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Acts 27:1--28:15

Context

Paul and Company Sail for Rome

27:1 When it was decided we¹ would sail to Italy,² they handed over Paul and some other prisoners to a centurion³ of the Augustan Cohort⁴ named Julius. 27:2 We went on board⁵ a ship from Adramyttium⁶ that was about to sail to various ports⁷ along the coast of the province of Asia⁸ and put out to sea,⁹ accompanied by Aristarchus, a Macedonian¹⁰ from Thessalonica.¹¹ 27:3 The next day we put in¹² at Sidon,¹³ and Julius, treating Paul kindly,¹⁴ allowed him to go to his friends so they could provide him with what he needed.¹⁵ 27:4 From there we put out to sea¹⁶ and sailed under the lee¹⁷ of Cyprus because the winds were against us. 27:5 After we had sailed across the open sea¹⁸ off Cilicia and Pamphylia,¹⁹ we put in²⁰ at Myra²¹ in Lycia.²² 27:6 There the centurion²³ found²⁴ a ship from Alexandria²⁵ sailing for Italy, and he put us aboard it. 27:7 We sailed slowly²⁶ for many days and arrived with difficulty off Cnidus.²⁷ Because the wind prevented us from going any farther,²⁸ we sailed under the lee²⁹ of Crete off Salmone.³⁰ 27:8 With difficulty we sailed along the coast³¹ of Crete³² and came to a place called Fair Havens that was near the town of Lasea.³³

Caught in a Violent Storm

27:9 Since considerable time had passed and the voyage was now dangerous³⁴ because the fast³⁵ was already over,³⁶ Paul advised them,³⁷ 27:10 “Men, I can see the voyage is going to end³⁸ in disaster³⁹ and great loss not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives.”⁴⁰ 27:11 But the centurion⁴¹ was more convinced⁴² by the captain⁴³ and the ship’s owner than by what Paul said.⁴⁴ 27:12 Because the harbor was not suitable to spend the winter in, the majority decided⁴⁵ to put out to sea⁴⁶ from there. They hoped that⁴⁷ somehow they could reach⁴⁸ Phoenix,⁴⁹ a harbor of Crete facing⁵⁰ southwest and northwest, and spend the winter there. 27:13 When a gentle south wind sprang up, they thought⁵¹ they could carry out⁵² their purpose, so they weighed anchor⁵³ and sailed close along the coast⁵⁴ of Crete. 27:14 Not long after this, a hurricane-force⁵⁵ wind called the northeaster⁵⁶ blew down from the island.⁵⁷ 27:15 When the ship was caught in it⁵⁸ and could not head into⁵⁹ the wind, we gave way to it and were driven⁶⁰ along. 27:16 As we ran under the lee of⁶¹ a small island called Cauda,⁶² we were able with difficulty to get the ship’s boat⁶³ under control. 27:17 After the crew⁶⁴ had hoisted it aboard,⁶⁵ they used supports⁶⁶ to undergird the ship. Fearing they would run aground⁶⁷ on the Syrtis,⁶⁸ they lowered the sea anchor,⁶⁹ thus letting themselves be driven along. 27:18 The next day, because we were violently battered by the storm,⁷⁰ they began throwing the cargo overboard,⁷¹ 27:19 and on the third day they threw the ship’s gear⁷² overboard with their own hands. 27:20 When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and a violent⁷³ storm continued to batter us,⁷⁴ we finally abandoned all hope of being saved.⁷⁵

27:21 Since many of them had no desire to eat,⁷⁶ Paul⁷⁷ stood up⁷⁸ among them and said, “Men, you should have listened to me⁷⁹ and not put out to sea⁸⁰ from Crete, thus avoiding⁸¹ this damage and loss. 27:22 And now I advise⁸² you to keep up your courage, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only the ship will be lost.⁸³ 27:23 For last night an angel of the God to whom I belong⁸⁴ and whom I serve⁸⁵ came to me⁸⁶ 27:24 and said,⁸⁷ ‘Do not be afraid, Paul! You must stand before⁸⁸ Caesar,⁸⁹ and God has graciously granted you the safety⁹⁰ of all who are sailing with you.’ 27:25 Therefore keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God⁹¹ that it will be just as I have been told. 27:26 But we must⁹² run aground on some island.”

27:27 When the fourteenth night had come, while we were being driven⁹³ across the Adriatic Sea,⁹⁴ about midnight the sailors suspected they were approaching some land.⁹⁵ 27:28 They took soundings⁹⁶ and found the water was twenty fathoms⁹⁷ deep; when they had sailed a little farther⁹⁸ they took soundings again and found it was fifteen fathoms⁹⁹ deep. 27:29 Because they were afraid¹⁰⁰ that we would run aground on the rocky coast,¹⁰¹ they threw out¹⁰² four anchors from the stern and wished¹⁰³ for day to appear.¹⁰⁴ 27:30 Then when the sailors tried to escape from the ship and were lowering the ship’s boat into the sea, pretending¹⁰⁵ that they were going to put out anchors from the bow, 27:31 Paul said to the centurion¹⁰⁶ and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay with the ship, you¹⁰⁷ cannot be saved.” 27:32 Then the soldiers cut the ropes¹⁰⁸ of the ship’s boat and let it drift away.¹⁰⁹

27:33 As day was about to dawn,¹¹⁰ Paul urged them all to take some food, saying, “Today is the fourteenth day you have been in suspense¹¹¹ and have gone¹¹² without food; you have eaten nothing.¹¹³ 27:34 Therefore I urge you to take some food, for this is important¹¹⁴ for your survival.¹¹⁵ For not one of you will lose a hair from his head.” 27:35 After he said this, Paul¹¹⁶ took bread¹¹⁷ and gave thanks to God in front of them all,¹¹⁸ broke¹¹⁹ it, and began to eat. 27:36 So all of them were encouraged and took food themselves. 27:37 (We were in all two hundred seventy-six¹²⁰ persons on the ship.)¹²¹ 27:38 When they had eaten enough to be satisfied,¹²² they lightened the ship by throwing the wheat¹²³ into the sea.

Paul is Shipwrecked

27:39 When day came, they did not recognize the land, but they noticed¹²⁴ a bay¹²⁵ with a beach,¹²⁶ where they decided to run the ship aground if they could. 27:40 So they slipped¹²⁷ the anchors¹²⁸ and left them in the sea, at the same time loosening the linkage¹²⁹ that bound the steering oars¹³⁰ together. Then they hoisted¹³¹ the foresail¹³² to the wind and steered toward¹³³ the beach. 27:41 But they encountered a patch of crosscurrents¹³⁴ and ran the ship aground; the bow stuck fast and could not be moved, but the stern was being broken up by the force¹³⁵ of the waves. 27:42 Now the soldiers’ plan was to kill the prisoners¹³⁶ so that none of them would escape by swimming away.¹³⁷ 27:43 But the centurion,¹³⁸ wanting to save Paul’s life,¹³⁹ prevented them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and get to land,¹⁴⁰ 27:44 and the rest were to follow,¹⁴¹ some on planks¹⁴² and some on pieces of the ship.¹⁴³ And in this way¹⁴⁴ all were brought safely to land.

Paul on Malta

28:1 After we had safely reached shore,¹⁴⁵ we learned that the island was called Malta.¹⁴⁶ 28:2 The local inhabitants¹⁴⁷ showed us extraordinary¹⁴⁸ kindness, for they built a fire and welcomed us all because it had started to rain¹⁴⁹ and was cold. 28:3 When Paul had gathered a bundle of brushwood¹⁵⁰ and was putting it on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened itself on his hand. 28:4 When the local people¹⁵¹ saw the creature hanging from Paul’s¹⁵² hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer! Although he has escaped from the sea, Justice herself¹⁵³ has not allowed him to live!”¹⁵⁴ 28:5 However,¹⁵⁵ Paul¹⁵⁶ shook¹⁵⁷ the creature off into the fire and suffered no harm. 28:6 But they were expecting that he was going to swell up¹⁵⁸ or suddenly drop dead. So after they had waited¹⁵⁹ a long time and had seen¹⁶⁰ nothing unusual happen¹⁶¹ to him, they changed their minds¹⁶² and said he was a god.¹⁶³

28:7 Now in the region around that place¹⁶⁴ were fields belonging to the chief official¹⁶⁵ of the island, named Publius, who welcomed us and entertained us hospitably as guests for three days. 28:8 The father¹⁶⁶ of Publius lay sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him¹⁶⁷ and after praying, placed¹⁶⁸ his hands on him and healed¹⁶⁹ him. 28:9 After this had happened, many of the people on the island who were sick¹⁷⁰ also came and were healed.¹⁷¹ 28:10 They also bestowed many honors,¹⁷² and when we were preparing to sail,¹⁷³ they gave¹⁷⁴ us all the supplies we needed.¹⁷⁵

Paul Finally Reaches Rome

28:11 After three months we put out to sea¹⁷⁶ in an Alexandrian ship that had wintered at the island and had the “Heavenly Twins”¹⁷⁷ as its figurehead.¹⁷⁸ 28:12 We put in¹⁷⁹ at Syracuse¹⁸⁰ and stayed there three days. 28:13 From there we cast off¹⁸¹ and arrived at Rhegium,¹⁸² and after one day a south wind sprang up¹⁸³ and on the second day we came to Puteoli.¹⁸⁴ 28:14 There¹⁸⁵ we found¹⁸⁶ some brothers¹⁸⁷ and were invited to stay with them seven days. And in this way we came to Rome.¹⁸⁸ 28:15 The brothers from there,¹⁸⁹ when they heard about us, came as far as the Forum of Appius¹⁹⁰ and Three Taverns¹⁹¹ to meet us. When he saw them,¹⁹² Paul thanked God and took courage.

[27:1] ¹sn The last “we” section in Acts begins here and extends to 28:16 (the previous one ended at 21:18).

[27:1] ²sn Sail to Italy. This voyage with its difficulty serves to show how God protected Paul on his long journey to Rome. From the perspective of someone in Palestine, this may well picture “the end of the earth” quite literally (cf. Acts 1:8).

[27:1] ³sn See the note on the word centurion in 10:1.

[27:1] ⁴tn According to BDAG 917 s.v. σεβαστός, “In σπεῖρα Σεβαστή 27:1 (cp. OGI 421) Σεβαστή is likew. an exact transl. of Lat. Augusta, an honorary title freq. given to auxiliary troops (Ptolem. renders it Σεβαστή in connection w. three legions that bore it: 2, 3, 30; 2, 9, 18; 4, 3, 30) imperial cohort.” According to W. Foerster (TDNT 7:175), “In Ac. 27:1 the σπεῖρα Σεβαστή is an expression also found elsewhere for ‘auxiliary troops.’” In no case would this refer to a special imperial bodyguard, and to translate “imperial regiment” or “imperial cohort” might give this impression. There is some archaeological evidence for a Cohors Augusta I stationed in Syria during the time of Augustus, but whether this is the same unit is very debatable.

[27:2] ⁵tn Grk “Going on board.” The participle ἐπιβάντες (epibante") has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.

[27:2] ⁶sn Adramyttium was a seaport in Mysia on the western coast of Asia Minor.

[27:2] ⁷tn Grk “places.”

[27:2] ⁸tn Grk “Asia”; in the NT this always refers to the Roman province of Asia, made up of about one-third of the west and southwest end of modern Asia Minor. Asia lay to the west of the region of Phrygia and Galatia. The words “the province of” are supplied to indicate to the modern reader that this does not refer to the continent of Asia.

[27:2] ⁹tn BDAG 62 s.v. ἀνάγω 4 states, “as a nautical t.t. (ἀ. τὴν ναῦν put a ship to sea), mid. or pass. ἀνάγεσθαι to begin to go by boat, put out to sea.”

[27:2] ¹⁰sn A Macedonian. The city of Thessalonica (modern Salonica) was in the Roman province of Macedonia in Greece.

[27:2] ¹¹map For location see JP1 C1; JP2 C1; JP3 C1; JP4 C1.

[27:3] ¹²tn BDAG 516 s.v. κατάγω states, “Hence the pass., in act. sense, of ships and seafarers put in εἴς τι at a harbor…εἰς Σιδῶνα Ac 27:3.”

[27:3] ¹³sn Sidon is another seaport 75 mi (120 km) north of Caesarea.

[27:3] ¹⁴tn BDAG 1056 s.v. φιλανθρώπως states, “benevolently, kindly φιλανθρώπως χρῆσθαί (τινι) treat someone in kindly fashion…Ac 27:3.”

[27:3] ¹⁵tn Grk “to go to his friends to be cared for.” The scene is an indication of Christian hospitality.

[27:4] ¹⁶tn Grk “putting out to sea.” The participle ἀναχθέντες (anacqente") has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style. BDAG 62 s.v. ἀνάγω 4 states, “as a nautical t.t. (ἀ. τὴν ναῦν put a ship to sea), mid. or pass. ἀνάγεσθαι to begin to go by boat, put out to sea.”

[27:4] ¹⁷tn BDAG 1040 s.v. ὑποπλέω states, “sail under the lee of an island, i.e. in such a way that the island protects the ship fr. the wind Ac 27:4, 7.” Thus they were east and north of the island.

[27:5] ¹⁸tn Grk “the depths,” the deep area of a sea far enough from land that it is not protected by the coast (L&N 1.73).

[27:5] ¹⁹sn Pamphylia was a province in the southern part of Asia Minor; it was west of Cilicia (see BDAG 753 s.v. Παμφυλία).

[27:5] ²⁰tn BDAG 531 s.v. κατέρχομαι 2 states, “Of ships and those who sail in them, who ‘come down’ fr. the ‘high seas’: arrive, put in…ἔις τι at someth. a harbor 18:22; 21:3; 27:5.”

[27:5] ²¹sn Myra was a city on the southern coast of Lycia in Asia Minor. This journey from Sidon (v. 3) was 440 mi (700 km) and took about 15 days.

[27:5] ²²sn Lycia was the name of a peninsula on the southern coast of Asia Minor between Caria and Pamphylia.

[27:6] ²³sn See the note on the word centurion in 10:1.

[27:6] ²⁴tn Grk “finding.” The participle εὑρών (Jeurwn) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.

[27:6] ²⁵sn Alexandria (modern Alexandria) was a great city of northern Egypt which was a center for grain trade to Rome. Therefore this type of travel connection was common at the time. For a winter journey (considered hazardous) there were special bonuses and insurance provided (Suetonius, Life of Claudius 18.1-2).

[27:7] ²⁶tn The participle βραδυπλοοῦντες (braduploounte") has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.

[27:7] ²⁷sn Cnidus was the name of a peninsula on the southwestern coast of Asia Minor. This was about 130 mi (210 km) from Myra.

[27:7] ²⁸tn This genitive absolute construction with προσεῶντος (prosewnto") has been translated as a causal adverbial participle. L&N 13.139 translates the phrase μὴ προσεῶντος ἡμᾶς τοῦ ἀνέμου (mh prosewnto" Jhma" tou anemou) as “the wind would not let us go any farther.”

[27:7] ²⁹tn BDAG 1040 s.v. ὑποπλέω states, “sail under the lee of an island, i.e. in such a way that the island protects the ship fr. the wind Ac 27:4, 7.”

[27:7] ³⁰sn Salmone was the name of a promontory on the northeastern corner of the island of Crete. This was about 100 mi (160 km) farther along.

[27:8] ³¹tn Grk “sailing along the coast…we came.” The participle παραλεγόμενοι (paralegomenoi) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style. L&N 54.8, “παραλέγομαι: (a technical, nautical term) to sail along beside some object – ‘to sail along the coast, to sail along the shore.’ …‘they sailed along the coast of Crete’ Ac 27:13.”

[27:8] ³²tn Grk “it”; the referent (Crete) has been supplied in the translation for clarity.

[27:8] ³³sn Lasea was a city on the southern coast of the island of Crete. This was about 60 mi (96 km) farther.

[27:9] ³⁴tn Or “unsafe” (BDAG 383 s.v. ἐπισφαλής). The term is a NT hapax legomenon.

[27:9] ³⁵sn The fast refers to the Jewish Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur. It was now into October and the dangerous winter winds would soon occur (Suetonius, Life of Claudius 18; Josephus, J. W. 1.14.2-3 [1.279-281]).

[27:9] ³⁶tn The accusative articular infinitive παρεληλυθέναι (parelhluqenai) after the preposition διά (dia) is causal. BDAG 776 s.v. παρέρχομαι 2 has “διὰ τὸ τὴν νηστείαν ἤδη παρεληλυθέναι because the fast was already over Ac 27:9.”

[27:9] ³⁷tn Grk “Paul advised, saying to them.” The participle λέγων (legwn) is redundant in English and has not been translated. On the term translated “advised,” see BDAG 764 s.v. παραινέω, which usually refers to recommendations.

[27:10] ³⁸tn Grk “is going to be with disaster.”

[27:10] ³⁹tn Or “hardship,” “damage.” BDAG 1022 s.v. ὕβρις 3 states, “fig. hardship, disaster, damage caused by the elements…w. ζημία Ac 27:10.”

[27:10] ⁴⁰tn Grk “souls” (here, one’s physical life).

[27:11] ⁴¹sn See the note on the word centurion in 10:1.

[27:11] ⁴²tn Or “persuaded.”

[27:11] ⁴³tn BDAG 456 s.v. κυβερνήτης 1 has “one who is responsible for the management of a ship, shipmaster…W. ναύκληρος, the ‘shipowner’…Ac 27:11” See further L. Casson, Ships and Seamanship in the Ancient World, 316-18.

[27:11] ⁴⁴tn Grk “than by what was said by Paul.” The passive construction has been converted to an active one to simplify the translation.

[27:12] ⁴⁵tn BDAG 181-82 s.v. βουλή 2.a, “β. τίθεσθαι (Judg 19:30; Ps 12:3) decide 27:12 (w. inf. foll.).”

[27:12] ⁴⁶tn BDAG 62 s.v. ἀνάγω 4, “as a nautical t.t. (ἀ. τὴν ναῦν put a ship to sea), mid. or pass. ἀνάγεσθαι to begin to go by boat, put out to sea.”

[27:12] ⁴⁷tn Grk “from there, if somehow” Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was begun here in the translation and the introductory phrase “They hoped that” supplied (with the subject, “they,” repeated from the previous clause) to make a complete English sentence.

[27:12] ⁴⁸tn Grk “if somehow, reaching Phoenix, they could…” The participle καταντήσαντες (katanthsante") has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.

[27:12] ⁴⁹sn Phoenix was a seaport on the southern coast of the island of Crete. This was about 30 mi (48 km) further west.

[27:12] ⁵⁰tn Or “a harbor of Crete open to the southwest and northwest.”

[27:13] ⁵¹tn Grk “thinking.” The participle δόξαντες (doxante") has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.

[27:13] ⁵²tn Or “accomplish.” L&N 68.29, for κρατέω, has “to be able to complete or finish, presumably despite difficulties – ‘to accomplish, to do successfully, to carry out.’ …‘thinking that they could carry out their purpose’ Ac 27:13.”

[27:13] ⁵³tn Or “departed.”

[27:13] ⁵⁴tn L&N 54.8, “παραλέγομαι: (a technical, nautical term) to sail along beside some object – ‘to sail along the coast, to sail along the shore.’…‘they sailed along the coast of Crete’ Ac 27:13.” With the addition of the adverb ἆσσον (asson) this becomes “sailed close along the coast of Crete.”

[27:14] ⁵⁵tn Grk “a wind like a typhoon.” That is, a very violent wind like a typhoon or hurricane (BDAG 1021 s.v. τυφωνικός).

[27:14] ⁵⁶sn Or called Euraquilo (the actual name of the wind, a sailor’s term which was a combination of Greek and Latin). According to Strabo (Geography 1.2.21), this was a violent northern wind.

[27:14] ⁵⁷tn Grk “from it”; the referent (the island) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

[27:15] ⁵⁸tn Or “was forced off course.” Grk “The ship being caught in it.” The genitive absolute construction with the participle συναρπασθέντος (sunarpasqento") has been taken temporally; it could also be translated as causal (“Because the ship was caught in it”).

[27:15] ⁵⁹tn BDAG 91 s.v. ἀντοφθαλμέω states, “Metaph. of a ship τοῦ πλοίου μὴ δυναμένοι ἀ. τῷ ἀνέμῳ since the ship was not able to face the wind, i.e. with its bow headed against the forces of the waves Ac 27:15.”

[27:15] ⁶⁰sn Caught in the violent wind, the ship was driven along. They were now out of control, at the mercy of the wind and sea.

[27:16] ⁶¹tn BDAG 1042 s.v. ὑποτρέχω states, “run or sail under the lee of, nautical t.t.…Ac 27:16.” The participle ὑποδραμόντες (Jupodramonte") has been taken temporally (“as we ran under the lee of”). While this could also be translated as a participle of means (“by running…”) this might suggest the ship was still under a greater degree of control by its crew than it probably was.

[27:16] ⁶²sn Cauda. This island was located south of Crete, about 23 mi (36 km) from where they began. There are various ways to spell the island’s name (e.g., Clauda, BDAG 546 s.v. Κλαῦδα).

[27:16] ⁶³sn The ship’s boat was a small rowboat, normally towed behind a ship in good weather rather than stowed on board. It was used for landings, to maneuver the ship for tacking, and to lay anchors (not a lifeboat in the modern sense, although it could have served as a means of escape for some of the sailors; see v. 30). See L. Casson, Ships and Seamanship in the Ancient World, 248f.

[27:17] ⁶⁴tn Grk “After hoisting it up, they…”; the referent (the ship’s crew) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

[27:17] ⁶⁵tn The participle ἄραντες (arantes) has been taken temporally.

[27:17] ⁶⁶tn Possibly “ropes” or “cables”; Grk “helps” (a word of uncertain meaning; probably a nautical technical term, BDAG 180 s.v. βοήθεια 2).

[27:17] ⁶⁷tn BDAG 308 s.v. ἐκπίπτω 2 states, “drift off course, run aground, nautical term εἴς τι on someth….on the Syrtis 27:17.”

[27:17] ⁶⁸tn That is, on the sandbars and shallows of the Syrtis.

[27:17] ⁶⁹tn Or perhaps “mainsail.” The meaning of this word is uncertain. BDAG 927 s.v. σκεῦος 1 has “τὸ σκεῦος Ac 27:17 seems to be the kedge or driving anchor” while C. Maurer (TDNT 7:362) notes, “The meaning in Ac. 27:17: χαλάσαντες τὸ σκεῦος, is uncertain. Prob. the ref. is not so much to taking down the sails as to throwing the draganchor overboard to lessen the speed of the ship.” In spite of this L&N 6.1 states, “In Ac 27:17, for example, the reference of σκεῦος is generally understood to be the mainsail.” A reference to the sail is highly unlikely because in a storm of the force described in Ac 27:14, the sail would have been taken down and reefed immediately, to prevent its being ripped to shreds or torn away by the gale.

[27:18] ⁷⁰tn BDAG 980 s.v. σφόδρῶς states, “very much, greatly, violently…σφ. χειμάζεσθαι be violently beaten by a storm Ac 27:18.”

[27:18] ⁷¹tn Or “jettisoning [the cargo]” (a nautical technical term). The words “the cargo” are not in the Greek text but are implied. Direct objects were often omitted in Greek when clear from the context, but must be supplied for the modern English reader.

[27:19] ⁷²tn Or “rigging,” “tackle”; Grk “the ship’s things.” Here the more abstract “gear” is preferred to “rigging” or “tackle” as a translation for σκεῦος (skeuos) because in v. 40 the sailors are still able to raise the (fore)sail, which they could not have done if the ship’s rigging or tackle had been jettisoned here.

[27:20] ⁷³tn Grk “no small storm” = a very great storm.

[27:20] ⁷⁴tn Grk “no small storm pressing on us.” The genitive absolute construction with the participle ἐπικειμένου (epikeimenou) has been translated as parallel to the previous genitive absolute construction (which was translated as temporal). BDAG 373 s.v. ἐπίκειμαι 2.b states, “of impersonal force confront χειμῶνος ἐπικειμένου since a storm lay upon us Ac 27:20.” L&N 14.2, “‘the stormy weather did not abate in the least’ or ‘the violent storm continued’ Ac 27:20.” To this last was added the idea of “battering” from the notion of “pressing upon” inherent in ἐπίκειμαι (epikeimai).

[27:20] ⁷⁵tn Grk “finally all hope that we would be saved was abandoned.” The passive construction has been converted to an active one to simplify the translation. This represents a clearly secular use of the term σῴζω (swzw) in that it refers to deliverance from the storm. At this point those on board the ship gave up hope of survival.

[27:21] ⁷⁶tn Or “Since they had no desire to eat for a long time.” The genitive absolute construction with the participle ὑπαρχούσης (Juparcoush") has been translated as a causal adverbial participle. It could also be translated temporally (“When many of them had no desire to eat”). The translation of πολλῆς (pollhs) as a substantized adjective referring to the people on board the ship (“many of them”) rather than a period of time (“for a long time”; so most modern versions) follows BDAG 143 s.v. ἀσιτία, which has “πολλῆς ἀ. ὑπαρχούσης since almost nobody wanted to eat because of anxiety or seasickness…Ac 27:21.” This detail indicates how turbulent things were on board the ship.

[27:21] ⁷⁷tn Here τότε (tote) is redundant (pleonastic) according to BDAG 1012-13 s.v. τότε 2; thus it has not been translated.

[27:21] ⁷⁸tn Grk “standing up…said.” The participle σταθείς (staqeis) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.

[27:21] ⁷⁹tn L&N 36.12 has “πειθαρχήσαντάς μοι μὴ ἀνάγεσθαι ἀπὸ τῆς Κρήτης ‘you should have listened to me and not have sailed from Crete’ Ac 27:21.”

[27:21] ⁸⁰tn BDAG 62 s.v. ἀνάγω 4, “as a nautical t.t. (ἀ. τὴν ναῦν put a ship to sea), mid. or pass. ἀνάγεσθαι to begin to go by boat, put out to sea.”

[27:21] ⁸¹tn The infinitive κερδῆσαι (kerdhsai) has been translated as resultative.

[27:22] ⁸²tn The same verb is used for Paul’s original recommendation in Ac 27:9.

[27:22] ⁸³tn Grk “except the ship.” Here “but” is used to translate the improper preposition πλήν (plhn; see BDAG 826 s.v. πλήν 2) since an exception like this, where two different categories of objects are involved (people and a ship), is more naturally expressed in contemporary English with an adversative (“but”). The words “will be lost” are also supplied for clarity.

[27:23] ⁸⁴tn Grk “of whom I am.” The relative clause with its possessive was translated following L&N 15.86 s.v. παρίσταμαι.

[27:23] ⁸⁵tn Or “worship.”

[27:23] ⁸⁶tn Or “stood by me.” BDAG 778 s.v. παρίστημι/παριστάνω 2.a.α states, “approach, come τινί (to) someone…Ac 9:39; 27:23.”

[27:24] ⁸⁷tn Grk “came to me saying.” The participle λέγων (legwn) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.

[27:24] ⁸⁸tn BDAG 778 s.v. παρίστημι/παριστάνω 2.a.α states, “Also as a t.t. of legal usage appear before, come before…Καίσαρι σε δεῖ παραστῆναι you must stand before the Emperor (as judge) Ac 27:24.” See Acts 23:11. Luke uses the verb δεῖ (dei) to describe what must occur.

[27:24] ⁸⁹tn Or “before the emperor” (“Caesar” is a title for the Roman emperor).

[27:24] ⁹⁰tn Grk “God has graciously granted you all who are sailing with you.” The words “the safety of” have been supplied to clarify the meaning of the verb κεχάρισται (kecaristai) in this context.

[27:25] ⁹¹tn BDAG 817 s.v. πιστεύω 1.c states, “w. pers. and thing added π. τινί τι believe someone with regard to someth….W. dat. of pers. and ὅτι foll…. πιστεύετέ μοι ὅτι ἐγὼ ἐν τῷ πατρί J 14:11a. Cp. 4:21; Ac 27:25.”

[27:26] ⁹²tn This is another use of δεῖ (dei) to indicate necessity (see also v. 24). Acts 28:1 shows the fulfillment of this.

[27:27] ⁹³tn Here “being driven” has been used to translate διαφέρω (diaferw) rather than “drifting,” because it is clear from the attempt to drop anchors in v. 29 that the ship is still being driven by the gale. “Drifting” implies lack of control, but not necessarily rapid movement.

[27:27] ⁹⁴sn The Adriatic Sea. They were now somewhere between Crete and Malta.

[27:27] ⁹⁵tn Grk “suspected that some land was approaching them.” BDAG 876 s.v. προσάγω 2.a states, “lit. ὑπενόουν προσάγειν τινά αὐτοῖς χώραν they suspected that land was near (lit. ‘approaching them’) Ac 27:27.” Current English idiom would speak of the ship approaching land rather than land approaching the ship.

[27:28] ⁹⁶tn Grk “Heaving the lead, they found.” The participle βολίσαντες (bolisante") has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style. See also BDAG 180 s.v. βολίζω. Although the term is used twice in this verse (and thus is technically not a NT hapax legomenon), it occurs nowhere else in the NT.

[27:28] ⁹⁷sn A fathom is about 6 feet or just under 2 meters (originally the length of a man’s outstretched arms). This was a nautical technical term for measuring the depth of water. Here it was about 120 ft (36 m).

[27:28] ⁹⁸tn L&N 15.12, “βραχὺ δὲ διαστήσαντες ‘when they had gone a little farther’ Ac 27:28.”

[27:28] ⁹⁹sn Here the depth was about 90 ft (27 m).

[27:29] ¹⁰⁰tn Grk “fearing.” The participle φοβούμενοι (foboumenoi) has been translated as a causal adverbial participle.

[27:29] ¹⁰¹tn Grk “against a rough [rocky] place.” L&N 79.84 has “φοβούμενοί τε μή που κατὰ τραχεῖς τόποις ἐκπέσωμεν ‘we were afraid that we would run aground on the rocky coast’ Ac 27:29.”

[27:29] ¹⁰²tn Grk “throwing out…they.” The participle ῥίψαντες (rJiyante") has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.

[27:29] ¹⁰³tn BDAG 417 s.v. εὔχομαι 2 states, “wish…τὶ for someth.…Foll. by acc. and inf….Ac 27:29.” The other possible meaning for this term, “pray,” is given in BDAG 417 s.v. 1 and employed by a number of translations (NAB, NRSV, NIV). If this meaning is adopted here, then “prayed for day to come” must be understood metaphorically to mean “prayed that they would live to see the day,” or “prayed that it would soon be day.”

[27:29] ¹⁰⁴tn Grk “and wished for day to come about.”

[27:30] ¹⁰⁵tn BDAG 889 s.v. πρόφασις 2 states, “προφάσει ὡς under the pretext that, pretending that…Ac 27:30.” In other words, some of the sailors gave up hope that such efforts would work and instead attempted to escape while pretending to help.

[27:31] ¹⁰⁶sn See the note on the word centurion in 10:1.

[27:31] ¹⁰⁷sn The pronoun you is plural in Greek.

[27:32] ¹⁰⁸sn The soldiers cut the ropes. The centurion and the soldiers were now following Paul’s advice by cutting the ropes to prevent the sailors from escaping.

[27:32] ¹⁰⁹tn Or “let it fall away.” According to BDAG 308 s.v. ἐκπίπτω 1 and 2 the meaning of the verb in this verse could be either “fall away” or “drift away.” Either meaning is acceptable, and the choice between them depends almost entirely on how one reconstructs the scene. Since cutting the boat loose would in any case result in it drifting away (whether capsized or not), the meaning “drift away” as a nautical technical term has been used here.

[27:33] ¹¹⁰tn BDAG 160 s.v. ἄχρι 1.b.α has “ἄ. οὗ ἡμέρα ἤμελλεν γίνεσθαι until the day began to dawn 27:33.”

[27:33] ¹¹¹tn Or “have waited anxiously.” Grk “waiting anxiously.” The participle προσδοκῶντες (prosdokwnte") has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.

[27:33] ¹¹²tn Or “continued.”

[27:33] ¹¹³tn Grk “having eaten nothing.” The participle προσλαβόμενοι (proslabomenoi) has been translated as a finite verb (with subject “you” supplied) due to requirements of contemporary English style.

[27:34] ¹¹⁴tn Or “necessary.” BDAG 873-74 s.v. πρός 1 has “πρ. τῆς σωτηρίας in the interest of safety Ac 27:34”; L&N 27.18 has “‘therefore, I urge you to take some food, for this is important for your deliverance’ or ‘…for your survival’ Ac 27:34.”

[27:34] ¹¹⁵tn Or “deliverance” (‘salvation’ in a nontheological sense).

[27:35] ¹¹⁶tn Grk “he”; the referent (Paul) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

[27:35] ¹¹⁷tn Grk “taking bread, gave thanks.” The participle λαβών (labwn) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.

[27:35] ¹¹⁸tn Or “before them all,” but here this could be misunderstood to indicate a temporal sequence.

[27:35] ¹¹⁹tn Grk “and breaking it, he began.” The participle κλάσας (klasas) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.

[27:37] ¹²⁰tc One early ms (B) and an early version (sa) read “about seventy-six.” For discussion of how this variant probably arose, see F. F. Bruce, The Acts of the Apostles, 465.

[27:37] ¹²¹sn This is a parenthetical note by the author.

[27:38] ¹²²tn Or “When they had eaten their fill.”

[27:38] ¹²³tn Or “grain.”

[27:39] ¹²⁴tn Or “observed,” “saw.”

[27:39] ¹²⁵tn Or “gulf” (BDAG 557 s.v. κόλπος 3).

[27:39] ¹²⁶sn A beach would refer to a smooth sandy beach suitable for landing.

[27:40] ¹²⁷tn That is, released. Grk “slipping…leaving.” The participles περιελόντες (perielonte") and εἴων (eiwn) have been translated as finite verbs due to requirements of contemporary English style.

[27:40] ¹²⁸tn The term is used of a ship’s anchor. (BDAG 12 s.v. ἄγκυρα a).

[27:40] ¹²⁹tn Grk “bands”; possibly “ropes.”

[27:40] ¹³⁰tn Or “rudders.”

[27:40] ¹³¹tn Grk “hoisting…they.” The participle ἐπάραντες (eparante") has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.

[27:40] ¹³²tn Grk “sail”; probably a reference to the foresail.

[27:40] ¹³³tn BDAG 533 s.v. κατέχω 7 states, “hold course, nautical t.t., intr….κατεῖχον εἰς τὸν αἰγιαλόν they headed for the beach Ac 27:40.”

[27:41] ¹³⁴tn Grk “fell upon a place of two seas.” The most common explanation for this term is that it refers to a reef or sandbar with the sea on both sides, as noted in BDAG 245 s.v. διθάλασσος: the “τόπος δ. Ac 27:41 is a semantic unit signifying a point (of land jutting out with water on both sides).” However, Greek had terms for a “sandbank” (θῖς [qis], ταινία [tainia]), a “reef” (ἑρμα [Jerma]), “strait” (στενόν [stenon]), “promontory” (ἀρωτήρον [arwthron]), and other nautical hazards, none of which are used by the author here. NEB here translates τόπον διθάλασσον (topon diqalasson) as “cross-currents,” a proposal close to that advanced by J. M. Gilchrist, “The Historicity of Paul’s Shipwreck,” JSNT 61 (1996): 29-51, who suggests the meaning is “a patch of cross-seas,” where the waves are set at an angle to the wind, a particular hazard for sailors. Thus the term most likely refers to some sort of adverse sea conditions rather than a topographical feature like a reef or sandbar.

[27:41] ¹³⁵tn Or “violence” (BDAG 175 s.v. βία a).

[27:42] ¹³⁶sn The soldiers’ plan was to kill the prisoners. The issue here was not cruelty, but that the soldiers would be legally responsible if any prisoners escaped and would suffer punishment themselves. So they were planning to do this as an act of self-preservation. See Acts 16:27 for a similar incident.

[27:42] ¹³⁷tn The participle ἐκκολυμβήσας (ekkolumbhsa") has been taken instrumentally.

[27:43] ¹³⁸sn See the note on the word centurion in 10:1.

[27:43] ¹³⁹tn Or “wanting to rescue Paul.”

[27:43] ¹⁴⁰tn BDAG 347 s.v. I. ἔξειμι has “ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν get to land Ac 27:43.”

[27:44] ¹⁴¹tn The words “were to follow” are not in the Greek text, but are implied. They must be supplied to clarify the sense in contemporary English.

[27:44] ¹⁴²tn Or “boards” according to BDAG 913 s.v. σανίς.

[27:44] ¹⁴³tn Grk “on pieces from the ship”; that is, pieces of wreckage from the ship.

[27:44] ¹⁴⁴tn Grk “And in this way it happened that.” The introductory phrase ἐγένετο (egeneto, “it happened that”), common in Luke (69 times) and Acts (54 times), is redundant in contemporary English and has not been translated.

[28:1] ¹⁴⁵tn Grk “We having been brought safely through” [to land] (same verb as 27:44). The word “shore” is implied, and the slight variations in translation from 27:44 have been made to avoid redundancy in English. The participle διασωθέντες (diaswqente") has been taken temporally.

[28:1] ¹⁴⁶sn Malta is an island (known by the same name today) in the Mediterranean Sea south of Sicily. The ship had traveled 625 mi (1,000 km) in the storm.

[28:2] ¹⁴⁷tn Although this is literally βάρβαροι (barbaroi; “foreigners, barbarians”) used for non-Greek or non-Romans, as BDAG 166 s.v. βάρβαρος 2.b notes, “Of the inhabitants of Malta, who apparently spoke in their native language Ac 28:2, 4 (here β. certainly without derogatory tone…).”

[28:2] ¹⁴⁸tn BDAG 1019 s.v. τυγχάνω 2.d states, “δυνάμεις οὐ τὰς τυχούσας extraordinary miracles Ac 19:11. Cp. 28:2.”

[28:2] ¹⁴⁹tn Or “because it was about to rain.” BDAG 418 s.v. ἐφίστημι 4 states, “διὰ τ. ὑετὸν τὸν ἐφεστῶτα because it had begun to rain Ac 28:2…But the mng. here could also be because it threatened to rain (s. 6).”

[28:3] ¹⁵⁰tn Or “sticks.”

[28:4] ¹⁵¹tn Although this is literally βάρβαροι (barbaroi; “foreigners, barbarians”) used for non-Greek or non-Romans, as BDAG 166 s.v. βάρβαρος 2.b notes, “Of the inhabitants of Malta, who apparently spoke in their native language Ac 28:2, 4 (here β. certainly without derogatory tone…).”

[28:4] ¹⁵²tn Grk “his”; the referent (Paul) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

[28:4] ¹⁵³tn That is, the goddess Justice has not allowed him to live. BDAG 250 s.v. δίκη 2 states, “Justice personified as a deity Ac 28:4”; L&N 12.27, “a goddess who personifies justice in seeking out and punishing the guilty – ‘the goddess Justice.’ ἡ δίκη ζῆν οὐκ εἴασεν ‘the goddess Justice would not let him live’ Ac 28:4.” Although a number of modern English translations have rendered δίκη (dikh) “justice,” preferring to use an abstraction, in the original setting it is almost certainly a reference to a pagan deity. In the translation, the noun “justice” was capitalized and the reflexive pronoun “herself” was supplied to make the personification clear. This was considered preferable to supplying a word like ‘goddess’ in connection with δίκη.

[28:4] ¹⁵⁴sn The entire scene is played out initially as a kind of oracle from the gods resulting in the judgment of a guilty person (Justice herself has not allowed him to live). Paul’s survival of this incident without ill effects thus spoke volumes about his innocence.

[28:5] ¹⁵⁵tn BDAG 737 s.v. οὖν 4 indicates the particle has an adversative sense here: “but, however.”

[28:5] ¹⁵⁶tn Grk “he”; the referent (Paul) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

[28:5] ¹⁵⁷tn Grk “shaking the creature off…he suffered no harm.” The participle ἀποτινάξας (apotinaxa") has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.

[28:6] ¹⁵⁸tn Or “going to burn with fever.” According to BDAG 814 s.v. πίμπρημι, either meaning (“swell up” or “burn with fever”) is possible for Acts 28:6.

[28:6] ¹⁵⁹tn The participle προσδοκώντων (prosdokwntwn) has been taken temporally.

[28:6] ¹⁶⁰tn The participle θεωρούντων (qewrountwn) has been taken temporally.

[28:6] ¹⁶¹tn Grk “happening.” The participle γινόμενον (ginomenon) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.

[28:6] ¹⁶²tn Grk “changing their minds.” The participle μεταβαλόμενοι (metabalomenoi) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.

[28:6] ¹⁶³sn And said he was a god. The reaction is like Acts 14:11-19 where the crowd wanted to make Paul and Barnabas into gods. The providence of God had protected Paul again.

[28:7] ¹⁶⁴tn BDAG 798 s.v. περί 2.a.γ states, “of nearby places…τὰ περὶ τὸν τὸπον the region around the place Ac 28:7.” The presence of ἐκεῖνον (ekeinon) results in the translation “that place.”

[28:7] ¹⁶⁵tn That is, the chief Roman official. Several inscriptions have confirmed the use of πρῶτος (prwtos) as an administrative title used on the island of Malta for the highest Roman official. See further BDAG 852 s.v. Πόπλιος.

[28:8] ¹⁶⁶tn Grk “It happened that the father.” The introductory phrase ἐγένετο (egeneto, “it happened that”), common in Luke (69 times) and Acts (54 times), is redundant in contemporary English and has not been translated.

[28:8] ¹⁶⁷tn Grk “to whom Paul going in.” Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, the relative pronoun (“whom”) was replaced by a personal pronoun (“him”) and a new sentence begun here in the translation. The participle εἰσελθών (eiselqwn) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.

[28:8] ¹⁶⁸tn The participle ἐπιθείς (epiqeis) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.

[28:8] ¹⁶⁹sn And healed him. Here are healings like Luke 9:40; 10:30; 13:13; Acts 16:23.

[28:9] ¹⁷⁰tn BDAG 142 s.v. ἀσθένεια 1 states, “ἔχειν ἀ. be ill Ac 28:9.”

[28:9] ¹⁷¹sn Many…also came and were healed. Again, here is irony. Paul, though imprisoned, “frees” others of their diseases.

[28:10] ¹⁷²tn Or “they also honored us greatly”; Grk “they also honored us with many honors” (an idiom).

[28:10] ¹⁷³tn BDAG 62 s.v. ἀνάγω 4, “as a nautical t.t. (ἀ. τὴν ναῦν put a ship to sea), mid. or pass. ἀνάγεσθαι to begin to go by boat, put out to sea.” In this case the simpler English “sail” is more appropriate. The English participle “preparing” has also been supplied, since the provisioning of the ship would take place some time before the actual departure.

[28:10] ¹⁷⁴tn BDAG 384 s.v. ἐπιτίθημι 1.b has “give τινί τι someth. to someone…ἀναγομένοις τὰ πρὸς τὰς χρείας when we sailed they gave us what we needed Ac 28:10.”

[28:10] ¹⁷⁵sn They gave us all the supplies we needed. What they had lost in the storm and shipwreck was now replaced. Luke describes these pagans very positively.

[28:11] ¹⁷⁶tn BDAG 62 s.v. ἀνάγω 4, “as a nautical t.t. (ἀ. τὴν ναῦν put a ship to sea), mid. or pass. ἀνάγεσθαι to begin to go by boat, put out to sea.”

[28:11] ¹⁷⁷tn Or “the ‘Twin Gods’”; Grk “the Dioscuri” (a joint name for the pagan deities Castor and Pollux).

[28:11] ¹⁷⁸tn Or “as its emblem.”

[28:12] ¹⁷⁹tn Grk “And putting in.” The participle καταχθέντες (katacqente") has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style. On the meaning of the participle, BDAG 516 s.v. κατάγω states, “Hence the pass., in act. sense, of ships and seafarers put in εἴς τι at a harbor…εἰς Συρακούσας Ac 28:12.” Because of the difference between Greek style, which often begins sentences or clauses with “and,” and English style, which generally does not, καί (kai) has not been translated here.

[28:12] ¹⁸⁰sn Syracuse was a city on the eastern coast of the island of Sicily. It was 75 mi (120 km) from Malta.

[28:13] ¹⁸¹tc A few early mss (א* B Ψ [gig] {sa [bo]}) read περιελόντες (perielonte", “[From there we] cast off [and arrived at Rhegium]”; cf. Acts 27:40). The other major variant, περιελθόντες (perielqonte", “[we] sailed from place to place”), is found in Ì⁷⁴ א² A 066 1739 Ï lat sy. Although περιελόντες is minimally attested, it is found in the better witnesses. As well, it is a more difficult reading, for its meaning as a nautical term is uncertain, requiring something like “τὰς ἀγκύρας be supplied = ‘we weighed anchor’” (BDAG 799 s.v. περιαιρέω 1). It thus best explains the rise of the other readings.

[28:13] ¹⁸²sn Rhegium was a city on the southern tip of Italy. It was 80 mi (130 km) from Syracuse.

[28:13] ¹⁸³tn Grk “after one day, a south wind springing up, on the second day.” The genitive absolute construction with the participle ἐπιγενομένου (epigenomenou) has been translated as a clause with a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.

[28:13] ¹⁸⁴sn Puteoli was a city on the western coast of Italy south of Rome. It was in the Bay of Naples some 220 mi (350 km) to the north of Rhegium. Here the voyage ended; the rest of the journey was by land.

[28:14] ¹⁸⁵tn Grk “where.” Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, the relative pronoun (“where”) has been replaced with the demonstrative pronoun (“there”) and a new sentence begun here in the translation.

[28:14] ¹⁸⁶tn Grk “finding.” The participle εὑρόντες (Jeurontes) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.

[28:14] ¹⁸⁷sn That is, some fellow Christians.

[28:14] ¹⁸⁸map For location see JP4 A1.

[28:15] ¹⁸⁹sn Mention of Christian brothers from there (Rome) shows that God’s message had already spread as far as Italy and the capital of the empire.

[28:15] ¹⁹⁰sn The Forum of Appius was a small traveler’s stop on the Appian Way about 43 mi (71 km) south of Rome (BDAG 125 s.v. ᾿Αππίου φόρον). It was described by Horace as “crammed with boatmen and stingy tavernkeepers” (Satires 1.5.3).

[28:15] ¹⁹¹sn Three Taverns was a stop on the Appian Way 33 mi (55 km) south of Rome.

[28:15] ¹⁹²tn Grk “whom, when he saw [them], Paul.” Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, the relative pronoun (“whom”) was replaced by the personal pronoun (“them”) and a new sentence begun here in the translation.