What does Acts 27:33 mean?

Paul is prisoner being transported to Rome on an Alexandrian ship, finally reaching the end of a two-week voyage through a typhoon-grade storm in the Mediterranean. The ship has' dodged the hidden sandbars off the coast of Libya and managed not to swamp or capsize, but the waves and wind are so great no one has eaten for two weeks. The Greek for "in suspense" means "watching to see how this will end." They've been "watching" with no hope of survival for over a week (Acts 27:20). Everyone's exhausted with fear, and they still need to make it to shore, so Paul takes charge.

It's night. They don't know exactly where they are. They don't know what stands between them and land. They don't know if there's a good place to bring the ship in closer—perhaps even a beach. But Paul assures them that no one will die. Everyone will make it (Acts 27:22). First, however, they need to eat. Even if they do make it to within swimming distance of the island, they'll need energy to make it the last few yards. Paul either finds bread or quickly makes some from the wheat the ship is transporting. He prays over it, breaks it, and eats it. The passengers and crew are encouraged and take some as well. Then they throw the wheat into the sea to try to raise the ship above potential hazards (Acts 27:34–38).

Paul will face one more obstacle before he can reach dry land: the soldiers don't want any of the prisoners to escape. In fact, they'd rather kill them than risk it. Julius, the centurion who is guarding Paul and the other prisoners, has always been kind to Paul and has learned to trust him (Acts 27:3). He controls his soldiers, and everyone makes it to the island alive (Acts 27:42–44).