Acts 27:16

Καῦδα with אB. Vulg. ‘Cauda.’

16. νησίον δέ τι ὑποδραμόντες καλούμενον Καῦδα, and running under the lee of a small island named Cauda. For the verb cf. above on Acts 27:4; Acts 27:7. νησίον is a rare word, found only here and in Strabo. The name ‘Cauda’ which has the best MS. support agrees well with the form which the name has assumed in modern times, ‘Gozzo’ and ‘Gaudo.’ But the form in A.V. is warranted by the orthography of Ptolemy (Claudos) and Pliny (Glaudos).

ἰσχύσαμεν μόλις περικρατεῖς γενέσθαι τῆς σκάφης, we were able with difficulty to secure the boat. The boats in old times were not as in modern ships made fast round about the vessel, but were carried on in tow. In stormy weather, there was of course much danger that the boat would be washed away. This was the case here, and as soon as ever they had gained the shelter of the island, they set about making sure of its safety by hauling it on board, but this they were not able to do without much difficulty, probably because it had been already filled with water.

For περικρατεῖς γενέσθαι, cf. Susanna 39 (Codex Alex.).