RSV ~ Acts 27 Notes

Acts 27:1-28 | ISB Notes

Paul’s sea voyage to Rome. The journey has three phases: he takes one ship from Caesarea to Myra (27:15), another from Myra to Malta (27:6-28:1), and another still from Malta to Italy (28:11-16). Though a harrowing voyage through storm and shipwreck, Paul stands out as a pillar of strength and composure who encourages those around him.

Acts 27:1 | ISB Notes

decided that we: Last mentioned accompanying Paul to Jerusalem (21:15-17), Luke again joins the apostle on his travels, this time to Rome. Confirmation of this emerges from the narrative, which is filled with the minute details of an eyewitness account and makes use of technical, nautical terminology. See note on Acts 16:10.

a centurion: Paul and other prisoners are guarded by a military escort.

Acts 27:2 | ISB Notes

Adramyttium: The ship was destined to port along the western coast of Asia Minor (modern Turkey).

Aristarchus: Earlier he traveled with Paul from Ephesus (19:29) to Greece (20:2-4) and eventually to Jerusalem (21:15-17). His trip to Rome is independently confirmed by Paul’s own letters, where he appears at the apostle’s side during his detainment (Col 4:10; Philem 24).

Acts 27:3-5 | ISB Notes

Embarking from Caesarea, the ship sailed up the coast nearly 70 miles to Sidon, then around the northeastern shoulder of the island of Cyprus to the port of Myra, on the southern edge of Asia Minor. All told, this first leg of the trip probably lasted around 12 days.

Acts 27:6 | ISB Notes

ship of Alexandria: That is, from the largest port city in northern Africa. Cargo ships like this one often passed from Egypt to Italy, supplying the Roman capital with most of its wheat and grains (27:38).

Acts 27:7-28 | ISB Notes

Embarking from Myra, the second ship sailed west to Cnidus and then south around the island of Crete. After docking in the bay of Fair Havens, the captain and crew decided to push on to another Cretan port at Phoenix but were blasted with powerful winds from the northeast that drove them away from the coastline and into the turbulent sea. Eventually they drifted to the island of Malta, where the ship ran aground and everyone on board was able to swim or paddle to safety.

Acts 27:9 | ISB Notes

the fast: The annual Day of Atonement, when the nation of Israel sought the mercy of God and spent the day fasting (Lev 16:29-31). The feast fell in late September, i.e., about the same time the sailing season was drawing to a close around the Mediterranean. By the middle of November, sailing was deemed impossible for a full three months (28:11).

Acts 27:17 | ISB Notes

undergird the ship: Ropes were tied sideways around the body of the vessel to keep it from breaking up in the stormy waters.

the Syrtis: A stretch of offshore sandbars along the northern coast of Africa.

lowered the gear: Probably the sails, not the anchors.

Acts 27:22 | ISB Notes

no loss of life: A timely note of encouragement— God’s kindness toward Paul would embrace all 276 passengers on board (27:37). It had already been revealed to Paul that his safe arrival in Rome was part of God’s plan (23:11), and this had been reaffirmed by an angelic messenger the night before (27:24).

Acts 27:27 | ISB Notes

the sea of Adria: Not the Adriatic Sea east of Italy, but another name for the central waters of the Mediterranean.

Acts 27:30 | ISB Notes

lowered the boat: The crewmen intended to desert the ship on a getaway lifeboat.

Acts 27:35 | ISB Notes

he took bread: After days of rough waters and seasickness drowned the crew’s appetite, Paul encouraged them to find strength in food before their final swim to safety. The sequence of giving thanks and breaking bread could suggest a eucharistic celebration (Lk 24:30-35), but similar ritual actions were performed at normal Jewish meals (Lk 9:16; 1 Tim 4:45). Since Luke gives no indication that the captain and crew were baptized believers, the latter case is more probable than the former.

Acts 27:41 | ISB Notes

ran the vessel aground: This was at least the fourth time Paul was shipwrecked during the days of his apostolic ministry (2 Cor 11:25).

Acts 27:42 | ISB Notes

to kill the prisoners: Roman soldiers were accountable for prisoners under their guard. They would be severely punished if even one of the inmates escaped in the confusion and desperation of the moment.