Thematic Bible

Themes in Acts 27

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Themes in Acts 27

Acts 27:1 (show verse)

And when it was decided that we should sail for Italy, they transferred Paul and certain other prisoners to the custody of a military officer named Julius, of the Augustan battalion.

Armies » March in ranks » Roman army » Centurions
Armies » March in ranks » Divided into "bands" (rv margin, cohorts,)
Augustus » An important roman emperor
Julius » Enturion
Paul » prisoner » sails » sidon » Myra
Prisoners » Kindness to » By julius, the centurion
The Roman empire » Allusions to military affairs of » Italian and augustus' band
ship » sails
Soldiers » Perform escort duty

We boarded a ship [originating] from Adramyttium which was ready to sail [from here in Caesarea], heading out to sea for parts of the coast of [the province of] Asia. Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica, went with us.

Adramyttium » A city » A city of mysia
Aristarchus » Companion » Paul
Commerce » Transportation of passengers
Macedonia » Disciples in
Paul » prisoner » sails » sidon » Myra
ship » Used in commerce » For passenger traffic
ship » Used in commerce » With adramyttium
Ships » Employed in » Carrying passengers
Ships » Generally impelled by sails
Ships » Mentioned in scripture » Of adramyttium
Thessalonica » Men of, accompany paul

Acts 27:3 (show verse)

The next day we stopped at Sidon [i.e., a seaport on the northwest coast of Palestine]. Julius treated Paul with kindness, [even] giving him the opportunity to meet his friends [there] and receive help [from them].

Courtesy » General references to
Julius » Enturion
Kindness » Instances of » Julius to paul
Paul » prisoner » sails » sidon » Myra
Phenicia » Paul visits the congregations in
Prisoners » Kindness to » By julius, the centurion
Ships » Generally impelled by sails
sidon » A city » A city on the northern boundary of the canaanites » Visited by paul
The Sidonians » Dwelt on the sea coast
Social duties » Compassion » Courtesy, general references to

Acts 27:4 (show verse)

We headed out to sea from there and sailed along the sheltered side of Cyprus because the wind was against us.

Cyprus » An island
Paul » prisoner » sails » sidon » Myra
Ships » Generally impelled by sails

Acts 27:5 (show verse)

When we had sailed across the sea, off [the coast of] Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, [a town] of Lycia.

Cilicia » Sea of
Lycia » Paul visits
Myra » A city » A city of lycia; paul visits
Pamphylia » Sea of
Paul » prisoner » sails » sidon » Myra
Ships » Generally impelled by sails

Acts 27:6 (show verse)

There Julius, the military officer, arranged [passage] for us on a ship, [originating] from Alexandria, [and] bound for Italy, and put us on board.

Alexandria » Ships of
Commerce » Transportation of passengers
Myra » A city » A city of lycia; paul visits
Paul » transferred to » ship
Ships » Generally impelled by sails
Ships » Mentioned in scripture » Of alexandria

Acts 27:7 (show verse)

When we had sailed slowly for many days [and] had trouble passing Cnidus because of an unfavorable wind, we sailed on the sheltered side of Crete and on past Salmone.

Cnidus » A city » Asia minor
Crete » Visited by paul
Paul » transferred to » ship
Salmone » A promontory of the island of crete
Ships » Generally impelled by sails

Acts 27:8 (show verse)

After making our way along the coast [of Crete] with difficulty, we arrived at a place called Fair Harbors [i.e., the principal seaport of the island], which was near the town of Lasea.

Fair havens » Paul tarries at, on his way to rome
Lasea » A city » A city of crete
Paul » transferred to » ship

Acts 27:9 (show verse)

After much time had passed, the voyage became more dangerous because it was [now] past the Day of Atonement [Note: This would have been around September or October, when a sea voyage involved rough sailing]. So, Paul began warning the people [aboard ship],

Atonement » Day of » How observed
Meteorology and celestial phenomena » Phenomena of » The autumnal weather on the mediterranean
Paul » Predicts misfortune to the ship; his counsel not heeded, and the voyage resumes
the Sea » Sailing on, dangerous
ship » sails
Winter » Unsuited for » Navigation

Acts 27:10 (show verse)

saying, "Sirs, I can see that this voyage will result in suffering and much loss, not only to the ship and its cargo, but also to our [very] lives."

Meteorology » Forecast of the weather
Meteorology and celestial phenomena » Phenomena of » The autumnal weather on the mediterranean
Paul » Predicts misfortune to the ship; his counsel not heeded, and the voyage resumes
Prophecy » Miscellaneous, fulfilled » The destruction of the ship (on which paul and the others sailed) predicted and fulfilled
ship » Used in commerce
Weather » Forecast of

Acts 27:11 (show verse)

But the military officer paid more attention to the captain and to the owner of the ship than to what Paul was saying.

Armies » March in ranks » Roman army » Centurions
Meteorology and celestial phenomena » Phenomena of » The autumnal weather on the mediterranean
Paul » Predicts misfortune to the ship; his counsel not heeded, and the voyage resumes
Rashness » Instances of » Julius, the roman centurion, in rejecting paul's counsel
Ships » Commanded by a master
Ships » Often the property of individuals

Acts 27:12 (show verse)

And, because the harbor was not suitable for staying in all winter, most of those on board were in favor of putting out to sea from there. They were hoping to reach Phoenix, [another] harbor on [the island of] Crete, which faced northwest and southwest, and [then] to spend the winter there.

Crete » Visited by paul
Meteorology and celestial phenomena » Phenomena of » The autumnal weather on the mediterranean
Paul » Predicts misfortune to the ship; his counsel not heeded, and the voyage resumes
Phenice » A harbor » Crete
Winter » Ships were laid up in port during
Winter » Shipping suspended in, on the mediterranean sea

Acts 27:13 (show verse)

When the south wind began to blow gently, they raised anchor, thinking this was the opportunity they had hoped for, [then] sailed close to the coastline of [southern] Crete.

Crete » Visited by paul
Meteorology » Wind » South
Meteorology and celestial phenomena » Phenomena of » The autumnal weather on the mediterranean
Paul » Predicts misfortune to the ship; his counsel not heeded, and the voyage resumes
Phenice » A harbor » Crete
Wind » South wind

Acts 27:14 (show verse)

But a short time later, a violent northeasterly wind they called "Euraquilo" swept down,

Euroclydon » A tempestuous wind
Meteorology » Storms » Tempests
Meteorology and celestial phenomena » Phenomena of » The autumnal weather on the mediterranean
Paul » storm » Comforts
Paul » The ship is wrecked, and all on board take refuge on the island of melita (malta)
ship » At melita (malta)
Storms » Tempests
Wind » Mentioned in scripture » Euroclydon

Acts 27:15 (show verse)

and when the ship was caught [by it], we were not able to face the wind, so had to give in and allow the ship to drift.

Paul » storm » Comforts
Paul » The ship is wrecked, and all on board take refuge on the island of melita (malta)

Acts 27:16 (show verse)

Then, sailing on the sheltered side of a small island named Cauda, we experienced difficulty in trying to secure the ship's life-boat.

Clauda » Better manuscripts have cauda » An island near crete
Paul » storm » Comforts
Paul » The ship is wrecked, and all on board take refuge on the island of melita (malta)

Acts 27:17 (show verse)

And when they [finally] got the boat hoisted up, they slung [rope] cables underneath [and around] the hull [of the ship to reinforce it]. Then, fearing the ship would run aground on the [shifting], shallow sandbar [called] Syrtis, they lowered their [navigation] gear [Note: This may have been sails, rigging, etc.] and so were driven [as a derelict by the wind].

Mariners (sailors) » Perils of
Paul » storm » Comforts
Paul » The ship is wrecked, and all on board take refuge on the island of melita (malta)
ship » sails
Ships » Endangered by » Quicksands
Ships » When damaged were sometimes undergirded with cables

Acts 27:18 (show verse)

As we were being severely battered by the storm, they began the next day to throw the cargo overboard [i.e., to lighten the ship].

Mariners (sailors) » Perils of
Meteorology » Storms » Allusions to remarkable
Paul » storm » Comforts
Paul » The ship is wrecked, and all on board take refuge on the island of melita (malta)
Prophecy » Miscellaneous, fulfilled » The destruction of the ship (on which paul and the others sailed) predicted and fulfilled
Storms » Allusions to remarkable
Wind » Tempestuous » Drives about the largest ships

Acts 27:19 (show verse)

On the third day, they handed [the rest of] the ship's gear to each other, and threw it overboard [Note: This was perhaps furniture, rigging, sails, baggage, etc.].

Mariners (sailors) » Perils of
Paul » storm » Comforts
Paul » The ship is wrecked, and all on board take refuge on the island of melita (malta)
Prophecy » Miscellaneous, fulfilled » The destruction of the ship (on which paul and the others sailed) predicted and fulfilled
ship » Equipped with » Tackling
Ships » Parts of, mentioned » The tackling

Acts 27:20 (show verse)

When they could see neither the sun nor the stars for many days [due to the storm], and with the wind blowing furiously on them, they gave up all hope of [ever] being saved.

Despair » General references to
Despondency » Instances of » The sailors with paul
Man » Extremity of examples of » Paul and his companions on the sea
Man's » Examples of » Paul and his companions on the sea
Mariners (sailors) » Perils of
Meteorology and celestial phenomena » Phenomena of » The autumnal weather on the mediterranean
Paul » storm » Comforts
Paul » The ship is wrecked, and all on board take refuge on the island of melita (malta)
Prophecy » Miscellaneous, fulfilled » The destruction of the ship (on which paul and the others sailed) predicted and fulfilled
the Sea » Sailing on, dangerous
Ships » Course of frequently directed by the heavenly bodies
Stars » Use of, in navigation, alluded to
human Weakness » Man's extremity, of weakness, becomes God's opportunity to help, » Paul and his companions on the sea

Acts 27:21 (show verse)

When they had gone without food for a long time, Paul stood in the middle of the crew and spoke, "Men, you should have listened to me and not sailed for Crete and thereby have to experience such suffering and loss.

Crete » Visited by paul
Mariners (sailors) » Perils of
Paul » storm » Comforts
Paul » The ship is wrecked, and all on board take refuge on the island of melita (malta)
Phenice » A harbor » Crete
Prophecy » Miscellaneous, fulfilled » The destruction of the ship (on which paul and the others sailed) predicted and fulfilled

Acts 27:22 (show verse)

But, now I want to encourage you to cheer up, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only the ship [will be lost].

Encouragement » General references to
Mariners (sailors) » Perils of
Paul » storm » Comforts
Paul » The ship is wrecked, and all on board take refuge on the island of melita (malta)
Prophecy » Miscellaneous, fulfilled » The destruction of the ship (on which paul and the others sailed) predicted and fulfilled
Trouble » Instances of » The people in the shipwreck

Acts 27:23 (show verse)

For an angel from God, to whom I belong and whom I serve, appeared to me last night,

Angel » of the Lord
Angel (a spirit) » Appearances of » To paul, on the way to damascus
Angel (holy trinity) » One of the holy trinity » Called angel of God
Angels » Are ministering spirits
God » Remember » Servants of
Mariners (sailors) » Perils of
Paul » storm » Comforts
Paul » The ship is wrecked, and all on board take refuge on the island of melita (malta)
Paul » The man of vision » The vision of encouragement in the storm
Prophecy » Miscellaneous, fulfilled » The destruction of the ship (on which paul and the others sailed) predicted and fulfilled
Servants » God's
Trouble » Instances of » The people in the shipwreck
Visions » Mentioned in scripture » To paul

Acts 27:24 (show verse)

saying, 'Do not be afraid Paul, for you must appear before Caesar, and look, God will grant you [the safety of] all these men aboard ship [along] with yourself.'

Destiny » Ruler of
Mariners (sailors) » Perils of
Paul » storm » Comforts
Paul » The ship is wrecked, and all on board take refuge on the island of melita (malta)
Prophecy » Miscellaneous, fulfilled » The destruction of the ship (on which paul and the others sailed) predicted and fulfilled
Trouble » Instances of » The people in the shipwreck

Acts 27:25 (show verse)

So men, cheer up, for I believe God, that everything will turn out just as I was told it would.

Faith » Example of victorious » Paul
Mariners (sailors) » Perils of
Paul » storm » Comforts
Paul » The ship is wrecked, and all on board take refuge on the island of melita (malta)
Prophecy » Miscellaneous, fulfilled » The destruction of the ship (on which paul and the others sailed) predicted and fulfilled
Social duties » Brotherly love » Cheerfulness, the duty of
Trouble » Instances of » The people in the shipwreck

Acts 27:26 (show verse)

But we must be washed onto the shore of a certain island."

Acts 27:27 (show verse)

When the fourteenth night came, and while we were being tossed around [helplessly] in the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the crew suspected they were nearing land.

Adria » Sea of
Mariners (sailors) » Perils of
Paul » storm » Comforts
Paul » The ship is wrecked, and all on board take refuge on the island of melita (malta)
Prophecy » Miscellaneous, fulfilled » The destruction of the ship (on which paul and the others sailed) predicted and fulfilled
the Sea » Seas mentioned in scripture » The adriatic or sea of adria

Acts 27:28 (show verse)

So, they tested for depth and found [they were in] feet [of water]. Then a little later they tested again and found it to be 90 Feet.

Mariners (sailors) » Perils of
Measure » A fathom
Measures » Of length » Fathom
Navigation » Sounding in
Paul » storm » Comforts
Paul » The ship is wrecked, and all on board take refuge on the island of melita (malta)
Prophecy » Miscellaneous, fulfilled » The destruction of the ship (on which paul and the others sailed) predicted and fulfilled
Ships » Soundings usually taken for, in dangerous places
Sounding » In navigation

Acts 27:29 (show verse)

So, fearing the possibility of being run aground on a rocky shore, they dropped four anchors from the stern and longed for daylight [to come].

Mariners (sailors) » Perils of
Paul » storm » Comforts
Paul » The ship is wrecked, and all on board take refuge on the island of melita (malta)
Prophecy » Miscellaneous, fulfilled » The destruction of the ship (on which paul and the others sailed) predicted and fulfilled
Rocks » Dreaded by mariners
ship » An anchor
Ships » Parts of, mentioned » The hinder part or stern
Ships » Parts of, mentioned » The anchors
Ships » Endangered by » Rocks

Acts 27:30 (show verse)

The crew had [by now] lowered the life-boat into the water, pretending to be dropping anchors from the bow, [but were in reality] attempting to abandon ship.

Mariners (sailors) » Perils of
Mariners (sailors) » Cowardice of
Paul » storm » Comforts
Paul » The ship is wrecked, and all on board take refuge on the island of melita (malta)
Prophecy » Miscellaneous, fulfilled » The destruction of the ship (on which paul and the others sailed) predicted and fulfilled
ship » An anchor
ship » Lifeboats
Ships » Parts of, mentioned » The forepart or foreship
Ships » Parts of, mentioned » The boats
Trouble » Instances of » The people in the shipwreck

Acts 27:31 (show verse)

Paul said to the military officer [Julius] and to his soldiers, "Unless these men stay aboard the ship, none of you will be saved."

Mariners (sailors) » Perils of
Paul » storm » Comforts
Paul » The ship is wrecked, and all on board take refuge on the island of melita (malta)
Prophecy » Miscellaneous, fulfilled » The destruction of the ship (on which paul and the others sailed) predicted and fulfilled
Soldiers » Perform escort duty
Trouble » Instances of » The people in the shipwreck

Acts 27:32 (show verse)

So, the soldiers cut the ropes securing the life-boat and let it drift away.

Mariners (sailors) » Perils of
Paul » storm » Comforts
Paul » The ship is wrecked, and all on board take refuge on the island of melita (malta)
Prophecy » Miscellaneous, fulfilled » The destruction of the ship (on which paul and the others sailed) predicted and fulfilled
ship » Lifeboats
Ships » Parts of, mentioned » The boats
Trouble » Instances of » The people in the shipwreck

Acts 27:33 (show verse)

As it was dawning, Paul urged the crew to eat something, saying, "You have been waiting for fourteen days [for the weather to break] and you have continued to fast [all that time], eating nothing [at all].

Fasting » Examples of » Paul and barnabas
Mariners (sailors) » Perils of
Paul » storm » Comforts
Paul » The ship is wrecked, and all on board take refuge on the island of melita (malta)
Prophecy » Miscellaneous, fulfilled » The destruction of the ship (on which paul and the others sailed) predicted and fulfilled
Trouble » Instances of » The people in the shipwreck

Acts 27:34 (show verse)

I urge you to eat some food; it will be for your own good, for not one hair from anyone's head will be lost."

natural Life » Should be taken all due care of
Mariners (sailors) » Perils of
Paul » storm » Comforts
Paul » The ship is wrecked, and all on board take refuge on the island of melita (malta)
Prophecy » Miscellaneous, fulfilled » The destruction of the ship (on which paul and the others sailed) predicted and fulfilled
Trouble » Instances of » The people in the shipwreck

Acts 27:35 (show verse)

And when he had said this he took bread, gave thanks to God for it in front of everyone, then broke it and began to eat.

Blessings » Before meals (grace before meals)
Bread » Breaking of
the Diet of the jews » Thanks given before
Example » Inspiration of example » Paul
Food » Grace before » Blessings (grace) before meals
Food » Articles of » Thanks given before receiving
Inspiration of example » Paul
Mariners (sailors) » Perils of
Paul » storm » Comforts
Paul » The ship is wrecked, and all on board take refuge on the island of melita (malta)
Prophecy » Miscellaneous, fulfilled » The destruction of the ship (on which paul and the others sailed) predicted and fulfilled
Thankfulness » Should be offered » Before receiving food
Thankfulness » To God, instances of » Paul
Thankfulness » Of man to man » Paul
Thanksgiving » Should be offered » Before taking food
Trouble » Instances of » The people in the shipwreck

Acts 27:36 (show verse)

Then they were all encouraged and they themselves took something to eat also.

Example » Inspiration of example » Paul
Inspiration of example » Paul
Mariners (sailors) » Perils of
Paul » storm » Comforts
Paul » The ship is wrecked, and all on board take refuge on the island of melita (malta)
Prophecy » Miscellaneous, fulfilled » The destruction of the ship (on which paul and the others sailed) predicted and fulfilled
Social duties » Brotherly love » Cheerfulness, the duty of
Trouble » Instances of » The people in the shipwreck

Acts 27:37 (show verse)

(The total number of us aboard the ship was

Commerce » Transportation of passengers
Mariners (sailors) » Perils of
Paul » storm » Comforts
Paul » The ship is wrecked, and all on board take refuge on the island of melita (malta)
Prophecy » Miscellaneous, fulfilled » The destruction of the ship (on which paul and the others sailed) predicted and fulfilled
ship » Used in commerce » For passenger traffic

Acts 27:38 (show verse)

And when they had eaten sufficiently, they began lightening the ship [so it would float higher] by throwing their wheat overboard.

Acts 27:39 (show verse)

When it got daylight they saw an island they did not recognize, but noticed [it had] a particular bay with a [suitable] beach. So, they discussed whether it would be possible to run the ship aground on the beach.

Acts 27:40 (show verse)

[Finally] they cut the ropes, dropping the anchors into the water and at the same time they released the oars used for steering. Then they hoisted the bow-sail to the wind and headed [straight] for the beach.

Delayed blessings » Escape
Mariners (sailors) » Perils of
Paul » storm » Comforts
Paul » The ship is wrecked, and all on board take refuge on the island of melita (malta)
Prophecy » Miscellaneous, fulfilled » The destruction of the ship (on which paul and the others sailed) predicted and fulfilled
ship » sails
ship » An anchor
ship » Equipped with » A rudder
Ships » Parts of, mentioned » The anchors
Ships » Parts of, mentioned » The rudder-bands

Acts 27:41 (show verse)

Landing where two [strong] currents met, the ship ran aground, its bow lodging [in the sand] while its stern began to break up from the driving surf.

Delayed blessings » Escape
Mariners (sailors) » Perils of
Paul » storm » Comforts
Paul » The ship is wrecked, and all on board take refuge on the island of melita (malta)
Prophecy » Miscellaneous, fulfilled » The destruction of the ship (on which paul and the others sailed) predicted and fulfilled
the Sea » The waves of » Mighty
Ships » Were often wrecked
Ships » Parts of, mentioned » The hinder part or stern
Ships » Parts of, mentioned » The forepart or foreship

Acts 27:42 (show verse)

[Meanwhile] the soldiers had decided to kill the prisoners so that none of them would swim away and escape.

Cruelty » Examples of
Delayed blessings » Escape
Mariners (sailors) » Perils of
Paul » storm » Comforts
Paul » The ship is wrecked, and all on board take refuge on the island of melita (malta)
Prophecy » Miscellaneous, fulfilled » The destruction of the ship (on which paul and the others sailed) predicted and fulfilled
Ships » Were often wrecked
Soldiers » Perform escort duty

Acts 27:43 (show verse)

But the military officer, wanting to save Paul [from being killed], prevented them from doing this. [Instead] he ordered those who could swim to jump overboard and be the first to reach land.

Armies » March in ranks » Roman army » Centurions
Delayed blessings » Escape
Julius » Enturion
Kindness » Instances of » Julius to paul
Mariners (sailors) » Perils of
Paul » storm » Comforts
Paul » The ship is wrecked, and all on board take refuge on the island of melita (malta)
Prophecy » Miscellaneous, fulfilled » The destruction of the ship (on which paul and the others sailed) predicted and fulfilled
Ships » Were often wrecked
Soldiers » Perform escort duty

Acts 27:44 (show verse)

The rest [he reasoned] could reach shore by floating on planks or other debris from the ship. And so it happened that all of them escaped safely to land.

Delayed blessings » Escape
Deliverance » Divine, example of » Shipwrecked passengers, with paul
Mariners (sailors) » Perils of
Paul » storm » Comforts
Paul » The ship is wrecked, and all on board take refuge on the island of melita (malta)
Prophecy » Miscellaneous, fulfilled » The destruction of the ship (on which paul and the others sailed) predicted and fulfilled
ship » At melita (malta)
Ships » Were often wrecked