Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Acts 27:33
And while the day was coming on, Paul besought [them] all to take meat, saying, This day is the fourteenth day that ye have tarried and continued fasting, having taken nothing.
33. while the day was coming on ] Before it was light enough to see what had best be done. Here again we may notice how every means was to be employed for safety. Paul urges them to take now a proper meal that when the time for work arrives they may be in a condition to undertake it. The remaining clauses of the verse are not to be understood as implying that the fast had been entire for so long a time. Such a thing is impossible. But what the Apostle means is that the crew and passengers had taken during all that time no regular food, only snatching a morsel now and then when they were able, and that of something which had not been prepared.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
And while the day was coming on – At daybreak. It was before they had sufficient light to discern what they should do.
To take meat – Food. The word meat was formerly used to denote food of any kind.
That ye have tarried – That you have remained or been fasting.
Having taken nothing – No regular meal. It cannot mean that they had lived entirely without food, but that they had been in so much danger, were so constantly engaged, and had been so anxious about their safety, that they had taken no regular meal, or that what they had taken had been at irregular intervals, and had been a scanty allowance. Appian speaks of an army which for 20 days together had neither food nor sleep; by which he must mean that they neither made full meals nor slept whole nights together. The same interpretation must be given to this phrase (Doddridge). The effect of this must have been that they would be exhausted, and little able to endure the fatigues which yet remained.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 33. While the day was coining on] It was then apparently about day-break.
This day is the fourteenth day that ye have – continued fasting] Ye have not had one regular meal for these fourteen days past. Indeed we may take it for granted that, during the whole of the storm, very little was eaten by any man: for what appetite could men have for food, who every moment had death before their eyes?
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
While the day was coming on; all the night after the mariners were disappointed in their project to escape. So hard a matter it was to abate their fear of being presently destroyed; and so great influence hath the apprehension of present death, and judgment which follows it, upon the minds of men.
The fourteenth day; not as if they had wholly eaten nothing all that while, (for it is commonly held, that none can fast above half so long without danger of death), but because in all that space they had held no set meal, as they were wont to do; and what they did eat was very little, and only in extreme necessity, without any desire or taste; so great was their anguish.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
33-37. while day was comingon“until it should be day”; that is, in the intervalbetween the cutting off of the boat and the approach of day, whichall were “anxiously looking for” (Ac27:29).
Paulnow looked up toby all the passengers as the man to direct them.
besought themall to take meat“partake of a meal.”
saying, This is thefourteenth day ye have tarried“waited for a breathingtime.”
having eaten nothingthatis, taken no regular meal. The impossibility of cooking, theoccupation of all hands to keep down leakage, &c., sufficientlyexplain this, which is indeed a common occurrence in such cases.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And while the day was coming on,…. Between midnight and break of day: Paul besought them all to take meat; to sit down and eat a meal together:
saying, this day is the fourteenth day that ye have tarried; or have been waiting for, or expecting; that is, as the Arabic version expresses it, a shipwreck; for fourteen days past, ever since the storm begun, they had expected nothing but shipwreck and death:
and continued fasting, having taken nothing: not that they had neither ate nor drank all that while, for without a miracle they could never have lived so long without eating something; but the meaning is, they had not eaten anyone regular meal all that while, had only caught up a bit now and then, and ate it, and that but very little.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
While the day was coming on ( ). More likely here (for ) with the imperfect , has its usual meaning, “until which time day was about to come on (, present middle infinitive, linear action).” That is Paul kept on exhorting or beseeching (, imperfect active) them until dawn began to come on (cf. verse 39 when day came). In Heb 3:13 with the present indicative has to mean “so long as” or while, but that is not true here (Robertson, Grammar, p. 975). See on Ac 2:46 for the same phrase for partaking food ( , genitive case) as also in 27:34. Paul wanted them to be ready for action when day really came. “Fourteenth day” repeated (verse 27), only here in the accusative of duration of time (). It is not clear whether the “waiting” (, present active participle predicate nominative complementary participle after , Robertson, Grammar, p. 1121) means fourteen days of continuous fasting or only fourteen successive nights of eager watching without food. Galen and Dionysius of Halicarnassus employ the very idiom used here by Luke ( ).
Having taken nothing ( ). Second aorist middle participle of with the accusative rather than the more usual . Probably Paul means that they had taken no regular meals, only bits of food now and then.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
While the day was coming on [ ] . Lit., until it should become day : in the interval between midnight and morning.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “And while the day was coming on,” (achri de hou hemera emellen ginesthai) “Then as the day (daylight) was about to arrive,” to come, as day was breaking, the interval of time after the cutting off of the boat in which the sailors had planned to escape first, and when day light arrived.
2) “Paul besought them all to take meat, saying (parekalei ho Paulos hapantas metablein trophes legon) “Paul appealed to all on board the ship to partake of food, saying,” explaining, announcing. He was now looked up to, by all aboard the ship. God’s people never stand taller, or shine more brightly, than in the midst of life’s midnight storms, Mat 5:15-16.
3) “This day is the fourteenth day,” (tessareskaidekaten semeron hemeran) “Today is the fourteenth day, in a row, in succession, since the storm set in, Act 27:14-15.
4) “That ye have tarried and continued fasting,” (prasdokontes asitoi diateleite) “That you all have been waiting, you have continued without food,” you have been fasting. It was quite a breathing time from the normalcy of life.
5) “Having taken nothing.” (methen peoslabomenoi) “Taking comparatively not one thing to eat,” not a regular meal, nothing sufficient to sustain their vigorous needs.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
−
33. And when the day began. Whatsoever the mariners think, Paul’s faith doth not quail; − (648) but he leaneth steadfastly to the promise which was made to him. For he doth not only exhort them to take meat, as did he who, in extreme despair, uttered these words, Dine, soldiers, we shall sup in hell; − (649) but continuing steadfast in his prophecy, he willeth them to be of good courage. The force of faith doth therein show itself, when as it armeth us unto patience, and doth valiantly bear off and beat back those assaults wherewith Satan goeth about to shake it. But whereas he saith, that they continued fasting for the space of fourteen days, it may seem absurd and false. There may some one man be found which can abide to fast long, but it is scarce credible of so great a multitude. We may easily answer, That their unwonted abstinence from meat is improperly called fasting; because they had never filled their belly during all that time; because those who are in sorrow and heaviness do almost loathe meat. And because despair was the cause of this their loathing of meat, he affirmeth again that they shall live, so they be of good courage. For a faithful minister of the word must not only bring abroad the promises, but also counsel men to follow God whithersoever he calleth them; and that they be not slothful and sluggish. Furthermore, the meaning of the words is this, God hath determined to save you, this confidence ought to animate you, and to make you merry, − (650) that you be not negligent in your own business. −
(648) −
“
Vacillat,” waver.
(649) −
“
Apud inferos,” with the dead.
(650) −
“
Alacres,” alert, active.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(33) Paul besought them all to take meat.Better, to take food; and so in the next verse. Once again the practical insight of the Apostleyet more, perhaps, his kindly human sympathycomes prominently forward. Soldiers and sailors needed something that would draw them together after the incident just narrated. All were liable at once to the despair and the irritability caused by exhaustion.
That ye have tarried and continued fasting, having taken nothing.Better, that ye continue on the look-out, without a meal, taking no extra food. The English somewhat exaggerates the force of the Greek. The word for fasting is not that which is commonly used in the New Testament to express entire abstinence from food. It was physically impossible that the two hundred and seventy-six who were on board could have gone on for fourteen days without any food at all. Scanty rations had, we must believe, been doled out to those who came for them; but the tension of suspense was so great that they had not sat down to any regular meal. They had taken, as the last word implies, nothing beyond what was absolutely necessary to keep body and soul together. What they wanted physically was food, and morally, the sense of restored companionship; and to this St. Pauls advice led them.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
33. Nothing No regular meal.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘And while the day was coming on, Paul besought them all to take some food, saying, “This day is the fourteenth day that you wait and continue fasting, having taken nothing. Wherefore I beseech you to take some food, for this is for your safety, for there will not a hair perish from the head of any of you.” ’
Then Paul pointed out that none of them had eaten properly for fourteen days. They had done all that was humanly possible. It was now time to take some food, which would strengthen them for the ordeal ahead. For he promised that not a hair of their heads would perish. This same promise had been given by Jesus when speaking of the tribulations that God’s people must face, where it had in mind the need for endurance (Luk 21:18), which again confirms that this story was intended by Luke to have a spiritual application.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Paul again encourages his shipmates:
v. 33. And while the day was coming on, Paul besought them all to take me at, saying, This day is the fourteenth day that ye have tarried and continued fasting, having taken nothing.
v. 34. Wherefore I pray you to take some me at, for this is for your health; for there shall not an hair fall from the head of any of you.
v. 35. And when he had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in presence of them all; and when he had broken it, he began to eat.
v. 36. Then were they all of good cheer, and they also took some meat.
v. 37. And we were in all in the ship two hundred three score and sixteen souls.
v. 38. And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, and cast out the wheat into the sea. That the events of the last two weeks, the terrible buffeting by wind and waves, the constant danger of death, the absence of sun and stars, had had a demoralizing effect upon all men on board, is easily understood. In spite of Paul’s cheering and reassuring words when the storm was at its height, the strain had not permitted either crew or passengers to eat. The man with the greatest calmness and self-possession on the entire vessel was the apostle; he was now easily the leading spirit in the whole ship’s company. Since about midnight the ship had been straining at her anchors, in constant danger that some unusually heavy sea might cause the cables to part and throw them all on the rocky reefs. And now, finally, came the late dawn of a lowering November day. But just as day was about to break. Paul earnestly urged all men on board to take some food, reminding them that it was now the fourteenth day since they had been on the watch, on the lookout for help and deliverance, during all of which time they had been without food and had eaten nothing, had taken no regular meal. Now and then one of them might have snatched a hasty bite, but not enough to keep up sufficient strength for any emergency. “Paul suggests to the whole company to take food, in order to strengthen themselves for the escape from the ship. This was a wise and necessary act. It was forced on Paul by the situation; yet he was the only one that preserved sufficient coolness and courage to think of preparing for the immediate future. ” Paul thus begged them to take some food and to make a good square meal of it, since this was necessary for their safety and for the work which they would have to perform to obtain deliverance from their present peril. And he again assures them that not a hair of their heads would perish; they would neither lose their lives nor suffer any serious hurt in their bodies. After these words Paul himself set a good example: he took some bread, gave thanks to God before them all, and, breaking the bread, began to eat. Note that Paul, even in the time of greatest peril, did not neglect to say grace and thank God, who had provided the food; nor did the presence of heathen hinder him from following his usual custom in this respect. The courage of Paul was infectious, for now the entire company was of good cheer; all men on board felt the need of showing more trust and manliness, and so they also themselves took some meat, partook of food, a large number, as Luke notes, a total of two hundred and seventy-six souls: they all were inspired by his confidence. When they had then eaten to their satisfaction, every one making a full meal of it, this restored them to such calmness and strength that they afterwards lightened the ship by throwing the grain, which seems to have made up a large part of her cargo, into the sea. The purpose was to have the vessel ride as high as possible in the water, thus diminishing her draught sufficiently to lift her over banks and shoals and to bring her as near to the land as possible. Note: It is always to the advantage and profit of the children of this world that Christians live in their midst. More than once, in days of great danger and distress, the advice and the prayers of the Christians have brought help.
Fuente: The Popular Commentary on the Bible by Kretzmann
Act 27:33. This day is the fourteenth, &c. This is the fourteenth day that, waiting for some favourable change, ye have continued fasting, and not taken one meal. Heylin. Comp. Mat 11:18. Appian speaks of an army, which for twenty days together took neither food nor sleep; by which he must mean, they never made full meals, nor slept whole nights together. The sameinterpretation, I think, should be given to the phrase before us; which some also suppose may intimate, that they were now at short allowance, as they were likely to have a much longer voyage than was at first intended, and had 276 souls on board.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Act 27:33 . But now, when he had overcome this danger, it was the care of the prudent rescuer, before anything further, to see those on board strengthened for the new work of the new day by food. But until it should become day , so long, therefore, as the darkness of the night up to the first break of dawn did not allow any ascertaining of their position or further work, in this interval he exhorted all , etc.
. . . . .] waiting (for deliverance), the fourteenth day to-day (since the departure from Fair Havens), ye continue without food . holds with . the place of a participle. See the passages in Winer, p. 326 [E. T. 437]; Krger on Thuc . i. 34. 2, and Khner, ad Xen. Mem. i. 6. 2.
.] since ye have taken to you (adhibuistis) nothing (no food). This emphatically strengthens the . That, however, the two terms are not to be understood of complete abstinence from food, but relatively, is self-evident; Paul expresses the “insolitam cibi abstinentiam” (Calvin) earnestly and forcibly. Comp. , Act 27:21 .
Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament Commentary
33 And while the day was coming on, Paul besought them all to take meat, saying, This day is the fourteenth day that ye have tarried and continued fasting, having taken nothing.
Ver. 33. Having taken nothing ] i.e. Having made no set meal but by snatches and catches. When life is in danger, all is laid aside till that be secured. Oh that we were likewise wise for our souls; surely if we knew our danger, we should neither eat nor drink till we had made our peace with God. For is it nothing to lose an immortal soul? to purchase an everliving death?
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
33. ] This precaution on the part of Paul was another means taken of providing for their safety. All would, on the approaching day, have their strength fully taxed: which therefore needed recruiting by food.
until it began to be day: i.e. in the interval between the last-mentioned occurrence and daybreak, Paul employed the time, &c.
] waiting the cessation of the storm. The following expressions, . ., . ., are spoken hyperbolically, and cannot mean literally that they had abstained entirely from food during the whole fortnight .
with a gen. (‘e salute vestra’) is only found here in N. T.: compare ref., and , Herodot. i. 75.
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Act 27:33 . : only used by Luke in the historical books of the N.T., cf. Luk 21:24 , Act 7:18 ; in St. Paul’s Epistles three or four times, Heb 3:13 , Rev 2:25 . Ramsay renders “and while the day was coming on,” so A. and R.V.; dum with imperfect, Heb 3:13 (Blass). But Rendall takes it as = until , as if Paul had continued his entreaties until close on dawn (imperfect). , cf. Act 2:46 for the same phrase, only in Luke in N.T. . . . .: “this is the fourteenth day that ye wait (A.V. ‘tarry,’ Ramsay, ‘watch’) and continue fasting”. Rendall renders “this is the fourteenth day that ye have continued fasting on the watch for the dawn” . sc. , as if St. Paul did not mean a fourteenth day of continuous fasting, but fourteen successive nights of anxious watching for the dawn, all alike spent in restless hungry expectation of what the day might reveal ( Acts , p. 347), but is here without an object as in Luk 3:15 (Weiss). For the word see further Act 28:6 , and cf. only in Act 12:11 and Luk 21:26 . On the accusative of time, as expressed here, cf. Blass, Gram. , p. 93. : precisely the same collocation of words occur in Galen, , so also , and Hippocrates speaks of a man who continued suffering for fourteen days (see Hobart and Zahn). It must however be admitted that the same collocation as in this verse and is found in Dion. Hal. (Wetstein, in loco ). For the construction see Winer-Moulton, xlv., 4; cf. Thuc., i., 34. ., i.e. , taking no regular meal, so Weiss, Blass, Zckler, Alford, Plumptre, Felten, Bethge, Wendt. Breusing, p. 196, and Vars, p. 250, both explain the word as meaning that in their perilous and hopeless condition those on board had not gone to fetch their regular food and rations, but had subsisted on any bits of food they might have by them; in ancient ships there were no tables spread, or waiters to bring food to the passengers, and each one who wanted refreshment must fetch it for himself. Plumptre takes as meaning no extra food, only what would keep body and soul together, but it is doubtful whether the Greek will bear this or Breusing’s interpretation.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Act 27:33-38
33Until the day was about to dawn, Paul was encouraging them all to take some food, saying, “Today is the fourteenth day that you have been constantly watching and going without eating, having taken nothing. 34Therefore I encourage you to take some food, for this is for your preservation, for not a hair from the head of any of you will perish.” 35Having said this, he took bread and gave thanks to God in the presence of all, and he broke it and began to eat. 36All of them were encouraged and they themselves also took food. 37All of us in the ship were two hundred and seventy-six persons. 38When they had eaten enough, they began to lighten the ship by throwing out the wheat into the sea.
Act 27:34 “not a hair from the head of any of you will perish” Paul uses words similar to Jesus’ words (cf. Luk 12:7; Luk 21:18). This was a Hebrew idiom of protection (cf. 1Sa 14:45; 2Sa 14:11; 1Ki 1:52).
Act 27:35 This does not refer to the Lord’s Supper, but it does show Paul’s faith, even in the midst of crisis. Paul’s faith influenced others (cf. Act 27:36).
Act 27:37 “two hundred and seventy-six” This includes crew and passengers.
1. Manuscript B (fourth century) has “76”
2. MSS (fourth century) and C (fifth century) have “276”
3. Manuscript A (fifth century) has “275”
4. All modern English translations have 276
UBS4 gives it a “B” rating (almost certain).
Act 27:38 This was a large grain ship from Egypt. They had already thrown overboard all other cargo and rigging (cf. Act 27:18).
Fuente: You Can Understand the Bible: Study Guide Commentary Series by Bob Utley
besought = was entreating. Greek. parakaleo. App-134.
take. Greek. metalambano. See Act 2:46.
meat = food, or nourishment. Greek. trophe.
This day, &c. Literally Tarrying (or waiting) to-day, the fourteenth day.
tarried. Greek. prosdokao. App-183.
and continued = ye continue. Greek. diateleo. Only here.
fasting = without food. Greek. asitos. Only here. Compare Act 27:21. Figure of speech Synecdoche. App-6.
taken. Greek. proslambano. See Act 17:5.
nothing. Greek. mideis.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
33.] This precaution on the part of Paul was another means taken of providing for their safety. All would, on the approaching day, have their strength fully taxed: which therefore needed recruiting by food.
until it began to be day: i.e. in the interval between the last-mentioned occurrence and daybreak, Paul employed the time, &c.
] waiting the cessation of the storm. The following expressions, . ., . ., are spoken hyperbolically, and cannot mean literally that they had abstained entirely from food during the whole fortnight.
with a gen. (e salute vestra) is only found here in N. T.: compare ref., and , Herodot. i. 75.
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Act 27:33. ) until, whilst. In the time of dawn there was more scope for lengthened exhortation.-, fourteenth) Construed with , waitlng for, expecting (relief): for they had not so long abstained from food, although perhaps they had had no regular dinner or supper. For the rest, the fourteenth day, as Wall thinks, was thought the critical [decisive of their fate] day among sailors.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
while: Act 27:29
This: Act 27:27
Reciprocal: Est 4:16 – eat nor drink Mat 15:32 – three Act 9:19 – when Act 27:21 – after
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
4
Act 27:33-34. While waiting for daylight, Paul advised them to break their fast for their- health. Too long abstinence from food would be injurious, and besides, as their ultimate escape was assured, there was no reason for them to punish themselves more.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Waiting for the DaySt. Pauls ExhortationA hearty Meal taken by all on boardOn his Advice, Cargo thrown overboard, 33-38.
Act 27:33. Paul besought them all. A better translation would be that he exhorted them all. Once more we see the apostle in the position of supreme command, as the only person on board in whom confidence was placed. Whatever he did now might be expected to have a distinctly religious effect upon the minds of the crew and the passengers.
To take some meat. This was characteristic not only of his good sense and presence of mind, but of his sympathetic nature. See, for instance, Act 14:17; 1Ti 5:23; 2Ti 4:20. The word meat is used in the general sense of food.
This is the fourteenth day. See note above on Act 27:27.
Having taken nothing. He uses words naturally, in their popular sense. Those whom he addressed knew what he meant. A fortnight had passed without any regular meal (see note on Act 27:21). Even from the very mention of this subject, it is evident that there was much suffering from hunger and weakness. Some hours at least, apparently even a longer time, had passed since that incident; and now they must have been utterly exhausted from the want of proper food.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
Observe here, 1. What honour God put upon the holy apostle: although he was a poor prisoner in chains, yet God made him the only counsellor and comforter unto all that were in the ship.
First, he adviseth them to eat, because that through consternation of mind, and horror of death, they had made no set meal for fourteen days; not that they subsisted miraculously without any nourishment at all, but eat so little that it was in a manner continual fasting.
Next he becomes the chaplain of the ship, He gave thanks to God in the presence of them all; that is, he desired God’s blessing upon what they eat, and praised him for it. Thanks should be returned when benefits are received from the hand of man, much more from the hand of God. What shall we think of those that sit down to a full table as a beast to his forage, without taking any notice of the bountiful hand that feeds them?
St. Paul having thus refreshed himself, and by his example and words encouraged all the rest to do the like, an account is taken of the exact number of persons which were in the ship, and it was found to be two hundred threescore and sixteen souls. Probably this was done at the motion of St. Paul, that so, after their deliverance, it might appear how exactly his prediction, mentioned, That there shall be no loss of any man’s life, nor an hair fall from the head of any, was verified and fulfilled. Act 27:22
Whatever God speaks by the mouth of his holy servants, be it by way of prediction or denunciation, shall certainly be accomplished and come to pass: God is honoured in his truth, when his promises are fulfilled towards his people, and threatenings inflicted on his enemies.
Fuente: Expository Notes with Practical Observations on the New Testament
Act 27:33-38. While the day was coming on Before they had light sufficient to discern what they should do; Paul besought them all to take meat To take some refreshment; saying, This is the fourteenth day that ye continue fasting Not as if they had absolutely eaten nothing all that while; for it is generally allowed that none can fast half so long without danger of death; having taken nothing No regular meal; through a deep sense of your extreme danger: the necessary consequence of which is, that you must be very faint and weak, and unfit for those exertions and fatigues which may farther lie before you; for it will be a narrow escape that we are to expect, and we may find great difficulties in getting on shore. If a sense of the great danger they were in took away all their desire for food, let us not wonder if men who have a deep sense of the danger they are in of everlasting death should, for a time, forget either to take food, or to attend to their worldly affairs. Much less let us censure that as madness which may be the beginning of true wisdom. Wherefore Since till the morning rises we can attempt nothing by way of approach to land; I pray , I exhort; you to take , nourishment, for this is , for your preservation, that ye may be the better able to swim to shore; for there shall not a hair, &c. A proverbial expression, assuring them of entire safety. And when he had thus spoken, he took bread and gave thanks For that provision which God now gave them in their necessities, and for the assurance of life with which he had favoured them by so particular a revelation; and when he had broken it, he began to eat Thus setting them an example. Then were they all of good cheer Encouraged by his example as well as words; and they also took some meat As he had done. And when they had eaten enough As much as was sufficient for their present refreshment and support; they lightened the ship Still more than they had done; and cast out the wheat The very stores they had on board; into the sea So firmly did they now depend on what Paul had said.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
33-36. In a time of extreme danger like the present, a man who is able to maintain complete self-possession has great control over those who are alarmed. Paul had already displayed his coolness and watchfulness to the soldiers, and had outgeneraled the sailors; consequently he became at once the leading spirit in the whole ship’s company. During the entire inactivity of the crew, while swinging at anchor and waiting for daylight, he endeavored to impart his own calmness to them all. (33) “Now while day was coming on, Paul besought them all to take some food; saying, This is the fourteenth day that you have been waiting, and continued fasting, having taken nothing. (34) Wherefore, I beseech you to take some food; for this is for your preservation; for not a hair shall fall from the head of any of you. (35) And when he had thus spoken, he took a loaf and returned thanks to God before all, and broke it, and began to eat. (36) Then all were of good cheer, and they also took some food.” The remark that they had taken no food for fourteen days must be interpreted in the light of the circumstances. It is not a remark of the Luke addressed to his readers, but one of Paul, addressed to his hearers. If they had taken any food at all during the time, which they certainly did, unless they were sustained by a miracle, they could but understand him as merely expressing, in strong terms, their severe abstinence. Such was undoubtedly his meaning. If Luke had been describing the fact in his own words instead of Paul’s, perhaps he would have stated it to us with some qualification. Here, again, the apostle assures them that no harm shall befall them, yet in the same breath urged them to eat heartily, as a precaution for their safety. Their safety, though certain, was still dependent upon their exertions, and, in order that they might have strength for the labor before them, it was necessary that they should break their long and exhausting fast.
The cheerfulness of Paul, as he gave thanks to God, broke the loaf, and began to eat, inspired them all with new courage. As their excitement subsided, their appetites returned; and a hearty meal, which generally smooths a rough temper, and acts as a sedative upon all mental excitement, completed her restoration of general cheerfulness, and prepared them to undertake, with alacrity, the work yet to be done.
Fuente: McGarvey and Pendleton Commentaries (New Testament)
33-37. While lying at anchor from midnight till day, Paul has them all at his command. God has brought him to the front and given him complete audience and obedience of all on board, sailors, soldiers and voyagers. He now exhorts them all to eat, as they have fasted fourteen days and nights. No wonder they did not eat. Amid such awful tossing the stomach is incompetent to digest food. Hence universal nausea prevails. Besides, if you saw death looking you straight in the face you would not eat. By this time they are wonderfully cheered up, believing Paul, who assures them that not a hair of their head shall perish, as his God has given him all of his fellow travelers. So Paul encourages them all now to eat, breaking bread and giving thanks to his God in presence of the entire heathen crowd. He begins to eat, and all the balance joyfully follow his example.
Fuente: William Godbey’s Commentary on the New Testament
Verse 33
Meat; food.–Having taken nothing; almost nothing,–nothing at all adequate to the demands of nature.
Fuente: Abbott’s Illustrated New Testament
27:33 {10} And while the day was coming on, Paul besought [them] all to take meat, saying, This day is the fourteenth day that ye have tarried and continued fasting, having taken nothing.
(10) When the world trembles, the faithful alone are not only at peace, but strengthen and encourage others by their example.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
All on board needed to eat to gain strength for the work of getting ashore that lay ahead. Paul gave thanks to God publicly for the food (cf. 1Ti 4:4-5). This would have helped all present to connect their deliverance with God. This meal was evidently not a celebration of the Lord’s Supper, as some commentators suggested. [Note: E.g., Neil, p. 252.] The circumstances of the occasion argue against this view as does the terminology Luke used (Act 27:35; cf. Luk 24:30). The rest of the people followed Paul’s example and ate too.
"It could never be said of Paul as it was said of some people that ’they were so heavenly minded that they were of no earthly use.’ He knew that hungry men are not efficient men; and so he gathered the ship’s company around him and made them eat." [Note: Barclay, p. 204.]