Paul’s Sea Voyage to Rome Acts 27:1-44

By way of a review, Paul has appealed his case to Rome (Caesar), for he has moved out of the jurisdiction of Festus, the Governor, and King Agrippa.  King Agrippa made this statement regarding Paul’s case: “This man might have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed unto Caesar” (Acts 26:32).  Now that Paul had made his appeal to Caesar, he is out of the jurisdiction of Festus and King Agrippa.

In this dramatic chapter 27, we have his thrilling voyage to Rome.  As Paul makes his voyage to Italy, he and other prisoners are put in charge of a centurion by the name of Julius (v. 1).  With the crew entering into the ship of Adramyttium and travelling up the coast to Sidon, Paul is granted a great latitude of liberty by Julius the centurion as they sail to Cyrus (vv. 2-4).  Continuing on their voyage, the centurion changes ships, and Paul will admonish the centurion that the voyage will be in danger; however, in their voyage, they continued and sailed close to Crete (vv. 5-13).

From verses 14-26, on the Mediterranean Sea, the voyage was met with a fierce and tempestuous wind called Euroclydon.  In the midst of the terrible storm, the Lord appeared to Paul and assured him that he was going to see Rome.  Paul displayed great confidence in God as the voyage was in danger, saying: “And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man’s life among you, but of the ship.  For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, Saying, Fear not, Paul: thou must be brought before Caesar: and lo God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.  Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me” (vv. 22-25).

Paul continues on the voyage to place his faith in God as he admonished those on board to remain in the ship, for all will be saved; and Paul urges all on board to eat, all two hundred and seventy-six people (vv. 27-38).  After much frantic activity, the voyage made a miraculous landing, for God certainly fulfilled His promise that Paul and all the two hundred and seventy-six frantic people on the ship would get to the land safely! (vv. 39-44)

May God Bless!