Page 130 - Acts Student Textbook

Colossians 4:10. Uttly notes that, “Most of the "we" sections of Acts have a sailing component (cf.
16:10-17; 20:5-15; 21:1-18; 27:1-28:16).”
86

How was the attitude of the centurion to Paul as the Journey started? (27:3-5)

The ship first sailed up the coast from Caesarea to Sidon (see map). The treatment given Paul was so
kind that he was allowed to visit friends and be refreshed (cf. 24:23). Luke did not explain why Paul
was given such special treatment. It may have been because he was well known. But it is also
possible that the authorities had informed Julius to treat Paul well, reminding him that he was a
Roman (which many other prisoners may not have been) and that there was every reason to believe
he was innocent. Doubtless his helpful manner toward all would also gain the confidence of his
jailers. They sailed past the island of Cyprus, the regions of Cilicia and Pamphylia to Myra, a city of
the region of Lycia (see map).

What kind of ship did Paul and everyone use for Rome? (27:6-8)

Pratte comments that, “McGarvey points out, based on the later reference to the cargo, that this was
one of the many ships that transported grain across the sea (v38). Apparently, it was a fairly large
ship – though not one of the largest ones - since it held 276 people (many of them passengers) in
87
addition to the cargo (v37).” Alexandria was an Egyptian city. Again, the winds were contrary, so
they sailed past Cnidus in southwestern Asia Minor (see map). Then they turned south and passed on
the lee side of the island of Crete, passing near Salmone (see map). Finally, they landed at Fair
Havens on the south side of Crete near a city named Lasea (see map).

What was Paul’s advice regarding sailing further? (27:9, 10)

Paul’s advice becomes a key to the rest of the events happening in this trip to Rome. Luke records
that it was late in the sailing season, and weather was so bad that traveling was dangerous. At this
point Paul warned the party that it would be dangerous to continue the journey and would result in
the loss of cargo and life. He was an experienced sea traveler, perhaps especially so compared to the
soldiers. Nothing says this was a revelation from God, but later Paul received a specific revelation
saying the same except that there would be no loss of life. Another possibility, however, is that this
was a revelation from God, but God later changed the outcome in response to Paul’s intercessory
prayers (cf. v24 to Genesis 18; 2 Kings 20:1-11).

Who was against Paul over the idea of sailing at this dangerous time? (27:11, 12)

The owner of the ship disagreed, however, and he, together with the helmsman, persuaded the
centurion to travel on. They reasoned that the harbor was not suitable to winter in, so the majority
of the people advised to try to reach a better harbor at Phoenix and spend the winter there (see
map). The centurion, having taken charge of the ship for official Empire business, apparently was in
charge of final decisions. Though he had been kind to Paul, one could hardly expect him to take
Paul’s word for sailing conditions over the advice of seasoned sailors.

Different translations describe the ship leaders differently, 27:11: "the pilot and the captain" (NASB),
"the helmsman and the owner" (NKJV), "the pilot and the owner" (NRSV, ESV), "the captain and the
owner" (TEV, NJB), the master and the owner (KJV). Here Uttly gives a helpful study, “This phrase
denotes two separate people: (1). the pilot (kubernētēs), which refers to the helmsman, the one who
steers the ship (cf. Rev. 18:17), (2). the captain (nauklēros, compound of "ship" [naus] and "to

86 Uttly, (27:1).
87 Pratte, (p. 379).
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