Acts 27:10 - Printer Friendly

ESV: saying, "Sirs, I perceive that the voyage will be with injury and much loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives."

NIV: "Men, I can see that our voyage is going to be disastrous and bring great loss to ship and cargo, and to our own lives also."

NASB: saying to them, 'Men, I perceive that the voyage will certainly be with damage and great loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives.'

CSB: and told them, "Men, I can see that this voyage is headed toward disaster and heavy loss, not only of the cargo and the ship but also of our lives."

NLT: Men,' he said, 'I believe there is trouble ahead if we go on — shipwreck, loss of cargo, and danger to our lives as well.'

KJV: And said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives.

NKJV: 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.”

A ship headed to Rome carries Paul, his captors, and his companions. The winds have pushed the ship south to the southern coast of Crete. They are currently moored in the port of Fair Havens. Despite its idyllic name, Fair Havens is not sheltered enough to ride out the storms that strike the Mediterranean every winter. Lasea, now behind them, is. It's not clear why the owner didn't stop there. Ahead of them and around a point is Phoenix, which is also suitable. The owner and the pilot want to go on to Phoenix. Paul has been pestering the ship's commanders to stay in Fair Havens (Acts 27:9).

Paul isn't thinking of a supernatural storm like the one that struck Jonah's ship (Jonah 1:4). He has already been shipwrecked three times (2 Corinthians 11:25). His background experience tells him they're likely to lose cargo, ship, and lives. The owner and the shipmaster, however, know their ship. Phoenix is a good port; it makes sense to go there.

The centurion decides to trust the owner and pilot instead of keeping the prisoners in Fair Havens, and the ship sets sail. It goes well for only part of a day before strong winds from the northeast drive them toward Libya and the hidden sandbars there. This sends them into a fierce storm that threatens to fulfill Paul's dire prediction (Acts 27:13–20). But he no doubt prays. He apparently prays that God will grant him the lives of the crew and passengers (Acts 27:24). Although they do lose the ship and all the cargo, no one is killed (Acts 27:43–44).

Acts 27:9–12 turns from the description of the sea voyage Luke, Paul, and Aristarchus are taking to Paul's words of caution. The ship they boarded at Myra has seen nothing but contrary winds since they set sail. Now they're moored in Fair Havens, on the southern shore of Crete. Paul knows winter is coming and wants to stay where they are. The ship owner and pilot know this port isn't good shelter for winter and want to go on. The centurion chooses to trust the crew; he chooses poorly.

Acts 27 is an account of a famous sea voyage. Paul, Luke, and Aristarchus travel from Caesarea Maritima on their way to Rome. False charges and two years of imprisonment in Caesarea led Paul to appeal his case to a higher Roman court, and he is now on his way to that court. The chapter can be divided into seven paragraphs, alternating between descriptions of the sea voyage and Paul trying to keep everyone alive during a horrific storm. Eventually, they shipwreck on Malta. The ship and cargo are a complete loss, but no one dies.

Twice the Sanhedrin brought unfounded charges against Paul. In both cases, the ruling governor knew Paul was innocent but refused to let him go. Finally, Paul appealed his case to Caesar (Acts 24:22–27; 25:1–12). He, Luke, Aristarchus, and 273 others sail for Rome. But they shipwreck on a reef off the island of Malta. When they finally reach Rome, Paul will meet with Jewish leaders and tell them how Jesus fulfills the Old Testament prophecies of the Messiah. Some will believe and some won't. This leads Paul to resolve, once again, to focus his efforts on the Gentiles (Acts 28).

The summary of the book of Acts is provided in Jesus' words in Acts 1:8: ''But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.'' In Acts 2:1–13, the Christ-followers receive the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:14—7:60 describes the rapid growth of the church in Jerusalem. Chapters 8—12 find Jewish persecution inadvertently spreading the gospel throughout Judea and Samaria. And in chapters 13—28, Paul and his companions spread the good news throughout the Roman Empire.