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NOTES for Act 27:27-44

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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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The Book of Acts is the story of Christ's continuing presence in the Church after His Ascension. We have already read how the apostles preached, healed, and comforted — that is, how they did everything Jesus had commanded them when He said, “The one who believes in Me will also do the works that I do, and will do greater works than these” (John 14:12). Today's episode continues this parallel between the earthly, tangible presence of Christ described in the Gospel and the actions of His disciples. Once again there is a ship, once again a storm, frightened and desperate people, and among them someone who sees the meaning of his life in imitating Christ. He does not stop the storm with an authoritative word, but he comforts the people and gives them hope of rescue, repeating words once spoken by the Teacher: “Not one of you will lose a hair from his head.” As Paul wrote, not every one of us is called to perform real miracles and signs. Yet his appeal, “Imitate me, as I imitate Christ,” is addressed to each of us. And today we have read what this looks like in real life...

Other notes

 
For Act 27:27-44
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.
Hide
The Book of Acts is the story of Christ's continuing presence in the Church after His ascension. We have already...  Read more

The Book of Acts is the story of Christ's continuing presence in the Church after His ascension. We have already read how the apostles preached, healed, and comforted; that is, they did everything Jesus had commanded them when He said: "He who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do" (Jn 14:12). Today's episode continues this parallel between Christ's earthly, tangible presence described in the Gospel and the actions of His disciples.

Once again there is a ship before us, once again a storm, frightened and desperate people, and in their midst someone who sees imitation of Christ as the meaning of his life. He does not stop the storm with an authoritative word, but he comforts the people, gives them hope of salvation, repeating words once spoken by the Teacher: "Not a hair from the head of any of you will perish." As Paul wrote, not each of us is called to perform real miracles and signs. But his appeal applies to everyone: "Imitate me, as I imitate Christ." And today we read how this happens in life...

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For Act 27:27-44
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.
Hide
Today's reading concludes the account of the miraculous rescue of Paul and his companions during the storm. Here another...  Read more

Today's reading concludes the account of the miraculous rescue of Paul and his companions during the storm. Here another, practical aspect of bearing witness becomes clearly visible. Indeed, Paul, knowing beforehand that neither he nor his companions would perish, apparently managed to give his fellow sufferers hope. Yet, as probably always happens in such cases, despair struggled with hope in their souls. It is not surprising that they had eaten nothing for two weeks (v. 33): stress and a sense that the situation is utterly hopeless usually rob people of their appetite, often even causing a complete aversion to food. Seasickness, too, probably played a part. Whatever the cause, the situation had to be turned around, or everyone on board risked dying of exhaustion. Then Paul sets an example for the others: he takes bread, says the prayer of blessing customary among Jews on such occasions, and begins to eat before his companions' eyes (vv. 34–35). Of course, there would have been nothing unusual in this act itself, were it not for the circumstances. Apparently, Paul's companions were still more prepared for death than for life; perhaps they were not eating precisely because they no longer saw any point in sustaining a life that, as they thought, would end very soon anyway. By his example, the apostle showed them that there was hope and that it was too soon to give up. In this way, he apparently instilled confidence in his companions, which heartened them and moved them to eat (v. 36). All this might seem unrelated to Paul's witness to God, who sends salvation. But that is only how it looks at first. In fact, such behavior is also a form of witness, above all a witness to trust in God and in the revelation received from Him. The apostle's companions apparently both believed and did not believe in the promised deliverance; Paul believed in it unconditionally, so that no one who saw him had the slightest doubt about his confidence. Moreover, seeing such confidence filled even those who had only recently been close to utter despair with hope. And it became clear to everyone that such confidence could not be attained by human effort alone: this extraordinary man found the strength to act as he did only because he relied on Someone infinitely stronger than himself. Thus, Paul's hope and confidence become a witness to God, who is leading the apostle to the place of his final witness.

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For Act 27:1-44
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.
Hide
The journey to Rome proved difficult for Paul and his companions. Sailing along the Mediterranean coast was never easy, especially in winter. In a crisis, the intuition of someone who senses the breath of the Kingdom with their whole being...  Read more

The journey to Rome proved difficult for Paul and his companions. Sailing along the Mediterranean coast was never easy, especially in winter. In a crisis, the intuition of someone who senses the breath of the Kingdom with their whole being often diverges from human experience and common sense. Experience and common sense suggest one thing, intuition another, sometimes its direct opposite. This is what happened on that voyage: Paul's advice often contradicted the advice of experienced sailors. And the apostle usually proved right.

Does this mean that someone living a full spiritual life, the life of the Kingdom, knows even what they have never studied or done? Of course not. Paul does not pretend to be a sailor. He does not undertake work about which he understands little or nothing. But neither does he disregard his intuition. He knows that if God reveals something to him, he must share that revelation with others and bear witness to it.

In the end, Paul's advice does indeed help everyone survive and escape death where it seemed almost impossible to do so. But it is not only that intuition linked to revelation enables Paul to understand how to act in situations where conclusions based on logic and common sense do not work. There is also the inner certainty that one's actions are right, without which a person is powerless. Here, intuition grounded in revelation truly stands beyond comparison with logic, experience, and common sense. Logic cannot always give an unambiguous answer, and experience and common sense often prove powerless in a crisis.

More precisely, it is the person relying on them who becomes inwardly powerless. Intuition grounded in revelation, however, proves a thoroughly reliable support. Of course, it is not directly linked to logic or experience: Paul would hardly have been able to explain, for example, his advice against sailing with an apparently favorable wind. But he knew with complete certainty that they should not sail. This certainty proved entirely justified, though he could not explain to experienced sailors why they should not put to sea with a following wind.

Yet when the storm broke and all their experience proved useless, the apostle's confidence in his actions, based on that same intuition, effectively put him in command. It was he who gave the crew and passengers the instructions that ultimately helped everyone survive. There is nothing surprising in this: Paul knows that God is leading him to Rome. Therefore, He will not let him perish on the way. Paul's companions, too, can thus be relatively calm: they are not in danger of vanishing without a trace at sea.

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