BRUCE C WEARNE, in his series on Acts, looks at what Luke records about the dangers of the sea journey Paul embarked upon to reach Rome (and how the captain ignored his warning)…
Much time had already been lost. The voyage was dangerous enough because [by now] the fast had gone by. So, Paul advised them, “Fellows, I perceive that such a voyage as this will bring injury and loss, not only of the cargo and of the ship, but also of our lives.” The centurion paid more attention to the captain and ship’s owner than to Paul’s advice. And because the harbour was not a winter shelter, advice of the majority was to put to sea from there, on the chance that we could somehow reach Phoenix, a harbour of Crete. Facing northeast and southeast, it would be a place to spend the winter. – Acts 27:9-12
STORMY SEAS: Paul’s warning about the dangers of the journey was ignored. PICTURE: John Towner/Unsplash.
IN A NUTSHELL
Winter was coming on and sea travel was increasingly dangerous. Paul gave his advice but the journey continued.
When Luke tells us that much time had been lost, we are meant to understand that the passage had been arranged on boats that were behind schedule and sailing was beginning to be hazardous. The safe season for sea travel was over. Estimates of the date for this trip from ancient data suggest it was mid- October after the “fast” – Luke was referring to the Jewish day of atonement.
Scholars say Luke refers to this feast because it was well known that shortly after that time sea transport became progressively more dangerous. For some months from mid-November there could be no travel at all on the open sea. So the lost time is not about Paul’s visit to friends in Sidon. It refers to the difficult and slow going due to the adverse winds off Crete. Since there was only a short time before the seas became impossible for navigation, Julius decided to take a wheat ship en route from Alexandria to Italy. This ship presented the best chance of reaching Rome without a long delay. And remember, Julius would have to give an account to his superiors for the length of time it took to travel to Rome.
No doubt Paul was not the only one saying that the weather and seas were against them. But although his view was considered, it was over-ridden by those with decision-making power on this vessel. Presumably, the owner of the ship was keen for the boat to get as far as possible. The captain and some others hoped that Phoenix could be reached. That was deemed to be a safe winter harbour. Luke tells us that they decided to find a safe haven out of the weather and the rough seas.
But such a strategy also carried risks, and was too risky for Paul’s liking. Julius, as Roman centurion, had the decisive vote. When Luke says Julius paid more attention to the views of the owner and the captain, he seems to be saying that he paid some attention to Paul’s warnings. Luke indicates that Fair Havens was not an ideal harbour for winter shelter, even if accommodation was available nearby. Paul’s advice was that Fair Havens would be a fair enough haven.
They might not have followed his suggestion, and were willing to take the risk, but Paul’s advice was considered. Luke is telling us that Paul commanded significant respect and as an experienced traveller in these waters he knew the “Euroquilo” typhoon from the north-east that would hurl waves and drive ships. Paul’s advice drew on his experience in those parts.
OPEN BOOK – HINTS FROM THE SPIRIT OF HOLINESS: PAUL THE SEAMAN
BRUCE C WEARNE, in his series on Acts, looks at what Luke records about the dangers of the sea journey Paul embarked upon to reach Rome (and how the captain ignored his warning)…
Much time had already been lost. The voyage was dangerous enough because [by now] the fast had gone by. So, Paul advised them, “Fellows, I perceive that such a voyage as this will bring injury and loss, not only of the cargo and of the ship, but also of our lives.” The centurion paid more attention to the captain and ship’s owner than to Paul’s advice. And because the harbour was not a winter shelter, advice of the majority was to put to sea from there, on the chance that we could somehow reach Phoenix, a harbour of Crete. Facing northeast and southeast, it would be a place to spend the winter. – Acts 27:9-12
STORMY SEAS: Paul’s warning about the dangers of the journey was ignored. PICTURE: John Towner/Unsplash.
IN A NUTSHELL
Winter was coming on and sea travel was increasingly dangerous. Paul gave his advice but the journey continued.
When Luke tells us that much time had been lost, we are meant to understand that the passage had been arranged on boats that were behind schedule and sailing was beginning to be hazardous. The safe season for sea travel was over. Estimates of the date for this trip from ancient data suggest it was mid- October after the “fast” – Luke was referring to the Jewish day of atonement.
Scholars say Luke refers to this feast because it was well known that shortly after that time sea transport became progressively more dangerous. For some months from mid-November there could be no travel at all on the open sea. So the lost time is not about Paul’s visit to friends in Sidon. It refers to the difficult and slow going due to the adverse winds off Crete. Since there was only a short time before the seas became impossible for navigation, Julius decided to take a wheat ship en route from Alexandria to Italy. This ship presented the best chance of reaching Rome without a long delay. And remember, Julius would have to give an account to his superiors for the length of time it took to travel to Rome.
No doubt Paul was not the only one saying that the weather and seas were against them. But although his view was considered, it was over-ridden by those with decision-making power on this vessel. Presumably, the owner of the ship was keen for the boat to get as far as possible. The captain and some others hoped that Phoenix could be reached. That was deemed to be a safe winter harbour. Luke tells us that they decided to find a safe haven out of the weather and the rough seas.
But such a strategy also carried risks, and was too risky for Paul’s liking. Julius, as Roman centurion, had the decisive vote. When Luke says Julius paid more attention to the views of the owner and the captain, he seems to be saying that he paid some attention to Paul’s warnings. Luke indicates that Fair Havens was not an ideal harbour for winter shelter, even if accommodation was available nearby. Paul’s advice was that Fair Havens would be a fair enough haven.
They might not have followed his suggestion, and were willing to take the risk, but Paul’s advice was considered. Luke is telling us that Paul commanded significant respect and as an experienced traveller in these waters he knew the “Euroquilo” typhoon from the north-east that would hurl waves and drive ships. Paul’s advice drew on his experience in those parts.
Donate
Sight+ is a new benefits program we’ve launched to reward people who have supported us with annual donations of $26 or more. To find out more about Sight+ and how you can support the work of Sight, head to our Sight+ page.
Musings
Biological pattern
TAKE PART IN THE SIGHT READER SURVEY!
We’re interested to find out more about you, our readers, as we improve and expand our coverage and so we’re asking all of our readers to take this survey (it’ll only take a couple of minutes).
To take part in the survey, simply follow this link…