Acts 27

When it was determined that we should sail for Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners to a centurion named Julius, of the Augustan band.

Embarking in a ship of Adramyttium, which was about to sail to places on the coast of Asia, we put to sea, Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica being with us.

The next day, we touched at Sidon. Julius treated Paul kindly and gave him permission to go to his friends and refresh himself.

Putting to sea from there, we sailed under the lee of Cyprus, because the winds were contrary.

When we had sailed across the sea which is off Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city of Lycia.

There the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing for Italy, and he put us on board.

When we had sailed slowly many days, and had come with difficulty opposite Cnidus, the wind not allowing us further, we sailed under the lee of Crete, opposite Salmone.

With difficulty sailing along it we came to a certain place called Fair Havens, near the city of Lasea.

When much time had passed and the voyage was now dangerous because the Fast had now already gone by, Paul admonished them

and said to them, “Sirs, I perceive that the voyage will be with injury and much loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives.”

But the centurion gave more heed to the master and to the owner of the ship than to those things which were spoken by Paul.

Because the haven was not suitable to winter in, the majority advised going to sea from there, if by any means they could reach Phoenix and winter there, which is a port of Crete, looking southwest and northwest.

When the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, they weighed anchor and sailed along Crete, close to shore.

But before long, a stormy wind beat down from shore, which is called Euroclydon.

When the ship was caught and couldn’t face the wind, we gave way to it and were driven along.

Running under the lee of a small island called Clauda, we were able, with difficulty, to secure the boat.

After they had hoisted it up, they used cables to help reinforce the ship. Fearing that they would run aground on the Syrtis sand bars, they lowered the sea anchor, and so were driven along.

As we labored exceedingly with the storm, the next day they began to throw things overboard.

On the third day, they threw out the ship’s tackle with their own hands.

When neither sun nor stars shone on us for many days, and no small storm pressed on us, all hope that we would be saved was now taken away.

When they had been long without food, Paul stood up in the middle of them and said, “Sirs, you should have listened to me, and not have set sail from Crete and have gotten this injury and loss.

Now I exhort you to cheer up, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship.

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

saying, ‘Don’t be afraid, Paul. You must stand before Caesar. Behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.’

Therefore, sirs, cheer up! For I believe God, that it will be just as it has been spoken to me.

But we must run aground on a certain island.”

But when the fourteenth night had come, as we were driven back and forth in the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors surmised that they were drawing near to some land.

They took soundings and found twenty fathoms. After a little while, they took soundings again, and found fifteen fathoms.

Fearing that we would run aground on rocky ground, they let go four anchors from the stern, and wished for daylight.

As the sailors were trying to flee out of the ship and had lowered the boat into the sea, pretending that they would lay out anchors from the bow,

Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, “Unless these stay in the ship, you can’t be saved.”

Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the boat and let it fall off.

While the day was coming on, Paul begged them all to take some food, saying, “Today is the fourteenth day that you wait and continue fasting, having taken nothing.

Therefore I beg you to take some food, for this is for your safety; for not a hair will perish from any of your heads.”

When he had said this and had taken bread, he gave thanks to God in the presence of all; then he broke it and began to eat.

Then they all cheered up, and they also took food.

In all, we were two hundred seventy-six souls on the ship.

When they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, throwing out the wheat into the sea.

When it was day, they didn’t recognize the land, but they noticed a certain bay with a beach, and they decided to try to drive the ship onto it.

Casting off the anchors, they left them in the sea, at the same time untying the rudder ropes. Hoisting up the foresail to the wind, they made for the beach.

But coming to a place where two seas met, they ran the vessel aground. The bow struck and remained immovable, but the stern began to break up by the violence of the waves.

The soldiers’ counsel was to kill the prisoners, so that none of them would swim out and escape.

But the centurion, desiring to save Paul, stopped them from their purpose, and commanded that those who could swim should throw themselves overboard first to go toward the land;

and the rest should follow, some on planks and some on other things from the ship. So they all escaped safely to the land.

Chapter overviewAI-generated

Overview.
This chapter narrates the harrowing sea voyage of Paul and other prisoners from Caesarea to Italy under Roman guard, culminating in a shipwreck on the island of Malta. It highlights divine sovereignty amid human suffering, the fulfillment of God’s promise to preserve Paul for his witness before Caesar, and the apostle’s steadfast faith amid crisis. The narrative occupies a pivotal place in Acts, marking Paul’s enforced journey toward Rome, where his witness will extend to the heart of the empire.

Flow.

The journey begins under favorable conditions, but delays and contrary winds lead to increasing danger as they sail along the coast of Crete.
Paul warns against continuing the voyage after the Fast (likely Yom Kippur), but his counsel is ignored in favor of the sailors’ and centurion’s judgment.
A violent storm (Euroclydon) overtakes the ship, leading to despair, hunger, and loss of hope after days of being driven helplessly at sea.
Paul receives a divine revelation: an angel assures him of God’s protection for all on board and that he must stand before Caesar, leading to exhortation, communion, and preserved lives during wreck.

Connections.
Following chapter 26, where Paul appeals to Caesar and is thus committed to Rome, this chapter enacts the providential movement toward that fulfillment, despite human resistance and natural chaos. The storm and deliverance prepare for chapter 28, where Paul arrives in Rome under guard yet preaches openly. The theme of divine certainty—God’s word will stand—is threaded through both the peril and rescue, affirming that nothing will hinder the course of God’s purpose (WCF 3.8). The preservation of all 276 souls anticipates the broader mission to the Gentiles now reaching even the Roman world.

What it teaches.
God’s sovereign providence governs even the most chaotic events, preserving His servants for the fulfillment of His purposes. Paul’s confidence rests not in human wisdom but in divine revelation (), echoing the assurance that those whom God has ordained to life will be safeguarded in the path of obedience (WCF 17.1). The angel’s word—"God has granted you all those who sail with you"—underscores the efficacy of intercession and the reach of divine mercy beyond the elect, as life is preserved for the sake of one called servant (cf. , cited in WCF 3.8). The casting of bread and thanksgiving before eating resonates with Christian stewardship and trust in God’s provision (HC Q/A 56).

Apply.
Even when human plans fail and danger is near, God holds all lives in His hand and brings His witnesses safely to where He has appointed them to speak.

AI-generated. Not a substitute for Scripture, your pastor, or the confessions.