III. Paul's Voyage to Rome (continued) (27:1-28:16)
B. Discussion about continuing the voyage, (vv. 9-12)
v.9 The Mediterranean Sea was judged to be unsafe for navigation between October and March. The "Fast" or day of Atonement-occurred in September or October and therefore the time for safe navigation was past.
v.10 Paul warns those in charge of the vessel, that to try to continue onward would cause loss of cargo and lives.
v.11 Certainly, the centurion who was in command of the ship, would listen to the ship's pilot and the owner rather than Paul, a prisoner. Why?
v.12 The harbor at Fair Havens was not a good one to withstand the winter in. Phoenix, further west, had a better harbor. The seamen advised the centurion to try to make Phoenix before wintering. Fair Havens to Phoenix- 34 miles.
C. A vain attempt to reach Phoenix, (vv. 13-26)
v.13 The storm ceased and a fair wind from the south blew up. The ship began sailing along the coast towards Phoenix.
v. 14 The Enroquilo was the name given to the violent NE wind that was characteristic of this time of year. Before they could make Phoenix, this wind took them off their course.
v.15 The ship was forced to change course and run with the wind instead of into it.
v.16 The small boat being towed by the ship was in danger of being lost. As they came under the lee of the island of Cauda, they were able to secure the boat. Cauda is located about 23 miles SW of Crete.
v.17 To help hold the ship together, ropes and chains were run under the hull, all sails were let down and the ship was allowed to go where0 ever the wind would take her.
v.18,19 The first day of the storm, the sailors tried to save the ship intact. The second day they realized the load had to be lightened so they discarded the cargo, on the third day they began throwing out the ship's furniture.
v.20 The weather was so bad that the sun had not been seen for many days. The crew and the passengers have a feeling of total hopelessness. In ancient times, due to poor navigational instruments, sighting the sun or the stars was a necessity.
v.21 Paul reminds them that he had advised them against leaving Fair Havens. He did this hoping that now they would listen to his next bit of advice. Why were they without food?
v.22 Paul is telling them not to worry because no one will lose their life, even though the ship will be destroyed.
v.23 Paul explains how he knows this. Why did the angel choose to reveal himself to Paul? Because Paul belonged to God and was a servant of God.
v.24 Because God wanted Paul to go to Rome, to have his time before Caesar he would spare Paul. Also the ships company.
v.25,26 Paul had an advantage over the majority of the other passengers on board the ship: his belief in God. Paul at least knew that their salvation would come by being cast ashore on a certain island.
D. The ship at anchor, and Paul on the watch (vv. 27-32)
v.27 Is the fourteenth night calculated from leaving Fair Havens or the time of Paul's prediction? The sea of Adria was defined at this time as the portion of the Mediterranean between Greece, Italy and Africa. Something caused the sailors to believe they were coming close to land. What?
v. 28 They checked the depth of the water and found it to be 120 ft., a little later only 90 ft.
v.29 Not knowing the nature of the shoreline, the sailors chose to wait until morning to try to land the ship. They held their position by putting out 4 anchors from the rear of the ship.
v.30 The sailors attempted to leave the ship by pretending to set anchors off the bow, using the ship's boat.
v.31 Paul realized what they were really up to and warned the soldiers. The sailors would be needed for the next day's work of landing the ship.
v.32 The plan was ruined by the soldiers who released the boat, thereby leaving the sailors no choice but to remain on board. In order for God's promise to be fulfilled it was necessary for those who were to survive to cooperate.
E. Paul comforts the crew and the ship is lightened, (vv. 33-38)
v.33 Paul knew that strength would be needed to perform the duties of the next day. He encouraged all to restore strength and morale by eating. The "fasting" mentioned here probably means no regularly scheduled meals.
v. 34 This verse reveals the reason mentioned in the previous comments, namely: physical strength meant physical safety. I Sam 14:45, Lu. 21:18.
v.35 Is this the Lord's Supper? Paul was simply setting the example for the others to follow: eat and pray to God.
v.36 The words and example of Paul inspired the people on board. Paul's attitude was contagious, as all became cheerful.
v.37 We find out that 276 people were aboard.
v.38 They all ate enough to sustain themselves through the next day. It w was to be an all or nothing venture, so the rest of the cargo was discarded.