9 When considerable time had passed and the voyage was now dangerous , since even the fast was already over , Paul began to admonish them, 10 and said to them, "Men , I perceive that the voyage will certainly be with damage and great loss , not only of the cargo and the ship , but also of our lives ." 11 But the centurion was more persuaded by the pilot and the captain of the ship than by what was being said by Paul .
12 Because the harbor was not suitable for wintering , the majority reached a decision to put out to sea from there , if somehow they could reach Phoenix , a harbor of Crete , facing southwest and northwest , and spend the winter there.
13 When a moderate south wind came up, supposing that they had attained their purpose , they weighed anchor and began sailing along Crete , close inshore. 14 But before e very long there rushed down from the land a violent wind , called Euraquilo ; 15 and when the ship was caught in it and could not face the wind , we gave way to it and let ourselves be driven along. 16 Running under the shelter of a small island called Clauda , we were scarcely able to get the ship's boat under control . 17 After they had hoisted it up, they used supporting cables in undergirding the ship ; and fearing that they might run aground on the shallows of Syrtis , they let down the sea anchor and in this way let themselves be driven along. 18 The next day as we were being violently storm-tossed , they began to jettison the cargo ; 19 and on the third day they threw the ship's tackle overboard with their own hands . 20 Since neither sun nor stars appeared for many days , and no small storm was assailing us, from then on all hope of our being saved was gradually abandoned .
21 When they had gone a long time without food , then Paul stood up in their midst and said , " Men , you ought to have followed my advice and not to have set sail from Crete and incurred this damage and loss . 22 "Yet now I urge you to keep up your courage , for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship . 23 "For this very night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood before me, 24 saying , 'Do not be afraid , Paul ; you must stand before Caesar ; and behold , God has granted you all those who are sailing with you.' 25 "Therefore , keep up your courage , men , for I believe God that it will turn out exactly e e as I have been told . 26 "But we must run aground on a certain island ." 27 But when the fourteenth night came , as we were being driven about in the Adriatic Sea, about midnight e the sailors began to surmise that they were approaching some land . 28 They took soundings and found it to be twenty fathoms ; and a little farther on they took another sounding and found it to be fifteen fathoms . 29 Fearing that we might run aground somewhere on the rocks , they cast four anchors from the stern and wished for daybreak . 30 But as the sailors were trying to escape from the ship and had let down the ship's boat into the sea , on the pretense of intending to lay out anchors from the bow , 31 Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers , "Unless e these men remain in the ship , you yourselves cannot e be saved ." 32 Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the ship's boat and let it fall away . 33 Until the day was about to dawn , Paul was encouraging them all to take some food , saying , "Today is the fourteenth day that you have been constantly watching and going without eating , having taken nothing . 34 "Therefore I encourage you to take some food , for this is for your preservation , for not a hair from the head of any of you will perish ." 35 Having said this , he took bread and gave thanks to God in the presence of all , and he broke it and began to eat . 36 All of them were encouraged and they themselves also took food . 37 All of us in the ship were two hundred and seventy-six e persons . 38 When they had eaten enough e , they began to lighten the ship by throwing out the wheat into the sea .
39 When day came , they could not recognize the land ; but they did observe a bay with a beach , and they resolved to drive the ship onto it if they could . 40 And casting off the anchors , they left them in the sea while at the same time they were loosening the ropes of the rudders ; and hoisting the foresail to the wind , they were heading for the beach . 41 But striking a reef where two seas met , they ran the vessel aground ; and the prow stuck fast and remained immovable , but the stern began to be broken up by the force of the waves. 42 The soldiers' plan was to kill the prisoners , so that none e of them would swim away and escape ; 43 but the centurion , wanting to bring Paul safely through , kept them from their intention , and commanded that those who could swim should jump overboard first and get to land , 44 and the rest should follow, some on planks , and others e on various things from the ship . And so it happened that they all were brought safely to land .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Acts 27:9-44
Commentary on Acts 27:1-11
(Read Acts 27:1-11)
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.
Commentary on Acts 27:12-20
(Read Acts 27:12-20)
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.
Commentary on Acts 27:21-29
(Read Acts 27:21-29)
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.
Commentary on Acts 27:30-38
(Read Acts 27:30-38)
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.
Commentary on Acts 27:39-44
(Read Acts 27:39-44)
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.