Acts 27 explained: Storm and Shipwreck on the Way to Rome

Setting out under guard (vv. 1-8)

Paul is sent to Rome to have his case heard by the emperor, guarded by a Roman officer named Julius who treats him kindly. The writer says "we," which suggests he was on board himself, and slow, difficult winds bring them to a small harbor on Crete called Fair Havens.

A warning ignored (vv. 9-12)

The Day of Atonement, a Jewish fast day, fell around late September or early October, when sailing the open Mediterranean became risky. Paul urges them to stay put for the winter, but the officer trusts the ship's pilot and owner, who want a better harbor farther along the coast.

The storm hits (vv. 13-20)

A violent wind drives the ship out to sea, and the crew wraps ropes under the hull to keep it from breaking apart and fears being swept onto dangerous sandbanks off the coast of Libya. With no sun or stars to steer by and the ship likely leaking, they throw cargo and gear overboard and lose hope.

Paul's message of hope (vv. 21-26)

Paul says an angel told him he must still stand trial before the emperor, and that God has granted him the lives of everyone on board. He promises no one will die, though the ship will be lost on an island.

Night near land (vv. 27-38)

The "Adriatic" here meant the wider sea south of Italy, and depth checks show land is close, so some sailors try to slip away in the lifeboat until Paul alerts the soldiers. Exhausted and unfed, the people take heart when Paul gives thanks for bread and eats in front of them, and then they dump the grain to lighten the ship.

Wrecked but alive (vv. 39-44)

The ship sticks on a sandbar and the back end is smashed by waves, and the soldiers plan to kill the prisoners, since guards could be severely punished if prisoners escaped. The officer stops them to save Paul, and everyone reaches shore by swimming or clinging to pieces of the ship.

Key verse: Acts 27:24

Something to think about

When things were falling apart around you, whose voice did you find yourself trusting, and what made it believable?