Acts 27:13-38

Troubles Seas

When a soft, south wind began to blow, it was assumed they could easily reach Phoenix within a day, so they set sail. Apparently, they made good headway as they travelled along close to shore. However, a northeaster blew up and ended all hope of reaching a safe harbor as they had to let the ship be driven by the will of the wind. When the ship reached the shelter of an island called Clauda, the sailors, with the help of Luke and some other passengers, secured the skiff which had likely been allowed to trail the ship because they planned to use it to go ashore at Phoenix. The sailors passed cables under the ship to strengthen it against the stormy sea and let the ship drift without aid of sail for fear of being shipwrecked on the shoal west of Cyrene, which was called Syrtis.

The violent seas continued the next day, so the sailors began to throw the cargo overboard. The following day, they threw the tackle overboard as well. Since they could not see the sun or stars, navigation was impossible and crew and passengers gave up hope of living. At this point, Paul reminded them of his earlier warning, possibly to give more credibility to his next words, and then began to reassure them. He said the ship would be lost but God, through an angel, had promised to answer his prayers by saving every life on board. He did tell them they would run aground on an island.

On the fourteenth night, as they were tossed about in the Adriatic Sea, the sailors sensed they were coming close to land. They took soundings and, realizing they might hit the rocks, cast four anchors off the stern and prayed for daylight. The sailors let down the skiff as they pretended to put out more anchors. However, Paul warned Julius that he could not be saved without the sailors on board, so the centurion commanded his soldiers to cut away the ropes to the skiff and let it fall away. Just before dawn, Paul urged all on board to eat and reassured them not one hair on their heads would be harmed. While they all watched, he took some bread, prayed and began to eat. They were encouraged and all 276 on board likewise ate. They then cast the rest of the grain overboard (Acts 27:13-38).