The Storm along the Shore of Crete
27: 12-26
Late 59 AD
The storm along the shore of Crete DIG: What things in verses 13-20 show how severe this storm was? Verse 27 indicates this situation lasted two weeks. How would you be feeling be the end of the first week? After being in Caesarea for at least two years, why might Paul need to hear the promise of 23:11 again repeated in verse 24?
REFLECT: What would a page from your ship’s diary sound like? As a sailor on board, how would you feel about Paul’s message in verses 21-26? When have you felt caught in a “Nor’easter,” driven along by the wind? What happened? What did you learn from the situation? In terms of a weather report, how would you describe your life at present? Your life five years ago? The crew in charge of Paul’s ship eventually started throwing some things overboard to lighten their load. Are you carrying an extra baggage you should probably be without? Think or someone you know who’s enduring their own blinding storm right now. How could you encourage them with these insights from Paul life?
Now begins the dramatic story of the storm and shipwreck that vindicated Paul’s evaluation of the situation (to see link click Da – Paul Sails to Rome). The anticipated journey was quite short, a day’s journey, a “three-hour-tour” if you will – and a gentle southerly breeze which arose deceived them into thinking that they could manage another forty nautical miles. As the ship left Fair Havens, Julius, the captain, and the navigator surely felt quite confident of their decision, but it wouldn’t take long for them to see they had made a critical mistake.
The sailing of the ship: And because the open harbor at Fair Havens was unsuitable for wintering, the majority reached a decision to set out to sea from there – if somehow they might reach Phoenix, a closed, protected harbor of Crete facing northeast and southeast, and spend the winter there. When the south wind blew gently, supposing their decision to sail to Phoenix was a wise one, so they raised the anchor and started coasting along the shoreline by Crete (27:12-13). Six miles to the west of Fair Havens, a peninsula known as Cape Matala jutted out. Around the cape, the shoreline then ran sharply northward as one sailed the thirty or so miles remaining to Phoenix. Since they were traveling close to shore, the trip should have not taken Paul’s ship more than a few hours with the favorable south wind. But such was not to be.
The Northeaster: Crete is dotted with mountains, some of them towering 8,000 above sea level. Things started well, but as they rounded Cape Matala, a violent wind rushed down from the mountains, striking the ship. But before long, a hurricane-force wind called “the Northeaster” swept down from the island. Paul and the crew were immediately in danger because once they were blown away from Crete into the open sea, the larger waves were impossible to deal with. When the ship was caught and could not face into the wind enough to sail toward Phoenix, we gave way to it and were driven along (27:14-15; and see Bx – Paul’s Vision of the Man of Macedonia: A closer look at the “us” or “we” passages and sea passages). Ancient ships were not built to head into such a violent wind, so there was no way the Alexandrian ship could hold its course to Phoenix.
Helpless against the wind, the ship was carried some twenty-five nautical miles to a small island called Cauda, which offered some protection from the storm. For the first time the sailors were able to take measures to secure the ship. The first thing they did was to haul in the lifeboat, or dinghy. Luke noted that we were barely able to get control of the dinghy, probably because it had filled with water. Next, when the crew had hoisted it up, they made use of ropes, which passed under the ship to undergird the ship and prevent it from breaking up against the pounding of the wind and the waves. Then, fearing they might run aground on the Greater Syrtis, they also let down the anchor, which they hoped would act as a drag and help prevent the ship from drifting that far south. Nevertheless, we were driven along (27:16-17). The Syrtis were shallow sandbars off the North African coast, the dreaded graveyard of ships in the ancient world. Although the Syrtis were some 400 nautical miles to the south of Cauda, the sailors didn’t know how far the storm might blow the ship.615
There was really little that the ancient ship could do to fight the violent storm, and they were probably taking on water. Surely, they had the mainsail down and allowed the ship to be driven along as it may. Having already taken all the available precautions above, they
then undertook the more serious measure of jettisoning the cargo. But as we were violently battered by the storm, the next day they began throwing cargo overboard. Luke didn’t specify what was thrown from the ship. It was probably most of the wheat, though it later became clear later (27:38) that not all of it at that time (27:18).
Carrying grain raised serious safety hazards on board wooden ships, requiring dry storage in order to prevent infestation, rotting, or fermentation. When wet, grain can swell to double its normal size, and a full load is capable of splitting the plates even of a modern ship. Likewise, because grain “breathes” – taking in oxygen and giving off heat, carbon monoxide, and moisture – it acts as something “alive” and mobile. If not stored in sacks or bins, it not only “flows” in rough seas but also exerts a vertical pressure – nearly 240 pounds when piled up to a height of six feet, for example. In rough seas, its movement can produce a sudden lateral pressure up to 160 pounds per square foot on the hull, creating a real threat of breaking through the wood, or even capsizing the ship.616
On the third day, they threw out the ship’s gear (miscellaneous equipment not crucial to sailing the ship) with their own hands. With the ship now lightened, there was nothing left but to roll with the punches of the wind and the waves. The storm raged on. Luke noted: Neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small storm pressing on us. Without the stars and sun, they had no way of knowing where they were – no gear, no sun, no stars, no hope. Humanly speaking, there appeared to be no chance of survival. They were clearly lost at sea. Despair set in. All hope of being saved was vanishing (27:19-20).617
So far in Acts, Luke had depicted Paul as the apostle to the Gentiles, the pioneer of the Three Missionary Journeys, the prisoner, and the defendant. Now, however, he portrays him in a different light. He is no longer an honored apostle, but an ordinary man among men, a lonely believer (apart from Luke himself and Aristarchus) among 273 (27:37) unbelievers, who were either soldiers, prisoners, merchants or crew members. Surely, Paul was the most experienced traveler on board that ship. All total, Paul sailed eleven voyages and at least 3,500 nautical miles on the Mediterranean before he set sail for Rome. However, it was more than his experience at sea that made Paul stand out as a leader on board ship. It was his unshakable faith and character.618
Paul’s message of hope: The storm was at its height. All sense of direction was lost. Morale was at its lowest ebb. It was at this dark moment that Paul’s leadership skills shone most brightly. No one had the stomach for food, as the ship lurched in the waves. As they had long been without food (they had wheat on board, but they were probably too busy trying to keep the ship together to eat). At this dramatic point, Paul came and stood up in their midst to offer a reassuring word, saying: Men, you should have listened to me and not sailed from Crete, to avoid this disaster and loss. He had been right then, so his words now should be taken with more confidence. Yet now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you – but only of the ship (27:21-22).
Paul began the voyage as a prisoner, but he ended up as the captain. Paul took over the situation when it was obvious that nobody knew what to do. A crisis does not make a person; a crisis shows what a person is made of, and it tends to bring true leadership to light. Paul gently rebuking the centurion, the navigator and the captain for ignoring his warning. Soon they would discover that ADONAI had spared all of them only because of Paul.619
At this point Paul’s prediction changed radically from his former warning. Then he spoke of loss both of ship and life (27:10). Now he spoke only of salvation (Greek: sozo). Since their failure to hear his words of warning led to their current catastrophe, they should not fail to listen to his message of salvation; they must keep up their courage and not give in to despair: For this very night, there came to me an angel of the God (in contrast to their pagan gods) to whom I belong and whom I serve (Greek: latreuo), said: Do not fear, Paul. You must stand before Caesar; and indeed, God has granted (Greek: charizomai, meaning to exercise grace) you all who are sailing with you. So take heart, men, for I believe (Greek: pisteuo, meaning to believe or have faith in) God that it will be exactly as I have been told (27:23-25). Paul didn’t lose any time communicating the gospel.
Take note of what Paul said: I believe God. He didn’t say: I believe in God. Every demon in hell agrees with the existence of God. Paul declared his total confidence in God’s promise. Paul believed God when there was nothing else to believe. He couldn’t believe the sailors, the ship, the sails, the wind, the centurion, human ingenuity or anything else – only God and God alone. This was not a fair-weather faith; he believed God in the midst of the storm, when circumstances were at their worst. His terrible situation was real, but God was more real to Paul than the dreadful circumstances.620
The salvation from the storm was due to the providence of God and His preservation of the apostle for the witness before Caesar. Paul, in effect, served as the salvation of the other 273 men on board. His service (Greek: latreuo) of God indicates his own faithfulness to the Protector, and on that basis of he called upon his listeners for courage to put their own belief and faith in his God.621 This also marks a dramatic turning point in the account of the storm; it had reached its fullest fury. Despair had turned to hope. The focus was no longer on sinking but salvation. Still, their rescue was in the future. Paul encouraged them to take heart, but warned them, “We must run aground on some unknown island before final deliverance (27:26). This prophecy by Paul was fulfilled in 27:41.622
The sailors on board with Paul took steps to deal with the storm that enveloped their ship. In their actions I see practical behaviors we can also apply in our lives for surviving our personal storms. Although the points I am about to make might not apply to a literal ship on an angry sea, they will be helpful in the storms we encounter when someone close to us exercises poor judgment.
First: Don’t pull up the anchor (27:13). The ship’s masters were ill advised to attempt to sail, but they decided to do so anyway. Jesus Christ is our anchor behind the veil, where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf (see the commentary on Hebrews Bc – We Have This Hope as an Anchor for the Soul). When gentle breezes blow in our lives and all seems calm and peaceful, we often become less attentive to Him. We’re not as aware of our need for the One who secures our lives and holds us steady . . . until the storms begin to rage. Don’t let a few calm breezes give you a false sense of security in yourself or your surroundings. Stay anchored to Yeshua Messiah in gentile times also.
Second: Don’t give way to the storm (17:15). Peril caused by another person’s poor judgment can often cause feelings of immense helplessness. Don’t give way to the storm. Give way to the Master of the seas.
Third: Do throw some cargo overboard (27:18). As the storm worsened, the crew began to jettison cargo to keep the ship afloat. Raging storms have ways of identifying some old stuff we’re still hanging on to. When we’re upset over someone’s poor judgment, we have a tendency to drag up memories of other times we’ve been wronged as well. Storms complicate life enough. Ask God to simplify and clarify a few things in your life by helping you throw some old cargo overboard.
Fourth: Do throw the ship’s gear overboard (27:19). After jettisoning the cargo, the crew still needed to further lighten the ship. The gear on board included ropes, pulleys, spars, masts, and planks. They were man-made provisions needed to master the storm. Storms are seldom pleasant, but they can serve an important purpose. They help us to see the man-made solutions we’re substituting in place of depending on and getting to know God.
Fifth: Never give up the ship (27:20). Luke uses the word we when identifying those who gave up hope. This is a man who wrote one of the gospels! How could he lose hope? The text reminds us that anyone can lose hope when a storm rages. But the psalmist offers us a lifesaver in our raging storms, “Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from Him” (Psalm 62:5 NIV). The word hope in this psalm is the Hebrew word tikvah, which literally means a cord, as an attachment. The psalmist contrasted the disappointment he often experienced in mankind with the security he found in his faithful God. We’re all holding on to a rope of some kind for security, but if anyone but God is on the other end, we’re hanging on by a thread! Hang on to Christ for dear life when the waves break harshly against you. He will be your security no matter what the storm may destroy. Only He can keep you from becoming bitter. Only He can rebuild what gale-force winds tear apart. He is our blessed hope, our great God and Savior, Messiah Yeshua (Titus 2:13).
Sixth: Listen for God to speak (27:24). Listen to the Master of the seas when storms rage. He will not be silent. Just when the passengers and crew had lost hope, Paul stood to testify. He told them, “For this very night, there came to me an angel of God to whom I belong and whom I serve. He said: Do not fear, Paul. You must stand before Caesar; and indeed, God has granted [grace] you all who are sailing with you. God won’t send an angel from heaven to speak audibly to you, but He may send a fellow believer, a neighbor, a messianic rabbi, a pastor, relative, spouse, or a friend. You can also hear Him speak through His Word anytime you are willing to open the Bible and receive.
Job also suffered for reasons outside of his control, in ways we will never experience. His faith (Greek: pisteuo, meaning belief or trust) in God never wavered, but Job had questions. The place in which God spoke to Job is very applicable to us today. Job 40:6 tells us that ADONAI answered Job from the whirlwind. God will speak to you also – straight to your heart. Sometimes others can make decisions that are devastating to our lives. I cannot promise you everything will be OK. It may be, it may not be. But I promise you based on the faithfulness of God that you can be OK. Just don’t pull up the anchor. And never let go of the rope.623
Lord, there are times when terrors seem to overtake me like a flood, when the storm winds seem ready to sweep me away at night (Job 27:20). But I know that You have made darkness Your hiding place, Your sukkah is all around You – dark waters, thick clouds. You reach down from on high and took hold of me; You drew me out of mighty waters (Psalm 18:12 and 17).
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