Acts 27

King James Version

Full text for Acts Chapter 27

1¶ And when it was determined that we should sail into Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners unto [one] named Julius, a centurion of Augustus' band.

2And entering into a ship of Adramyttium, we launched, meaning to sail by the coasts of Asia; [one] Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us.

3And the next [day] we touched at Sidon. And Julius courteously entreated Paul, and gave [him] liberty to go unto his friends to refresh himself.

4And when we had launched from thence, we sailed under Cyprus, because the winds were contrary.

5And when we had sailed over the sea of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, [a city] of Lycia.

6And there the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing into Italy; and he put us therein.

7And when we had sailed slowly many days, and scarce were come over against Cnidus, the wind not suffering us, we sailed under Crete, over against Salmone;

8And, hardly passing it, came unto a place which is called The fair havens; nigh whereunto was the city [of] Lasea.

9Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished [them],

10And said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives.

11Nevertheless the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul.

12¶ And because the haven was not commodious to winter in, the more part advised to depart thence also, if by any means they might attain to Phenice, [and there] to winter; [which is] an haven of Crete, and lieth toward the south west and north west.

13And when the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained [their] purpose, loosing [thence], they sailed close by Crete.

14But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon.

15And when the ship was caught, and could not bear up into the wind, we let [her] drive.

16And running under a certain island which is called Clauda, we had much work to come by the boat:

17Which when they had taken up, they used helps, undergirding the ship; and, fearing lest they should fall into the quicksands, strake sail, and so were driven.

18And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next [day] they lightened the ship;

19And the third [day] we cast out with our own hands the tackling of the ship.

20And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on [us], all hope that we should be saved was then taken away.

21¶ But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss.

22And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of [any man's] life among you, but of the ship.

23For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve,

24Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.

25Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.

26Howbeit we must be cast upon a certain island.

27But when the fourteenth night was come, as we were driven up and down in Adria, about midnight the shipmen deemed that they drew near to some country;

28And sounded, and found [it] twenty fathoms: and when they had gone a little further, they sounded again, and found [it] fifteen fathoms.

29Then fearing lest we should have fallen upon rocks, they cast four anchors out of the stern, and wished for the day.

30And as the shipmen were about to flee out of the ship, when they had let down the boat into the sea, under colour as though they would have cast anchors out of the foreship,

31Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved.

32Then the soldiers cut off the ropes of the boat, and let her fall off.

33And while the day was coming on, Paul besought [them] all to take meat, saying, This day is the fourteenth day that ye have tarried and continued fasting, having taken nothing.

34Wherefore I pray you to take [some] meat: for this is for your health: for there shall not an hair fall from the head of any of you.

35And when he had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in presence of them all: and when he had broken [it], he began to eat.

36Then were they all of good cheer, and they also took [some] meat.

37And we were in all in the ship two hundred threescore and sixteen souls.

38And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, and cast out the wheat into the sea.

39And when it was day, they knew not the land: but they discovered a certain creek with a shore, into the which they were minded, if it were possible, to thrust in the ship.

40And when they had taken up the anchors, they committed [themselves] unto the sea, and loosed the rudder bands, and hoised up the mainsail to the wind, and made toward shore.

41And 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.

42And the soldiers' counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim out, and escape.

43But the centurion, willing to save Paul, kept them from [their] purpose; and commanded that they which could swim should cast [themselves] first [into the sea], and get to land:

44And the rest, some on boards, and some on [broken pieces] of the ship. And so it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Paul, a prisoner, embarks on a perilous voyage to Rome. Despite his warning, the ship's crew sails into a violent tempest, the Euroclydon, losing all hope. An angel assures Paul that all lives will be saved, though the ship will be lost. After fourteen days, the ship wrecks on an island, but all 276 souls safely reach land as prophesied.

Medium Summary

Paul's journey to Italy as a prisoner begins, but he warns against continuing the voyage from Fair Havens due to impending danger. His counsel is disregarded by the centurion, who trusts the ship's master. Soon after, a fierce storm, Euroclydon, strikes, driving the ship for many days and causing the crew to lighten it and abandon hope. Paul then reveals a divine message: an angel of God assured him that while the ship would be destroyed, every life on board would be spared, as Paul must stand before Caesar. On the fourteenth night, the ship runs aground on an unknown island. Despite soldiers' initial intent to kill prisoners, the centurion intervenes, and all 276 people escape safely to shore on planks and broken pieces of the ship.

Long Summary

Paul, a prisoner, begins his voyage to Italy under the care of Centurion Julius, initially sailing along the coasts and transferring to an Alexandrian ship at Myra. After a slow and difficult passage, they reach Fair Havens in Crete, where Paul warns against continuing the journey, predicting severe damage and loss of life due to the season. However, the centurion, trusting the ship's master, disregards Paul's advice, and the majority decide to attempt to reach Phenice for wintering. Shortly after departing, a violent tempest, the Euroclydon, assails the ship, driving it helplessly for days. The crew undertakes desperate measures, undergirding the ship, casting out cargo, and eventually the ship's tackling, as all hope of survival wanes amidst continuous darkness. After a long period of fasting, Paul stands forth, reminding them of his ignored warning but then delivering a message of divine assurance: an angel of God appeared to him, guaranteeing that though the ship would be lost, not a single life would perish, for Paul was destined to stand before Caesar. On the fourteenth night, as they drift in Adria, the mariners detect land and attempt to flee in a boat, but Paul warns that their presence is essential for salvation, leading the soldiers to cut the boat away. Paul then encourages everyone to eat for strength, again assuring them of their safety. Finally, the ship runs aground on an unknown island, its forepart stuck fast while the stern breaks apart. The soldiers' plan to kill the prisoners is thwarted by the centurion, who, desiring to save Paul, ensures that all 276 souls, whether by swimming or clinging to debris, safely reach the shore.

Core Concepts

  • Paul's Prophetic WarningPaul, guided by spiritual insight, warns the ship's company of impending danger and loss if they continue their voyage, but his counsel is initially disregarded by those in authority.
  • Divine ProvidenceDespite the dire circumstances and human error, God intervenes through an angel to assure Paul of his safety and the preservation of all on board, demonstrating His sovereign plan for Paul's mission.
  • The Euroclydon TempestA violent and persistent storm, specifically named Euroclydon, drives the ship relentlessly for fourteen days, highlighting the extreme perils of ancient sea travel and the crew's desperation.
  • Leadership in CrisisPaul emerges as a spiritual and practical leader during the storm, offering divine assurance, practical advice (like eating), and preventing the crew's desertion, ultimately guiding the ship's company through the ordeal.
  • Human Disregard for Divine CounselThe centurion and ship's master prioritize their own judgment and the perceived convenience of a different harbor over Paul's divinely inspired warning, leading directly to the catastrophic storm.
  • Universal Salvation (of lives)Despite the shipwreck, God's promise through Paul ensures that all 276 individuals on board, including prisoners and soldiers, are miraculously preserved and reach land safely.
  • The Centurion's RoleJulius, the Roman centurion, initially dismisses Paul's warning but later protects Paul, heeds his advice during the crisis, and ultimately prevents the soldiers from killing the prisoners, thereby facilitating the safe escape of all.