Acts Chapter 27

At a Glance

  • Acts 27 unfolds as a dramatic nautical tale that doubles as a theological meditation on God’s sovereignty amid human planning and peril.
  • The voyage is structured around tension and turning points.
  • As the weather relents and the voyage curtails toward land, the narrative pivots from nautical strategy to emotional and communal healing.
  • Historical & Literary Context.
  • Acts 27 sits squarely in Luke’s travelogue of Paul’s voyage to Rome.

Chapter Overview

Acts 27 unfolds as a dramatic nautical tale that doubles as a theological meditation on God’s sovereignty amid human planning and peril. Paul, a prisoner, boards a ship bound for Rome, and what begins as a routine voyage quickly descends into a life-threatening tempest. The narrator emphasizes human agency—seafaring decisions, weather signs, and expert advice—yet consistently threads in divine sovereignty: God has destined Paul to testify before Caesar, and the storm becomes a backdrop for divine intervention and rescue.

The voyage is structured around tension and turning points. The initial practical decisions—assistance to Paul, choosing a route, seeking a harbor for wintering—are overlaid with warnings from Paul about danger. The sudden shift from cautious optimism to violent storm and near-destruction tests the crew and passengers. In moments of desperation, Paul’s anchored faith provides direction: trust God’s promise, keep the crew safe, and maintain hope even when the sea rages. At the ship’s darkest moment, the angelic assurance reinforces Paul’s leadership: the crew will survive, and their mission will continue in Rome.

As the weather relents and the voyage curtails toward land, the narrative pivots from nautical strategy to emotional and communal healing. The ship’s diverse occupants—Paul, the centurion, soldiers, sailors, and fellow prisoners—are united by a shared ordeal that becomes a setting for divine provision and practical prudence. The chapter ends with a cautious but hopeful landing on Malta, setting up Paul’s continued journey to Rome. The overarching message is clear: even when human plans fail, God’s purposes persevere, and faithful obedience in difficult circumstances yields preservation and opportunity for witness.

Historical & Literary Context

Acts 27 sits squarely in Luke’s travelogue of Paul’s voyage to Rome. Composition likely in the latter decades of the first century, the chapter blends travel narrative with maritime detail and divine instruction. It showcases ancient evidence of sea travel and shipwreck motifs while underscoring the sovereignty of God in steering events toward their destined ends.

Literarily, the chapter functions as a hinge: a public, visible demonstration of God’s providence in the very arena of danger. It also demonstrates Luke’s interest in human leadership—how Paul’s calm faith and prudent counsel influence the chain of decisions that preserve life. The genre here is a blended epic of voyage and miracle, where natural challenges and supernatural assurance intersect.

Key Themes

- Divine sovereignty in the midst of human planning: God’s purpose for Paul persists despite storms and setbacks.

- Faith under pressure: Paul’s confidence contrasts with others’ fear, modeling steadfast trust.

- God’s provision through ordinary means: weather patterns, nautical knowledge, and prudent decisions all contribute to safety.

- Community and leadership in crisis: diverse travelers are knit together by peril, with Paul as a steadying, hopeful influence.

- The pedagogy of hardship: storms become tutors that deepen faith and enlarge opportunity for witness.

Modern Application

This chapter offers practical reminders for contemporary life. When plans derail, as they inevitably do, believers are invited to respond with sober wisdom and hopeful faith. The reminder that God can use adverse circumstances to accomplish his purposes comforts readers who feel buffeted by life’s storms—work crises, health scares, or relational ruptures. Paul’s leadership under pressure demonstrates how faith-inflected courage, disciplined communication, and prudent risk assessment can steward danger toward constructive outcomes.

The text also underscores the value of communal support in trial: praying together, sharing responsibilities, and supporting vulnerable travelers. It invites readers to cultivate resilience, trust in God’s promises, and a posture of bemusement toward nature’s power, recognizing that creation itself can become a stage for God’s mercy and faithfulness.

Cross-References (3-5 related passages)

- Psalm 107 (themes of God’s deliverance from storms)

- Jonah 1–2 (storm narratives and divine purpose)

- Luke 8:22–25 (Jesus calms the storm; faith in control of nature)

- 2 Corinthians 4–5 (perspective amid trials)

Recommended Personas

- Paul: primary lens for leadership, perseverance, and divine commission under hardship.

- Luke: as author, highlights travel narrative craft and providential framing.

- Jesus: the one who commands nature; experiential reminder of divine authority.

- Julius (centurion) or a ship captain archetype: offers angles on authority, order, and humane governance.

Chapter Text

1

And when it was determined that we should sail into Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners unto one named Julius, a centurion of Augustus’ band.

2

And entering into a ship of Adramyttium, we launched, meaning to sail by the coasts of Asia; one Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us.

3

And the next day we touched at Sidon. And Julius courteously entreated Paul, and gave him liberty to go unto his friends to refresh himself.

4

And when we had launched from thence, we sailed under Cyprus, because the winds were contrary.

5

And when we had sailed over the sea of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city of Lycia.

6

And there the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing into Italy; and he put us therein.

7

And when we had sailed slowly many days, and scarce were come over against Cnidus, the wind not suffering us, we sailed under Crete, over against Salmone;

8

And, hardly passing it, came unto a place which is called The fair havens; nigh whereunto was the city of Lasea.

9

Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them,

10

And said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives.

11

Nevertheless the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul.

12

And because the haven was not commodious to winter in, the more part advised to depart thence also, if by any means they might attain to Phenice, and there to winter; which is an haven of Crete, and lieth toward the south west and north west.

13

And when the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, loosing thence, they sailed close by Crete.

14

But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon.

15

And when the ship was caught, and could not bear up into the wind, we let her drive.

16

And running under a certain island which is called Clauda, we had much work to come by the boat:

17

Which when they had taken up, they used helps, undergirding the ship; and, fearing lest they should fall into the quicksands, strake sail, and so were driven.

18

And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next day they lightened the ship;

19

And the third day we cast out with our own hands the tackling of the ship.

20

And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away.

21

But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss.

22

And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man’s life among you, but of the ship.

23

For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve,

24

Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.

25

Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.

26

Howbeit we must be cast upon a certain island.

27

But when the fourteenth night was come, as we were driven up and down in Adria, about midnight the shipmen deemed that they drew near to some country;

28

And sounded, and found it twenty fathoms: and when they had gone a little further, they sounded again, and found it fifteen fathoms.

29

Then fearing lest we should have fallen upon rocks, they cast four anchors out of the stern, and wished for the day.

30

And as the shipmen were about to flee out of the ship, when they had let down the boat into the sea, under colour as though they would have cast anchors out of the foreship,

31

Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved.

32

Then the soldiers cut off the ropes of the boat, and let her fall off.

33

And while the day was coming on, Paul besought them all to take meat, saying, This day is the fourteenth day that ye have tarried and continued fasting, having taken nothing.

34

Wherefore I pray you to take some meat: for this is for your health: for there shall not an hair fall from the head of any of you.

35

And when he had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in presence of them all: and when he had broken it, he began to eat.

36

Then were they all of good cheer, and they also took some meat.

37

And we were in all in the ship two hundred threescore and sixteen souls.

38

And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, and cast out the wheat into the sea.

39

And when it was day, they knew not the land: but they discovered a certain creek with a shore, into the which they were minded, if it were possible, to thrust in the ship.

40

And when they had taken up the anchors, they committed themselves unto the sea, and loosed the rudder bands, and hoised up the mainsail to the wind, and made toward shore.

41

And falling into a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the forepart stuck fast, and remained unmoveable, but the hinder part was broken with the violence of the waves.

42

And the soldiers’ counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim out, and escape.

43

But the centurion, willing to save Paul, kept them from their purpose; and commanded that they which could swim should cast themselves first into the sea, and get to land:

44

And the rest, some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship. And so it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land.

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