Acts 27:13-36

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 27:18

And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest ,.... Sometimes being lifted up as it were to the heavens, and then presently sinking down, as if they were going into the bottom of the sea; such a condition at sea is described to the life by the Psalmist, in Psalm 107:25 . the next day they lightened the ship ; of its burden, its lading, the goods and merchandise that were in it; as the mariners did in the ship in which Jonah was, Jonah 1:5 the Ethiopic version renders it, "they cast... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 27:19

And the third day ,.... From the time this storm began, and this tempestuous weather held: we cast out with our own hands the tackling of the ship ; by which seems to be meant their naval stores and instruments, as sails, ropes, cables, anchors, &c.; and yet we afterwards read of their anchors and main sail: it may be rendered, "the furniture of the ship"; and yet it cannot design the ship's provisions, at least all were not cast away; for afterwards mention is made of casting out... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 27:20

And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared ,.... The Syriac version adds, "nor moon"; which is an usual description of dark, cloudy, and tempestuous seasons; and which was not only uncomfortable to them, because they could not see these luminaries, and enjoy their beneficial light and influence; but because they had them not to guide and direct them; for the sun, moon, and stars, are useful to sailors, to steer their course by; especially they were to the ancients, before the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 27:21

But after long abstinence ,.... From food, not for want of it, as appears from what follows, Acts 27:36 nor in a religious way, in order to obtain the favour of God; but either for want of appetite, and a nauseousness and loathing of food, through the tossing of the ship, fright at the storm, and fears of death; and chiefly for want of time, being employed for the security of themselves and the ship. Paul stood forth in the midst of them ; that all might hear him: and said, sirs, ye... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 27:22

And now I exhort you to be of good cheer ,.... To take heart and courage, and not be cast down, though things had been thus with them, and they were now in a very melancholy plight and condition. For there shall be no loss of any man's life among you, but of the ship ; the ship will be lost, but not one person in it: there will be a shipwreck, and so every man's life will be in danger, and yet not one will perish; and therefore there was reason to be of good cheer, since this was what... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 27:23

For there stood by me this night the angel of God ,.... One of the ministering, spirits that stand before God, and who was sent by him to the apostle; and appeared to him, either in a vision by a dream, or rather when he was awake, and stood by him, as he was praying for deliverance from the storm; for it is most likely that the apostle should be engaged at such a time as this: whose I am, and whom I serve : meaning not the angel, but God, whose the angel was; and his the apostle was, by... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 27:24

Saying, fear not, Paul ,.... For though the apostle knew and believed he should go to Rome, and appear before Caesar, to whom he had appealed, and where he should bear a testimony for Christ; and though he had previous notice of this storm, and of the loss and damage which should be sustained, and which he expected; yet the flesh was weak, and he might be under some fears and misgivings of heart, for these sometimes attend the best of men. Thou must be brought before Caesar ; as has been... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 27:25

Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer ,.... Which he repeats with more fervency and earnestness, there being so much reason for it: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me : true faith lays hold and, settles upon the word and promises of God; and the true believer, knowing his power and faithfulness, firmly persuaded that there shall be a performance of what is said by him, with respect to matter, manner, and circumstances. Whatever God has told his people of, or has... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 27:26

Howbeit, we must be cast upon a certain island. This circumstance is foretold, that when the whole affair should come to pass, it might be manifest that it was not a casual thing, a fortuitous event, a business of chance, but was predetermined by God, made known to the apostle, and predicted by him. This island was Melita; and the fulfilment of this part of the prediction is related in Acts 28:1 . read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 27:27

But when the fourteenth night was come ,.... From their setting out from the Fair Havens in Crete, or from the beginning of the storm: as they were driven up and down in Adria : or "in the Adriatic sea", as the Syriac version renders it: the Adriatic sea is now called by the Turks the gulf of Venice, and the straits of Venice, and sometimes the Venetian sea F9 Hyde not. in Peritzol. Itinera Mundi, p. 53,54. ; but formerly the Adriatic sea included more than the Venetian gulf; it... read more

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