Atos 27
Bob Utley · You Can Understand the Bible
Atos 27
CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS TO ACTS 27 Luke had a vast knowledge, covering sailing (A. T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament, vol. 3, p. 456, says Luke used nine compounds with pleō, to sail) as well as literature, medicine, history and theology. Here is a list of technical, nautical terms and phrases. sailed (cf. Acts 13:4; 14:26; 20:15;27:1) under the shelter of (cf. Acts 27:4,7) weighed anchor (cf. Acts 27:13) Euraquilo (cf. Acts 27:14) face the wind (cf. Acts 27:15) running under the shelter of (cf. Acts 27:16) undergirding (cf. Acts 27:17) sea anchor (skeuos, cf. Acts 27: 17 ship's tackle (skeuēn, cf. Acts 27:19) soundings (cf. Acts 27:28 [twice]) fathoms (cf. Acts 27:28 [twice]) four anchors from the stern (cf. Acts 27:29,40) the ropes of the rudders (cf. Acts 27:40) hoisting the foresail to the wind (cf. Acts 27:40) tacking (MSS P 74 , א, A, cf. Acts 28:13) One older book that has been such a help to commentators is James Smith's The Voyage and Shipwreck of St. Paul, 1848. This trip to Rome was attempted at a dangerous time of the year for sailing (cf. Acts 27:1,4,7,9,10,14). Usually November-February was the most dangerous time to travel, with a two to three week marginal period before and after. The regular grain shipments to Rome took ten to fourteen days, but because of the wind direction their return could take sixty days. There are three different, possibly four, ships mentioned in this passage a coastal ship which stopped at every port and hugged the coastline. two large Egyptian grain ships that ferried grain from Egypt directly to Italy possibly a barge trip between Naples to a landing 43 miles south of Rome It is interesting to follow Luke's account of this voyage on a map of the Mediterranean.
Atos 27:1-8
27:1 "When it was decided that we would sail for Italy" Festus sent them at a dangerous time of the year for sailing. The "we" refers to Paul and Luke (possibly others). Most of the "we" sections of Acts have a sailing component (cf. Acts 16:10-17; 20:5-15; 21:1-18; 27:1-28:16). ▣ "some other prisoners" We do not know anything about them except they were Imperial prisoners heading for Rome. ▣ "centurion" These Roman military men are always presented in positive terms in the NT (cf. Matthew 8; Luke 7; 23:47; Acts 10; and Paul's trials, Acts 21-28). ▣ "of the Augustan cohort" They were thought to be official couriers between Rome and the provinces (cf. W. M Ramsay, St. Paul the Traveler and Roman Citizen, pp. 315, 348), but this is only undocumented supposition before the time of Emperor Hadrian (A.D. 117-138). 27:2 "an Adramyttian ship" This was a small coastal ship which stopped at every port. The home port of this ship was the seaport of Mysia in Asia Minor. This is the first stage of the long and dangerous trip to Rome. ▣ "Aristarchus" His home was in Thessalonica; possibly he was returning home (cf. Acts 19:29; 20:4; Col. 4:10; Philemon 24). He may have been accompanied by Secundas (cf. Acts 20:4 and some western Greek manuscripts of this verse). 27:3 "Sidon" This is a Phoenician city about sixty-seven miles north of Caesarea. It was the ancient capital of Phoenicia, but had long since been eclipsed by Tyre. "with consideration" NKJV, NRSV "kindly" "was kind" "was considerate" "very considerately" "with kindness" This is a compound term from "love" (philos) and "humanity" (anthrōpos). The term is used twice in Acts, the NOUN in Acts 28:2 (cf. Titus 3:4) and the ADVERB here in Acts 27:3. Julius was a compassionate person (somewhat surprising for a Roman occupational soldier). He probably had heard about Paul's case. ▣ "his friends" This probably refers to the Christians there. Julius trusted Paul, but possibly a Roman guard went with him. ▣ "receive care" The text does not specify what kind of attention (emotional, physical, financial). 27:4 "under the shelter of Cyprus" This is a confusing phrase because it makes English readers think "south of Cyprus," but in reality, it meant north. The other names mentioned are on the southern and western coast of modern Turkey. 27:6 "Alexandrian ship sailing for Italy" This was a larger ship (276 people on board plus huge amounts of grain) from Egypt on her way to Rome. Moderns know of these large ships from pictures on the walls of Pompeii and from Lucian's writings, around A.D. 150. Myra was the major port for these large grain ships. 27:7 "Cnidus" This was a free maritime city on the southwest coast of the Roman province of Asia. Most Rome-bound ships used this port (cf. Thucydides, Hist. 8.35). It had two harbors because it was located on a peninsula. ▣ "Salmone" This was a city on the eastern tip of the island of Crete. Because of the time of the year they tried to work their way west by sailing close to the island. 27:8 "Fair Havens" This is a bay near the southern city of Lasea on Crete. It is not a harbor, but a bay. It would have been difficult to stay here all winter.
Atos 27:9-12
27:9 There were certain times of the year (winter months) when the rapid movement of storm fronts and wind directions made sailing dangerous in the Mediterranean. ▣ "the fast" This refers to the Day of Atonement (cf. Leviticus 16). It is the only fast day mentioned in the writings of Moses. This would make the voyage sometime between September and October. October was the marginal period for sea travel. SPECIAL TOPIC: FEASTS OF ISRAEL, F. #2. SPECIAL TOPIC: ATONEMENT (OT) ▣ "Paul began" This is an IMPERFECT TENSE which can refer to (1) continuous action in past time or (2) the beginning of an action. In context option #2 is best. 27:10 Paul issues a strong and specific warning. However, in reality, this did not occur. Was Paul giving his personal opinion ("I perceive"), or did God change His mind and decide to spare the people on board (cf. Acts 27:24)? 27:11 "the pilot and the captain" "the helmsman and the owner" "the pilot and the owner" TEV, NJB, REB "the captain and the owner" "the master and owner" This phrase denotes two separate people. the pilot (kubernētēs), which refers to the helmsman, the one who steers the ship (cf. Rev. 18:17) the captain (nauklēros, compound of "ship" [naus] and "to inherit" or "a lot" [klēros]), although the word could mean "ship owners" (cf. F. F. Bruce, The Book of Acts, p. 507, quotes Ramsay, St. Paul the Traveler, p. 324, who quotes Inscriptiones Graecae, 14.918). Its use in the Koine Papyri is "captain." The exact difference between these two terms is uncertain (cf. Louw and Nida, Greek-English Lexicon, vol. 1, p. 548 vs. Harold Moulton, The Analytical Greek Lexicon Revised, p. 275), but probably on a ship of this size (Alexandrian grain ship) there were several levels of leaders, as well as regular sailors. 27:12 "if" This is a FOURTH CLASS CONDITIONAL SENTENCE which denotes a wish or prayer. Those who made the decision to sail knew it would be dangerous but thought they could make it. ▣ "Phoenix" This is a harbor on the southern shore of Crete, westward of Fair Havens. There is some doubt from ancient sources about its exact location (Strabo, Geography, 10.4.3 vs. Ptolemy, An Egyptian Geography 3.17.3). They were still sailing close to the shore along the southern coast of Crete. ▣ "facing southwest and northwest" Apparently at Phoenix there were two towns separated by a piece of land jutting into the sea. One harbor would be favorably related to winds from one direction and the other favorably related to winds from the other direction. The time of year determined which harbor was best.
Atos 27:13-20
27:14 NASB, NRSV, REB "a violent wind" "a tempestuous wind" "a very strong wind" NJB, Peshitta "a hurricane" This Greek word is tuphōn (typhoon) + ikos (like). This was a sudden, very violent wind. It was probably intensified by the 7,000 foot mountains on Crete. "Euraquico" "Euroclydon" NRSV, TEV, REB "the northeaster" "the north-easter" "Typhonic Euroclydon" This was a special name the sailors had given for this type of wind during this season. It is made up of a Greek term, "east wind" (euros) a Latin term "north wind" (aquilo) It was a strong, sudden northeast wind. This became a technical nautical term (eukakulōn), but it was misunderstood by later scribes who altered it in several ways to try to make the context make sense. 27:15 "could not face the wind" Ancient ships had eyes painted on each side of the bow. Later human or animal figures were placed on the bow (cf. Acts 28:11). Even today we personify ships as females. This phrase is literally "against" (anti) plus "eye" (ophthalmos). They could not head the ship into the wind. 27:16 "Clauda" This small island is about fifty miles off the southern coast of Crete. They were now helpless in the face of a strong northeastern wind. They took advantage of the brief shelter from the wind to do what they could to prepare the ship for rough seas. There are several Greek manuscript variants as to the name of this island. Kauda, MSS P 74 , אi 2 , B Klauda, MSS א * , A Klaudēn, MSS H, L, P, and many later minuscule manuscripts Gaudēn, the Greek text used by Jerome Klaudion, some minuscule manuscripts UBS 3 and UBS 4 give #1 a "B" rating (almost certain). The first two options may be the Greek form and the Latin form of the name. SPECIAL TOPIC: TEXTUAL CRITICISM ▣ "to get the ship's boat under control" This refers to a smaller boat in tow (cf. Acts 27:30, 32). This trailing boat formed a drag which made it difficult to steer the larger ship. 27:17 "used supporting cables in undergirding the ship" This refers to wrapping special ropes around the hull to help hold it together in storms (cf. Aristotle, Rhetoric 2.5.18). ▣ "the shallows of Syrtis" These are moving sand bars off the coast of northern Africa. They were called Syrtis Major and Syrtis Minor (cf. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 5.4,27). They were the graveyard of many a sailing ship. To avoid the Syrtis Major the sailors steered the ship sideways, so as to drift slowly southward. ▣ "sea anchor" The key to properly interpreting this context is the term "lowered." What did they lower: (1) a sea anchor or (2) part of the sail? The purpose was to slow the ship down, but at the same time allow some control. A sea anchor is not an anchor that gripped the bottom, but a parachute-like sheet which used the weight of the water it contained to slow down the ship from drifting southward (cf. old Latin text and NASB, NRSV, and NJB). There are several English translations which translate this as "lower the sail" (cf. NKJV, TEV, NJB, and Peshitta in English). The Greek term literally means "a thing" (cf. Louw & Nida, Greek-English Lexicon, vol. 2, p. 223) and must be interpreted in light of a specific context. There are several specific papyrii texts which use it for a sail (cf. Moulton & Milligan, The Vocabulary of the Greek Testament, p. 577). If so, they lower part of the sails but not all of them. They had to retain some control and attempt to travel sideways as slowly as possible. 27:18-19 This shows how violent and dangerous this storm seemed to these seasoned sailors (cf. Acts 20). 27:18 "jettison the cargo" This act shows that these sailors were truly afraid for their lives. 27:19 "the ship's tackle" Exactly to what this refers is unknown, possibly the main sail and its rigging. The term is ambiguous. This very same term refers to the sea-anchor, or part of the sails, in Acts 27:17. 27:20 "neither sun nor stars appeared for many days" This phrase apparently reveals that they had no clue as to where they were. They were afraid of the coast of north Africa, but they could not tell how close they were (cf. Acts 27:29). Without stars or the sun they could not navigate or discern their position. ▣ "from then on all hope of our being saved was gradually abandoned" This sets the stage for Paul's encouragement based on his previous vision (cf. Acts 27:21-26). These sailors' resources were gone!
Atos 27:21-26
27:21 "they had gone a long time without food" There are at least three possible meanings in relation to Acts 27:33: maybe they were seasick from the violent, protracted storm they were praying and fasting for the religious purpose of being spared (i.e., pagan ritual, cf. Acts 27:29) they were so busy trying to save the ship, eating became a lesser issue ▣ "you ought to have followed my advice" This is Paul's "I told you so!" It provided Paul the opportunity to act as the Spirit's spokesman. 27:22 "but only of the ship" Notice the use of dei in Acts 27:26. See full note on dei at Acts 1:16. It is used three times in this chapter (Acts 27:21,24,26). 27:23 "an angel of the God" Several times Jesus or an angel appeared to Paul to encourage him (cf. Acts 18:9-10; 22:17-19; 23:11; 27:23-24). God had an evangelistic plan and purpose for Paul's life (cf. Acts 27:26; 9:15) and a storm was not going to stop it. The word translated "angel" also means "messenger" in both Hebrew and Greek. God often communicated with humans by this means. Gabriel to Zechariah ‒ Luke 1:13-20 to Mary ‒ Luke 1:26-38 an angel to Philip ‒ Acts 8:26 an angel to Cornelius ‒ Acts 10:3-7 an angel to Peter ‒ Acts 11:13; 12:7-11 an angel to Paul ‒ Acts 27:23 27:24 "Do not be afraid, Paul" This is a PRESENT MIDDLE (deponent) IMPERATIVE with the NEGATIVE PARTICLE which usually means stop an act already in process (cf. Acts 23:11; Prov. 3:5-6). ▣ "God has granted you all those who are sailing with you" This first VERB is a PERFECT MIDDLE (deponent) INDICATIVE. God had a plan and purpose for Paul's ministry (cf. Acts 9:15; 19:21; 23:11). He must (dei) witness in Rome before her governmental and military leaders. Paul's life and faith impacted the destiny of his companions. This same extension of grace can be seen in Deut. 5:10; 7:9; 1 Cor. 7:14. This does not remove personal responsibility, but accentuates the potential influence of believing family, friends, and co-workers. 27:25 Paul's admonition of Acts 27:22, "to keep up your courage," a PRESENT INFINITIVE, is repeated, "keep up your courage," which is a PRESENT ACTIVE IMPERATIVE. ▣ "for I believe God" Paul's encounter with the living Christ enabled him to trust God's word ("it will turn out exactly as I have been told" PERFECT PASSIVE INDICATIVE). Faith is the hand that receives the gifts of God—not only salvation, but providence. Robert B. Girdlestone, Synonyms of the Old Testament has a great statement and quote from Romaine, Life of Faith. "We now approach the N.T. with a clear distinction between faith on the one hand, and trust and hope on the other. Faith is the taking God at His word, while trust and patience and also hope are the proper fruits of faith, manifesting in various forms the confidence which the believer feels. A message comes to me from the Author of my existence; it may be a threat, a promise, or a command. If I take it as 'yea and amen,' that is Faith; and the act which results is an act of amunah or faithfulness God. Faith, according to Scripture, seems to imply a word, message, or revelation. So the learned Romaine says in his Life of Faith:—'Faith signifies believing the truth of the Word of God; it relates to some word spoken or to some promise made by Him, and it expresses the belief which a person who hears it has of its being true; he assents to it, relies upon it, and acts accordingly: this is faith.' Its fruit will vary according to the nature of the message received, and according to the circumstances of the receiver. It led Noah to build an ark, Abraham to offer up his son, Moses to refuse to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, the Israelites to march round the walls of Jericho. I believe God that it shall be even as it has been told me—this is a picture of the process which the Bible calls faith" (pp. 104-105). For "believe" see SPECIAL TOPIC: FAITH, BELIEVE, OR TRUST
Atos 27:27-32
27:27 "the fourteenth night" This time fits exactly the distance covered in their drifting configuration (i.e., sea anchor). They traveled 476 miles at 36 miles per 24-hour period. ▣ "Adriatic Sea" This refers to the south central Mediterranean (Adria). It does not refer to the Adriatic Sea of our day. ▣ "began to surmise that they were approaching some land" They possibly heard the breakers or saw certain birds or fish. 27:28 "sounding" This is from the VERB that means "to heave the lead," which refers to dropping a weighted rope, marked to denote the depth of the water. ▣ "fathom" This was the space between the arms outstretched. It denoted the measurement used by sailors to express the depth of the water. 27:29 It was still dark. They did not know exactly where they were. They wanted to slow down or stop the ship's approach to land until they could see where the ship was heading. 27:30 These sailors were not men of faith. They would do whatever they could to save themselves. 27:31 There were some conditions (THIRD CLASS CONDITIONAL SENTENCE) connected to Paul's updated vision and God's promise. ▣ "saved" This is the OT sense of physical deliverance (cf. James 5:15). Knowing Paul, these sailors, soldiers, and fellow passengers also heard the gospel, which brings the NT sense of the term spiritual salvation. What a tragedy to be saved from physical death to die an eternal death! SPECIAL TOPIC: SALVATION (OT)
Atos 27:33-38
27:34 "not a hair from the head of any of you will perish" Paul uses words similar to Jesus' words (cf. Luke 12:7; 21:18). This was a Hebrew idiom of protection (cf. 1 Sam. 14:45; 2 Sam. 14:11; 1 Kgs. 1:52). 27:35 This does not refer to the Lord's Supper, but it does show Paul's faith, even in the midst of crisis. Paul's faith influenced others (cf. Acts 27:36). 27:37 "two hundred and seventy-six" This includes crew and passengers. Manuscript B (fourth century) has "76" MSS א (fourth century) and C (fifth century) have "276" Manuscript A (fifth century) has "275" All modern English translations have 276 UBS 4 gives a "B" rating (almost certain) to option #2. SPECIAL TOPIC: TEXTUAL CRITICISM 27:38 This was a large grain ship from Egypt. They had already thrown overboard all other cargo and rigging (cf. Acts 27:18).
Atos 27:39-44
27:39 They could still control the ship to some degree (cf. Acts 27:40). There is a Greek manuscript variant related to "drive the ship onto it" (cf. MSS א, A, B 2 ; UBS 4 gives this a "B" rating)) and "land the ship safely" (cf. MSS B * and C). These two words sound very similar (exōsai vs. eksōsai). Ancient Greek manuscripts were often read by one and copied by many. Similar sounding terms were often confused. 27:40 These reefs along the shore caused many a ship wreck. In this case a reef developed where the ocean waves and the bay waters met. NASB, NKJV, NJB, Peshitta "rudders" NRSV, TEV "steering-oars" "steering-paddles" This refers to the dual rudders (PLURAL), which were typical on larger ships. James 3:4 uses this same word for "rudder." ▣ "the foresail" This is a rare term (Peshitta, "topsail"), but it must refer to a small sail on the bow (cf. Juvenal, Sat. 12.69). 27:42 "The soldiers' plan was to kill the prisoners" If they escaped the soldiers would have had to bear their penalty! 27:43 Paul's words, faith, and actions had convinced the leader of the Roman contingent to trust him and protect him.