Act 27:1 ¶ And when it was determined that we should sail into Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners unto [one] named Julius, a centurion of Augustus' band. COMMENT: The author of Chapter 27 of the book of Acts sailed with Saint Paul and is undoubtedly the same person who has hid behind the pronoun "we" rather than tell us his identity. This just makes the supernatural novel he has written in the inspiration of the Holy Spirit from his experiences all the more exciting for us the students of the Word of God. Now here is a map of the journey Saint Paul made in his captivity to Rome, the capital of the Roman Empire.

Act 27:2 And entering into a ship of Adramyttium, we launched, meaning to sail by the coasts of Asia; [one] Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us. COMMENT: You will notice it is written: "that we should sail into Italy" (V1) and in the next verse, "we" launched (V2). The author of chapter twenty seven sailed with Saint Paul. We suppose it is Luke whom many say is the author, and we agree there is no other candidate.

We will find no evidence Saint Luke is a Gentile. The oracles of God are entrusted to the Jews. It has been my experience in nearly three decades of gospel work, that the Gentiles are puffed up in themselves over the Israelites; although the works of the Israeli's recorded in the Bible, and the writings of the Holy Book are all far greater works than all of the Gentile nations have supplied the world. Saint Luke is Jewish. Make no mistake about it.

We do find "Luke, the beloved Physician" is with Paul in Rome according to the letter Saint Paul wrote to the Colossians (4:14) where Demes also sent greetings. We also find Luke still with Paul after Demas forsook him. (2 Timothy 4:11).

To make it all the more convincing the author of the gospel of Luke is also the author of the book of Acts, we quote Acts 1:1:

"The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach..." Saint Luke's former treatise is known to us as the gospel of Luke. It was also addressed to Theophilus. (St. Luke 1:3)

The book of Acts is actually a continuation of the gospel of Saint Luke and there are other observations strengthening the case for believing Luke to be the author of Acts.

We also discover the faithfulness of Saint Luke remaining with Paul the Apostle right to the end to strengthen him for his martyrdom.

Act 27:3 And the next [day] we touched at Sidon. And Julius courteously entreated Paul, and gave [him] liberty to go unto his friends to refresh himself. COMMENT: Julius is the Centurion of the Augustus' band of a hundred soldiers whom he commanded although some of the band were left behind of necessity.

Act 27:4 And when we had launched from there, we sailed under Cyprus, because the winds were contrary. COMMENT: Under probably means south of Cyprus which means the map provided is slightly inacurrate.

Act 27:5 And when we had sailed over the sea of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, [a city] of Lycia.

Act 27:6 And there the Centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing into Italy; and he put us therein.

Act 27:7 And when we had sailed slowly many days, and scarce were come over against Cnidus, the wind not suffering us, we sailed under Crete, over against Salmone; COMMENT: Here the mapmaker agrees with the Word. They sailed under Crete.

Act 27:8 And, hardly passing it, came unto a place which is called The Fair havens; near to the city [of] Lasea.

Act 27:9 ¶ Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished [them], COMMENT: Paul had been fasting unto the Lord. If you want to be the head and not the tail, you too will be involved in fasting often to seek the Lord.

Act 27:10 And said unto them, "Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives."

Act 27:11 Nevertheless the Centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul. COMMENT: Of course the Centurion would be inclined to believe the owner of the ship. Paul is a prisoner and prisoners more often than not are of a subjective mind to take control of their fate; but Saint Paul was concerned for the well being of the souls on board the ship.

Act 27:12 And because the haven was not commodious to winter in, the more part advised to depart from there also, if by any means they might attain to Phenice, [and there] to winter; [which is] an haven of Crete, and lies toward the south west and north west. COMMENT: It is called Phoenix on the map.

Act 27:13 ¶ And when the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained [their] purpose, loosing [from there], they sailed close by Crete.

Act 27:14 But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon. COMMENT: They were soon caught in a storming wind called Euroclydon. A wind they could count on in that season, but had hoped to avoid.

Act 27:15 And when the ship was caught, and could not bear up into the wind, we let [her] drive. COMMENT: The wind was too strong for the ship, so they let it go where the wind drove it.

Act 27:16/17 And running under a certain island which is called Clauda, we had much work to come by the boat: Which when they had taken up, they used helps, undergirding the ship; and, fearing lest they should fall into the quicksands, struck sail, and so were driven. COMMENT: There was much work to do in the storming winds and sea to keep the boat from falling into quicksands. But they managed to lower the sails and were driven on by the storm.

Act 27:18 And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next [day] they lightened the ship; And the third [day] we cast out with our own hands the tackling of the ship. COMMENT: The ship was tossed back and forth to where they feared it would turn over, so they lightened the ship and the third day they tossed the tackling of the ship over board to lighten the ship all the more.

Act 27:20 And when neither sun nor stars in MANY DAYS appeared, and no small tempest lay on [us], all hope that we should be saved was then taken away. COMMENT: This was a greater storm they they usually encountered and it took on a predatory life of its own to where they lost hope of escaping it.

Act 27:21/22 But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, "Sirs, you should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss. And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of [any man's] life among you, but of the ship. COMMENT: The first admonition got their attention when they did not follow Paul's advice and became snared in such a terrible storm, so now they hear from him again; as he gives them a prophecy to encourage them. For the Lord is establishing his reputation with all on board the ship, but particularly those who will arrive in Rome with him; that he might be treated as a dignitary.

Act 27:23/24 For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, Saying, "Fear not, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God has given you all them that sail with you. COMMENT: Do you hear how the Word of the Lord was shaped to tell all with ears to hear; how they were all given into Saint Paul's authority in this voyage. Once the Word he has spoken comes to pass, they will all reverence what he says.

Act 27:25/26 "Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me. But we must be cast upon a certain island. COMMENT: They will all be of glad to survive the horrible raging storm, but the owner of the ship will suffer the loss of his ship.

Act 27:27 But when the fourteenth night was come, as we were driven up and down in Adria, about midnight the shipmen deemed that they drew near to some country; COMMENT:

Act 27:28 And sounded, and found [it] twenty fathoms: and when they had gone a little further, they sounded again, and found [it] fifteen fathoms. COMMENT:

Act 27:29 Then fearing lest we should have fallen upon rocks, they cast four anchors out of the stern, and wished for the day. COMMENT:

Act 27:30 And as the shipmen were about to flee out of the ship, when they had let down the boat into the sea, under colour as though they would have cast anchors out of the foreship, COMMENT: Under colour meaning they were attempting to deceive all on board so they could heave off in the boat and attempt to save themselves.

Act 27:31 Paul said to the Centurion and to the soldiers, "Except these abide in the ship, you cannot be saved. COMMENT: This is an extremely powerful word from God through Saint Paul to the Centurion and the soldiers he brought with him on the voyage, for they are inclined to listen to him now; and if they do not stop the sailers from carrying out their intent, Paul says they will die.

Act 27:32 Then the soldiers cut off the ropes of the boat, and let her fall off. COMMENT: The soldiers did not wait for a word from their Centurion but immediately cut off the ropes of the boat and let it fall off of the ship into the sea where it was lost.

Act 27:33 And while the day was coming on, Paul sought for them all to take meat, saying, "This day is the fourteenth day that you have tarried and continued fasting, having taken nothing. Wherefore I pray you to take [some] meat: for this is for your health: for there shall not an hair fall from the head of any of you. COMMENT: Paul again speaks from the office of a Prophet Apostle. It is amazing they have not eaten any meat for the fourteen days they were caught in such a terrible storm at sea. Now Paul promises them they will live and ought to eat to strengthen themselves. Do you see it is God in Saint Paul ruling the ship rather than the sea Captain or the Centurion who was in charge of Paul's captivity.

Act 27:35 And when he had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in presence of them all: and when he had broken [it], he began to eat. COMMENT:

Act 27:36 Then were they all of good cheer, and they also took meat.

Act 27:37 And we were in all in the ship two hundred threescore and sixteen souls. COMMENT: There were 276 souls on board the ship.

Act 27:38 And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, and cast out the wheat into the sea. COMMENT: They made the ship even lighter by casting the wheat overboard into the sea.

Act 27:39 ¶ And when it was day, they knew not the land: but they discovered a certain creek with a shore, into the which they were minded, if it were possible, to thrust in the ship. COMMENT: They were desperate to get out of the storming sea.

Act 27:40 And when they had taken up the anchors, they committed [themselves] unto the sea, and loosed the rudder bands, and hoisted up the mainsail to the wind, and made toward shore. COMMENT: They now had the rudder to guide them again in the raging storm and their mainsail was now catching the fierce winds.

Act 27:41 And falling into a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the forepart stuck fast, and remained unmoveable, but the hinder part was broken with the violence of the waves. COMMENT:

Act 27:42 And the soldiers' counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim out, and escape. COMMENT: Here we see what soldiers are made of. There was no consideration on their part as to whether Paul was guilty or innocent. We see this in the jails of America, how the jailers suppose prisoners are guilty without knowing anything at all as to why they were arrested.

Act 27:43 But the Centurion, willing to save Paul, kept them from [their] purpose; and commanded that they which could swim should cast [themselves] first [into the sea], and get to land: COMMENT: Fortunately, the Centurion was able to take command of the situation.

Act 27:44 And the rest, some on boards, and some on [broken pieces] of the ship. And so it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land. COMMENT: The prophecy Saint Paul gave on board came to pass.