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Read Acts Chapter 27

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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.

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.

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

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

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;

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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 Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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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Explanation

Acts 27

In short

Paul is a prisoner being shipped to Rome when a violent storm at sea traps the ship for two weeks. Paul warns the crew beforehand that sailing is dangerous, and later an angel tells him God will save everyone on board. The ship breaks apart, but all 276 people reach land safely.

What the text says

Paul and other prisoners are handed to a centurion named Julius to sail to Italy (verse 1). They board a ship and set sail, with Paul's companion Aristarchus traveling with them (verses 2-3). The winds force them to take a slower route along the southern coast (verses 4-7), and they reach a place called Fair Havens on Crete (verses 7-8).

When sailing becomes dangerous as winter approaches, Paul warns the crew that proceeding will cause harm and loss of life (verses 9-10). The centurion and ship's officers disregard Paul and decide to sail to Phoenix, a better harbor (verse 11-12). A gentle south wind makes them think they can succeed, so they set sail (verse 13). Almost immediately a violent storm called Euroclydon hits them (verse 14). For fourteen days the ship is driven by the tempest, and all hope of survival fades (verses 15-20).

Paul then tells them they should have listened to him, but says an angel appeared to him at night assuring him that God has granted him the lives of all who sail with him, and that Paul must stand before Caesar (verses 21-24). After fourteen days, the sailors sense they are nearing land (verses 27-29). Some sailors try to escape in a small boat, but Paul warns the centurion that they must stay with the ship, so the soldiers cut the boat loose (verses 30-32). Paul persuades everyone to eat to maintain their strength (verses 33-36). There are 276 people aboard (verse 37).

When daylight comes, they see land and steer toward it (verses 39-40). The ship runs aground and breaks apart (verse 41). Soldiers plan to kill the prisoners so they will not escape, but the centurion stops them and orders everyone to swim or use pieces of wood to reach shore (verses 42-43). All 276 reach land safely (verse 44).

Takeaways

  • Paul's warning before the storm shows he speaks God's truth, even when powerful people ignore him.
  • God's promise through the angel protects not only Paul but everyone traveling with him.
  • Practical actions like eating and holding the ship together work alongside God's protection to bring about safety.

Explanation written with the help of AI. The Bible text above is not changed. Context and interpretation are flagged as such; always come back to the text itself.