THE VOYAGE TO ITALY--THE SHIPWRECK AND SAFE LANDING AT MALTA. (Acts 27:1-44) we should sail, &c.--The "we" here reintroduces the historian as one of the company. Not that he had left the apostle from the time when he …
1Cuando se decidió que habíamos de navegar para Italia, entregaron a Pablo y a algunos otros presos a un centurión llamado Julio, de la compañía Augusta.
2Y embarcándonos en una nave adramitena que iba a tocar los puertos de Asia, zarpamos, estando con nosotros Aristarco, macedonio de Tesalónica.
3Al otro día llegamos a Sidón; y Julio, tratando humanamente a Pablo, le permitió que fuese a los amigos, para ser atendido por ellos.
4Y haciéndonos a la vela desde allí, navegamos a sotavento de Chipre, porque los vientos eran contrarios.
5Habiendo atravesado el mar frente a Cilicia y Panfilia, arribamos a Mira, ciudad de Licia.
6Y hallando allí el centurión una nave alejandrina que zarpaba para Italia, nos embarcó en ella.
7Navegando muchos días despacio, y llegando a duras penas frente a Gnido, porque nos impedía el viento, navegamos a sotavento de Creta, frente a Salmón.
8Y costeándola con dificultad, llegamos a un lugar que llaman Buenos Puertos, cerca del cual estaba la ciudad de Lasea.
9Y habiendo pasado mucho tiempo, y siendo ya peligrosa la navegación, por haber pasado ya el ayuno, Pablo les amonestaba,
10diciéndoles: Varones, veo que la navegación va a ser con perjuicio y mucha pérdida, no solo del cargamento y de la nave, sino también de nuestras personas.
11Pero el centurión daba más crédito al piloto y al patrón de la nave, que a lo que Pablo decía.
12Y siendo incómodo el puerto para invernar, la mayoría acordó zarpar también de allí, por si pudiesen arribar a Fenice, puerto de Creta que mira al nordeste y sudeste, e invernar allí.
13Y soplando una brisa del sur, pareciéndoles que ya tenían lo que deseaban, levaron anclas e iban costeando Creta.
14Pero no mucho después dio contra la nave un viento huracanado llamado Euroclidón.
15Y siendo arrebatada la nave, y no pudiendo poner proa al viento, nos abandonamos a él y nos dejamos llevar.
16Y habiendo corrido a sotavento de una pequeña isla llamada Clauda, con dificultad pudimos recoger el esquife.
17Y una vez subido a bordo, usaron de refuerzos para ceñir la nave; y teniendo temor de dar en la Sirte, arriaron las velas y quedaron a la deriva.
18Pero siendo combatidos por una furiosa tempestad, al siguiente día empezaron a alijar,
19y al tercer día con nuestras propias manos arrojamos los aparejos de la nave.
20Y no apareciendo ni sol ni estrellas por muchos días, y acosados por una tempestad no pequeña, ya habíamos perdido toda esperanza de salvarnos.
21Entonces Pablo, como hacía ya mucho que no comíamos, puesto en pie en medio de ellos, dijo: Habría sido por cierto conveniente, oh varones, haberme oído, y no zarpar de Creta tan solo para recibir este perjuicio y pérdida.
22Pero ahora os exhorto a tener buen ánimo, pues no habrá ninguna pérdida de vida entre vosotros, sino solamente de la nave.
23Porque esta noche ha estado conmigo el ángel del Dios de quien soy y a quien sirvo,
24diciendo: Pablo, no temas; es necesario que comparezcas ante César; y he aquí, Dios te ha concedido todos los que navegan contigo.
25Por tanto, oh varones, tened buen ánimo; porque yo confío en Dios que será así como se me ha dicho.
26Con todo, es necesario que demos en alguna isla.
27Venida la decimacuarta noche, y siendo llevados a través del mar Adriático, a la medianoche los marineros sospecharon que estaban cerca de tierra;
28y echando la sonda, hallaron veinte brazas; y pasando un poco más adelante, volviendo a echar la sonda, hallaron quince brazas.
29Y temiendo dar en escollos, echaron cuatro anclas por la popa, y ansiaban que se hiciese de día.
30Entonces los marineros procuraron huir de la nave, y echando el esquife al mar, aparentaban como que querían largar las anclas de proa.
31Pero Pablo dijo al centurión y a los soldados: Si estos no permanecen en la nave, vosotros no podéis salvaros.
32Entonces los soldados cortaron las amarras del esquife y lo dejaron perderse.
33Cuando comenzó a amanecer, Pablo exhortaba a todos que comiesen, diciendo: Este es el decimocuarto día que veláis y permanecéis en ayunas, sin comer nada.
34Por tanto, os ruego que comáis por vuestra salud; pues ni aun un cabello de la cabeza de ninguno de vosotros perecerá.
35Y habiendo dicho esto, tomó el pan y dio gracias a Dios en presencia de todos, y partiéndolo, comenzó a comer.
36Entonces todos, teniendo ya mejor ánimo, comieron también.
37Y éramos todas las personas en la nave doscientas setenta y seis.
38Y ya satisfechos, aligeraron la nave, echando el trigo al mar.
39Cuando se hizo de día, no reconocían la tierra, pero veían una ensenada que tenía playa, en la cual acordaron varar, si pudiesen, la nave.
40Cortando, pues, las anclas, las dejaron en el mar, largando también las amarras del timón; e izada al viento la vela de proa, enfilaron hacia la playa.
41Pero dando en un lugar de dos aguas, hicieron encallar la nave; y la proa, hincada, quedó inmóvil, y la popa se abría con la violencia del mar.
42Entonces los soldados acordaron matar a los presos, para que ninguno se fugase nadando.
43Pero el centurión, queriendo salvar a Pablo, les impidió este intento, y mandó que los que pudiesen nadar se echasen los primeros, y saliesen a tierra;
44y los demás, parte en tablas, parte en cosas de la nave. Y así aconteció que todos se salvaron saliendo a tierra.
JAMIESON-FAUSSET-BROWN BIBLE COMMENTARY
I
Versículo 2
I. a ship of--belonging to.
a ship of--belonging to.
Adramyttium--a port on the northeast coast of the Ægean Sea. Doubtless the centurion expected to find another ship, bound for Italy, at some of the ports of Asia Minor, without having to go with this ship all the way to Adramyttium; and in this he was not disappointed. See on Act 27:6.
meaning to sail by the coasts--"places."
of Asia--a coasting vessel, which was to touch at the ports of proconsular Asia.
one Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us--rather, "Aristarchus the Macedonian," &c. The word "one" should not have been introduced here by our translators, as if this name had not occurred before; for we find him seized by the Ephesian mob as a "man of Macedonia and Paul's companion in travel" (Act 19:29) and as a "Thessalonian" accompanying the apostle from Ephesus on his voyage back to Palestine (Act 20:4). Here both these places are mentioned in connection with his name. After this we find him at Rome with the apostle (Col 4:10; Plm 1:24).
II
Versículo 3
II. next day we touched at Sidon--To reach this ancient and celebrated Mediterranean port, about seve…
next day we touched at Sidon--To reach this ancient and celebrated Mediterranean port, about seventy miles north from CÃ&brvbrsarea, in one day, they must have had a fair wind.
Julius courteously--(See on Act 27:1).
gave him liberty to go to his friends--no doubt disciples, gained, it would seem, by degrees, all along the Phœnician coast since the first preaching there (see on Act 11:19 and Act 21:4).
to refresh himself--which after his long confinement would not be unnecessary. Such small personal details are in this case extremely interesting.
III
Versículo 4
III. when we had launched--"set sail."
when we had launched--"set sail."
from thence, we sailed under Cyprus, because the winds were contrary--The wind blowing from the westward, probably with a touch of the north, which was adverse, they sailed under the lee of Cyprus, keeping it on their left, and steering between it and the mainland of Phœnicia.
IV
Versículo 5
IV. when we had sailed over the Sea of Cilicia and Pamphylia--coasts with which Paul had been long fa…
when we had sailed over the Sea of Cilicia and Pamphylia--coasts with which Paul had been long familiar, the one, perhaps, from boyhood, the other from the time of his first missionary tour.
we came to Myra, a city of Lycia--a port a little east of Patara (see on Act 21:1).
V
Versículo 6
V. there . . . found a ship of Alexandria, sailing into Italy, and he put us therein--(See on Act 27…
there . . . found a ship of Alexandria, sailing into Italy, and he put us therein--(See on Act 27:2). As Egypt was the granary of Italy, and this vessel was laden with wheat (Act 27:35), we need not wonder it was large enough to carry two hundred seventy-six souls, passengers and crew together (Act 27:37). Besides, the Egyptian merchantmen, among the largest in the Mediterranean, were equal to the largest merchantmen in our day. It may seem strange that on their passage from Alexandria to Italy they should be found at a Lycian port. But even still it is not unusual to stand to the north towards Asia Minor, for the sake of the current.
VI
Versículo 7
VI. sailed slowly many days--owing to contrary winds.
sailed slowly many days--owing to contrary winds.
and scarce--"with difficulty."
were come over against Cnidus--a town on the promontory of the peninsula of that name, having the island of Coos (see on Act 21:1) to the west of it. But for the contrary wind they might have made the distance from Myra (one hundred thirty miles) in one day. They would naturally have put in at Cnidus, whose larger harbor was admirable, but the strong westerly current induced them to run south.
under--the lee of
Crete--(See on Tit 1:5).
over against Salmone--the cape at the eastern extremity of the island.
VII
Versículo 8
VII. And hardly passing it--"with difficulty coasting along it," from the same cause as before, the we…
And hardly passing it--"with difficulty coasting along it," from the same cause as before, the westerly current and head winds.
came to . . . the Fair Havens--an anchorage near the center of the south coast, and a little east of Cape Matala, the southern most point of the island.
nigh whereunto was the city Lasea--identified by the REVEREND GEORGE BROWN [SMITH, Voyages and Shipwreck of St. Paul, Appendix 3, Second Edition, 1856]. (To this invaluable book commentators on this chapter, and these notes, are much indebted).
VIII
Versículo 9
VIII. when much time was spent--since leaving CÃ&brvbrsarea. But for unforeseen delays they might have …
when much time was spent--since leaving CÃ&brvbrsarea. But for unforeseen delays they might have reached the Italian coast before the stormy season.
and when sailing--the navigation of the open sea.
was now dangerous, because the fast was now . . . past--that of the day of atonement, answering to the end of September and beginning of October, about which time the navigation is pronounced unsafe by writers of authority. Since all hope of completing the voyage during that season was abandoned, the question next was, whether they should winter at Fair Havens, or move to Port Phenice, a harbor about forty miles to the westward. Paul assisted at the consultation and strongly urged them to winter where they were.
IX
Versículo 10
IX. Sirs, I perceive, that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, &c.--not by any divine comm…
Sirs, I perceive, that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, &c.--not by any divine communication, but simply in the exercise of a good judgment aided by some experience. The event justified his decision.
X
Versículo 11
X. Nevertheless the centurion believed the master and owner . . . more than . . . Paul--He would nat…
Nevertheless the centurion believed the master and owner . . . more than . . . Paul--He would naturally think them best able to judge, and there was much to say for their opinion, as the bay at Fair Havens, being open to nearly one-half of the compass, could not be a good winter harbor.
XI
Versículo 12
XI. Phenice--"Phenix," now called Lutro.
Phenice--"Phenix," now called Lutro.
which lieth toward the southwest and northwest--If this means that it was open to the west, it would certainly not be good anchorage! It is thought therefore to mean that a wind from that quarter would lead into it, or that it lay in an easterly direction from such a wind [SMITH]. Act 27:13 seems to confirm this.
XII
Versículo 13
XII. when the south wind blew softly, supposing they had attained their purpose--With such a wind they…
when the south wind blew softly, supposing they had attained their purpose--With such a wind they had every prospect of reaching their destination in a few hours.
XIII
Versículo 14
XIII. a tempestuous--"typhonic"
a tempestuous--"typhonic"
wind--that is, like a typhon or tornado, causing a whirling of the clouds, owing to the meeting of opposite currents of air.
called Euroclydon--The true reading appears to be Euro-aquilo, or east-northeast, which answers all the effects here ascribed to it.
XIV
Versículo 15
XIV. could not bear up into--"face"
could not bear up into--"face"
the wind, we let her drift--before the gale.
XV
Versículo 16
XV. under--the lee of.
under--the lee of.
a certain--"small"
island . . . Clauda--southwest of Crete, now called Gonzo; about twenty-three miles to leeward.
we had much work to come by--that is, to hoist up and secure.
the boat--now become necessary. But why was this difficult? Independently of the gale, raging at the time, the boat had been towed between twenty and thirty miles after the gale sprang up, and could scarcely fail to be filled with water [SMITH].
16
Versículo 17
16. undergirding the ship--that is, passing four or five turns of a cable-laid rope round the hull or…
undergirding the ship--that is, passing four or five turns of a cable-laid rope round the hull or frame of the ship, to enable her to resist the violence of the seas, an operation rarely resorted to in modern seamanship.
fearing lest they should fall into the quicksands--"be cast ashore" or "stranded upon the Syrtis," the Syrtis Major, a gulf on the African coast, southwest of Crete, the dread of mariners, owing to its dangerous shoals.
they strake--"struck"
sail--This cannot be the meaning, for to strike sail would have driven them directly towards the Syrtis. The meaning must be, "lowered the gear" (appurtenances of every kind); here, perhaps, referring to the lowering of the heavy mainyard with the sail attached to it [SMITH].
17
Versículo 19
17. cast out with our own hands--passengers and crew together.
cast out with our own hands--passengers and crew together.
the tackling of the ship--whatever they could do without that carried weight. This further effort to lighten the ship seems to show that it was now in a leaking condition, as will presently appear more evident.
18
Versículo 20
18. neither sun nor stars appeared in many--"several"
neither sun nor stars appeared in many--"several"
days--probably most of the fourteen days mentioned in Act 27:27. This continued thickness of the atmosphere prevented their making the necessary observations of the heavenly bodies by day or by night; so that they could not tell where they were.
all hope that we should be saved was taken away--"Their exertions to subdue the leak had been unavailing; they could not tell which way to make for the nearest land, in order to run their ship ashore, the only resource for a sinking ship: but unless they did make the land, they must founder at sea. Their apprehensions, therefore, were not so much caused by the fury of the tempest, as by the state of the ship" [SMITH]. From the inferiority of ancient to modern naval architecture, leaks were sprung much more easily, and the means of repairing them were fewer than now. Hence the far greater number of shipwrecks from this cause.
19
Versículo 21
19. But after long abstinence--(See on Act 27:33). "The hardships which the crew endured during a gal…
But after long abstinence--(See on Act 27:33). "The hardships which the crew endured during a gale of such continuance, and their exhaustion from laboring at the pumps and hunger, may be imagined, but are not described" [SMITH].
Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened to me, &c.--not meaning to reflect on them for the past, but to claim their confidence for what he was now to say:
20
Versículo 23
20. there stood by me this night the angel of God--as in Act 16:9; Act 23:11.
there stood by me this night the angel of God--as in Act 16:9; Act 23:11.
whose I am-- (Co1 6:19-20).
and whom I serve--in the sense of worship or religious consecration (see on Act 13:2).
21
Versículo 24
21. saying, Fear not, Paul: thou must be brought before CÃ&brvbrsar and, lo, God hath given thee all …
saying, Fear not, Paul: thou must be brought before CÃ&brvbrsar and, lo, God hath given thee all . . . that sail with thee--While the crew were toiling at the pumps, Paul was wrestling in prayer, not for himself only and the cause in which he was going a prisoner to Rome, but with true magnanimity of soul for all his shipmates; and God heard him, "giving him" (remarkable expression!) all that sailed with him. "When the cheerless day came he gathered the sailors (and passengers) around him on the deck of the laboring vessel, and raising his voice above the storm" [HOWSON], reported the divine communication he had received; adding with a noble simplicity, "for I believe God that it shall be even as it was told me," and encouraging all on board to "be of good cheer" in the same confidence. What a contrast to this is the speech of CÃ&brvbrsar in similar circumstances to his pilot, bidding him keep up his spirit because he carried CÃ&brvbrsar and CÃ&brvbrsar's fortune! [PLUTARCH]. The Roman general knew no better name for the Divine Providence, by which he had been so often preserved, than CÃ&brvbrsar's fortune [HUMPHRY]. From the explicit particulars--that the ship would be lost, but not one that sailed in it, and that they "must be cast on a certain island"--one would conclude a visional representation of a total wreck, a mass of human beings struggling with the angry elements, and one and all of those whose figures and countenances had daily met his eye on deck, standing on some unknown island shore. From what follows, it would seem that Paul from this time was regarded with a deference akin to awe.
22
Versículo 27
22. when the fourteenth night was come--from the time they left Fair Havens.
when the fourteenth night was come--from the time they left Fair Havens.
as we were driven--drifting
up and down in Adria--the Adriatic, that sea which lies between Greece and Italy.
about midnight the shipmen deemed--no doubt from the peculiar sound of the breakers.
that they drew near some country--"that some land was approaching them." This nautical language gives a graphic character to the narrative.
23
Versículo 29
23. they cast four anchors out of the stern--The ordinary way was to cast the anchor, as now, from th…
they cast four anchors out of the stern--The ordinary way was to cast the anchor, as now, from the bow: but ancient ships, built with both ends alike, were fitted with hawseholes in the stern, so that in case of need they could anchor either way. And when the fear was, as here, that they might fall on the rocks to leeward, and the intention was to run the ship ashore as soon as daylight enabled them to fix upon a safe spot, the very best thing they could do was to anchor by the stern [SMITH]. In stormy weather two anchors were used, and we have instances of four being employed, as here.
and wished--"anxiously" or "devoutly wished."
for day--the remark this of one present, and with all his shipmates alive to the horrors of their condition. "The ship might go down at her anchors, or the coast to leeward might be iron-bound, affording no beach on which they could land with safety. Hence their anxious longing for day, and the ungenerous but natural attempt, not peculiar to ancient times, of the seamen to save their own lives by taking to the boat" [SMITH].
24
Versículo 30
24. as the shipmen were about to flee out of the ship--under cover of night.
as the shipmen were about to flee out of the ship--under cover of night.
when they had let down the boat . . . as though they would . . . cast anchors out of the foreship--"bow"--rather, "carry out" anchors, to hold the ship fore as well as aft. "This could have been of no advantage in the circumstances, and as the pretext could not deceive a seaman, we must infer that the officers of the ship were parties to the unworthy attempt, which was perhaps detected by the nautical skill of St. Luke, and communicated by him to St. Paul" [SMITH].
25
Versículo 31
25. Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers--the only parties now to be trusted, and whose own…
Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers--the only parties now to be trusted, and whose own safety was now at stake.
except ye abide in the ship ye cannot be saved--The soldiers and passengers could not be expected to possess the necessary seamanship in so very critical a case. The flight of the crew, therefore, might well be regarded as certain destruction to all who remained. In full assurance of ultimate safety, in virtue of a DIVINE pledge, to all in the ship, Paul speaks and acts throughout this whole scene in the exercise of a sound judgment as to the indispensable HUMAN conditions of safety; and as there is no trace of any feeling of inconsistency between these two things in his mind, so even the centurion, under whose orders the soldiers acted on Paul's views, seems never to have felt perplexed by the twofold aspect, divine and human, in which the same thing presented itself to the mind of Paul. Divine agency and human instrumentality are in all the events of life quite as much as here. The only difference is that the one is for the most part shrouded from view, while the other is ever naked and open to the senses.
26
Versículo 32
26. Then the soldiers cut off the ropes of the boat--already lowered.
Then the soldiers cut off the ropes of the boat--already lowered.
and let her fall off--let the boat drift away.
27
Versículo 33
27. while day was coming on--"until it should be day"; that is, in the interval between the cutting o…
while day was coming on--"until it should be day"; that is, in the interval between the cutting off of the boat and the approach of day, which all were "anxiously looking for" (Act 27:29).
Paul--now looked up to by all the passengers as the man to direct them.
besought them all to take meat--"partake of a meal."
saying, This is the fourteenth day ye have tarried--"waited for a breathing time."
having eaten nothing--that is, taken no regular meal. The impossibility of cooking, the occupation of all hands to keep down leakage, &c., sufficiently explain this, which is indeed a common occurrence in such cases.
28
Versículo 34
28. I pray you to take some meat, for this is for your health, for there shall not a hair fall from .…
I pray you to take some meat, for this is for your health, for there shall not a hair fall from . . . any of you--On this beautiful union of confidence in the divine pledge and care for the whole ship's health and safety see on Act 27:31.
29
Versículo 35
29. when he had thus spoken he took bread--assuming the lead.
when he had thus spoken he took bread--assuming the lead.
and gave thanks to God in presence of them all--an impressive act in such circumstances, and fitted to plant a testimony for the God he served in the breasts of all.
when he had broken it, he began to eat--not understood by the Christians in the ship as a love-feast, or celebration of the Lord's Supper, as some think, but a meal to recruit exhausted nature, which Paul shows them by his own example how a Christian partakes of.
30
Versículo 36
30. Then were they all of good cheer, and they also took some meat--"took food"; the first full meal …
Then were they all of good cheer, and they also took some meat--"took food"; the first full meal since the commencement of the gale. Such courage in desperate circumstances as Paul here showed is wonderfully infectious.
31
Versículo 38
31. when they had eaten enough, &c.--With fresh strength after the meal, they make a third and last e…
when they had eaten enough, &c.--With fresh strength after the meal, they make a third and last effort to lighten the ship, not only by pumping, as before, but by throwing the whole cargo of wheat into the sea (see on Act 27:6).
32
Versículo 39
32. when it was day they knew not the land--This has been thought surprising in sailors accustomed to…
when it was day they knew not the land--This has been thought surprising in sailors accustomed to that sea. But the scene of the wreck is remote from the great harbor, and possesses no marked features by which it could be recognized, even by a native if he came unexpectedly upon it [SMITH], not to speak of the rain pouring in torrents (Act 28:2), which would throw a haze over the coast even after day broke. Immediately on landing they knew where they were (Act 28:1).
discovered a creek with a shore--Every creek of course, must have a shore; but the meaning is, a practicable shore, in a nautical sense, that is, one with a smooth beach, in contradistinction to a rocky coast (as Act 27:41 shows).
into which they were minded, if . . . possible, to thrust the ship--This was their one chance of safety.
33
Versículo 40
33. taken up the anchors, they committed themselves to the sea--The Margin is here evidently right, "…
taken up the anchors, they committed themselves to the sea--The Margin is here evidently right, "cut the anchors (away), they left them in the sea."
loosed the rudder bands--Ancient ships were steered by two large paddles, one on each quarter. When anchored by the stern in a gale, it would be necessary to lift them out of the water and secure them by lashings or rudder bands, and to loose these when the ship was again got under way [SMITH].
hoised up the mainsail--her, "the foresail," the best possible sail that be set in the circumstances. How necessary must the crew have been to execute all these movements, and how obvious the foresight which made their stay indispensable to the safety of all on board (see on Act 27:31)!
34
Versículo 41
34. falling into a place where two seas met--SMITH thinks this refers to the channel, not more than o…
falling into a place where two seas met--SMITH thinks this refers to the channel, not more than one hundred yards broad, which separates the small island of Salmone from Malta, forming a communication between the sea inside the bay and that outside.
the fore part stuck fast, and remained immovable--"The rocks of Malta disintegrate into extremely minute particles of sand and clay, which, when acted upon by the currents or surface agitation, form a deposit of tenacious clay; but, in still waters, where these causes do not act, mud is formed; but it is only in creeks, where there are no currents, and at such a depth as to be undisturbed by the waves, that the mud occurs. A ship, therefore, impelled by the force of a gale, into a creek, with such a bottom, would strike a bottom of mud, graduating into tenacious clay, into which the fore part would fix itself, and be held fast, while the stern was exposed to the force of the waves" [SMITH].
hinder part was broken--The continued action denoted by the tense here is to be noted--"was fast breaking," going to pieces.
35
Versículo 42
35. the soldiers' counsel was to hill the prisoners, lest any . . . should escape--Roman cruelty, whi…
the soldiers' counsel was to hill the prisoners, lest any . . . should escape--Roman cruelty, which made the keepers answerable for their prisoners with their own lives, is here reflected in this cruel proposal.
36
Versículo 43
36. the centurion, &c.--Great must have been the influence of Paul over the centurion's mind to produ…
the centurion, &c.--Great must have been the influence of Paul over the centurion's mind to produce such an effect. All followed the swimmers in committing themselves to the deep, and according to the divine pledge and Paul's confident assurance given them, every soul got safe to land--yet without miracle. (While the graphic minuteness of this narrative of the shipwreck puts it beyond doubt that the narrator was himself on board, the great number of nautical phrases, which all critics have noted, along with the unprofessional air which the whole narrative wears, agrees singularly with all we know and have reason to believe of "the beloved physician"; see on Act 16:40).
Next: Acts Chapter 28
Nuevo Testamento
Acts — Capítulo 27
THE VOYAGE TO ITALY--THE SHIPWRECK AND SAFE LANDING AT MALTA. (Acts 27:1-44) we should sail, &c.--The "we" here reintroduces the historian as one of the company. Not that he had left the apostle from the time when he …
Texto — Reina-Valera 1960
1Cuando se decidió que habíamos de navegar para Italia, entregaron a Pablo y a algunos otros presos a un centurión llamado Julio, de la compañía Augusta.
2Y embarcándonos en una nave adramitena que iba a tocar los puertos de Asia, zarpamos, estando con nosotros Aristarco, macedonio de Tesalónica.
3Al otro día llegamos a Sidón; y Julio, tratando humanamente a Pablo, le permitió que fuese a los amigos, para ser atendido por ellos.
4Y haciéndonos a la vela desde allí, navegamos a sotavento de Chipre, porque los vientos eran contrarios.
5Habiendo atravesado el mar frente a Cilicia y Panfilia, arribamos a Mira, ciudad de Licia.
6Y hallando allí el centurión una nave alejandrina que zarpaba para Italia, nos embarcó en ella.
7Navegando muchos días despacio, y llegando a duras penas frente a Gnido, porque nos impedía el viento, navegamos a sotavento de Creta, frente a Salmón.
8Y costeándola con dificultad, llegamos a un lugar que llaman Buenos Puertos, cerca del cual estaba la ciudad de Lasea.
9Y habiendo pasado mucho tiempo, y siendo ya peligrosa la navegación, por haber pasado ya el ayuno, Pablo les amonestaba,
10diciéndoles: Varones, veo que la navegación va a ser con perjuicio y mucha pérdida, no solo del cargamento y de la nave, sino también de nuestras personas.
11Pero el centurión daba más crédito al piloto y al patrón de la nave, que a lo que Pablo decía.
12Y siendo incómodo el puerto para invernar, la mayoría acordó zarpar también de allí, por si pudiesen arribar a Fenice, puerto de Creta que mira al nordeste y sudeste, e invernar allí.
13Y soplando una brisa del sur, pareciéndoles que ya tenían lo que deseaban, levaron anclas e iban costeando Creta.
14Pero no mucho después dio contra la nave un viento huracanado llamado Euroclidón.
15Y siendo arrebatada la nave, y no pudiendo poner proa al viento, nos abandonamos a él y nos dejamos llevar.
16Y habiendo corrido a sotavento de una pequeña isla llamada Clauda, con dificultad pudimos recoger el esquife.
17Y una vez subido a bordo, usaron de refuerzos para ceñir la nave; y teniendo temor de dar en la Sirte, arriaron las velas y quedaron a la deriva.
18Pero siendo combatidos por una furiosa tempestad, al siguiente día empezaron a alijar,
19y al tercer día con nuestras propias manos arrojamos los aparejos de la nave.
20Y no apareciendo ni sol ni estrellas por muchos días, y acosados por una tempestad no pequeña, ya habíamos perdido toda esperanza de salvarnos.
21Entonces Pablo, como hacía ya mucho que no comíamos, puesto en pie en medio de ellos, dijo: Habría sido por cierto conveniente, oh varones, haberme oído, y no zarpar de Creta tan solo para recibir este perjuicio y pérdida.
22Pero ahora os exhorto a tener buen ánimo, pues no habrá ninguna pérdida de vida entre vosotros, sino solamente de la nave.
23Porque esta noche ha estado conmigo el ángel del Dios de quien soy y a quien sirvo,
24diciendo: Pablo, no temas; es necesario que comparezcas ante César; y he aquí, Dios te ha concedido todos los que navegan contigo.
25Por tanto, oh varones, tened buen ánimo; porque yo confío en Dios que será así como se me ha dicho.
26Con todo, es necesario que demos en alguna isla.
27Venida la decimacuarta noche, y siendo llevados a través del mar Adriático, a la medianoche los marineros sospecharon que estaban cerca de tierra;
28y echando la sonda, hallaron veinte brazas; y pasando un poco más adelante, volviendo a echar la sonda, hallaron quince brazas.
29Y temiendo dar en escollos, echaron cuatro anclas por la popa, y ansiaban que se hiciese de día.
30Entonces los marineros procuraron huir de la nave, y echando el esquife al mar, aparentaban como que querían largar las anclas de proa.
31Pero Pablo dijo al centurión y a los soldados: Si estos no permanecen en la nave, vosotros no podéis salvaros.
32Entonces los soldados cortaron las amarras del esquife y lo dejaron perderse.
33Cuando comenzó a amanecer, Pablo exhortaba a todos que comiesen, diciendo: Este es el decimocuarto día que veláis y permanecéis en ayunas, sin comer nada.
34Por tanto, os ruego que comáis por vuestra salud; pues ni aun un cabello de la cabeza de ninguno de vosotros perecerá.
35Y habiendo dicho esto, tomó el pan y dio gracias a Dios en presencia de todos, y partiéndolo, comenzó a comer.
36Entonces todos, teniendo ya mejor ánimo, comieron también.
37Y éramos todas las personas en la nave doscientas setenta y seis.
38Y ya satisfechos, aligeraron la nave, echando el trigo al mar.
39Cuando se hizo de día, no reconocían la tierra, pero veían una ensenada que tenía playa, en la cual acordaron varar, si pudiesen, la nave.
40Cortando, pues, las anclas, las dejaron en el mar, largando también las amarras del timón; e izada al viento la vela de proa, enfilaron hacia la playa.
41Pero dando en un lugar de dos aguas, hicieron encallar la nave; y la proa, hincada, quedó inmóvil, y la popa se abría con la violencia del mar.
42Entonces los soldados acordaron matar a los presos, para que ninguno se fugase nadando.
43Pero el centurión, queriendo salvar a Pablo, les impidió este intento, y mandó que los que pudiesen nadar se echasen los primeros, y saliesen a tierra;
44y los demás, parte en tablas, parte en cosas de la nave. Y así aconteció que todos se salvaron saliendo a tierra.
JAMIESON-FAUSSET-BROWN BIBLE COMMENTARY
Versículo 2
I. a ship of--belonging to.
Versículo 3
II. next day we touched at Sidon--To reach this ancient and celebrated Mediterranean port, about seve…
Versículo 4
III. when we had launched--"set sail."
Versículo 5
IV. when we had sailed over the Sea of Cilicia and Pamphylia--coasts with which Paul had been long fa…
Versículo 6
V. there . . . found a ship of Alexandria, sailing into Italy, and he put us therein--(See on Act 27…
Versículo 7
VI. sailed slowly many days--owing to contrary winds.
Versículo 8
VII. And hardly passing it--"with difficulty coasting along it," from the same cause as before, the we…
Versículo 9
VIII. when much time was spent--since leaving CÃ&brvbrsarea. But for unforeseen delays they might have …
Versículo 10
IX. Sirs, I perceive, that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, &c.--not by any divine comm…
Versículo 11
X. Nevertheless the centurion believed the master and owner . . . more than . . . Paul--He would nat…
Versículo 12
XI. Phenice--"Phenix," now called Lutro.
Versículo 13
XII. when the south wind blew softly, supposing they had attained their purpose--With such a wind they…
Versículo 14
XIII. a tempestuous--"typhonic"
Versículo 15
XIV. could not bear up into--"face"
Versículo 16
XV. under--the lee of.
Versículo 17
16. undergirding the ship--that is, passing four or five turns of a cable-laid rope round the hull or…
Versículo 19
17. cast out with our own hands--passengers and crew together.
Versículo 20
18. neither sun nor stars appeared in many--"several"
Versículo 21
19. But after long abstinence--(See on Act 27:33). "The hardships which the crew endured during a gal…
Versículo 23
20. there stood by me this night the angel of God--as in Act 16:9; Act 23:11.
Versículo 24
21. saying, Fear not, Paul: thou must be brought before CÃ&brvbrsar and, lo, God hath given thee all …
Versículo 27
22. when the fourteenth night was come--from the time they left Fair Havens.
Versículo 29
23. they cast four anchors out of the stern--The ordinary way was to cast the anchor, as now, from th…
Versículo 30
24. as the shipmen were about to flee out of the ship--under cover of night.
Versículo 31
25. Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers--the only parties now to be trusted, and whose own…
Versículo 32
26. Then the soldiers cut off the ropes of the boat--already lowered.
Versículo 33
27. while day was coming on--"until it should be day"; that is, in the interval between the cutting o…
Versículo 34
28. I pray you to take some meat, for this is for your health, for there shall not a hair fall from .…
Versículo 35
29. when he had thus spoken he took bread--assuming the lead.
Versículo 36
30. Then were they all of good cheer, and they also took some meat--"took food"; the first full meal …
Versículo 38
31. when they had eaten enough, &c.--With fresh strength after the meal, they make a third and last e…
Versículo 39
32. when it was day they knew not the land--This has been thought surprising in sailors accustomed to…
Versículo 40
33. taken up the anchors, they committed themselves to the sea--The Margin is here evidently right, "…
Versículo 41
34. falling into a place where two seas met--SMITH thinks this refers to the channel, not more than o…
Versículo 42
35. the soldiers' counsel was to hill the prisoners, lest any . . . should escape--Roman cruelty, whi…
Versículo 43
36. the centurion, &c.--Great must have been the influence of Paul over the centurion's mind to produ…