Acts 27ESV
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Acts27

English Standard Version

1 it was that should , they to a of the .

2 a of , which was to to the the coast of , we , , a from .

3 day we . and to his and be cared .

4 putting out to from we the lee of , the against .

5 when we had the along the of , we in .

6 the a of and .

7 for a of and arrived with , and as the did to go farther, we the lee of .

8 with difficulty, we , the of .

9 had , the even the , ,

10 , , I the will , of the the , of .

11 the paid the to the owner of the to .

12 because the not to spend the , the to put out to , on the chance that they reach , a of , , and spend the there.

13 when the , that they had their , they and , close to the shore.

14 a , the , the .

15 when the was the , we gave way to it and were .

16 the lee of a , we with to the .

17 up, they to the . , they would the , they the , and they were along.

18 were , they began the day to the .

19 on the day they the overboard with their own .

20 for , us, of being at .

21 they had been for , and , , have and have .

22 I to , there will of , only of the .

23 this there an of the to I whom I ,

24and he , Do not be , ; . , has those who you.

25 , , I have will I have been .

26 .

27 the had , as were being the , the that were .

28 they took a and . on they took a .

29 we the , they let the and for to come.

30 as the were to the , had the the under of the ,

31 to the the , men the , be .

32 the the of the .

33 was about to , them to some , , is the that you have in and , .

34 I to some . will , a is to the of of .

35 when he had , he , and giving to in the of he it and to .

36 they some .

37( in the .)

38 when they had , they the , the the .

39 it , they did the , they a a , they to the ashore.

40 they the and them the , at the the that tied the . the to the they the .

41 a , they the . The and , the was being up the .

42 the , should and .

43 the , to , from carrying out their . those who to and the ,

44 the the . it that were to .

Study Guide

Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Acts 27.

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Chapter Summary

In this chapter: Paul's voyage towards Rome. (1–11). Paul and his companions endangered by a tempest. (12–20). He receives a Divine assurance of safety. (21–29). Paul encourages those with him. (30–38). They are shipwrecked. (39–44).

vv1-11

It was determined by the counsel of God, before it was determined by the counsel of Festus, that Paul should go to Rome; for God had work for him to do there. The course they steered, and the places they touched at, are here set down. And God here encourages those who suffer for him, to trust in him; for he can put it into the hearts of those to befriend them, from whom they least expect it. Sailors must make the best of the wind: and so must we all in our passage over the ocean of this world. When the winds are contrary, yet we must be getting forward as well as we can. Many who are not driven backward by cross providences, do not get forward by favourable providences. And many real Christians complain as to the concerns of their souls, that they have much ado to keep their ground. Every fair haven is not a safe haven. Many show respect to good ministers, who will not take their advice. But the event will convince sinners of the vanity of their hopes, and the folly of their conduct.

vv12-20

Those who launch forth on the ocean of this world, with a fair gale, know not what storms they may meet with; and therefore must not easily take it for granted that they have obtained their purpose. Let us never expect to be quite safe till we enter heaven. They saw neither sun nor stars for many days. Thus melancholy sometimes is the condition of the people of God as to their spiritual matters; they walk in darkness, and have no light. See what the wealth of this world is: though coveted as a blessing, the time may come when it will be a burden; not only too heavy to be carried safely, but heavy enough to sink him that has it. The children of this world can be prodigal of their goods for the saving their lives, yet are sparing of them in works of piety and charity, and in suffering for Christ. Any man will rather make shipwreck of his goods than of his life; but many rather make shipwreck of faith and a good conscience, than of their goods. The means the sailors used did not succeed; but when sinners give up all hope of saving themselves, they are prepared to understand God's word, and to trust in his mercy through Jesus Christ.

vv21-29

They did not hearken to the apostle when he warned them of their danger; yet if they acknowledge their folly, and repent of it, he will speak comfort and relief to them when in danger. Most people bring themselves into trouble, because they do not know when they are well off; they come to harm and loss by aiming to mend their condition, often against advice. Observe the solemn profession Paul made of relation to God. No storms or tempests can hinder God's favour to his people, for he is a Help always at hand. It is a comfort to the faithful servants of God when in difficulties, that as long as the Lord has any work for them to do, their lives shall be prolonged. If Paul had thrust himself needlessly into bad company, he might justly have been cast away with them; but God calling him into it, they are preserved with him. They are given thee; there is no greater satisfaction to a good man than to know he is a public blessing. He comforts them with the same comforts wherewith he himself was comforted. God is ever faithful, therefore let all who have an interest in his promises be ever cheerful. As, with God, saying and doing are not two things, believing and enjoying should not be so with us. Hope is an anchor of the soul, sure and stedfast, entering into that within the veil. Let those who are in spiritual darkness hold fast by that, and think not of putting to sea again, but abide by Christ, and wait till the day break, and the shadows flee away.

Cross References

Acts 27
v2Acts 19:29thematic

Establishes Aristarchus's identity as Paul's long-term travel companion since the Ephesian riot.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v9Leviticus 16:29thematic

Identifies 'the fast' as the Jewish Day of Atonement, marking late autumn's dangerous sailing season.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v24Acts 23:11fulfillment

Fulfills the Lord's prior personal promise that Paul must bear witness to Christ in Rome.

Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin

v18Jonah 1:5thematic

Parallel instance of mariners desperately lightening a ship in a life-threatening storm.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v341 Samuel 14:45allusion

A traditional Hebrew idiom signifying complete safety and absolute preservation from physical harm.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole

v35Acts 2:46thematic

Echoes early Christian practice of breaking bread and giving thanks in fellowship.

Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin

v24Genesis 18:23-32thematic

Demonstrates the principle of God sparing others for the sake of His righteous servant.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v29Hebrews 6:19typology

Spiritualizes the ship's physical anchors as representing the believer's sure and steadfast hope.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v2Colossians 4:10thematic

Confirms Aristarchus remained with Paul, later becoming his fellow prisoner in Rome.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v14Jonah 1:4thematic

Parallel where God hurls a mighty tempestuous wind upon the sea.

Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin

v20Psalms 107:25-27thematic

Poetically describes the extreme terror and loss of hope experienced by sailors in tempests.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v44Acts 27:31thematic

Shows the ordained end of safety required using the prescribed human means.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v9Numbers 29:7thematic

Scriptural mandate for the autumn fast when souls were afflicted on the tenth day.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v26Acts 28:1fulfillment

Identifies the predicted island where they must be cast away as Melita (Malta).

Supported by JFB