Acts 27:9 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Since much time had passed, and the voyage was now dangerous because even the Fast was already over, Paul advised them,

NIV: Much time had been lost, and sailing had already become dangerous because by now it was after the Day of Atonement. So Paul warned them,

NASB: When considerable time had passed and the voyage was now dangerous, since even the fast was already over, Paul started admonishing them,

CSB: By now much time had passed, and the voyage was already dangerous. Since the Day of Atonement was already over, Paul gave his advice

NLT: We had lost a lot of time. The weather was becoming dangerous for sea travel because it was so late in the fall, and Paul spoke to the ship’s officers about it.

KJV: Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them,

NKJV: Now when much time had been spent, and sailing was now dangerous because the Fast was already over, Paul advised them,

Paul was arrested for crimes he didn't commit (Acts 26:31–32). When two years passed without justice, Paul appealed his case to Caesar (Acts 25:6–12). It seems Aristarchus did the same (Colossians 4:10). They're both in custody of a centurion who is charged with bringing them to trial in Rome. Luke is accompanying them (Acts 27:1).

Traveling from Caesarea Maritima to Rome is safer by land but faster by sea—if the weather cooperates. On their first leg, they hit contrary winds that forced them to detour around Cyprus. Now, they've been pushed farther south than they wished, to the southern shore of Crete. They find mooring in Fair Havens, just past Lasea. Lasea has a good, sheltered port where ships can sit out the winter storms; Fair Havens doesn't. Further on, Phoenix also has a winter port. Paul wants to stay where they are. The owner of the ship and the shipmaster want to go on to Phoenix (Acts 27:10–12).

The tense of the Greek word translated "advised" is imperfect; this implies something ongoing and incomplete. Paul isn't thoughtfully sharing his point of view; he's been nagging them. Ordinarily, it would be wise to do as the shipmaster says, but either the Holy Spirit is warning Paul or he's relying on extensive travel experience. He later specifies when God has spoken to him (Acts 27:23), so this instance is likely just a gut feeling. Although the centurion sides with the owner and the pilot this time, he quickly learns to trust Paul (Acts 27:30–32, 42–43).

The "Fast" is the Day of Atonement. The description given in the Mosaic law says on the Day of Atonement, observants must "afflict" themselves (Leviticus 23:27). The Jews interpret this to mean abstaining from food, although the law doesn't explicitly mention fasting. The Day of Atonement falls at the end of September or beginning of October; storms in the Mediterranean start in mid-September. Scholars have worked through Luke's narrative—including the arrival of Governor Festus (Acts 24:27)—and determined that this is probably AD 59. The group left Caesarea in August or early September and didn't arrive at Rome until the following March.

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.