What does Acts 27:13 mean?
Paul and Aristarchus are on an Alexandrian ship, likely a grain ship, in the custody of Julius, a Roman centurion. They're headed to Rome to have their charges tried in Caesar's court. Luke is sailing with them (Acts 27:1-–6).They moored at Fair Havens on the southern shore of Crete. The winter storms are starting, and they need to find a safe place to stay. The harbor at Fair Havens isn't sufficient. For some reason, they don't backtrack to the harbor at Lasea. Instead, the ship's owner and pilot decide to go on to Phoenix, and the centurion agrees—despite Paul's warning that if they leave, they could lose everything (Acts 27:8–12).
The southern coastline of Crete is largely lined by mountain ranges which shield ships from the northern winds. The winds have been from the north or northwest. About three miles west of Fair Havens, the east-west coastline suddenly turns north. The southern winds are welcome; when the ship rounds the point, the pilot is able to steer them straight for Phoenix.
This lasts for only a short while. Not long after the point, the mountains disappear into a flat plane. As they pass this area, winds shift and come from the northeast. The low hills in the center of the island are flanked by two high ranges that perfectly funnel the winds onto the plane and straight to the ship. The ship turns suddenly as the winds drive it toward the sandbar off the coast of Libya. Then the ship and passengers are driven into the storm (Acts 27:14–20).
Julius already respected Paul (Acts 27:3); now he realizes Paul knows what he's talking about when it comes to travel. From this point forward he takes Paul's advice and, although the ship and cargo are lost, everyone survives.
