setting sail against his advice is tossed with a tempest.

It was determined; upon the solemn hearing of Paul’s case, it was resolved by Festus and Agrippa, with the rest that were taken by Festus to advise concerning it. Julius; thought to have been a freed-man of the family of Julius, who thence took his name.

Adramyttium; a city in Mysia, a province in the Lesser Asia, almost over against Mitylene, of a pestilent air. Meaning to sail by the coasts of Asia; the ship did belong to Adramyttium, and designed a trading voyage along the coasts of Asia.

Sidon; a city in Phenicia, bordering upon Palestine, mentioned Matt. 11:21, Acts 12:20. Julius courteously entreated Paul; as Felix had commanded that centurion to whom he committed him, Acts 24:23.

Launched; or put to sea. Cyprus; a noted island in the Mediterranean Sea, of which we read, Acts 11:19, Acts 13:4. Their nearest way from Sidon to Myra had been to have left Cyprus on the right hand, but by reason of the winds they were forced to go almost round about the island, leaving it on the…

The sea of Cilicia and Pamphylia; that part of the Mediterranean that borders on those provinces. Cilicia; of which see Acts 6:9, Acts 15:23, Acts 15:41. Pamphylia; mention is made of this province, Acts 2:10, Acts 13:13. Lycia; another province in the lesser Asia, bordering on Pamphylia.

Alexandria; a famous port town in Egypt, formerly called No, of which we read, Jer. 46:25; unto this place the ship did belong, which was now in the road or haven of Myra, intending for Italy, whither they carried corn, and Persian and Indian commodities, from thence.

Had sailed slowly many days; the wind being contrary, or at least very bare, and, it may be, their ship much laden. Cnidus; a city or promontory over against Crete, which is now called Candia, a known island in the Mediterranean.

The fair havens; or, the fair or good shore, that being accounted the best which is safest for ships to ride in or enter into. A place of this name remains to this day (as some tell us) in the island of Candia.

This fast was not any necessitated abstinence, but a religious fast, as the word here used does most commonly signify; and the article being put to it, it may well denote some eminent and known fast.

Paul did not say this so much by reason of the time of the year, and the tempests which do usually attend it, as by a prophetical spirit: God intending to provide for Paul in this tedious and difficult journey, endues him with the gift of prophecy; which (especially when they saw it verified) could…

The centurion believed those whom he thought best skilled in those things (as every one in his own art); and if he had not heard of Paul’s condition and extraordinary qualification, he was doubtless the more to be excused.

This Phenice was a port town in Candia, and not the country in Syria. Lieth toward the south-west and northwest; being on the south part of that island, having a bay or road like unto a half-moon or crescent, one horn or part of it (admitting entrance into it) toward the south-west, and the other…

The south wind being ordinarily most mild, and at that time not high, they sailed along the shore of Candia, not being afraid to be driven upon it.

There arose against it; Crete or Candia; so that they were in the greater danger, having a sea-shore. Called Euroclydon; this some will have to have been a whirlwind; but the word signifies only, the tempestuous east, or the north-east, which is a contrary wind unto any that would go from Crete to…

The ship was caught; being forced from Crete, and no longer at the command of the mariners, but in the sole power of the winds. And could not bear up into the wind; the ship could not keep her course, the winds being contrary, so that her prow or head (part whereof was called the eye of the ship,…

Clauda; called also Claudos, and by some Gaudos, and now Gozo, an island near unto Crete. We had much work to come by the boat; in this stress of weather they would take up the boat, lest it should have been staved or beat in pieces against the ship.

They used helps; not only using all instruments fit for their purpose, but all hands were employed too. Undergirding the ship, with cables, to keep the sides of the ship the closer and faster together.

Casting out the merchandise or lading which was in it, that the ship, being so much lighter, might not so readily strike upon a rock, or be swallowed up of the quicksands, it drawing so much the less water.

All the ship’s furniture which it had either for ornament or defence, and not their ballast or lumber only: so willingly do men part with all things for their lives; which yet are but short, and, at best, mixed with care and sorrow, Job 14:1–2.

Neither sun nor stars in many days appeared; which shows the greatness of their misery, which had not the ordinary refreshments from the sight of the sun to relieve it. For what the sun does cheer, is one reason why our Saviour is called the Sun of righteousness, Mal. 4:2.

After long abstinence: these did not abstain from their meals for any want; for they had sufficient provision, as appears, Acts 27:38; nor because the storm or tempest tossing the ship, and them in it, took away their stomach, for the sea men, at least, were not so long troubled with that sea…

Provided they would do as he required of them: see Acts 27:31. In God’s promises there is a tacit condition, which from the nature of the thing is to be understood; as in that which was made to Eli, mentioned 1 Sam. 2:30.

A good introduction to recommend the true God, and the gospel of his Son. Paul, who knew the certainty of what he had predicted, owns himself to be now in the service of God, that not unto him, but unto God, may be given the glory.

The message which God’s angels bring from God unto his people, is, Fear not. Thus unto Daniel, Dan. 10:12, Dan. 10:19; and thus unto the holy women that attended at our Lord’s sepulchre, Matt. 28:5. There are all ministering spirits, Heb. 1:14.

Paul, having had experience of the power and faithfulness of God, and known his name, professeth to trust in him; and recommends God’s veracity unto them, as worthy to be relied upon. What a great deal of good does one holy man do in a place.

This was given by Paul as a sign unto them of the truth of what he had said, which, when it came to pass, might induce them to believe the rest; which probably it did, and saved Paul from being killed by the soldiers, Acts 27:42.

In Adria; not in the Adriatic Bay, or Gulf of Venice, which divides Italy and Dalmatia, though that be also so called; but this name is sometimes extended to those parts of the Mediterranean Sea which border on Sicily, and Ionia in Greece, and must be passed over by such as go from Crete, or…

Found it twenty fathoms: a fathom is the distance betwixt the end of the middle finger on the one hand, from the end of the middle finger on the other hand, when the arms are stretched out; which is ordinarily accounted about six feet in measure.

Fallen upon rocks; of which there are very many in these seas, especially about the islands. Cast four anchors; which show how great the tempest was, that they needed so many anchors. Wished for the day; that they might the better discover whereabouts they were.

Had let down the boat; that they might betake themselves into it, after they had left the ship: for, Acts 27:17, they had taken up the boat, and secured that against this or the like occasion.

Notwithstanding the promise mentioned, Acts 27:24, that they should all be saved, they must use means, so far as means can be used, although the efficaciousness and truth of the promise do no ways depend upon the virtue of the means; but the means are made effectual by virtue of the promise.

The centurion and soldiers, agreeing to what Paul had said, did this to take away all thoughts of escaping from the mariners, and leaving all upon what Paul had promised to them in the name of his God.

While the day was coming on; all the night after the mariners were disappointed in their project to escape. So hard a matter it was to abate their fear of being presently destroyed; and so great influence hath the apprehension of present death, and judgment which follows it, upon the minds of men.

This is for your health; that they might be stronger to endure that pain and perform that labour which was necessary towards their escape; for God would have them to use all means for their deliverance.

Paul thanks God for their preservation hitherto: and there is no such encouragement to hope for future deliverances, as when God doth give us hearts to thank him for deliverances already enjoyed.

Believing Paul’s words, promising in the name of that God whom he served, that they should all be preserved; believing, they did rejoice. Now Paul, a prisoner, a neglected and contemned person, comes to be valued and credited.

That is, so many persons; as Acts 2:41, Acts 7:14, Rom. 13:1; the soul being the noblest part, and the body following its condition, whatsoever it be: if the soul be holy, the body shall be glorious.

Cast out the wheat, the provision they had for their sustenance. This is the third time that they lightened the ship, being willing that all their goods should perish for them, rather than with them. Or these heathens were so far persuaded by St.

They knew not the land; in so long and violent a tempest, thinking every moment to be swallowed up, they could keep no reckoning of the ship’s running or way; neither were charts or maps so usual (if they had any at all) in those times.

Loosed the rudder bands; rudders is in the plural number put for the singular: or rather, in those times they having two rudders, (as by several passages amongst the ancients do appear), they were both loosed, that now they might use them to direct the ship to the best advantage in making the…

A place where two seas met; a shoal, sand or isthmus, where the sea was on both sides of it. They were now in the greatest extremity; and God suffers them to fall into it before he sends them deliverance, that he might have the more glory by it.

This speaks their great ingratitude, that they would take away Paul’s life, who had preserved theirs. But Christ’s apostles and ministers must not look for their reward in this life; though men cannot, or do not, recompense them, they shall be recompensed at the resurrection of the just, Luke 14:14.

The centurion, willing to save Paul; because Paul was a Roman citizen, whose death he durst not be accessory unto. It may be also, that this centurion, (if there were no more), as the Samaritan that was cleansed, did this in thankfulness unto Paul.

Some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship; still using means, though it was of God only that they had them, and that they were effectual to them. In this history is lively verified that of the psalmist, Ps.