Introduction
Despite the shipwreck on the way to Rome, all escape safe to land.
Questions
1. What was Paul's prediction about their proposed journey?
v 10 ... “Sirs, I perceive that the voyage will be with injury and much loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives.”
2. What encouraged them to ignore Paul's warning?
v 13 When the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, they weighed anchor and sailed along Crete, close to shore.
3. What was Paul's later prediction about their journey?
v 22 to 24 Now I exhort you to cheer up, for there will be no loss of life amongst you, but only of the ship. For there stood by me this night an angel, belonging to the God whose I am and whom I serve, saying, ‘Don’t be afraid, Paul. You must stand before Caesar. Behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.’
Summary Points
- v 1 to 8 Paul, along with other prisoners is to be taken to Rome by ship. They leave Caesarea and sail round Cyprus and along the coast of Cilicia, Pamphylia and Lycia (southern Turkey) where they board a second ship and slowly reach Crete
- v 9 to 12 The master of the ship decides to sail to Phoenix, a more attractive port along the coast of Crete. Paul’s warning of certain disaster is ignored
- v 13 to 20 Not long after, a stormy offshore wind blows them off course. Unable to control the ship they are driven by the wind for many days and despair of surviving
- v 21 to 32 After many days without food, Paul says that an angel has assured him that they will run aground on an island and that there will be no loss of life. On the 14th night they detect that they are nearing land and Paul prevents the sailors from abandoning the ship
- v 33 to 44 Paul encourages them all to eat some food and assures them they will all escape to land. The centurion prevents the soldiers from killing the prisoners in case they escape. The ship runs aground and breaks up, but everyone escapes safely to the land