Keraia
Acts 27

Acts 27:21

The Storm at Sea · Acts 27:13–26
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Translations

Modern
After the men had gone a long time without food, Paul stood up among them and said, “Men, you should have followed my advice not to sail from Crete. Then you would have averted this disaster and loss.
Traditional
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.
Literal
There being also much time without food, at that time having stood up in their midst, Paul said, “It was necessary indeed, O men, having been obedient to me, not to have set sail from Crete and to have incurred this disaster and loss.
Latin
Et cum multa jejunatio fuisset, tunc stans Paulus in medio eorum, dixit: Oportebat quidem, o viri, audito me, non tollere a Creta, lucrique facere injuriam hanc et jacturam.

Original

Greek
English
After the men had gone a long time without food, Paul stood up among them and said, “Men, you should have followed my advice not to sail from Crete. Then you would have averted this disaster and loss.

Notes

Acts 27:21–26

Paul spoke to the crew. He first criticized them for not listening to him (27:10–12). Then, he encouraged them by sharing the angel's assurance that everyone would survive.

Acts 27:1–28:16

  • The graphic language describing sailing in the story of Paul's journey to Rome provides one of the best accounts of an ancient sea journey.

  • This is the last "we" section in Acts (see also 16:10–17; 20:5–15; 21:1–18). During Paul's two years of imprisonment, Luke probably researched his gospel throughout Judea and Galilee. Here, as part of Paul's sailing group, he had a personal witness of the dangers at sea.

Theme notes and profiles

Paul (Saul)

Events

Parallels

Jonah 1:4–10

People

Paul: Apostle to the Gentiles, author of many NT epistles

Places

Caphtor: Island home of the Philistines; visited by Paul

Glossary

Angel Book of the Acts of the Apostles Caesarea Luke (Person) Luke, Gospel of Paul the Apostle Sailors Salvation Travel

Topics

Crete: Visited by Paul Mariners (Sailors): Perils of Paul: The Ship Encounters a Storm Paul: The Ship is Wrecked, and all on Board Take Refuge on the Island of Melita (Malta) Phenice: A Harbor of Crete Prophecy: Miscellaneous, Fulfilled: The Destruction of the Ship Predicted and Fulfilled