Tyndale Open Study NotesActs 27

• The graphic language describing sailing in the story of Paul's journey to Rome provides one of the best accounts of an ancient sea journey.

• This is the last "we" section in Acts (see also 16:10–17; 20:5–15; 21:1–18). During Paul's two years of imprisonment, Luke probably researched his gospel throughout Judea and Galilee. Here, as part of Paul's sailing group, he had a personal witness of the dangers at sea.

• Julius is not known from other sources.

• the Imperial Regiment: This group of soldiers was stationed in Syria during this period (see study note on 10:1–8).

• Aristarchus was from Thessalonica and worked with Paul in Asia (see 19:29; 20:4, 6; Philemon 1:24).

• Adramyttium was a seaport on the west coast of Asia Minor, southeast of Troas.

Sidon was a city on the coast, about 110 kilometers (70 miles) north of Caesarea. It was the ship’s first stop. Julius (the Roman officer in charge) treated Paul kindly and allowed his Christian friends there to care for him.

• Luke gives a detailed description of the sea journey. The ship traveled north and then west along the southern coast of Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey).

• Myra was an important stop. Ships from Egypt carrying grain (food crops like wheat) to Italy regularly stopped there.

• The difficulty was partly because it was late in the season (27:9).

• Cnidus was a seaport on the southwestern coast of Asia Minor, near the island of Cos.

• The cape of Salmone was at the northeastern tip of Crete, the largest island in Greece.

Fair Havens is a small bay on the south side of the island of Crete.

because it was after the Fast: It was late in the fall, which meant travel on the Mediterranean Sea was dangerous.

Paul understood the consequences if they continued. He warned the ship's officers. But they and the Roman officer were not likely to listen to an imprisoned Jewish rabbi with no sailing experience. Later, however, they would respect him more (27:30–36, 42–43).

The winds from the southeast made Fair Havens not a safe harbor for winter. Phoenix, a town further up the coast of Crete, offered a better harbor.

the Northeaster: This storm had the strength of a hurricane or cyclone. It threatened both the cargo and the crew. Forced to let the ship run in front of the storm, they sailed past a small island called Cauda (known today as Gaudos), south of Crete.

• The purpose of wrapping ropes around the ship's framework (hull) was to strengthen it against the storm's pressure. This process is called frapping.

• Syrtis refers to the shallow bays with sandbars off the North African coast, west of Cyrene.

The violent and persistent storm forced the crew to throw the cargo over the side of the boat (compare Jonah 1:5). The crew had lost hope.

Paul spoke to the crew. He first criticized them for not listening to him (27:10–12). Then, he encouraged them by sharing the angel's assurance that everyone would survive.

The Adriatic Sea is also known as the Ionian Sea. It is south of Italy and Greece, between Malta and Crete.

This time the soldiers listened to Paul (compare 27:10–11).

Paul acts like a true leader. He personally evaluates a dangerous situation, decides on a plan, and guides others to solve the problem (compare Nehemiah 1–3; contrast with Jonah 1). Paul’s positive example and strong faith in God encouraged the others to eat and remain hopeful (Acts 27:22–25).

• The food gave new strength and hope to the scared and tired crew and prisoners.

• 276 of us: This number matches what we know about ships carrying grain from that time period.

They guided the ship onto a sandbar (a shallow area of sand in the water).

Even during a crisis, the soldiers were responsible for the prisoners (see 12:19; 16:27; 27:32; see study note on 16:27). Fortunately, the commanding officer helped them. This showed God's protection and favor, as all 276 people safely reached the shore, exactly as the angel promised (see 27:24).