*Acts 27:1-26
Bound for Rome under guard, Paul sets sail on a storm-tossed ship.
- Paul’s Departure for Rome:
- Paul, along with other prisoners, is handed over to a centurion named Julius of the Imperial Regiment for transportation to Rome.
- They board a ship from Adramyttium, planning to sail along the coast of Asia, accompanied by Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica.
- Initial Stages of the Voyage:
- The ship stops at Sidon where Julius kindly allows Paul to visit friends and receive care.
- Sailing becomes difficult, and they navigate with caution, eventually reaching Myra in Lycia.
- Transfer to an Alexandrian Ship:
- At Myra, they transfer to an Alexandrian ship heading for Italy, which encounters adverse winds, making progress slow and arduous.
- They sail under the shelter of Cyprus and then across the open sea near Cilicia and Pamphylia, arriving with difficulty at a place called Fair Havens near the city of Lasea on Crete.
- Decision Against Paul’s Advice:
- With winter approaching, sailing becomes risky. Paul advises against continuing the voyage, predicting loss and danger, but the centurion follows the advice of the pilot and the ship’s owner instead.
- They decide to sail on, hoping to reach Phoenix, a harbor on Crete, to winter there.
- The Storm:
- Shortly after setting sail from Fair Havens, a violent wind, called the Northeaster, sweeps down from the island and drives the ship out to sea.
- The sailors are unable to turn into the wind, so they give way to it and are driven along.
- Battling the Storm:
- The ship is battered by the storm for many days, losing all hope of survival. During this time, they throw the ship’s cargo and tackle overboard to lighten the load.
- Paul’s Reassurance:
- After many days without sun or stars, Paul stands before them and reassures everyone that there will be no loss of life, only the ship.
- He explains that an angel of God, to whom he belongs and serves, stood beside him and told him not to be afraid. Paul must stand trial before Caesar, and God has graciously spared the lives of all those sailing with him.
- Paul urges them to keep up their courage, declaring that he has faith in God that things will happen just as he has been told.
- Continued Journey:
- They must run aground on some island to survive, as revealed to Paul.
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.