Acts 27

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27:1 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.
27:2 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.
27:3 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.
27:4 And when we had launched from thence, we sailed under Cyprus, because the winds were contrary.
27:5 And when we had sailed over the sea of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city of Lycia.
27:6 And there the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing into Italy; and he put us therein.
27:7 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;
27:8 And, hardly passing it, came unto a place which is called The fair havens; nigh whereunto was the city of Lasea.
27:9 Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them,
27:10 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.
27:11 Nevertheless the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul.
27:12 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.
27:13 And when the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, loosing thence, they sailed close by Crete.
27:14 But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon.
27:15 And when the ship was caught, and could not bear up into the wind, we let her drive.
27:16 And running under a certain island which is called Clauda, we had much work to come by the boat:
27:17 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.
27:18 And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next day they lightened the ship;
27:19 And the third day we cast out with our own hands the tackling of the ship.
27:20 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.
27:21 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.
27:22 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.
27:23 For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve,
27:24 Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.
27:25 Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.
27:26 Howbeit we must be cast upon a certain island.
27:27 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;
27:28 And sounded, and found it twenty fathoms: and when they had gone a little further, they sounded again, and found it fifteen fathoms.
27:29 Then fearing lest we should have fallen upon rocks, they cast four anchors out of the stern, and wished for the day.
27:30 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,
27:31 Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved.
27:32 Then the soldiers cut off the ropes of the boat, and let her fall off.
27:33 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.
27:34 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.
27:35 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.
27:36 Then were they all of good cheer, and they also took some meat.
27:37 And we were in all in the ship two hundred threescore and sixteen souls.
27:38 And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, and cast out the wheat into the sea.
27:39 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.
27:40 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.
27:41 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.
27:42 And the soldiers' counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim out, and escape.
27:43 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:
27:44 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.
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Everything King James Bible:Acts

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
back to: Acts
Book: Acts
Chapter: 27

Overview:
Paul's voyage towards Rome. (1-11) Paul and his companions
endangered By a tempest. (12-20) He receives a Divine Assurance
of safety. (21-29) Paul encourages those with him. (30-38) They
are shipwrecked. (39-44)

1-11 It was determined By the counsel of God, before it was
determined By the counsel of Festus, that Paul should go to
Rome; for God had work for him to do there. The course they
steered, and the places they touched at, are here set down. And
God here encourages those who suffer for him, to trust in him;
for he can Put it into the hearts of those to befriend them,
from whom they least expect it. Sailors must make the best of
the wind: and So must we all in our Passage over the ocean of
this world. When the Winds are contrary, yet we must be getting
forward as Well as we can. Many who are not driven backward By
Cross providences, do not get forward By favourable providences.
And many real Christians complain as to the concerns of their
souls, that they have much ado to keep their ground. Every fair
Haven is not a safe Haven. Many show respect to good ministers,
who will not take their advice. But the event will convince
sinners of the vanity of their hopes, and the folly of their
conduct.

12-20 Those who launch forth On the ocean of this world, with a
fair gale, know not what storms they may meet with; and
therefore must not easily take it for granted that they have
obtained their purpose. Let us never expect to be quite safe
till we enter Heaven. They saw neither Sun nor Stars for many
days. Thus melancholy sometimes is the condition of the people
of God as to their spiritual matters; they walk in Darkness, and
have No Light. See what the wealth of this world is: though
coveted as a blessing, the time may come when it will be a
Burden; not only too heavy to be carried safely, but heavy
enough to sink him that has it. The children of this world can
be prodigal of their goods for the saving their lives, yet are
sparing of them in Works of Piety and Charity, and in suffering
for Christ. Any Man will rather make shipwreck of his goods than
of his Life; but many rather make shipwreck of Faith and a good
Conscience, than of their goods. The means the sailors used did
not succeed; but when sinners give up all Hope of saving
themselves, they are prepared to understand God's Word, and to
trust in his Mercy through Jesus Christ.

21-29 They did not hearken to the Apostle when he warned them
of their danger; yet if they acknowledge their folly, and repent
of it, he will speak comfort and relief to them when in danger.
Most people bring themselves into trouble, because they do not
know when they are Well off; they come to harm and loss By
aiming to mend their condition, often against advice. Observe
the solemn profession Paul made of relation to God. No storms or
tempests can hinder God's favour to his people, for he is a Help
always at Hand. It is a comfort to the Faithful servants of God
when in difficulties, that as long as the Lord has any work for
them to do, their lives shall be prolonged. If Paul had thrust
himself needlessly into bad company, he might justly have been
cast away with them; but God Calling him into it, they are
preserved with him. They are given thee; there is No greater
satisfaction to a good Man than to know he is a public blessing.
He comforts them with the same comforts wherewith he himself was
comforted. God is ever Faithful, therefore let all who have an
interest in his promises be ever cheerful. As, with God, saying
and doing are not two things, believing and enjoying should not
be So with us. Hope is an Anchor of the soul, sure and stedfast,
entering into that within the Veil. Let those who are in
spiritual Darkness Hold Fast By that, and think not of putting
to Sea again, but abide By Christ, and wait till the Day break,
and the shadows flee away.

30-38 God, who appointed the End, that they should be saved,
appointed the means, that they should be saved By the help of
these shipmen. Duty is ours, events are God's; we do not trust
God, but tempt him, when we say we Put ourselves under his
protection, if we do not use proper means, such as are within
our power, for our safety. But how selfish are men in general,
often even ready to seek their own safety By the Destruction of
others! Happy those who have such a one as Paul in their
company, who not only had intercourse with Heaven, but was of an
enlivening Spirit to those about him. The sorrow of the world
Works Death, while joy in God is Life and peace in the greatest
distresses and dangers. The comfort of God's promises can only
be ours By believing dependence On him, to fulfil his Word to
us; and the Salvation he reveals must be waited for in use of
the means he appoints. If God has Chosen us to Salvation, he has
also appointed that we shall obtain it By Repentance, Faith,
Prayer, and persevering obedience; it is fatal presumption to
expect it in any other way. It is an encouragement to people to
commit themselves to Christ as their Saviour, when those who
invite them, clearly show that they do So themselves.

39-44 The ship that had weathered the storm in the open Sea,
where it had room, is dashed to Pieces when it sticks Fast.
Thus, if the Heart fixes in the world in Affection, and cleaving
to it, it is lost. Satan's temptations beat against it, and it
is gone; but as long as it keeps above the world, though tossed
with cares and tumults, there is Hope for it. They had the shore
in view, yet suffered shipwreck in the harbour; thus we are
taught never to be secure. Though there is great difficulty in
the way of the promised Salvation, it shall, without fail, be
brought to pass. It will come to pass that whatever the trials
and dangers may be, in due time all believers will get safely to
Heaven. Lord Jesus, thou hast assured us that none of thine
shall perish. Thou wilt bring them all safe to the heavenly
shore. And what a pleasing landing will that be! Thou wilt
present them to thy Father, and give thy Holy Spirit full
possession of them for ever.