Acts 27
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
And when it was determined, etc. - That is, when the governor had given orders to carry Paul to Rome, according to his appeal; together with other prisoners who were bound for the same place. We should sail - By this it is evident that St. Luke was with Paul; and it is on this account that he was enabled to give such a circumstantial account of the voyage. Julius, a centurion of Augustus' band - Lipsius has found the name of this cohort on an ancient marble; see Lips. in Tacit. Hist. lib. ii. The same cohort is mentioned by Suetonius, in his life of Nero, 20.
Open source ↗THE VOYAGE TO ITALY--THE SHIPWRECK AND SAFE LANDING AT MALTA. (Acts 27:1-44) we should sail, &c.--The "we" here reintroduces the historian as one of the company. Not that he had left the apostle from the time when he last included himself (Act 21:18), but the apostle was parted from him by his arrest and imprisonment, until now, when they met in the ship. delivered Paul and certain other prisoners--State prisoners going to be tried at Rome; of which several instances are on record. Julius--who treats the apostle throughout with such marked courtesy (Act 27:3, Act 27:43; Act 28:16), that it has been thought [BENGEL] he was present when Paul made his defense before Agrippa (see Act 25:23), and was impressed with his lofty bearing. a centurion of Augustus' band--the Augustan cohort, an honorary title given to more than one legion of the Roman army, implying, perhaps, that they acted as a bodyguard to the emperor or procurator, as occasion required.
Open source ↗And when it was determined that we should sail into Italy,.... The chief city of which was Rome, the metropolis of the empire, where Caesar had his palace, to whom the apostle had appealed; and his voyage thither was determined by Festus, with the advice of Agrippa and his council, pursuant to the apostle's appeal, and which was founded on the will of God; all which concurred in this affair: it was the decree and will of God that the apostle should go to Rome, which was made known to him; and it was his resolution upon that, to go thither, wherefore he appealed to Caesar; and it was the determination of the Roman governor, not only as to his going there, but as to the time of it, which was now fixed: the Vulgate Latin, Syriac, and Arabic versions, read "he", instead of "we"; and the Ethiopic version reads expressly "Paul"; but the Greek copies read we: by whom are meant the apostle, and his companions; as Luke the writer of this history, and Aristarchus the Macedonian mentioned in the next verse, and Trophimus the Ephesian, who was afterwards left at Miletus sick, Ti2 4:20 and who else cannot be said; these were to sail with him to Italy, not as prisoners, but as companions: this resolution being taken, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners; who very likely had also appealed to Caesar, or at least the governor thought fit to send them to Rome, to have their cases heard and determined there; and these by the order of Festus were delivered by the centurions, or jailers, in whose custody they had been, unto one called Julius; in the Alexandrian copy of the third verse, he is called Julianus; he was either one of the Julian family, or rather was one that had been made free by some of that family, and so took the name: a centurion of Augustus' band; of a Roman band…
Open source ↗It does not appear how long it was after Paul's conference with Agrippa that he was sent away for Rome, pursuant to his appeal to Caesar; but it is likely they took the first convenience they could hear of to do it; in the mean time Paul is in the midst of his friends at Caesarea - they comforts to him, and he a blessing to them. But here we are told, I. How Paul was shipped off for Italy: a long voyage, but there is no remedy. He has appealed to Caesar, and to Caesar he must go: It was determined that we should sail into Italy, for to Rome they must go by sea; it would have been a vast way about to go by land. Hence, when the Roman conquest of the Jewish nation is foretold, it is said (Num 24:24), Ships shall come from Chittim, that is, Italy, and shall afflict Eber, that is, the Hebrews. It was determined by the counsel of God, before it was determined by the counsel of Festus, that Paul should go to Rome; for, whatever man intended, God had work for him to do there. Now here we are told, 1. Whose custody he was committed to - to one named Julius, a centurion of Augustus's band, as Cornelius was of the Italian band, or legion, Act 10:1. He had soldiers under him, who were a guard upon Paul, that he might not make his escape, and likewise to protect him, that he might have no mischief done him. 2. What bottom he embarked in: they went on board a ship of Adramyttium (Act 27:2), a sea-port of Africa, whence this ship brought African goods, and, as it should seem, made a coasting voyage for Syria, where those goods came to a good market. 3. What company he had in this voyage, there were some prisoners who were committed to the custody of the same centurion, and who probably had appealed to Caesar too, or were upon some other account removed to Rome, to be tried there, or…
Open source ↗27:1–28:16 The vivid nautical language used throughout the account of Paul’s journey to Rome yields one of the best available accounts of an ancient sea voyage. • This is the last “we” section in Acts (see also 16:10-17; 20:5-15; 21:1-18). During the two years of Paul’s imprisonment, Luke had probably done much of the research for his Gospel throughout Judea and Galilee. Here, as a member of Paul’s sailing party, he was an eyewitness participant in the danger at sea. 27:1 Julius is otherwise unknown. • The Imperial Regiment (see study note on 10:1-8) served in Syria during this time.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. ὡς (hōs, G5613) — which how, i.e. in that manner (very variously used, as follows) κρίνω (krínō, G2919) — by implication, to try, condemn, punish ἡμᾶς (hēmâs, G2248) — us ἀποπλέω (apopléō, G636) — to set sail εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… Ἰταλία (Italía, G2482) — Italia, a region of Europe παραδίδωμι (paradídōmi, G3860) — to surrender, i.e yield up, intrust, transmit τέ (té, G5037) — both or also (properly, as correlation of G2532 (καί)) Παῦλος (Paûlos, G3972) — (little; but remotely from a derivative of G3973 (παύω), meaning the same); Paulus, the… καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… τὶς (tìs, G5100) — some or any person or object ἕτερος (héteros, G2087) — (an-, the) other or different δεσμώτης (desmṓtēs, G1202) — (passively) a captive
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. ἐπιβαίνω (epibaínō, G1910) — to walk upon, i.e. mount, ascend, embark, arrive πλοῖον (ploîon, G4143) — a sailer, i.e. vessel Ἀδραμυττηνός (Adramyttēnós, G98) — Adramyttene or belonging to Adramyttium ἀνάγω (anágō, G321) — to lead up; by extension to bring out; specially, to sail away μέλλω (méllō, G3195) — to intend, i.e. be about to be, do, or suffer something (of persons or things, especially… πλέω (pléō, G4126) — to pass in a vessel κατά (katá, G2596) — (prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case… τόπος (tópos, G5117) — a spot (general in space, but limited by occupancy; whereas G5561 (χώρα) is a large but… Ἀσία (Asía, G773) — Asia, i.e. Asia Minor, or (usually) only its western shore Ἀρίσταρχος (Arístarchos, G708) — best ruling; Aristarchus, a Macedonian Μακεδών (Makedṓn, G3110) — a Macedon (Macedonian), i.e. inhabitant of Macedonia Θεσσαλονικεύς (Thessalonikeús, G2331) — a Thessalonican, i.e. inhabitant of Thessalonice ὤν (ṓn, G5607) — being
Open source ↗τέ (té, G5037) — both or also (properly, as correlation of G2532 (καί)) ἕτερος (héteros, G2087) — (an-, the) other or different κατάγω (katágō, G2609) — to lead down; specially, to moor a vessel εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… Σιδών (Sidṓn, G4605) — Sidon (i.e. Tsidon), a place in Palestine Ἰούλιος (Ioúlios, G2457) — Julius, a centurion φιλανθρώπως (philanthrṓpōs, G5364) — fondly to man ("philanthropically"), i.e. humanely χράομαι (chráomai, G5530) — to furnish what is needed; (give an oracle, "graze" (touch slightly), light upon, etc.),… Παῦλος (Paûlos, G3972) — (little; but remotely from a derivative of G3973 (παύω), meaning the same); Paulus, the… ἐπιτρέπω (epitrépō, G2010) — to turn over (transfer), i.e. allow πορεύομαι (poreúomai, G4198) — to traverse, i.e. travel (literally or figuratively; especially to remove (figuratively,… πρός (prós, G4314) — a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. toward (with the genitive case, the side of,… φίλος (phílos, G5384) — actively, fond, i.e. friendly (still as a noun, an associate, neighbor, etc.) τυγχάνω (tynchánō, G5177) — akin to the base of G5088 (τίκτω) through the idea of effecting; properly, to affect; or…
Open source ↗κἀκεῖθεν (kakeîthen, G2547) — likewise from that place (or time) ἀνάγω (anágō, G321) — to lead up; by extension to bring out; specially, to sail away ὑποπλέω (hypopléō, G5284) — to sail under the lee of Κύπρος (Kýpros, G2954) — Cyprus, an island in the Mediterranean διά (diá, G1223) — through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional) ἄνεμος (ánemos, G417) — wind; (plural) by implication, (the four) quarters (of the earth) εἶναι (eînai, G1511) — to exist ἐναντίος (enantíos, G1727) — opposite; figuratively, antagonistic
Open source ↗τέ (té, G5037) — both or also (properly, as correlation of G2532 (καί)) διαπλέω (diapléō, G1277) — to sail through πέλαγος (pélagos, G3989) — deep or open sea, i.e. the main κατά (katá, G2596) — (prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case… Κιλικία (Kilikía, G2791) — Cilicia, a region of Asia Minor καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… Παμφυλία (Pamphylía, G3828) — every-tribal, i.e. heterogeneous (G5561 (χώρα) being implied); Pamphylia, a region of… κατέρχομαι (katérchomai, G2718) — to come (or go) down (literally or figuratively) εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… Μύρα (Mýra, G3460) — Myra, a place in Asia Minor Λυκία (Lykía, G3073) — Lycia, a province of Asia Minor
Open source ↗κἀκεῖ (kakeî, G2546) — likewise in that place ἑκατοντάρχης (hekatontárchēs, G1543) — the captain of one hundred men εὑρίσκω (heurískō, G2147) — to find (literally or figuratively) πλοῖον (ploîon, G4143) — a sailer, i.e. vessel Ἀλεξανδρῖνος (Alexandrînos, G222) — Alexandrine, or belonging to Alexandria πλέω (pléō, G4126) — to pass in a vessel εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… Ἰταλία (Italía, G2482) — Italia, a region of Europe ἐμβιβάζω (embibázō, G1688) — causative of G1684 (ἐμβαίνω)); to place on, i.e. transfer (aboard a vessel) ἡμᾶς (hēmâs, G2248) — us αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the…
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. βραδυπλοέω (bradyploéō, G1020) — to sail slowly ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. ἱκανός (hikanós, G2425) — competent (as if coming in season), i.e. ample (in amount) or fit (in character) ἡμέρα (hēméra, G2250) — day, i.e. (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but… καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… μόλις (mólis, G3433) — with difficulty γίνομαι (gínomai, G1096) — to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with… κατά (katá, G2596) — (prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case… Κνίδος (Knídos, G2834) — Cnidus, a place in Asia Minor ἄνεμος (ánemos, G417) — wind; (plural) by implication, (the four) quarters (of the earth) μή (mḗ, G3361) — (adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer… προσεάω (proseáō, G4330) — to permit further progress ἡμᾶς (hēmâs, G2248) — us
Open source ↗τέ (té, G5037) — both or also (properly, as correlation of G2532 (καί)) μόλις (mólis, G3433) — with difficulty παραλέγομαι (paralégomai, G3881) — (specially), to lay one's course near, i.e. sail past αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… ἔρχομαι (érchomai, G2064) — to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… τὶς (tìs, G5100) — some or any person or object τόπος (tópos, G5117) — a spot (general in space, but limited by occupancy; whereas G5561 (χώρα) is a large but… καλέω (kaléō, G2564) — to "call" (properly, aloud, but used in a variety of applications, directly or otherwise) καλός (kalós, G2570) Καλοὶ Λιμένες (Kaloì Liménes, G2568) — Good Harbors, i.e. Fairhaven, a bay of Crete λιμήν (limḗn, G3040) — a harbor ἐγγύς (engýs, G1451) — akin to the base of G43 (ἀγκάλη)); near (literally or figuratively, of place or time) ὅς (hós, G3739) — the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. ἱκανός (hikanós, G2425) — competent (as if coming in season), i.e. ample (in amount) or fit (in character) χρόνος (chrónos, G5550) — a space of time (in general, and thus properly distinguished from G2540 (καιρός), which… διαγίνομαι (diagínomai, G1230) — to elapse meanwhile καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… πλόος (plóos, G4144) — a sail, i.e. navigation ὤν (ṓn, G5607) — being ἤδη (ḗdē, G2235) — even now ἐπισφαλής (episphalḗs, G2000) — figuratively, insecure διά (diá, G1223) — through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional) νηστεία (nēsteía, G3521) — abstinence (from lack of food, or voluntary and religious); specially, the fast of the… παρέρχομαι (parérchomai, G3928) — to come near or aside, i.e. to approach (arrive), go by (or away), (figuratively) perish… Παῦλος (Paûlos, G3972) — (little; but remotely from a derivative of G3973 (παύω), meaning the same); Paulus, the… παραινέω (parainéō, G3867) — to mispraise, i.e. recommend or advise (a different course)
Open source ↗λέγω (légō, G3004) — properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… ἀνήρ (anḗr, G435) — a man (properly as an individual male) θεωρέω (theōréō, G2334) — to be a spectator of, i.e. discern, (literally, figuratively (experience) or intensively… ὅτι (hóti, G3754) — demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because πλόος (plóos, G4144) — a sail, i.e. navigation μέλλω (méllō, G3195) — to intend, i.e. be about to be, do, or suffer something (of persons or things, especially… εἰμί (eimí, G1510) — I exist (used only when emphatic) μετά (metá, G3326) — properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according… ὕβρις (hýbris, G5196) — insolence (as over-bearing), i.e. insult, injury καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… πολύς (polýs, G4183) — (singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial,… ζημία (zēmía, G2209) — detriment οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. ἑκατοντάρχης (hekatontárchēs, G1543) — the captain of one hundred men πείθω (peíthō, G3982) — to convince (by argument, true or false); by analogy, to pacify or conciliate (by other… κυβερνήτης (kybernḗtēs, G2942) — helmsman, i.e. (by implication) captain καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ναύκληρος (naúklēros, G3490) — a captain μᾶλλον (mâllon, G3123) — (adverbially) more (in a greater degree)) or rather ἤ (ḗ, G2228) — disjunctive, or; comparative, than λέγω (légō, G3004) — properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or… ὑπό (hypó, G5259) — under, i.e. (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or… Παῦλος (Paûlos, G3972) — (little; but remotely from a derivative of G3973 (παύω), meaning the same); Paulus, the…
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. ὑπάρχω (hypárchō, G5225) — to begin under (quietly), i.e. come into existence (be present or at hand); expletively,… λιμήν (limḗn, G3040) — a harbor ἀνεύθετος (aneúthetos, G428) — not well set, i.e. inconvenient πρός (prós, G4314) — a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. toward (with the genitive case, the side of,… παραχειμασία (paracheimasía, G3915) — a wintering over πλείων (pleíōn, G4119) — more in quantity, number, or quality; also (in plural) the major portion βουλή (boulḗ, G1012) — volition, i.e. (objectively) advice, or (by implication) purpose τίθημι (títhēmi, G5087) — to place (in the widest application, literally and figuratively; properly, in a passive… ἀνάγω (anágō, G321) — to lead up; by extension to bring out; specially, to sail away κἀκεῖθεν (kakeîthen, G2547) — likewise from that place (or time) εἴ πως (eí pōs, G1513) — if somehow -πώς (-pṓs, G4458) — an enclitic particle of indefiniteness of manner; somehow or anyhow; used only in… δύναμαι (dýnamai, G1410) — to be able or possible
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. νότος (nótos, G3558) — the south(-west) wind; by extension, the southern quarter itself ὑποπνέω (hypopnéō, G5285) — to breathe gently, i.e. breeze δοκέω (dokéō, G1380) — compare the base of G1166 (δεικνύω)) of the same meaning; to think; by implication, to… κρατέω (kratéō, G2902) — to use strength, i.e. seize or retain (literally or figuratively) πρόθεσις (próthesis, G4286) — a setting forth, i.e. (figuratively) proposal (intention); specially, the show-bread (in… αἴρω (aírō, G142) — to lift up; by implication, to take up or away; figuratively, to raise (the voice), keep… παραλέγομαι (paralégomai, G3881) — (specially), to lay one's course near, i.e. sail past ἆσσον (âsson, G788) — more nearly, i.e. very near Κρήτη (Krḗtē, G2914) — Crete, an island in the Mediterranean
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not πολύς (polýs, G4183) — (singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial,… μετά (metá, G3326) — properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according… βάλλω (bállō, G906) — to throw (in various applications, more or less violent or intense) κατά (katá, G2596) — (prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… τυφωνικός (typhōnikós, G5189) — stormy (as if smoky) ἄνεμος (ánemos, G417) — wind; (plural) by implication, (the four) quarters (of the earth) καλέω (kaléō, G2564) — to "call" (properly, aloud, but used in a variety of applications, directly or otherwise) Εὐροκλύδων (Euroklýdōn, G2148) — a storm from the East (or southeast), i.e. (in modern phrase) a Levanter
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
But I found he had done nothing worthy of death, and since he has now appealed to the Emperor, I decided to send him.
At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was called the Italian Regiment.
Then Festus conferred with his council and replied, “You have appealed to Caesar. To Caesar you will go!”
But contrary to Paul’s advice, the centurion was persuaded by the pilot and by the owner of the ship.
There he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to visit them,
Greet all your leaders and all the saints. Those from Italy send you greetings.
There a highly valued servant of a centurion was sick and about to die.
Even the wrath of man shall praise You; with the survivors of wrath You will clothe Yourself.
As for you, what you intended against me for evil, God intended for good, in order to accomplish a day like this—to preserve the lives of many people.
It is good for a man to bear the yoke while he is still young.