Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Acts 27:37
And we were in all in the ship two hundred threescore and sixteen souls.
37. two hundred threescore and sixteen ] As we do not know the number of prisoners and soldiers, it is impossible to form any conclusion about the manning of such a ship as this. The number here mentioned is very large, and we cannot suppose that a merchantman from Alexandria to Rome would carry a very large crew. But to accept the reading (supported by very little authority) which makes the whole company “about threescore and sixteen” has equal difficulty on the other side, and the way in which it arose can be easily explained from the use of letters for numerals among the Greeks. A vessel which could have four anchors cast from the stern, and still have more to spare for the foreship, must have been of large size and have needed many hands. The occasion of the numbering was probably the near expectation of coming ashore, and so it was needful to have all told, for the captain, in respect of the crew, and for the centurion, that of his prisoners and soldiers none might be allowed to escape or be missing. The mention of the number at this point of the history is one of the many very natural features of the narrative.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
That is, so many persons; as Act 2:41; 7:14; Rom 13:1; the soul being the noblest part, and the body following its condition, whatsoever it be: if the soul be holy, the body shall be glorious. But it is not so on the other side: the soul is not hereafter as the body is here; for Divess body fared well, was fed and arrayed sumptuously, and yet his soul was miserably tormented, Luk 16:19,24.
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 we were in all in the ship,…. Reckoning the master and owner of the ship, and the centurion and the soldiers, and the apostle and his company, with whatsoever passengers there might be:
two hundred and threescore and sixteen souls; the Alexandrian copy reads, “two hundred seventy and five”; and the Ethiopic version, “two hundred and six”. This account of the number is given to show, that the historian, who was one of them, had an exact knowledge of all in the ship; and this being recorded before the account of the shipwreck, may serve to make the truth of the relation the more to be believed that none of them perished, since their number was so precisely known; and makes it the more marvellous, that such a number of men should be saved, and in a shipwreck; and shows, that there must be a wonderful interposition of divine power to bring them all safe to land.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Two hundred three-score and sixteen souls ( ). The Vatican Manuscript (B) has in place of (two hundred) which Westcott and Hort put in the margin. But Alford is probably correct in suggesting that the scribe of B wrote by repeating the omega in with = 200 (Greek numeral). If the number 276 seems large, it is to be remembered that we do not know the size of the ship. Josephus (Life, 3) says that there were 600 on the ship that took him to Italy. The grain ships were of considerable size. The number included sailors, soldiers, and prisoners. A muster or roll call may have been made.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
1) “And we were in all in the ship,” (emetha de hai pasai en to ploio) “Now there were (in all) in the ship,” by number of us all. This was made up of Julius, the centurion, over one hundred Roman soldiers, the shipmaster and the owner of the ship, and officers of the ship, a crew of sailors, Luke, and Aristarchus, companions in travel with Paul, Act 27:1-2; Act 27:11; Act 27:27; Act 27:30.
2) “Two hundred threescore and sixteen souls.” (diakosia hebdomekonta heks) “Two hundred and seventy six,” in number on board the ship of Alexandria, Act 27:6. These corn ships (or wheat ships) were large, noble, vessels, often carrying more than 1,000 tons of grain. The number on board may have been given, at this time in the narrative, when food was distributed to each.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
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37. All the souls The number of the men is recited, first, that it may more plainly appear that none of the multitude did perish. For Luke doth not show how many men did swim to the shore, but how many men were then in the ship. Secondly, that the miracle may be made more evident and also famous; for, in man’s judgment, it is a thing impossible that two hundred threescore and sixteen men should escape to land, having suffered shipwreck, without loss of any man’s life. For it is likely that few had any skill in swimming except the mariners. And though they were somewhat refreshed with the meat which they had eaten, yet they were brought so low with sorrows and wearisomeness, that it is a marvel that they were so nimble as that they could move their arms. And now we must consider what a stir they kept; whereas it is seldom seen that twenty or thirty men do so swim in danger, but one of them doth hinder or drown another. Therefore, God did plainly stretch forth his hand out of heaven, seeing all those came to shore safe and sound which had cast themselves into the sea. −
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
CRITICAL REMARKS
Act. 27:38. They lightened the ship.For the third time (see Act. 27:18-19). Either because of its sinking condition, or because they wished it to get nearer shore. What they threw out was the wheat, . Either
(1) the ships provisions (Alford, Plumptre, Holtzmann, Hausrath) which were now no longer neededagainst this has been urged that by this time these must have been so reduced as to make little difference to the load (Smith), though it must not be overlooked that for the past fourteen days these provisions had been barely touched; or
(2) the remainder of the ships cargo (Smith, Conybeare and Howson, Zckler).
Act. 27:39. A certain creek with a shore, or bay with a beach, as distinguished from the island in the middle of the sea (ver, 16). St Pauls Bay, supposed to be here referred to, is situated at the north-west extremity of the island of Malta, and is formed by the main shore on the south and the island of Salmonetta on the north (Hackett). They were minded.Better, they took counsel.
Act. 27:40. They committed themselves should be the anchors unto the sea.Having no time to haul in the anchors, the sailors cut the ropes and abandoned them. The mainsail, is considered a wrong translation by nautical authorities, who substitute for it the foresaili.e., the sail attached to the mast nearest the prow.
Act. 27:41. A place where two seas met was probably the channel between the smaller Salmonetta and the larger Malta (Smith). The sea flowing in from both sides would create a sand-or mud-bank, upon which the vessel ran aground before reaching the beach.
Act. 27:42. The inhuman proposal of this verse, which proceeded from the soldiers, because they were, in a measure, answerable for the safety of the prisoners, could only be equalled by its base ingratitude, since it involved the killing of Paul, to whom they had already more than once owed their lives.
Act. 27:43. Willing should be wishing to save Paul.This clause shows the impression made by Paul upon his keeper, but need not, on that account, have been a later interpolation (Zeller). Should cast themselves first into the sea should be having cast themselves overboard (from the ship, ) should go forth first (, from the sea) upon the land.This would enable them to assist the others, and prevent the escape of the prisoners.
Act. 27:44. It is a comfort to know that Baur and Weizscker recognise the historical credibility of this chapter. Although here and there betraying another hand, says the former, it is for the most part authentic; the latter adds, with this section we tread the firm ground of history; here everything is fresh, simple and natural, and reported with a skilful pen.
HOMILETICAL ANALYSIS.Act. 27:37-44
Running Ashore; or, Escaping Safe to Land
I. Preparing the ship.After all on board, following Pauls example, and doubtless comforted by Pauls assurance of safety, had partaken of food, they commenced to make ready for the work which lay before them of beaching their vessel. In order either to keep it afloat or to enable it to run as far in towards the shore as possible, they, for the third time, lightened it, by casting overboard the wheat, by which must be understood either the ships provisions, which would be no more needed, or the ships cargo (or what remained of it) which, in any case, would be damaged and rendered practically worthless, if it was not totally lost. (See Critical Remarks.)
II. Selecting a place.This was found in a certain bay which the morning light revealed, but which they did not recognise, on account of its not being the usual spot for landing at Melita. It had a beach of sand, which made it look a promising locality in which to land their disabled craft. Selecting a spot where two opposite currents appeared to meet, they resolved at that point to make the attempt, in which, however, they were not certain of succeeding. Hence the clause if it were possible (A.V.), or as it is in the R.V., they took counsel whether. The bay is believed to have been St. Pauls bay, on the northern extremity of Malta, in front of which lay the small island of Salmonetta (see Critical Remarks).
III. Running ashore.First, the four anchors having been cast off, because, in all probability, the sailors could not afford the time necessary to take them up, were left in the sea. Next, the rudder bands were loosedi.e., the lashings with which they had been secured were untied. Then, hoisting up the foresail, the seamen made for the beach. Passing the island of Salmonetta, and observing the water behind they ran the ship in that direction. In a sandbank, most likely caused by the meeting of counter currents, the forepart of the vessel stuck in the ground, while the stern continued to be lashed by the waves.
She struck where the white and fleecy waves
Looked soft as the carded wool;
But the cruel rocks, they gored her side
Like the horns of an angry bull.
Longfellow.
IV. Escaping to land.
1. The counsel of the soldiers was inhuman, that the prisoners should be killed, in case they should escape. Even if explainable by the terrible responsibility which attached to soldiers entrusted with the safe keeping of prisoners (compare Act. 12:19; Act. 16:27), it was a gruesome proposal, which might have been carried out had not Julius interposed.
2. The suggestion of the centurion was generous. Dictated, if not by humanity, by a desire to protect Paul, it served to show the influence Pauls personality had begun to exercise upon his mind. One cannot help recalling here that it was a Roman centurion who recognised the superhuman majesty of Pauls Master (Mat. 27:54). The course recommended by Julius was that those among the soldiers who could swim should cast themselves overboard and get first to landin which case they could both look after the prisoners as they arrived upon the beach, and extend a helping hand to any of the passengers that might need their aid.
3. The escape of the others was accomplished with difficulty. The ship, unable to resist the storm, fell to pieces. Those on board were driven to save themselves as best they could. Happily, by means of planks of wood and broken pieces of the ship, this was effected. Not with comfort or with ease, but with complete bodily safety, all contrived to reach the land
Learn
1. That God helps those who help themselves. Though Paul had assured his fellow-voyagers that their lives would be spared, it was needful that they should take every precaution against their lives loss.
2. That
Mans inhumanity to man
Makes countless thousands mourn.
The barbarous proposal of the soldiers to kill the prisoners was even worse than the attempt of the sailors to desert the ship.
3. That the silent influence for good of a good man is often all the greater that it is unconsciously exercised. Pauls presence on board that ship saved the prisoners from a bloody death.
4. That God can always find means to fulfil His promises. He had promised that not a life on board that ship should be lost, and so it came to pass that they all escaped safe to land.
HINTS AND SUGGESTIONS
Act. 27:37. A Great Ships Company.Two hundred threescore and sixteen souls
I. Exposed to a common peril.That of foundering in mid ocean.
II. Inspired by a common hope (Act. 27:34).That of ultimate safety.
III. Engaged in a common work (Act. 27:38).That of self-preservation.
IV. Partakers of a common mercy (Act. 27:44).That of final deliverance.
Act. 27:42. The Soldiers Counsel.
I. A proposal of truculent barbarity.
II. An example of base ingratitude.
III. An instance of heartless selfishness.
Act. 27:44. The Voyage of the Church of Jesus Christ. Like that of Pauls ship in respect of five things.
I. The stormy sea over which it sails.
II. The fierce and sudden hurricanes it encounters.
III. The unknown country which it nears.
IV. The mixed company which it bears along.
V. The ultimate safety to which it reaches.
Or, thus:
The Barque of the Church Compared to Pauls Ship.
I. Its dangers.
1. Contrary winds (Act. 27:4; Act. 27:14).
2. Foolish guides (Act. 27:11-12).
3. Superfluous possessions (Act. 27:18-19).
4. Disunited associates (Act. 27:30; Act. 27:42).
5. Concealed rocks (Act. 27:39; Act. 27:41).
II. Its means of help.
1. The testimony of pious teachers (Act. 27:9; Act. 27:21).
2. The prophecies of the Divine word (Act. 27:23-24).
3. The comforts of the holy sacraments (Act. 27:35).
4. The blessing of believing prayer (Act. 27:35).
5. The rescuing hand of the Almighty (Act. 27:24; Act. 27:34; Act. 27:44).Gerok in Lange.
Or, thus:
I. The conflict of the ship with the elements.Winds and waves (Act. 27:14-15).
II. The exertions of the sailors.They undergird the ship and cast the furniture into the sea (Act. 27:16-19).
III. The apparent hopelessness of safety.Through the leaking of the ship (Act. 27:20).
IV. The wonderful rescue.Pauls exhortation and Gods aid (Act. 27:33-43).Lisco.
The Voyage of Life.
I. The setting out.
1. The various changes of surrounding objects (Act. 27:1-2; Act. 27:4-8).
2. The friendships (Act. 27:3).
3. The first clouds in the heavens (Act. 27:9-15).
II. Fear and hope.
1. The fear of unbelief (Act. 27:16-20).
2. The confidence of faith (Act. 27:21-26).
III. The contest with adversities.
1. Trouble discloses hearts (Act. 27:27-32).
2. Trouble leads to God (Act. 27:33-38).
IV. The haven of rest.
1. The shipwreck and the billows of death (Act. 27:39-43).
2. The rescue and the landing on the unknown land of rest (Act. 27:44)Lisco.
Act. 27:44. And so it came to pass; or, thoughts concerning providence and grace.Human life often likened to a voyage: Ask what is human life, etc. (Cowpers Hope, 16). Pauls ship an emblem of the Church, whose members are sure of everlasting safety. The safety of Pauls ships company came to pass.
I. In accordance with the Divine purpose and plan.Twice over was this announced to Paul by God and by Paul to his fellow-voyagers (Act. 27:22; Act. 27:34). Not a life would be lost, not a hair of their head would perish. So
1. In providence, everything comes to pass in accordance with the same Divine plan and purpose. He doeth according to His will, etc., said Nebuchadnezzar (Dan. 4:35). He worketh all things after the counsel of His own will, says Paul (Eph. 1:11). My counsel shall stand, and I shall do all My pleasure, adds Jehovah (Isa. 46:10). It is not conceivable that any event should occur outside and beyond Gods fore-knowledge and fore-ordination (see on Act. 2:23). And
2. In grace. The salvation of believers occurs in accordance with the same Divine purpose and plan. They are chosen, called, sanctified, and saved, by sovereign grace (Act. 13:48; Act. 22:14; Rom. 8:28-30; Eph. 1:4-11; Eph. 3:11; 2Th. 2:13; 1Pe. 1:2). It is not supposable that God does not know beforehand what the issues will be of His own scheme of redeeming grace.
II. In spite of every obstacle or hindrance. At least four things threatened to defeat the Divine purpose to save Paul and his fellow-voyagers:
1. The severity of the storm.
2. The attempted desertion of the sailors.
3. The inhuman proposal of the soldiers.
4. The breaking up of the vessel. Nevertheless it came to pass that all escaped safe to land. So again
1. In providence, the Divine purpose may seem to be, and may actually be, opposed by similar forces. Take, for instance, the determination to settle Abrahams descendants in Canaan. Notwithstanding their descent into Egypt and enslavement there, the turning away from them of the royal favour, the inhuman edict that their children should be cast into the Nile, the failure of Mosess first attempt at their liberation, the general breaking down of their national spirit, their occupation of Egypt became, in Gods time, an accomplished fact.
2. In grace, nothing can prevent the ultimate salvation of Christs peopleneither the ills or calamities of time nor the falling away of professed disciples, nor the remains of indwelling corruption in the hearts of sincere disciples, nor the breaking up of ecclesiastical institutions; in short, nothing and no one will be able to separate them from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus their Lord (Rom. 8:38-39).
III. Through the use of means.Paul and his fellow-voyagers had to use means in order to effect their preservation. Even after they had been assured that not a life would be lost they had, in a manner, to work out their own deliverance, by lightening the ship, running her ashore, and either swimming to land or getting ashore on planks or broken pieces of the ship. So
1. In providence, the Divine plans and purposes are carried out through the employment of ordinary means wielded by mans intelligence. And equally
2. In grace, the salvation of believers is effected, not without, but with and by means of, their own co-operation, their ultimate attainment to eternal life and glory being accomplished through their abiding in Christ, following holiness, and generally working out their own salvation with fear and trembling.
Act. 27:1-44. (On the whole chapter.) Paul and His Fellow Voyagersa Comparison and a Contrast.
I. The comparison.
1. Partakers of a common humanity.
2. Bound for a common port.
3. Exposed to a common peril.
4. Subjects of a common deliverance.
II. The contrast.
1. Grace and nature. With the exception of Luke and Aristarchus, Paul was probably the only Christian among them.
2. Sagacity and dulness. Pauls forecast of the storm, and the want of insight on the part of the centurion, the owner, the pilot and crew (Act. 27:9-12).
3. Faith and unbelief. Pauls confidence that no lives would be lost: their doubt of the correctness of this assertion (Act. 27:22-26).
3. Courage and despair. Pauls intrepidity throughout: their universal faintheartedness (Act. 27:31-33).
4. Piety and wickedness. Pauls prayers for (Act. 27:24), and exhortations to (Act. 27:25; Act. 27:33-34) them; the baseness of the sailors (Act. 27:30), and the inhumanity of the soldiers (Act. 27:42).
III. The conclusion.
1. That all are not alike because they happen to sail in the same boat.
2. That common experiences do not always produce on different men the same effects.
3. That circumstances which call forth the nobility of the good frequently serve to evoke the meanness of the base.
4. That goodness makes the best leaders of men.
Fuente: The Preacher’s Complete Homiletical Commentary Edited by Joseph S. Exell
(37) And we were in all in the ship . . .The number is given here, either as a fact that had been omitted before, and was not without its interest, or probably because then for the first time, when they were all gathered at their meal, the writer had taken the pains to count them. A man does not commonly count the number of passengers on board a ship until there is some special occasion, and here it comes naturally as explaining the all of the previous verse. It was, we may well imagine, a striking spectacle to see the two hundred and seventy-six all under the influence of one brave and faithful spirit.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
37. All Now that their rescue commences, Luke proceeds to give the census of the rescued.
Souls The word properly designates man’s spiritual or immaterial personality. The reason why both the English and Greek terms are often used to designate the entire person is rightly given by the Greek philosopher, Plutarch: “We are accustomed to designate a man as soul and head from his most important part.”
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘And we were in all in the ship two hundred threescore and sixteen persons.’
The number aboard the ship is now given. (Josephus tells of a similar voyage where there were six hundred on board). The count may have been taken in handing round the food. Or it may have been a head count preparatory for their hoped for landing. Or it may simply have been taken in the beginning, and have been recorded. But it was important. The count when all this was over would prove that not one was lost. We are reminded here again of the counting of the ‘one hundred and forty four thousand out of every tribe of the sons of Israel’ (Rev 7:4) who represented the whole people of God. Despite the tribulations to come, not one of them too would be lost, for they were sealed by God.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Act 27:37 . And what a large meal was thus brought about!
The number 276 may surprise us on account of its largeness (see Bornemann in loc .); but, apart from the fact that we have no knowledge of the size and manning of the Alexandrian ship, Act 27:6 , it must, considering the exactness of the entire narrative, be assumed as correct; and for the omission of the single evidence of B (which has ) is too weak.
Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament Commentary
37 And we were in all in the ship two hundred threescore and sixteen souls.
Ver. 37. We were in all two hundred, &c. ] And that not one of this “all” should miscarry, was a miracle of God’s mercy; since all of them could not swim (likely), and being so low brought with fear and fasting, how could they so bestir themselves, as in that case was requisite? Or being so many on a cluster, how did they not one hinder another? But God was in the shipwreck; and if he command deliverance, it shall be done with ease and expedition. In case their skill or strength fail, “he shall spread forth his hands in the midst of them, as he that swimmeth spreadeth forth his hands to swim,” Isa 25:11 ; with great facility he shall do it: the motion in swimming is easy, and with a slight; strong, violent strokes in the water, would rather sink than support.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
37. ] Explanatory of : q. d., ‘ and this was no small number; for we were ,’ &c.
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Act 27:37 . The number was large, but nothing is told us of the size and manning of the Alexandrian ship, and Josephus, Vita , 3, mentions that there were about 600 in the ship which took him to Italy. On the large size of the ships engaged in a traffic similar to that of the corn ship in this chapter see Breusing, p. 157; Vars, p. 191; Hackett and Blass, in loco , and Act 27:6 ; Lucian, ., 5. The number may be mentioned at this point that they might know afterwards that all had been saved. But Breusing thinks that it would have come perhaps more naturally at the end of the narrative, and that it is given here because the rations were distributed to each on board at this juncture. For the phrase cf. Act 19:7 .
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
in all. . . . two hundred, &c. Literally all the souls two hundred threescore and sixteen.
souls. Greek. psuche. App-110. Compare verses: Act 10:22. Josephus says in the ship in which he was wrecked there were 600, of whom only eighty were saved. Compare Act 27:22.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
37.] Explanatory of : q. d., and this was no small number; for we were, &c.
Fuente: The Greek Testament
[37. , all) of whom we may, not without good reason, suppose that no few were won to the Gospel.-V. g.]
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
two hundred
Some ancient authorities read, about threescore and sixteen souls.
Fuente: Scofield Reference Bible Notes
two: Act 27:24
souls: Act 2:41, Act 7:14, Rom 13:1, 1Pe 3:20
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Act 27:37. Two hundred threescore and sixteen souls. Having mentioned the fact that all on board took some food, he is led to state the total number. For the size of ancient merchant ships, see the Excursus. We must call to mind that these people were afterwards (Act 28:11) conveyed from Malta to Puteoli in the Castor and Pollux, in addition to her own crew and passengers.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
37-38. The gathering of the whole ship’s company to partake of this meal seems to have suggested to the historian to mention, here, the number of persons on board. (37) “Now all the souls in the ships were two hundred and seventy-six. (38) And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, casting the wheat into the sea.” This was all done between the time of eating and daylight, and was no inconsiderable labor. It was designed to lessen the draught of the vessel, so that when run ashore she might float into the shallow water.