Глава 27

Ap. Paul on the way to Rome - from Caesarea to Myra in Lycia (1-5). From Myra to Crete and near Crete (6–13). From Crete to Malta (14–44) Acts 27:1. When it was decided that we should sail to Italy, they gave Paul and some other prisoners to the centurion of the Augustan regiment, named Julius. “Sail for us.” The writer again begins to narrate as the apostle’s companion, and so on until his arrival in Rome. In addition to Luke, Aristarchus was with Paul on this journey (2 v.). “To the centurion of the August regiment” - Greek. and slav.: σπείρας Σεβαστῆς, Sebastian spirs - Sebastian detachment, named after the city of Sebastia. Acts 27:2. We boarded the Adramite ship and set off, intending to sail near the Asian places. Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica, was with us. “Adramite ship” - Adramite - a seaside city in the Asia Minor province - Mission, not far from Troyade and Ass (see Acts 16:7-8, 20:5-6). It was probably the ship of one of the Adramite merchants. “Sail near the Asian places,” i.e., along the coast of Syria and Asia Minor to Adramit. The prisoners were put on this ship, obviously, in the absence of another that would go directly to Italy, in the hope of transferring at one of the Asia Minor piers to another ship to Italy. Such ships, with live trade relations between Asia Minor and Italy, could always be found here, as happened now (Acts 27:6). For “Aristarchus” see Acts 19:29, 20:4; Col. 4:10; Phil.1:24. Acts 27:3. The next day we landed at Sidon. Julius, acting kindly towards Paul, allowed him to go to his friends and take advantage of their zeal. “To Sidon” - the oldest trading city of Phenicia (Matthew 11:22), about 100 miles from Caesarea. The ship arrived here “the next day,” which shows the complete safety of the voyage. "Go to see friends". Probably, the ship had a rather long stop here, during which the apostle received permission from the philanthropic Julius (of course, accompanied by guards) to visit his friends, i.e. Christians (cf. Acts 11:19), and take advantage of their zeal to meet the needs of the apostle and his companions (Christians) on their further voyage. “Probably, Paul needed this after many disasters from bonds, from fear, from constant change of places. Look how the writer does not hide the fact that he wanted to receive benefits” (Chrysostom). Acts 27:4. Having departed from there, we sailed to Cyprus, due to contrary winds, “They sailed to Cyprus” - see Acts 4 and par. This happened, apparently, contrary to the original intention of the swimmers (Acts 27:2) “due to contrary winds” that diverted the ship from the accepted direction. Acts 27:5. and, having crossed the sea against Cilicia and Pamphylia, they arrived at Myra in Lycia. Acts 27:6. There the centurion found the Alexandrian ship sailing to Italy and put us on it. “Crossing the sea against Cilicia and Pamphylia...” - (see notes to Acts 11 and Acts 13:13), therefore, without entering their coastal cities, “they arrived at Myra Lycia” - a then flourishing city in the Asia Minor province of Lycia, about 4 versts from the sea, on a river navigable to the city itself. Here the centurion found an Alexandrian ship sailing to Italy, onto which the prisoners and the convoy were transferred. It was probably also a merchant ship, very large in size, carrying a cargo of wheat (Acts 27:38) and, in addition, up to 276 people (Acts 27:37). Why this ship, sailing from Alexandria to Italy, deviated so much from the direct path, ending up in Asia Minor, is unknown: perhaps it was driven by contrary winds, perhaps by trade affairs, delivery or acceptance of cargo, etc. Acts 27:7. After sailing slowly for many days and barely reaching Cnidus due to the wind being unfavorable to us, we sailed to Crete at Salmon. Acts 27:8. Having made their way past it with difficulty, they arrived at a place called Good Marinas, near which was the city of Laseya. From Myra Lycia to “Cnidus a” - a city in the Asia Minor province of Caria, on the Cnidia peninsula, under favorable sailing conditions, it was possible to sail in one day, as well as from Cnidus to the famous large island “Crete a”. But the ship sailed these distances “slowly, for many days,” delayed by unfavorable winds. “At Salmon” is a cape on the eastern coast of Crete. “Good Marinas near the city of Lasea” - on the southern coast of Crete. There was a bay here, well protected from the north-west winds, which made it difficult for the ship to navigate and forced it to go down under the screen of Crete, in order to sail further south of it. But here, to aggravate the previous one, a new problem appeared - no less strong and nasty south-west winds. Acts 27:9. But when quite some time had passed, and the voyage was already dangerous, because the fast had already passed, Paul advised, “The fast has already passed” - of course, without a doubt, the most important fast of the day of purification - the 10th day of the month Tifi (in the second half of September). It was, therefore, after the autumnal equinox, when sea navigation, especially in those countries, is very unsafe. Acts 27:10. saying to them: men! I see that the voyage will be difficult and with great harm not only to the cargo and the ship, but also to our lives. "Paul advised, saying". The Apostle of Christ experienced sufficiently the difficulty and dangers of sea travel (2 Cor. 11, etc.) and was experienced enough to foresee the disasters of a further journey, from which he gave prudent and timely advice to refrain. Such a natural, on the basis of experience, foreseeing the disasters of navigation does not exclude the possibility of their special insightful foreknowledge, which is especially noted further (Acts 27:22–24). Acts 27:11. But the centurion trusted the helmsman and the captain of the ship more than the words of Paul. Acts 27:12. And since the pier was not suitable for wintering, many gave advice to leave from there, in order, if possible, to reach Finik, the Cretan pier, lying against the south-west and north-west wind, and spend the winter there. Acts 27:13. The south wind blew, and they, thinking that they had already received what they wanted, set off and sailed near Crete: Acts 27:14. But soon a stormy wind called Euroclydon arose against him. Acts 27:15. The ship was grabbed so that it could not resist the wind, and we rushed around, surrendering to the waves. The matter should be stated more clearly as follows: Paul gave advice to winter immediately, even in a pier that was not so convenient for wintering, preferring the lesser of two evils. But the centurion, as is natural, preferred to trust the apparently more experienced sailors than a simple passenger. And these sailors, in turn, preferred to succumb to the influence of other advice - to immediately look for a more convenient pier, without waiting time. It was planned, if possible, to reach the Finika pier, on the same southern coast of Crete, as it was more protected from the winds by capes jutting into the sea. The blowing south wind further inspired the hopes of the swimmers, who were already dreaming of getting what they wanted. Suddenly, an unexpectedly strong squall (ευροκλύδων - north-east wind) not only complicated their attempt to get into the intended harbor, but also rushed completely away from Crete, into the open sea (v. 16), to the island of “Claud y” (southwest of Lacea and good piers, just in the direction of Euroclydon). Acts 27:16. And, having run onto one island called Klavda, we could hardly hold the boat. Acts 27:17. Having picked it up, they began to use the benefits and tie the ship; fearing not to run aground, they lowered the sail and thus rushed about. Acts 27:18. The next day, due to the strong storm, they began to throw out the cargo, Acts 27:19. and on the third we threw things from the ship with our own hands. Acts 27:20. But as neither the sun nor the stars were visible for many days and a considerable storm continued, then finally all hope of our salvation disappeared. The proximity of the island did not reduce the danger of navigation, but only increased it even more, due to the large shoals in this place. The waves beat the ship and the boat that usually followed it, which could barely be held. The usual measures in such dangers were taken to save the ship itself: tying its sides with strong ropes and chains, etc. “Afraid not to run aground.” The direction of the wind suggested the possibility that near the African coast (probably well-known to the Alexandrian shipbuilders), the ship could hit the so-called Great Syrtis - a huge shoal not far from Tripolis, to the east. In view of these fears, the shipbuilders first of all “lowered the sail” so that the ship would not be hit so hard and hit if it ran aground. This left the ship to float completely helplessly among the waves. Then “you began to throw cargo” (starting, probably, with the heavier and less valuable things from the cargo) to lighten the ship, the deep draft of which, with the sail inactive, threatened with particular danger from the waves. When this measure to save the ship seemed insufficient, they began the last resort - abandoning all luggage and belongings of passengers. These things, as the writer puts it, the passengers “threw away with their own hands,” that is, without sparing anything of their own for the common good and possible safety. Finally, “all hope” of salvation began to disappear: a brief and powerful depiction of the terrible disasters of the voyage, when even Paul’s strong soul needed heavenly encouragement and reinforcement - “do not be afraid” (Acts 27:24). Acts 27:21. And when they had not eaten for a long time, Paul stood in the midst of them and said: Men! you had to listen to me and not leave Crete, which would have avoided these difficulties and harm. Acts 27:22. Now I urge you to take heart, because not a single soul of you will perish, but only the ship. Acts 27:23. For the Angel of God, Whom I belong and Whom I serve, appeared to me this night Acts 27:24. and said: “Don’t be afraid, Paul! you must appear before Caesar, and behold, God has given you all those who sail with you.” Acts 27:25. Therefore, be of good cheer, men, for I trust God that it will be as I have been told. Acts 27:26. We should be marooned on some island. “We haven’t eaten for a long time...” - of course, from the terrible motion and from strong anxiety about our fate. Apparently there was no shortage of provisions on the ship: there was still plenty of wheat left on it (Acts 27:38). In moments of general despondency and despair, the apostle sheds a joyful ray of hope into the souls of everyone - by announcing the revelation that was to him that no one would perish, only the ship. “An angel of God, to whom I belong and whom I serve” (cf. Rom. 1:9) - with these expressions the apostle arouses the trust of his listeners in his words, as a person close to God and completely devoted to Him. “He appeared to me that night” - how? in a dream or a waking vision (cf. Acts 25:11), not evident from the text. “You must appear before Caesar” to decide your case (Acts 25:11, 12). Consequently, the apostle was not destined to perish at sea, no matter how great the danger. And not only the apostle, but - together with him and for his sake - and all his companions will be saved: “God has given you all those who sail with you...” - by virtue of His same mercy! according to which previously, for the sake of a few righteous people, He expressed his readiness to save entire cities from destruction (Gen. 18:22–32). For great assurance of safety, the apostle points to his faith in the revelation of God, which really could not help but act in the midst of general despair, and the confidence that soon they should all be thrown out “on some island.” Whether this was also revealed to Paul, or whether it was his conclusion from the words of an angel, or, finally, his own guess, but his word, indeed, was soon fulfilled. Acts 27:27. On the fourteenth night, as we were floating in the Adriatic Sea, around midnight, the shipmen began to realize that they were approaching some land: Acts 27:28. and, having measured the depth, they found twenty fathoms; then, at a short distance, measuring again, they found fifteen fathoms. Acts 27:29. Fearing that they would not fall into rocky places, they dropped four anchors from the stern and waited for the day. “On the fourteenth night” - from the time of sailing from the bay. “In the Adriatic Sea” - this name in ancient times sometimes meant not in the narrow sense the current Adriatic Sea or the Gulf of Venice, but the entire maritime space between Greece from the east, southern Italy and Sicily from the west (including the island of Malta). “They began to guess” - perhaps due to the special roar from the breaking waves. “They dropped four anchors from the stern” - for greater strength of the ship when moored. Acts 27:30. When the shipmen wanted to escape from the ship and lowered the boat to the sea, pretending that they wanted to throw anchors from the bow, “The shipbuilders wanted to escape,” leaving the ship to the mercy of fate: their despair for salvation and thirst for life were so strong. Probably, the shipbuilders saw the impossibility of continuing further sailing on it. They also saw that the small bot could not be a salvation for everyone, which is why they decided to use it to save themselves, leaving the rest to their fate. Acts 27:31. Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “If they do not stay on the ship, you cannot be saved.” Acts 27:32. Then the soldiers cut off the ropes of the boat and it fell. Paul, having understood the plans of the shipbuilders, calls for a warning from their centurion and soldiers, whose strength alone could stop the plan that would be disastrous for the rest of the passengers, since in the absence of sailors, passengers and soldiers inexperienced in shipbuilding would prematurely destroy the ship along with them. Paul’s expression is remarkable: “you cannot be saved” unless the sailors remain on the ship... So strong was his confidence in his own salvation. True, he had to believe in the salvation of all (Acts 27:24), but this not only did not exclude human means, but also presupposed them, which is why at least the shortest measures were required against any attempt to spoil the cause of a common salvation for all, and not just an individual salvation. By cutting off the ropes from the boat, which was immediately carried away by the waves, the egoists’ plan was destroyed and the hope of saving everyone was ensured. Acts 27:33. Before the day came, Paul persuaded everyone to take food, saying: today is the fourteenth day that you, waiting, have remained without food, eating nothing. Acts 27:34. Therefore, I ask you to take food: this will serve to preserve your life; for none of you will lose a hair from his head. Wed. Acts 27 and Acts 27:21, note. The proximity of the earth and the salvation promised to everyone forced, however, to wait for the predicted death of the ship, which presupposed a catastrophe and considerable efforts for salvation. Foreseeing all this, the apostle, who brought so much encouragement to his companions, again encourages them, urging everyone to take food to strengthen their strength. Acts 27:35. Having said this and taking the bread, he thanked God in front of everyone and, breaking it, began to eat. Acts 27:36. Then everyone took heart and also took food. Acts 27:37. There were two hundred and seventy-six souls in all on the ship. Acts 27:38. Having had their fill of food, they began to lighten the ship, throwing the wheat into the sea. “Throwing wheat into the sea” - probably the last remnants of the ill-fated ship’s cargo, so that, relieved from everything, it could throw itself closer to the shore, since there was no longer a boat to communicate with the shore. Acts 27:39. When the day came, they did not recognize the land, but saw only a certain bay with a sloping shore, to which they decided, if possible, to land with the ship. “They didn’t recognize the land.” Although it was Malta, well known to the sailors (see further Acts 28:1), however, they did not recognize the island, obviously because they were thrown out by a storm to a side unknown to them. Acts 27:40. And, having raised the anchors, they set out across the sea and, untying the rudders and raising a small sail to the wind, steered towards the shore. Acts 27:41. They hit a spit and the ship ran aground. The bow got stuck and remained motionless, while the stern was broken by the force of the waves. A simple and visual representation of trying to approach the shore. “They untied the rudders,” which were usually tied together to protect them from the pressure of waves when the ship was simply abandoned to the will of the winds, or when it was anchored. “Raising a small sail” so as not to sail to the shore very quickly, which - if the shipowners did not know the place - could be unsafe. But the revelation of God had to be fulfilled (Acts 27:26): the ship nevertheless ran aground and the waves immediately began to completely break it. Acts 27:42. The soldiers agreed to kill the prisoners so that someone who would swim out would not escape. Acts 27:43. But the centurion, wanting to save Paul, kept them from this intention, and ordered those who knew how to swim to be the first to rush and go to land, Acts 27:44. for the rest, some will escape on boards, others on something from the ship; and thus everyone was saved to earth. There was a moment of new danger for the prisoners and Paul, when the soldiers doubted the possibility of saving those entrusted to their guard in an unknown land, and agreed it was better to kill them rather than answer for them before the strict law (cf. Acts 12:19). Fortunately, the prudent advice and stewardship of the centurion, who especially wanted to save Paul (out of feeling and his personal respect for him and on behalf of the procurator), did not allow those who were not allowed to be destroyed by the sea to perish - with all its fury. To prevent the possibility of the prisoners escaping, first of all, the centurion orders the guards who know how to swim well to be the first to rush into the water and swim to the shore. In this way, sufficient guards were gathered on the shore to prevent the escape of the fleeing prisoners, after which everyone escaped to land, using, in the absence of the ability to swim, the broken remains and belongings of the ship. Thus, the word of God was fulfilled with all accuracy through the Angel to Paul (Acts 27:22, 24). You might be interested in: