Storm & Shipwreck

Acts 27:13–44

7 min readMar 17, 2017

Overview

Following Paul’s prediction, the seemingly calm weather quickly turned sour and began to batter the ship. The sailors take on multiple measures to increase their chances of success — taking a detour to reel in their lifeboat, securing the ship with ropes, and even dumping supplies and food into the water to lower their weight. Paul recounts his prior warning, and assures them that God will deliver on his promise to bring Paul to Rome. Paul assures the crew that they will likewise survive the journey, but that they will be shipwrecked on an island. After the night was over, the crew scullies the ship and runs aground onto an island.

The wind changed from a mild southerly breeze to a “violent” northeasterly gale. This “violent wind” drove Paul’s ship southwest, away from Crete and the harbor at Phoenix.

Evidently the ship was taking on so much water, “being violently stormtossed,” that the captain decided to “jettison” the wheat as well as the other “cargo,” and all but the most essential “tackle”… It was necessary to “lighten the ship” so it would ride high into shallow water when the sailors beached it.

Background

Evidently currents from two parts of the sea (“two seas”) converged near the entrance to this bay, resulting in an accumulation of sand or mud. The sailors did not see this sandbar, and inadvertently “ran the ship (vessel) aground,” and “it (the prow) stuck firmly (fast).” “Reef” implies coral reef in English, but the Greek word (topon), plus investigations at the site of St. Paul’s Bay, suggest that Luke probably described a sand or mud bar.” (Constable)
Pagans felt that those who died at sea never entered the realm of the dead; instead their souls wandered aimlessly forever above the waters in which they perished. (Keener)
They need to lighten the ship further in order to run aground as close to land as possible. (Keener)

Places

St. Paul’s Bay, Malta — The northwest coast of Malta is characterized by alternating bays and headlands. Between the Mellieha Ridge and Wardija Ridge, the Pwales Valley opens onto St. Paul’s Bay. The towns of Bugibba and St. Paul’s Bay lie along the bay’s southern shore. They represent a mix of traditional fishing village alongside newer hotels and apartments.

Luke recounts in Acts 27–28 how Paul’s ship was lost at sea for two weeks during winter storms. Eventually, the ship ran aground on the island of Malta and was dashed to pieces by the surf, but all of the occupants survived and made it to shore. St. Paul’s Island, an uninhabited, rocky islet at the entrance to St. Paul’s Bay, is thought to be the site where the ship wrecked. Acts 27:41 states the ship ran aground on a piece of land “with sea on both sides.” This could refer to a sandbank, a reef, a headland jutting into the water, or some other similar feature. (bibleplaces.com)

Crete and Cauda — The “small island” of “C[l]auda” (modern Gavdos or Gozzo) lay south of Crete about 23 miles. (Howson)

There are two different verbs claudo. The first verb claudo means the same as claudico, namely to limp, but the other verb claudo means to shut something that is open, to close. In certain forms it even means to shut something up, or shut something in something by something, to enclose, encompass, surround, imprison, hide, confine. (Abarim Publications)

Fair Havens — Kali Limenes, the Greek name that translates “Fair Havens,” is situated on the southern coast of Crete. Its position matches the biblical description (Acts 27:7–8, 12): Fair Havens lies under the lee of Crete; it would have been “unsuitable to winter in”; and it is located approximately 1.5 miles (2.4 km) west of Lasea.

The harbor is formed by a gradually curving shoreline that runs east and southwest. It did not shelter ships from the wind in every direction. The harbor’s shape sheltered ships from the northwestern wind, but other than a few offshore islets, it was unprotected from the sea. There does not seem to have been any town at the harbor, which is probably why Luke mentions it being near the town of Lasea. (bibleplaces.org)

People

Centurion — The “centurion” was willing to take responsibility for the prisoners’ safe-keeping in order to spare Paul’s life. This unusual concern for the apostle raises the unanswerable question of whether this man may have become a Christian on this trip. God kept His promise to keep Paul and his fellow travelers safe (cf. v. 24). As the sign on a church marquee put it: “God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage.”

Key Ideas

Pauls Warning — By this point, Paul (whose advice was originally disregarded, perhaps as the impractical concerns of an eccentric Jewish teacher) is now in virtual command of the ship, because he has the centurion’s ear. (Keener)

Peace — Ancient people evaluated the sincerity of philosophers according to how calm they stayed under pressure. A true philosopher consistent with his teachings would remain calm in a dangerous storm at sea, whereas a false prophet like Peregrinas would not. (Keener)

Paul encouraged his despairing (and perhaps seasick) companions twice (vv. 22, 25). His reference to God’s promise would interest the other passengers in his Lord, at least when God later fulfilled this prediction, if not before. Faith in God (“I believe God”) gave Paul great confidence and hope, as it always should. This is a very clear definition of faith: simply believing that things will be just as God says they will. Notice also Paul’s beautiful expression of his total commitment to the Lord: “to whom I belong and whom I serve” (v. 23). (Constable)

“The prisoner had become the captain, for he is the only man with any courage left.” (Barclay)

God’s Sovereignty and Human Responsibility — Verses 24 and 31 provide an interesting illustration of the Biblical viewpoint regarding divine sovereignty and human responsibility. God knew that all on the vessel would be preserved (and if God knows it, it is certain and cannot be otherwise). At the same time God’s sovereignty which insured their safety was not intended to discourage human effort, for this was the means by which God would achieve the end in view. (Kent)

This unusually dramatic and vivid chapter stresses God’s sovereign control over circumstances in bringing His will to pass, specifically that Paul should minister in Rome. It reminds us of Jesus’ ability to control the winds and the waves of Galilee, to accomplish His will and to communicate His identity. He had once sent His disciples into a storm (Luke 8:22–25), just as He now had sent Paul. Jesus had predicted that He would build His church, and that Hades’ gates would not overwhelm it (Matt. 16:18). This chapter shows to what great lengths God will go to remain faithful to His promises. (Constable)

Possible Discussion Points

Because of God’s call for Paul to go to Rome, it was necessary that he survive the wreck — this grace was extended to all the crew, as well. Do you think that the crew would have survived if Paul wasn’t there? What does this passage tell us about what happens when we are obedient to Jesus?
What does this passage tell us about God’s calling on our lives?
How did God comfort the sailors? How did He push them? How does this relate to His plans for our lives?
How is God present every moment along the way to fulfilling the dreams He gives us?

Noteworthy

The meal here (v. 35–36) is done in the traditional Jewish manner: the head of the household thanked God and distributed the bread. (Keener)
“It could never be said of Paul as it was said of some people that ‘they were so heavenly minded that they were of no earthly use.’ He knew that hungry men are not efficient men; and so he gathered the ship’s company around him and made them eat.” (Barclay)
The ship’s crew (“the sailors”) was about to abandon ship and make for land in the lifeboat, leaving the passengers, Paul, the captain, the soldiers, and the prisoners to fend for themselves. Paul probably realized that anchors in front of the ship were unnecessary — and sensed their plan. The sailors would only be valuable on board, and were needed to help beach the ship safely. They were the experts at maneuvering it. Probably “the soldiers” let the dinghy drift free (“cut away the ropes of the boat”) so the sailors would not try another escape. This small boat would have been useful later, however, when the passengers had to swim to land. (Constable)
Other cases are known of crew members trying to escape a doomed ship in a small boat. These boats were not meant as lifeboats and fitted only a handful of people. (Keener)
“All” on board needed to eat (“take some food”) to gain strength, for the work of getting ashore that lay ahead… This meal was evidently not a celebration of the Lord’s Supper, as some commentators suggested. The circumstances of the occasion argue against this view, as does the terminology Luke used (v. 35; cf. Luke 24:30). The rest of the people (“All of them”) followed Paul’s example, and also ate (“took food”). (Constable)