English · KJV

John Chrysostom

Nicene & Post-Nicene · AD 325–500 · 7,356 passages across 56 books

Commentary

2,401–2,420 of 7,356
Acts 27:1-2

And when it was determined that we should sail into Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners unto one named Julius, a centurion of Augustus' band.

See how far Aristarchus also accompanies Paul. To good and useful purpose is Aristarchus present, as he would take back the report of all to Macedonia.
Acts 27:3 · 2 passages

And the next day we touched at Sidon. And Julius courteously entreated Paul, and gave him liberty to go unto his friends to refresh himself.

Aristarchus accompanies Paul for a while. He is fittingly and usefully present with the intention of reporting everything concerning him in Macedonia.

CATENA ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 27.1-3

"And Julius courteously entreated Paul, and gave him liberty to go unto his friends to refresh himself. Julius gave Paul liberty," it says, acting "courteously, that he might refresh himself;" as it was but natural that he should be much the worse from his bonds and the fear, and the being dragged hither and thither. See how the writer does not hide this either, that Paul wished "to refresh himself."
Acts 27:4

And when we had launched from thence, we sailed under Cyprus, because the winds were contrary.

Again trials, again contrary winds. See how the life of the saints is thus interwoven throughout: escaped from the court of justice, they fall in with shipwreck and storm.
Acts 27:5 · 2 passages

And when we had sailed over the sea of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city of Lycia.

See how God does not innovate or change the order of nature, but suffers them to sail into the unfavorable winds. But even so the miracle is wrought. That they may sail safely, He did not let them go out in the open sea, but they always sailed near the land.
Again trials, again contrary winds. See how the life of the saints is so composed of all these things: he escaped the court, and they fall into a shipwreck and a storm.

CATENA ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 27.4-5

Acts 27:6

And there the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing into Italy; and he put us therein.

"A ship of Alexandria," it says. It is likely that both those in the former ship would bear to Asia the report of what had befallen Paul, and that these would do the same in Lycia. See how God does not innovate or change the order of nature, but suffers them to sail into the unfavorable winds. But even so the miracle is wrought. That they may sail safely, He did not let them go out in the open sea, but they always sailed near the land.
Acts 27:9

Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them,

By "the fast" here, I suppose he means that of the Jews. For they departed thence a long time after the Pentecost, so that it was much about midwinter that they arrived at the coasts of Crete. And this too was no slight miracle, that they also should be saved on his account.
Acts 27:10 · 2 passages

And said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives.

And observe how unassuming the expression is. That he may not seem to prophesy, but to speak as of conjecture, "I perceive," says he. For they would not have received it, had he said this at the outset. In fact he does prophesy on this former occasion, as he does afterward, and says there, "The God whom I serve," leading them on. Then how comes it that it was not "with loss" of any "of their lives?" It would have been so, but that God brought them safe through it. For as far as depended on the nature of the thing, they had perished, but God prevented it.
See [Paul's] modesty: in order that he may not appear to prophesy but to speak as if from supposition, he says "I see." They would have not received his words if he had pronounced them at once. In the first place he prophesies and says, "God, whom I worship," thus leading them. How would have it happened without a loss of lives? There surely would be such a loss if God did not save them.

CATENA ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 27.10

Acts 27:11

Nevertheless the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul.

Then, to show that it was not from conjecture that he so spake, the master of the ship said the contrary, and he a man of experience in the matter: so far was it from being the case that Paul's advice was given from conjecture. Moreover, the place suggested this same which the master said, "being not commodious;" and it was evident that from conjecture "the more part advised" as they did, rather than Paul.
Acts 27:13-15

And when the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, loosing thence, they sailed close by Crete.

Mark then the providential ordering of the events: first indeed, "when the south wind blew softly, supposing they had obtained their purpose," they loosed the vessel, and came forth; then when the wind bore down upon them, they gave way to it driving them, and were with difficulty saved.
Acts 27:18-20

And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next day they lightened the ship;

Then, severe the storm, deep the darkness: and that they may not forget, the vessel also goes to pieces, and the corn is flung out and all beside, that they may not have it in their power after this to be shameless. For this is why the vessel goes to pieces, and their souls are tightly braced. Moreover, both the storm and the darkness contributed not a little to his obtaining the hearing he did.
Acts 27:21

But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss.

Then after so great a storm he does not speak as insultingly over them, but as wishing that at any rate he might be believed for the future. Wherefore also he alleges what had taken place for a testimony of the truth of what was about to be said by him. One is not likely to have a good reception, when he chides in the midst of calamity; but when he tells them what more there is to come of the calamity, and then predicts the good, then he is acceptable. Therefore he attacks them then first, when "all hope that they should be saved was taken away": that none may say, Nothing has come of it. And their fear also bears witness.
Acts 27:22-26

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.

And he foretells two things; both that they must be cast upon an island, and that though the ship would be lost, those who were in it should be saved - which thing he spoke not of conjecture, but of prophecy - and that he "must be brought before Caesar." But this that he says, "God hath given thee all," is not spoken boastfully, but in the wish to win those who were sailing in the ship: for he spoke thus, not that they might feel themselves bound to him, but that they might believe what he was saying. "God hath given thee;" as much as to say, They are worthy indeed of death, since they would not listen to thee: however, this is done out of favor to thee.
Acts 27:23-24

For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve,

"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." So that righteous men, though they may be in a tempest, or on the sea, or in the deep, suffer nothing dreadful, but even save others together with themselves. If here was a ship in danger and suffering wreck, and prisoners were saved for Paul's sake, consider what a thing it is to have a holy man in a house: for many are the tempests which assail us also, tempests far more grievous than these natural ones, but He can also give us to be delivered, if only we obey holy men as those in the ship did, if we do what they enjoin. For they are not simply saved, but themselves also contributed to other men's believing. Though the holy man be in bonds, he does greater works than those who are free.
Acts 27:24 · 2 passages

Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.

See how, after such a storm, [Paul] does not speak to them by insulting them but desiring that later they will believe him. Therefore he takes the things he had said as a testimony of the truth of those things he will say. And he predicts two events: first, that they will land on an island, lose the ship, but be safe (and this was a prophecy and not a supposition), and second, that "he had to stand before Caesar."

CATENA ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 27.21-24

"God hath given thee all them that sail with thee." This is not spoken boastfully, but in the wish to win those who were sailing in the ship: for he spoke thus, not that they might feel themselves bound to him, but that they might believe what he was saying. "God hath given thee;" as much as to say, They are worthy indeed of death, since they would not listen to thee: however, this is done out of favor to thee.
Acts 27:30-32

And as the shipmen were about to flee out of the ship, when they had let down the boat into the sea, under colour as though they would have cast anchors out of the foreship,

The sailors however, were about to escape, having no faith in what was said: but the centurion does believe Paul. For he says, If these flee, "ye cannot be saved": so saying, not on this account, but that he might restrain them, and the prophecy might not fall to the ground. See how as in a church they are instructed by the calmness of Paul's behavior, how he saved them out of the very midst of the dangers. And it is of providential ordering that Paul is disbelieved, that after proof of the facts, he might be believed: which accordingly was the case.
Acts 27:31

Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved.

Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, "Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved": so saying, not on this account, but that he might restrain them, and the prophecy might not fall to the ground. Accordingly observe how the centurion does as he bids him, insomuch that he even let the boat go, and destroyed it. And if the sailors did not as yet comply with his bidding, yet afterwards they do so: for in fact this is a reckless sort of people.

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