Acts 27:26 - Printer Friendly

ESV: But we must run aground on some island."

NIV: Nevertheless, we must run aground on some island."

NASB: But we must run aground on a certain island.'

CSB: But we have to run aground on some island."

NLT: But we will be shipwrecked on an island.'

KJV: Howbeit we must be cast upon a certain island.

NKJV: However, we must run aground on a certain island.”

The crew members of the ship carrying Paul do not quite know where they are. They know the wind blew them southwest from Crete toward the dangerous sandbars off the shore of Libya. However, the fierce storm has hidden the sun and stars for days and they can't get their bearing (Acts 27:20). They've jettisoned some of their cargo and tackle already (Acts 27:17–21). Now, they sense they have changed direction and are pointed northwest, across the southern edge of the Adriatic Sea between Greece and Italy (Acts 27:27). Where, however, is anyone's guess.

In fact, they are crossing the Adriatic. They'll come level with the southern point of Sicily before diving southwest again and crashing into a reef off the island of Malta. The ship will be destroyed. The cargo will be thrown overboard. But they'll escape with their lives (Acts 27:38–44).

Paul is responsible for the fact that everyone lives. Even though he is a prisoner in the custody of the centurion, his status doesn't really matter to him. It doesn't shame him into silence. When he knew the ship's captain and pilot were planning a catastrophic mistake, he boldly told them so (Acts 27:10). When the ship's crew try to abandon the passengers, he warns the centurion to act (Acts 27:30–32). When they are about to crash into the reef, he makes everyone eat for strength (Acts 27:33–36). Paul does not allow others' perceptions detract from his God-given mission to serve them.

Acts 27:21–26 again shifts attention to Paul. He, Luke, and Aristarchus are on a grain ship in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea. They're supposed to be on their way to Rome. Winter winds blew them off course and a fierce storm threatened to push them to a dangerous series of underwater reefs near Africa. At first, Paul thought they all might die. But he has prayed for the lives of the sailors, soldiers, and passengers onboard, and God has promised that although the ship and cargo will be lost, everyone will survive.

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.