Acts 27:13-36

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 27:28

And sounded ,.... Or let down their plummet, or sounding line; which was a line with a piece of lead at the end of it, which they let down into the water, and by that means found what depth it was, by which they could judge whether they were near land or not. The sounding line, with the ancients, was called by different names; sometimes bolis, and this is the name it has here, βολισαντες , "they let down the bolis": and the bolis is, by some, described thus; it is a brazen or leaden... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 27:29

Then fearing lest they should have fallen upon rocks ,.... Or rough places, as shelves, rocks, or sands, as they might well fear, when the water shallowed so fast, from 20 to 15 fathoms: they cast four anchors out of the stern ; or hinder part of the ship; the Ethiopic version calls it, "the head of the ship": and adds, "where the governor sat"; that is, at the helm, to steer it. Perhaps the reason of this version is, because it is not usual in modern navigation, and so, when this... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 27:30

And as the shipmen were about to flee out of the ship ,.... To save their lives, concluding that it was in the utmost danger, and that it would quickly, notwithstanding the anchors cast out, break away, and fall upon the rocks, and split to pieces: when they had let down the boat into the sea ; which before they had taken up into the ship, Acts 27:16 and now they let it down, in order to get into it, and make their escape: under colour as though they would have cast anchors out of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 27:31

Paul said to the centurion, and to the soldiers ,.... He did not direct his speech to the governor and owner of the ship, who very likely, being sensible of the danger, were in the scheme with the mariners, and at the head of them; but to Julius the centurion, and the soldiers under him, who having no knowledge of maritime affairs, were not apprised of the danger, nor aware of the design of the shipmen; and besides, had now great dependence upon the assurance the apostle had given, that no... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 27:32

Then the soldiers cut off the ropes of the boat ,.... With which it had been fastened to the sides of the ship, and by which the mariners were letting it down, in order to get into it, and go off: and let her fall off ; from the sides of the ship into the sea, and so prevented the shipmen quitting the ship; for now they gave more credit to Paul than to them. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 27:33

And while the day was coming on ,.... Between midnight and break of day: Paul besought them all to take meat; to sit down and eat a meal together: saying, this day is the fourteenth day that ye have tarried ; or have been waiting for, or expecting; that is, as the Arabic version expresses it, a shipwreck; for fourteen days past, ever since the storm begun, they had expected nothing but shipwreck and death: and continued fasting, having taken nothing : not that they had neither ate... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 27:34

Wherefore I pray you to take some meat ,.... To sit down composedly, and eat meat cheerfully and freely: for this is for your health ; the Alexandrian copy reads, "for our health"; it was for the health of them all, that they might be better able to bear the shock and fatigue of the shipwreck, and be in better spirits, and in a better capacity to help themselves, and one another: for there shall not an hair fall from the head of any of you ; a proverbial phrase, expressing the utmost... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 27:35

And when he had thus spoken he took bread ,.... A piece of bread, of common bread, into his hands; for this could never be the eucharist, or Lord's supper, which the apostle now celebrated, as some have suggested, but such sort of bread that seafaring men commonly eat: mention is before made of "meat" or "food", which the apostle entreated them to take, which includes every sort of sea provisions they had with them; and which, with the ancients, were usually the following: it is certain they... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 27:36

Then were they all of good cheer ,.... Encouraged by the apostle's words and example: and they all took some meat ; and made a comfortable meal, which they had not done for fourteen days past. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 27:13

When the south wind blew softly - Though this wind was not very favorable, yet, because it blew softly, they supposed they might be able to make their passage. They sailed close by Crete - Kept as near the coast as they could. See the track on the map. read more

Group of Brands