Acts 27:41 - Printer Friendly

ESV: But striking a reef, they ran the vessel aground. The bow stuck and remained immovable, and the stern was being broken up by the surf.

NIV: But the ship struck a sandbar and ran aground. The bow stuck fast and would not move, and the stern was broken to pieces by the pounding of the surf.

NASB: But they struck a reef where two seas met and ran the ship aground; and the prow stuck firmly and remained immovable, while the stern started to break up due to the force of the waves.

CSB: But they struck a sandbar and ran the ship aground. The bow jammed fast and remained immovable, while the stern began to break up by the pounding of the waves.

NLT: But they hit a shoal and ran the ship aground too soon. The bow of the ship stuck fast, while the stern was repeatedly smashed by the force of the waves and began to break apart.

KJV: And falling into a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the forepart stuck fast, and remained unmoveable, but the hinder part was broken with the violence of the waves.

NKJV: But striking a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the prow stuck fast and remained immovable, but the stern was being broken up by the violence of the waves.

The skill of the crew helped their ship survive a storm so fierce they didn't see sun or stars for fourteen days. The grace of God directed the winds so they avoided the dangerous sandbars off the coast of Libya. Rather, the weather turned the ship toward Rome, their ultimate destination. Now, they've reached an island with a port and a beach. If they can reach the beach, they can ground the ship and get to land with minimal struggle. They've already tossed the tackle, cargo, and grain overboard; now they cut away the anchors, loose the rudder, and raise the foresail to gently make their way to the beach (Acts 27:17–19, 20, 29, 33, 38, 40).

That goal will not be attained. Under the water, above the beam of the ship, lies a reef of mud and tenacious clay that grabs the bow and holds it fast. The ship's battered hull has been held together with ropes and cable for two weeks, and it's reached the end of its strength. The surf pounds the stern, breaking the ship apart.

The situation could be worse. The bow is intact, and the crew and passengers can make their way to the water, then swim or ride on flotsam to shore. The soldiers guarding the prisoners realize their dilemma. They can't guard their charges in the water. If they lose a prisoner, their lives could be forfeit. So, they decide to kill the prisoners (Acts 27:42).

Their centurion, however, won't let them. One of the prisoners is Paul—he who predicted the storm, the lost ship and cargo, and promised no one would die. He even warned the soldiers when the crew tried to leave on the lifeboat (Acts 27:1, 9–10, 22, 30–31).

Paul said everyone would reach safety; the centurion is going to make sure that happens.

Acts 27:39–44 describes dawn breaking as Paul's ship finally succumbs to the sea and wrecks. The 276 crew members and passengers can see the island they've reached. But it's still a dangerous trek to the shore. Paul and the other prisoners face a hidden reef, strong surf, and murderous Roman soldiers. They finally make it to land—where it promptly starts raining. Fortunately, the locals are friendly and helpful, and after another three months, Paul finally makes it to Rome (Acts 28).

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.