Atos 27
John MacArthur · Citado em PreceptAustin
Atos 27
MacArthur points out that the translation let down the sea anchor may not be accurate - Alternatively, the phrase translated let down the sea anchor may be translated "lowered the gear." In that case, the reference would be to lowering the mainsail, which otherwise would be torn to shreds by the violent wind. However the phrase is translated, the sailors obviously did both—it would have been self-defeating to put out an anchor with the mainsail still rigged. (MacArthur New Testament Commentary – Acts) Larkin on the sandbars of Syrtis - One hundred miles off the Libyan coast and three hundred miles in circumference, this area has deep waters with shallows; "the result is, at the ebb and the flow of the tides, that sailors sometimes fall into the shallows and stick there, and that the safe escape of a boat is rare" (Strabo Geography 17.3.20). So ancient sailors sailing along the North African coast kept a safe distance and took precautions not to be "driven by winds into these gulfs" (Strabo Geography 17.3.20). (The Storm's Fury Acts 27:13-20) Shallows of Syrtis - Syrtis is the modern Gulf of Sidra (pix). There are actually two gulfs on the North African coast known as Syrtis Major and Syrtis Minor. It was well know that "The navigation of them was very dangerous because of their shallow and sunken rocks." (from Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography - 1854). Wikipedia on Syrtis - In ancient literature, the Syrtes (the Greater, or maiores, in the eastern and the Lesser, or minores, in the western part of the Gulf) were notorious sandbanks, which sailors always took pains to avoid. The local climate features frequent calms and a relatively powerful north wind. The shoreline between Cyrene in the east and Carthage in the west featured few ports. Ancient writers frequently mention the sandbanks and their vicinity as dangerous for shipping. NIV Study Bible says that Syrtis was "A long stretch of desolate banks of quicksand along northern Africa off the coast of Tunis and Tripoli—still far away, but in such a storm the ship could be driven a great distance." I Howard Marshall on Syrtis - This was an area of quicksands and shoals off the coast of Libya and was legendary on account of the danger to shipping, like the ‘Bermuda triangle’ today. It was still about 380 miles (611 km) distant, but the sailors were taking no chances. (Tyndale New Testament Commentaries – Acts) James Smith - The mode in which ships are undergirded is thus described by Falconer, in his ‘Marine Dictionary:’—‘To frap a ship (ceintrer un vaisseau) is to pass four or five turns of a large cable-laid rope round the hull or frame of a ship, to support her in a great storm, or otherwise, when it is apprehended that she is not strong enough to resist the violent efforts of the sea; this expedient, however, is rarely put in practice.’ ..Captain (now Sir George) Back, on his perilous return from his Arctic voyage, in 1837, was forced, in consequence of the shattered and leaky condition of his ship, to undergird her. It was thus done:—‘A length of the stream chain cable was passed under the bottom of the ship four feet before the mizen mast, hove tight by the capstan, and finally immovably fixed to six ringbolts on the quarter-deck. The effect was at once manifested by a great diminution in the working of the parts already mentioned; and in a less agreeable way, by impeding her rate of sailing; a trifling consideration, however when compared with the benefit received.’....I have already shown that the same wind which drove them, ‘when yielding to it’ (ἐπιδόντες), to Clauda, would, if they had continued to scud, have driven them directly towards the Syrtis. Under the circumstances in which they were now placed, they had but one course to pursue in order to avoid the apprehended danger, which was to turn the ship’s head off shore, and to set such sail as the violence of the gale would permit them to carry. As they did avoid the danger, we may be certain, notwithstanding the silence of the historian, that this was the course which was adopted....when we are told that ‘they were thus borne along,’that it was not only with the ship undergirded and made snug, but that she had storm sails set, and was on the starboard tack, which was the only course by which she could avoid falling into the Syrtis.(The Voyage and Shipwreck of St Paul ) Acts 27:18 The next day as we were being violently storm-tossed, they began to jettison the cargo; NET Acts 27:18 The next day, because we were violently battered by the storm, they began throwing the cargo overboard, GNT Acts 27:18 σφοδρῶς δὲ χειμαζομένων ἡμῶν τῇ ἑξῆς ἐκβολὴν ἐποιοῦντο NLT Acts 27:18 The next day, as gale-force winds continued to batter the ship, the crew began throwing the cargo overboard. KJV Acts 27:18 And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next day they lightened the ship; ESV Acts 27:18 Since we were violently storm-tossed, they began the next day to jettison the cargo. CSB Acts 27:18 Because we were being severely battered by the storm, they began to jettison the cargo the next day. NIV Acts 27:18 We took such a violent battering from the storm that the next day they began to throw the cargo overboard. NKJ Acts 27:18 And because we were exceedingly tempest-tossed, the next day they lightened the ship. NRS Acts 27:18 We were being pounded by the storm so violently that on the next day they began to throw the cargo overboard, YLT Acts 27:18 And we, being exceedingly tempest-tossed, the succeeding day they were making a clearing, NAB Acts 27:18 We were being pounded by the storm so violently that the next day they jettisoned some cargo, NJB Acts 27:18 As we were thoroughly storm-bound, the next day they began to jettison the cargo, GWN Acts 27:18 We continued to be tossed so violently by the storm that the next day the men began to throw the cargo overboard. BBE Acts 27:18 And, still fighting the storm with all our strength, the day after they made a start at getting the goods out of the ship; being: Ps 107:27 the next: Ac 27:19,38 Jon 1:5 Mt 16:26 Lu 16:8 Php 3:7,8 Heb 12:1 Video - The Storm Acts 27 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries DANGER OF FOUNDERING LEADS TO JETTISONING CARGO The storm continued to rage into the next day forcing additional measures to prevent the ship from foundering, which describes a ship sinking beneath the surface because she is taking on water! The next day as we were being violently storm-tossed, they began to jettison the cargo - The verb "began" (poieo) is in the imperfect tense indicating that they were tossing cargo overboard again and again (over and over the side). One can picture this frantic scene that speaks of their fear and state of desperation. Violently (4971) (sphodros) is used only here in the NT and pertains to being excessive and thus means exceedingly, very much, greatly, violently. Louw-Nida says that sprodros refers to "a very high point on a scale of extent and in many contexts implying vehemence or violence.'" In classic Greek it was used by Plato to refer to men as violent or impetuous. There are 2 uses in the Septuagint - Ge 7:19, Josh 3:16. Storm-tossed (5492)(cheimazo from cheima = winter weather) is used only here in the NT and means “to struggle with the elements” such as a storm or fierce gale (Liddell-Scott). Abbott-Smith says it means to expose to winter cold, go into winter quarters or to drive with storm; passive, to be driven with storm, tempest-tossed. Cheimazo implies exposure to bad weather or severe cold such as is common in winter. To experience a tempest. Of a storm that impedes navigation, tossing the ship. In secular use it referred to that which caused physical or psychological stress as the distress of pregnancy. The verb is in the present tense indicating the ship was being continually storm tossed. And all this with no Dramamine! Liddell-Scott adds the verb was used in secular writings meaning to agitate or distress like a storm. Jettison the cargo (Only NT use. See English definition)(1546)(ekbole from ek = out + ballo = throw) literally means a throwing or casting out in this context so as to lighten the ship's load. This same noun is used in Jonah 1:5 where the sailors became afraid of the storm and "threw the cargo" into the sea.
Atos 27
MacArthur comments that "The others were to benefit from the Lord's protection of Paul (cf. Gen. 39:5, 23; 1 Cor. 7:14). Unbelievers have no idea how much they owe, in the mercy of God, to the presence of righteous men among them. (MacArthur New Testament Commentary – Acts) John G. Butler adds that “While the lying, liberal news media and other liberal organizations, such as the ACLU, scorn Christianity, they will one day discover that but for those Christians they despised, our nation would have been destroyed long ago.”
Atos 27
MacArthur comments that Paul makes this statement "perhaps for the benefit of any skeptics who might have wondered how they were going to escape drowning if the ship were lost, the apostle." (Ibid) But we must run aground on a certain island - Notice that the verb must (dei) speaks of an absolute necessity and is used three times in this description of the storm and shipwreck. The first use is what they should have done (Acts 27:21), the second use of the necessity of Paul to stand before Caesar (Acts 27:24) and the present use that they must strike land. The angel did not reveal to Paul the name of the island on which they would run aground. It was enough for him (and presumably the rest of the party) to know they would wreck on land and not on the open sea. This specific detail would assure those who heard Paul's prediction that His God knew the future and that Paul was not simply guessing. The fact that Paul stated it was an island would mean that they would not be carried into the dangerous sandbanks of Syrtis which were on the coast of Africa, so that was also good news. Run aground (1601)(ekpipto from ek = from + pípto = to fall) literally means to fall off or from (like withered blossoms James 1:11), of fetters (Acts 12:7) and here as a technical nautical term meaning to drift off course, be driven onto rocks or in this specific instance to run aground. ,Ekpipto was used there other times in Luke's description of the shipwreck scene (Acts 27:17 = might run aground, Acts 27:29 = might run aground and Acts 28:32 = let it fall away [speaking of ship's ropes]). Gangel observes that "Luke records no response to Paul's promise. Had the men cheered or fallen on their knees on the deck to worship Paul's God, we can be sure Luke would have told us. Instead, they would wait to see whether this promise of hope had any substance." (Holman New Testament Commentary – Acts) Acts 27:27 But when the fourteenth night came, as we were being driven about in the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors began to surmise that they were approaching some land. NET Acts 27:27 When the fourteenth night had come, while we were being driven across the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors suspected they were approaching some land. GNT Acts 27:27 Ὡς δὲ τεσσαρεσκαιδεκάτη νὺξ ἐγένετο διαφερομένων ἡμῶν ἐν τῷ Ἀδρίᾳ, κατὰ μέσον τῆς νυκτὸς ὑπενόουν οἱ ναῦται προσάγειν τινὰ αὐτοῖς χώραν. NLT Acts 27:27 About midnight on the fourteenth night of the storm, as we were being driven across the Sea of Adria, the sailors sensed land was near. KJV Acts 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; ESV Acts 27:27 When the fourteenth night had come, as we were being driven across the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors suspected that they were nearing land. CSB Acts 27:27 When the fourteenth night came, we were drifting in the Adriatic Sea, and in the middle of the night the sailors thought they were approaching land. NIV Acts 27:27 On the fourteenth night we were still being driven across the Adriatic Sea, when about midnight the sailors sensed they were approaching land. NKJ Acts 27:27 Now when the fourteenth night had come, as we were driven up and down in the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors sensed that they were drawing near some land. NRS Acts 27:27 When the fourteenth night had come, as we were drifting across the sea of Adria, about midnight the sailors suspected that they were nearing land. YLT Acts 27:27 And when the fourteenth night came -- we being borne up and down in the Adria -- toward the middle of the night the sailors were supposing that some country drew nigh to them; NAB Acts 27:27 On the fourteenth night, as we were still being driven about on the Adriatic Sea, toward midnight the sailors began to suspect that they were nearing land. NJB Acts 27:27 On the fourteenth night we were being driven one way and another in the Adriatic, when about midnight the crew sensed that land of some sort was near. GWN Acts 27:27 On the fourteenth night we were still drifting through the Mediterranean Sea. About midnight the sailors suspected that we were approaching land. the fourteenth: Ac 27:18-20 the sailors: Ac 27:30 1Ki 9:27 Jon 1:6 Rev 18:17 Video - The Storm Acts 27 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries DRIVEN ABOUT IN THE ADRIATIC SEA AT THE MERCY OF THE STORM BUT IN THE HANDS OF GOD But when the fourteenth night came - That's about 324 hours on a violently stormy sea! Presumably this is the fourteenth day after departure from Crete (Fair Havens). Thus they have been in this raging storm for two full weeks. Little wonder that they might be seasick! H A Ironside on the fourteenth night - Think of it! Fourteen awful days and nights in a dreadful storm, and all they had to rest on was the word of God that they would get safely to shore! Sir William Ramsay - On the fourteenth midnight, the practised senses of the sailors detected that land was nearing: probably, as Smith suggests, they heard the breakers, and, as an interesting confirmation of his suggestion, one old Latin version reads “that land was resounding”.61 was now necessary to choose where they should beach the vessel; for the sound of the breakers warned them that the coast was dangerous. In the dark no choice was possible; and they therefore were forced to anchor. With a strong wind blowing it was doubtful whether the cables and anchors would hold; therefore, to give themselves every chance, they let go four anchors. (St Paul the Traveler and the Roman Citizen - page 175) As we were being driven about in the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors began to surmise that they were approaching (prosago - coming near) some land - Or "being tossed up and down in". Of course Luke did not realize where they were being driven at the time this was occurring but later realized it was over what was known as the Adriatic Sea. Note that this is not the modern Adriatic Sea that is between Italy and Yugoslavia, but is what we today call the Ionian Sea (see map of Adriatic and Ionian Seas). Some sources refer to it as the Sea of Adria, southeast of Italy. Notice that they were supposedly wide awake at midnight! One wonders how much sleep any of the passengers had during this harrowing 2 weeks! These seasoned sailors began to surmise or have a suspicion that it was "Land Ahoy!" Presumably they could hear waves breaking which indicated a beach lay close by. So after traveling westward for two weeks they had covered about 475 miles from Cauda to Maltal. Polhill observes that "There was a rocky promontory on the northeast extremity of Malta now known as Point Koura (see map above). The breakers against Koura are audible for some distance, and it was perhaps this sound that alerted the sailors to the possibility that they were nearing land" (New American Commentary – Volume 26: Acts) Were being driven about (1308)(diaphero from dia = separation, through + phéro = carry, bear) means to bear different ways (dia = duo - two), one way and then another way. Picture the vessel taking a zigzag movement. Here in the passive sense it describes the ship being driven about, continuing to be tossed to and fro in the rough seas. Surmise (imperfect tense - over and over, again and again)(5282)(huponoeo from hupo = under + noeo = think) literally means to "think under" and so to secretly think or think secretly. In a bad sense it means to suspect or suppose something, to hold a suspicion as in Acts 25:18 ("they began bringing charges against him not of such crimes as I was expecting"). More generally it means to suppose, conjecture, assume (as in our present passage). To regard as in Acts 13:25 (the third and final use in NT) where John the Baptist asked "What do you think I am? I am not He (Jesus)." BDAG has "to form an opinion or conjecture on the basis of slight evidence." Louw- Nida - “to have an opinion based on scant evidence, often with the implication of regarding a false opinion as true." Used once in Septuagint in Da 7:25. Liddell-Scott adds - to suspect that; feel suspicious of. Generally, to suspect, conjecture, form guesses about, by conjecture. Gangel reminds that "The true anchors in any storm—physical, emotional, or spiritual—can only be found in faith, hope, prayer, and the sovereignty of God." (Ibid) Warren
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MacArthur - God's promise that all would be saved (Acts 27:24) assumed they would stay together; the sailors' treachery threatened that unity. Nor did God's promise negate human responsibility. God uses natural means, and He was there using Paul, the centurion and his soldiers, as well as those wicked sailors. The sailors' skills would be sorely needed the next day (cf. Acts 27:39-41), when escape from the ship actually took place. Not about to repeat their earlier mistake of failing to listen to Paul (which by now they deeply regretted), the soldiers cut away the ropes of the ship's boat, and let it fall away. (Ibid) You yourselves cannot be saved - Presumably by this description includes Julius and all of the other passengers! This would arouse the centurion's attention for sure as he had now witnessed Paul's other predictions being fulfilled!