Acts 27:11 - Printer Friendly

ESV: But the centurion paid more attention to the pilot and to the owner of the ship than to what Paul said.

NIV: But the centurion, instead of listening to what Paul said, followed the advice of the pilot and of the owner of the ship.

NASB: But the centurion was more persuaded by the pilot and the captain of the ship than by what was being said by Paul.

CSB: But the centurion paid attention to the captain and the owner of the ship rather than to what Paul said.

NLT: But the officer in charge of the prisoners listened more to the ship’s captain and the owner than to Paul.

KJV: Nevertheless the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul.

NKJV: Nevertheless the centurion was more persuaded by the helmsman and the owner of the ship than by the things spoken by Paul.

Julius the centurion is a Roman army commander usually in command of about one hundred 100 legionaries, although the number in his specific unit is not listed. He is tasked with bringing Paul, Aristarchus, and some other prisoners to Rome for trial (Acts 27:1). They traveled from Caesarea Maritima to the port of Myra on the southwest coast of modern-day Turkey. They then boarded an Alexandrian ship, likely exporting grain, headed to Rome; the centurion may be working a side-job guarding the grain (Acts 27:1–6).

So far, the weather has not cooperated. Winds pushed them south when they wanted to sail west, and they're currently moored in Fair Havens on the southern coast of Crete (Acts 27:8). They need to go northwest to Rome. However, winter storms are coming, and the winds are from the north. Fair Havens isn't outfitted to house massive grain ships. A little farther west, around a point, is Phoenix with two well-protected harbors. The owner plans to go on and the shipmaster agrees.

Paul keeps interjecting into the conversation, telling them it's unsafe. Paul insists that if they leave Fair Havens they will lose the cargo, the ship, and all their lives (Acts 27:9–10).

The owner and pilot know if they stay, it will not go well for them either (Acts 27:12). The centurion could take his prisoners and spend the winter in Fair Havens. If he did so, he'd have to find lodging and, if he is being paid to protect the cargo, he'd lose that job. In addition, he'd have to find another ship to take them to Rome in the spring. Instead, the centurion trusts the professional sailors. Phoenix is only about 40 miles, or 65 kilometers, away. If they can get less than half that far, they can hug the coastline the rest of the way. There, the mountains will protect them from the winds. It doesn't make sense to stay.

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.