Wednesdays are for the New Testament
9/11/24
Bruce, F.F. (1988). "Acts 27" In The Book of Acts (Revised). (pages 473-495). William B. Eerdmans Publishing.
Bruce considers the account of Paul's voyage and shipwreck from Acts 27 to be outstanding as a work that reflects first century sea travel through the eyes of a non-sailor (Bruce 1988, p. 474). It draws not only on Homeric models but also on the account of Jonah in the Old Testament. The account has sometimes been taken as an allegory for the voyage of life, a practice Bruce finds lacking. He does, however, note the character lessons shown in the actions of Paul and others (Bruce 1988, p. 475).
Acts 27:1-3 describe a fairly uneventful start to the voyage. Bruce notes this is a "we" passage, indicating Luke was present for these events (Bruce 1988, p. 476). Paul was under the guard of a Roman centurion, Julius. While Paul was in custody, as a freeborn citizen he would have had some level of consideration (Bruce 1988, p. 477). The ship was apparently a coasting ship, which would put into port frequently. Bruce considers it likely that Julius would be looking for a chance to board a grain ship, more of an express to Rome. There is also mention of Aristarchus, mentioned in other contexts (Bruce 1988, p. 477). At Sidon, Paul was given opportunity to meet with some Christians assembled there (Bruce 1988, p. 478).
In Acts 27:6-8, at Myra, the party transfers to a different ship which is going directly to Italy (Bruce 1988, p. 479). Bruce observes this was almost certainly a cargo ship carrying grain from Egypt to Rome, a practice which purchased Rome considerable political stability. The voyage was hampered by contrary winds, yet the ship was able to make progress (Bruce 1988, p. 480).
Acts 27:9-12 sees the party at a crossroads due to the wind and the changing season. To proceed to Rome during the winter would be unworkable. While Paul urged a stay at Fair Havens, the centurion, steersman, and navigator hoped to make it to a more favorable harbor (Bruce 1988, p. 481). Bruce describes the calendar for shipping in relation to the calculated date of Yom Kippur, concluding that this voyage was in the winter of 59.
The voyagers find a favorable wind to make for their desired harbor in Acts 27:13. Had the wind remained steady, the preferred location was less than a day away (Bruce 1988, p. 484). A change of wind, however, in verse 14, took the ship off course. Bruce notes that in verses 15-16 the typical procedure was to tow a small boat behind a cargo vessel. This boat, when filled with water from the storm, would be hard to pull aboard and secure (Bruce 1988, p. 485). The process of passing cables under the ship to strengthen the hull as in verse 17 is well known. The ship was progressively lightened in an attempt over several days to survive the storm (Bruce 1988, p. 487).
Verses 21-26 report Paul's encouragement to the people aboard the ship, as he had seen a vision that they would all live despite the loss of ship and cargo (Bruce 1988, p. 487). He encouraged them to eat and then prepare to make landfall somewhere. Bruce notes if they missed Malta, the next land would be Tunisia, some 200 miles farther (Bruce 1988, p. 488).
Acts 27:27 and following describes the ship's arrival near Malta. There is a bay on Malta which has been given the name of St. Paul's Bay, in an appropriate place and with sea depths consistent with Luke's account in verse 28 (Bruce 1988, p. 490). Verses 30-32 record a foiled plot on the part of the sailors to abandon ship, a move prevented by the soldiers.
Acts 27:33-38 describe a last meal aboard the ship (Bruce 1988, p. 491). Along with encouragement to eat, Paul reminded the people of the vision which showed him that everyone would survive. Bruce notes the similarity of verses 35-36 to the liturgical action in communion. He postulates that some would have received it as a eucharist, while others may not have noticed the significance (Bruce 1988, p. 492).
Verses 39-41 record an attempted safe landing after dawn. The ship, however, was grounded on the bottom of the sea, and was beaten apart by waves (Bruce 1988, p. 494). The soldiers, inclined to kill the prisoners, were persuaded by the centurion to allow all to live. Verses 42-44 portray the actual landing of the shipwrecked group.
9/11/24
Bruce, F.F. (1988). "Acts 27" In The Book of Acts (Revised). (pages 473-495). William B. Eerdmans Publishing.
Bruce considers the account of Paul's voyage and shipwreck from Acts 27 to be outstanding as a work that reflects first century sea travel through the eyes of a non-sailor (Bruce 1988, p. 474). It draws not only on Homeric models but also on the account of Jonah in the Old Testament. The account has sometimes been taken as an allegory for the voyage of life, a practice Bruce finds lacking. He does, however, note the character lessons shown in the actions of Paul and others (Bruce 1988, p. 475).
Acts 27:1-3 describe a fairly uneventful start to the voyage. Bruce notes this is a "we" passage, indicating Luke was present for these events (Bruce 1988, p. 476). Paul was under the guard of a Roman centurion, Julius. While Paul was in custody, as a freeborn citizen he would have had some level of consideration (Bruce 1988, p. 477). The ship was apparently a coasting ship, which would put into port frequently. Bruce considers it likely that Julius would be looking for a chance to board a grain ship, more of an express to Rome. There is also mention of Aristarchus, mentioned in other contexts (Bruce 1988, p. 477). At Sidon, Paul was given opportunity to meet with some Christians assembled there (Bruce 1988, p. 478).
In Acts 27:6-8, at Myra, the party transfers to a different ship which is going directly to Italy (Bruce 1988, p. 479). Bruce observes this was almost certainly a cargo ship carrying grain from Egypt to Rome, a practice which purchased Rome considerable political stability. The voyage was hampered by contrary winds, yet the ship was able to make progress (Bruce 1988, p. 480).
Acts 27:9-12 sees the party at a crossroads due to the wind and the changing season. To proceed to Rome during the winter would be unworkable. While Paul urged a stay at Fair Havens, the centurion, steersman, and navigator hoped to make it to a more favorable harbor (Bruce 1988, p. 481). Bruce describes the calendar for shipping in relation to the calculated date of Yom Kippur, concluding that this voyage was in the winter of 59.
The voyagers find a favorable wind to make for their desired harbor in Acts 27:13. Had the wind remained steady, the preferred location was less than a day away (Bruce 1988, p. 484). A change of wind, however, in verse 14, took the ship off course. Bruce notes that in verses 15-16 the typical procedure was to tow a small boat behind a cargo vessel. This boat, when filled with water from the storm, would be hard to pull aboard and secure (Bruce 1988, p. 485). The process of passing cables under the ship to strengthen the hull as in verse 17 is well known. The ship was progressively lightened in an attempt over several days to survive the storm (Bruce 1988, p. 487).
Verses 21-26 report Paul's encouragement to the people aboard the ship, as he had seen a vision that they would all live despite the loss of ship and cargo (Bruce 1988, p. 487). He encouraged them to eat and then prepare to make landfall somewhere. Bruce notes if they missed Malta, the next land would be Tunisia, some 200 miles farther (Bruce 1988, p. 488).
Acts 27:27 and following describes the ship's arrival near Malta. There is a bay on Malta which has been given the name of St. Paul's Bay, in an appropriate place and with sea depths consistent with Luke's account in verse 28 (Bruce 1988, p. 490). Verses 30-32 record a foiled plot on the part of the sailors to abandon ship, a move prevented by the soldiers.
Acts 27:33-38 describe a last meal aboard the ship (Bruce 1988, p. 491). Along with encouragement to eat, Paul reminded the people of the vision which showed him that everyone would survive. Bruce notes the similarity of verses 35-36 to the liturgical action in communion. He postulates that some would have received it as a eucharist, while others may not have noticed the significance (Bruce 1988, p. 492).
Verses 39-41 record an attempted safe landing after dawn. The ship, however, was grounded on the bottom of the sea, and was beaten apart by waves (Bruce 1988, p. 494). The soldiers, inclined to kill the prisoners, were persuaded by the centurion to allow all to live. Verses 42-44 portray the actual landing of the shipwrecked group.
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