Acts 27

Paul Sails for Rome

1 And when a it was decided that we should sail to Italy, they delivered Paul and some other prisoners to one named Julius, a centurion of the Augustan Regiment. 2 So, entering a ship of Adramyttium, we put to sea, meaning to sail along the coasts of Asia. b Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, was with us. 3 And the next day we landed at Sidon. And Julius c treated Paul kindly and gave him liberty to go to his friends and receive care. 4 When we had put to sea from there, we sailed under the shelter of Cyprus, because the winds were contrary. 5 And when we had sailed over the sea which is off Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city of Lycia. 6 There the centurion found d an Alexandrian ship sailing to Italy, and he put us on board. 7 When we had sailed slowly many days, and arrived with difficulty off Cnidus, the wind not permitting us to proceed, we sailed under the shelter of e Crete off Salmone. 8 Passing it with difficulty, we came to a place called Fair Havens, near the city of Lasea.

9 Now when much time had been spent, and sailing was now dangerous f because 1 the Fast was already over, Paul advised them, 10 saying, "Men, I perceive that this voyage will end with disaster and much loss, not only of the cargo and ship, but also our lives." 11 Nevertheless the centurion was more persuaded by the helmsman and the owner of the ship than by the things spoken by Paul. 12 And because the harbor was not suitable to winter in, the majority advised to set sail from there also, if by any means they could reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete opening toward the southwest and northwest, and winter there.

The Storm at Sea

13 When the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their desire, putting out to sea, they sailed close by Crete. 14 But not long after, a tempestuous head wind arose, called 2 Euroclydon. 15 So when the ship was caught, and could not head into the wind, we let her 3 drive. 16 And running under the shelter of an island called 4 Clauda, we secured the skiff with difficulty. 17 When they had taken it on board, they used cables to undergird the ship; and fearing lest they should run aground on the 5 Syrtis Sands, they struck sail and so were driven. 18 And because we were exceedingly tempest-tossed, the next day they lightened the ship. 19 On the third day g we threw the ship's tackle overboard with our own hands. 20 Now when neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest beat on us, all hope that we would be saved was finally given up.

21 But after long abstinence from food, then Paul stood in the midst of them and said, "Men, you should have listened to me, and not have sailed from Crete and incurred this disaster and loss. 22 "And now I urge you to take 6 heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. 23 h "For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and i whom I serve, 24 "saying, 'Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.' 25 "Therefore take heart, men, j for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me. 26 "However, k we must run aground on a certain island."

27 Now when the fourteenth night had come, as we were driven up and down in the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors sensed that they were drawing near some land. 28 And they took soundings and found it to be twenty fathoms; and when they had gone a little farther, they took soundings again and found it to be fifteen fathoms. 29 Then, fearing lest we should run aground on the rocks, they dropped four anchors from the stern, and 7 prayed for day to come. 30 And as the sailors were seeking to escape from the ship, when they had let down the skiff into the sea, under pretense of putting out anchors from the prow, 31 Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, "Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved." 32 Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the skiff and let it fall off.

33 And as day was about to dawn, Paul implored them all to take food, saying, "Today is the fourteenth day you have waited and continued without food, and eaten nothing. 34 "Therefore I urge you to take nourishment, for this is for your survival, l since not a hair will fall from the head of any of you." 35 And when he had said these things, he took bread and m gave thanks to God in the presence of them all; and when he had broken it he began to eat. 36 Then they were all encouraged, and also took food themselves. 37 And in all we were two hundred and seventy-six n persons on the ship. 38 So when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship and threw out the wheat into the sea.

The Shipwreck

39 When it was day, they did not recognize the land; but they observed a bay with a beach, onto which they planned to run the ship if possible. 40 And they 8 let go the anchors and left them in the sea, meanwhile loosing the rudder ropes; and they hoisted the mainsail to the wind and made for shore. 41 But striking 9 a place where two seas met, o they ran the ship aground; and the prow stuck fast and remained immovable, but the stern was being broken up by the violence of the waves. 42 And the soldiers' plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim away and escape. 43 But the centurion, wanting to save Paul, kept them from their purpose, and commanded that those who could swim should jump overboard first and get to land, 44 and the rest, some on boards and some on parts of the ship. And so it was p that they all escaped safely to land.

  1. Cross References
    Acts 25:12
    Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, "You have appealed to Caesar? To Caesar you shall go!
    Acts 25:25
    But when I found that he had committed nothing deserving of death, and that he himself had appealed to Augustus, I decided to send him.
  2. Cross References
    Acts 19:29
    So the whole city was filled with confusion, and rushed into the theater with one accord, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians, Paul's travel companions.
  3. Cross References
    Acts 24:23
    So he commanded the centurion to keep Paul and to let him have liberty, and told him not to forbid any of his friends to provide for or visit him.
    Acts 28:16
    Now when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard; but Paul was permitted to dwell by himself with the soldier who guarded him.
  4. Cross References
    Acts 28:11
    After three months we sailed in an Alexandrian ship whose figurehead was the Twin Brothers, which had wintered at the island.
  5. Cross References
    Acts 2:11
    "Cretans and Arabs - we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God."
    Acts 27:12
    And because the harbor was not suitable to winter in, the majority advised to set sail from there also, if by any means they could reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete opening toward the southwest and northwest, and winter there.
    Acts 27:21
    But after long abstinence from food, then Paul stood in the midst of them and said, "Men, you should have listened to me, and not have sailed from Crete and incurred this disaster and loss.
    Titus 1:5
    For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you -
    Titus 1:12
    One of them, a prophet of their own, said, "Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.
  6. Cross References
    Leviticus 16:29 - 31
    This shall be a statute forever for you: In the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, you shall afflict your souls, and do no work at all, whether a native of your own country or a stranger who dwells among you.
    Leviticus 23:27 - 29
    Also the tenth day of this seventh month shall be the Day of Atonement. It shall be a holy convocation for you; you shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire to the LORD.
    Numbers 29:7
    On the tenth day of this seventh month you shall have a holy convocation. You shall afflict your souls; you shall not do any work.
  7. Cross References
    Jonah 1:5
    Then the mariners were afraid; and every man cried out to his god, and threw the cargo that was in the ship into the sea, to lighten the load. But Jonah had gone down into the lowest parts of the ship, had lain down, and was fast asleep.
  8. Cross References
    Acts 18:9
    Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, "Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent.
    Acts 23:11
    But the following night the Lord stood by him and said, "Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome.
    2 Timothy 4:17
    But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. Also I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.
  9. Cross References
    Daniel 6:16
    So the king gave the command, and they brought Daniel and cast him into the den of lions. But the king spoke, saying to Daniel, "Your God, whom you serve continually, He will deliver you.
    Romans 1:9
    For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers.
    2 Timothy 1:3
    I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my forefathers did, as without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and day.
  10. Cross References
    Luke 1:45
    "Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord."
    Romans 4:20
    He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God.
    Romans 4:21
    And being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform.
    2 Timothy 1:12
    For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.
  11. Cross References
    Acts 28:1
    Now when they had escaped, they then found out that the island was called Malta.
  12. Cross References
    1 Kings 1:52
    Then Solomon said, "If he proves himself a worthy man, not one hair of him shall fall to the earth; but if wickedness is found in him, he shall die.
    Matthew 10:30
    But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
    Luke 12:7
    But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.
    Luke 21:18
    But not a hair of your head shall be lost.
  13. Cross References
    1 Samuel 9:13
    "As soon as you come into the city, you will su...
    Matthew 15:36
    And He took the seven loaves and the fish and g...
    Mark 8:6
    So He commanded the multitude to sit down on th...
    John 6:11
    And Jesus took the loaves, and when He had give...
    1 Timothy 4:3
    Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain ...
    1 Timothy 4:4
    For every creature of God is good, and nothing ...
  14. Cross References
    Acts 2:41
    Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.
    Acts 7:14
    Then Joseph sent and called his father Jacob and all his relatives to him, seventy-five people.
    Romans 13:1
    Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.
    1 Peter 3:20
    Who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water.
  15. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 11:25
    Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep.
  16. Cross References
    Acts 27:22
    And now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship.
    Acts 27:31
    Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, "Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved.
New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
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