June 29, 2005

 

Chap.27, verses 1-8- Paul, as a prisoner, is now to be transported to Rome for his appeal to Caesar (26:32).  There are other prisoners and these together will be under the authority of Julius, a centurion said to be of Augustus’ band or regiment.  This was a band of soldiers responsible for transporting grain from Egypt to Rome as well as police and judicial duties; they were called frumentarii

(grain) or as some suggest, speculators.  Luke gives us the centurion’s name,

Julius (23:26).

  The sea-going trip was believed to be more quickly done, but required some skill as it was mid-September and the wind blew from the west Mediterranean toward the east making a trip toward Rome difficult.  Plus, severe weather (vs.7)

was more frequent in the fall.  Luke’s account of the trip is clearly as an eye-witness (note the use of “we” again in vs.2 and following), yet he described the

trip from a nautical standpoint.  James Smith’s The Voyage and Shipwreck of

St.Paul (1880) reveals the masterful way that Luke details this portion of ch.27.

Luke tells us that they are joined by Aristarchus, a Macedonian—19:29,20:4.

  After landing at Sidon, Paul is allowed by Julius to visit “friends”- just who these people are is not explained and the term is not used as synonymous with believers.  The next part of the trip involved sailing under Cyprus,because the winds were contrary.  It has been suggested this required the ship to go

east of Cyprus, then north between the island and the coast to allow as much protection as possible from the strong wind out of the west.  Perhaps the mountain range in Cilicia afforded wind protection for the ship.

  Luke then places them at Myra, a city of Lycia.  The port was actually Andriaca, one of the more beautiful cities (with wealth) in the area.  The grain shipments from Egypt often came to this city.  That is likely what is meant by

“a ship of Alexandria”[Egypt].  This would be a larger vessel (see vs.37).

“sailed slowly many days”- this was due to the west or northwest wind and the necessity to advance distance by “tacking” which is a zig-zag maneuver used by sailing vessels going against contrary winds.

  Cnidus was a port at the extreme tip of southwest Asia Minor that was the last point of safety before navigating the passage across the Aegean Sea toward Greece. It is said that a strong wind from the north blew down the Aegean Sea forcing vessels to go south for protection by the 160 mile long island of Crete.

“we sailed under Crete” is Luke’s method of explanation.  That brought them to the fair Havens, near Lasea.  This was on the southern or underside of Crete and provided some protection for ships from the difficult weather.

 

Chap.27, verses 9-15- with the arrival of autumn, weather deteriorates more often- “when sailing was now dangerous”- this is calculated from “the fast was now already past”- fast= nasteian –to go without food- believed by all

 

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To here be reference to the fast that was universally held by Jews for the Day of Atonement in early October.  The most threatening time to sail in the Medit.

is mid-September to mid-November.  Then no one sailed open sea until after

November, December, and January.  The decision is whether to remain at Fair

Havens during the winter or press on to Italy.

  At this point, Paul (an experienced sailor) suggests that further sailing will meet with great loss; later his impression is supported by revelation (vs. 23-24), although modified to say that no loss of life will occur.  In spite of this, the centurion responds to the master and the owner to sail ahead.

Master = kupernata or helmsman    Owner =nauklaro

 Verse 12 explains their next move—the harbor was not suitable to winter in—

A decision was made to sail on to Pheonix where better and larger facilities for ship and person were available.

  Yet, to their surprise “the south wind blew softly”—this gentle breeze would afford them to opportunity to move west at a quickly pace and “supposing…

obtained their purpose”—their reasoning was that was a moment of fortune for their goal.  “they sailed close by Crete”.

  However, circumstances change quickly on the sea—“a tempestuous wind”-

typhunikas – typhoon.  “called Euroclydon” [NIV-Northeaster]- other manuscripts have “Euroaquilon”.  The storm was well-known and frequent enough to have been given a name by sailors.  “could not bear up [head] into the wind”-

the gale force prevented placing a sail up to “tack” toward land; instead

“we let her drive”- literally, ‘we gave her up to bear or endure’.

  *This detailed narrative of Paul’s sailing is evidence of God’s providential

protection (23:11) for him to arrive at Rome.