Now when it was day, they did not recognize the land, but they noticed a bay with a beach, on which they planned if possible to run the ship ashore. So they cast off the anchors and left them in the sea, at the same time loosening the ropes that tied the rudders. Then hoisting the foresail to the wind they made for the beach. But striking a reef, they ran the vessel aground. The bow stuck and remained immovable, and the stern was being broken up by the surf. The soldiers' plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any should swim away and escape. But the centurion, wishing to save Paul, kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and make for the land, and the rest on planks or on pieces of the ship. And so it was that all were brought safely to land.
loosening the ropes that tied the rudders - "The word 'bands' occurs only here; and the word 'rudder' only again in Jas 3:4. Ancient ships had two paddle-rudders, one on either side. These had been hauled in and lashed up while the vessel lay anchored. They were now unloosed and adjusted in their proper places again, being required to steer the ship straight for the shore." (Walker)
hoisting the foresail to the wind - "Most commentators seem to feel that it was a 'foresail,' rather than the 'mainsail' that was hoisted to the wind at this time. We question this, however, for the following reasons: First, there is little or no proof that the word 'artemon' must or may signify a foresail. Second, there is no indication, and little probability, that the ship had a foremast. Third, we know that the mainsail had been lowered (Ver. 17) and that this was then used as a storm sail, or that a small storm sail was set. Finally, it was naturally their purpose to run the ship as far ashore as possible. It would appear, therefore, that a larger sail would afford the force needed to accomplish this. Even so, they failed to achieve their purpose, for, heading toward short they ran aground on a shoal formed by two opposing currents (Ver. 41, 'where two seas met')." (Stam)
striking a reef - "They did not reach the shore but ran aground on a shoal." (Ryrie)
The soldiers' plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any should swim away and escape - "Soldiers were executed if their prisoners escaped, but God through the centurion overruled their intention to kill the prisoners." (Ryrie)
"The severity of Roman military discipline caused the soldiers to urge their [the prisoners] immediate execution, for should any of them escape, it would then cost the soldiers their lives." (Stam)
"Luke was not inspired to go into such detail and make so much of this voyage to Rome merely to provide us with a thrilling and dramatic narrative ... Paul's departure from Jerusalem to Rome is significant of the transfer of God's blessing from Israel to the Gentiles. Soon the apostle's ministry will no longer be to 'the Jew first.' When he arrives at Rome he will tell the Jewish leaders there that 'the salvation of God has been sent unto the Gentiles (Acts 28:28). The Gentile is now to occupy the prominent place in the purpose of God as more Gentiles than Jews worship Israel's God and His Christ. Those who find difficulty in reconciling this with the doctrine of the one joint body should observe that while abundant grace is offered equally to Jew and Gentile and the merits of Christ crucified apply equally to both (Rom 10:12) and while believing Jews and Gentiles are indeed reconciled to God in one body by the cross (Eph 2:16) yet practically speaking, this is a Gentile dispensation, for the simple reason that Israel, as a nation, has rejected Christ and believing Jews in the Body form so small a minority. This is why God's work today is called: 'this mystery among the Gentiles' (Col 1:27). (The fulfillment of prophecy among the Gentiles awaits Israel's conversion - Zech 8:13; Rom 15:8-10; etc.) Further, since Acts is the story of the fall of Israel it is not strange to find this voyage teaching a figurative dispensational lesson too, for signs, parables and figures have always been significant in Israel's history.
"Thus the passage depicts the voyage of the Church (the professing Church, within which, in this present dispensation, are the members of the Body of Christ) through the present dispensation, as it leaves Judaism behind. The sea symbolizes the unsaved masses (Isa ;57:20); the contrary wind, the antagonism of Satan (Eph 2:2). (Thus our Lord 'rebuked' the wind (Mk 4:39). In the passage before us the wind is always against them, except once, when it deceives them - Vers. 13,14). The ship is finally wrecked, but all who sail with Paul are brought safe to short (Ver. 44). Paul is the outstanding figure aboard ship. He gives advice as to the journey (Vers. 9,10) and when this is rejected and trouble results, he rebukes them saying: 'Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me' (Ver. 21). It is he who cheers his fellow-passengers as, by divine revelation, he declares that all those sailing with him will survive the storm (Vers. 24,25) and it is he who persuades them finally to partake of food and presides in the giving of thanks (Vers. 34-36)." (Stam)
loosening the ropes that tied the rudders - "The word 'bands' occurs only here; and the word 'rudder' only again in Jas 3:4. Ancient ships had two paddle-rudders, one on either side. These had been hauled in and lashed up while the vessel lay anchored. They were now unloosed and adjusted in their proper places again, being required to steer the ship straight for the shore." (Walker)
hoisting the foresail to the wind - "Most commentators seem to feel that it was a 'foresail,' rather than the 'mainsail' that was hoisted to the wind at this time. We question this, however, for the following reasons: First, there is little or no proof that the word 'artemon' must or may signify a foresail. Second, there is no indication, and little probability, that the ship had a foremast. Third, we know that the mainsail had been lowered (Ver. 17) and that this was then used as a storm sail, or that a small storm sail was set. Finally, it was naturally their purpose to run the ship as far ashore as possible. It would appear, therefore, that a larger sail would afford the force needed to accomplish this. Even so, they failed to achieve their purpose, for, heading toward short they ran aground on a shoal formed by two opposing currents (Ver. 41, 'where two seas met')." (Stam)
striking a reef - "They did not reach the shore but ran aground on a shoal." (Ryrie)
The soldiers' plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any should swim away and escape - "Soldiers were executed if their prisoners escaped, but God through the centurion overruled their intention to kill the prisoners." (Ryrie)
"The severity of Roman military discipline caused the soldiers to urge their [the prisoners] immediate execution, for should any of them escape, it would then cost the soldiers their lives." (Stam)
"Luke was not inspired to go into such detail and make so much of this voyage to Rome merely to provide us with a thrilling and dramatic narrative ... Paul's departure from Jerusalem to Rome is significant of the transfer of God's blessing from Israel to the Gentiles. Soon the apostle's ministry will no longer be to 'the Jew first.' When he arrives at Rome he will tell the Jewish leaders there that 'the salvation of God has been sent unto the Gentiles (Acts 28:28). The Gentile is now to occupy the prominent place in the purpose of God as more Gentiles than Jews worship Israel's God and His Christ. Those who find difficulty in reconciling this with the doctrine of the one joint body should observe that while abundant grace is offered equally to Jew and Gentile and the merits of Christ crucified apply equally to both (Rom 10:12) and while believing Jews and Gentiles are indeed reconciled to God in one body by the cross (Eph 2:16) yet practically speaking, this is a Gentile dispensation, for the simple reason that Israel, as a nation, has rejected Christ and believing Jews in the Body form so small a minority. This is why God's work today is called: 'this mystery among the Gentiles' (Col 1:27). (The fulfillment of prophecy among the Gentiles awaits Israel's conversion - Zech 8:13; Rom 15:8-10; etc.) Further, since Acts is the story of the fall of Israel it is not strange to find this voyage teaching a figurative dispensational lesson too, for signs, parables and figures have always been significant in Israel's history.
"Thus the passage depicts the voyage of the Church (the professing Church, within which, in this present dispensation, are the members of the Body of Christ) through the present dispensation, as it leaves Judaism behind. The sea symbolizes the unsaved masses (Isa ;57:20); the contrary wind, the antagonism of Satan (Eph 2:2). (Thus our Lord 'rebuked' the wind (Mk 4:39). In the passage before us the wind is always against them, except once, when it deceives them - Vers. 13,14). The ship is finally wrecked, but all who sail with Paul are brought safe to short (Ver. 44). Paul is the outstanding figure aboard ship. He gives advice as to the journey (Vers. 9,10) and when this is rejected and trouble results, he rebukes them saying: 'Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me' (Ver. 21). It is he who cheers his fellow-passengers as, by divine revelation, he declares that all those sailing with him will survive the storm (Vers. 24,25) and it is he who persuades them finally to partake of food and presides in the giving of thanks (Vers. 34-36)." (Stam)
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