Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Acts 27:39
And when it was day, they knew not the land: but they discovered a certain creek with a shore, into the which they were minded, if it were possible, to thrust in the ship.
39. they knew not the land ] We are not from this to suppose that none of the sailors were acquainted with the island of Malta, but that the point of the land close to which they were was unrecognised by them. When they were close in shore, and amid stormy weather, this could very well happen, as they were a long way distant from the usual harbour.
but they discovered a certain creek with a shore ] Better (with R. V.) “they perceived a certain bay with a beach.” The word is used to signify such a sandy beach as might allow a ship to be run aground upon it without the danger of her immediately coming to pieces.
into the which they were minded, if it were possible, to thrust in the ship ] Better (with R. V.) “and they took counsel whether they could drive the ship upon it,” i.e. they saw that the beach was such that they had a chance of landing there, and they discussed the best way of doing so, in their present maimed condition.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
They knew not the land – They had been driven with a tempest, without being able to make any observation, and it is probable that they were entire strangers to the coast and to the whole island,
A certain creek with a shore – Greek: a certain bosom kolpos or bay. By its having a shore is probably meant that it had a level shore, or one that was convenient for landing. It was not a high bluff of rocks, but was accessible. Kuinoel thinks that the passage should be construed, they found a certain shore, having a bay, etc.
Were minded – Were resolved.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 39. They knew not the land] And therefore knew neither the nature of the coast, nor where the proper port lay.
A-creek with a shore] , Sinum, a bay, with a shore; a neck of land perhaps on either side, running out into the sea, and this little bay or gulf between them; though some think it was a tongue of land, running out into the sea, having the sea on both sides, at the point of which these two seas met, Ac 27:41. There is such a place as this in the island of Malta, where, tradition says, Paul was shipwrecked; and which is called la Cale de St. Paul. See Calmet.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
They knew not the land; in so long and violent a tempest, thinking every moment to be swallowed up, they could keep no reckoning of the ships running or way; neither were charts or maps so usual (if they had any at all) in those times.
A certain creek; a bay, or bosom of the sea, having land on each side, where they judged it most likely for them to get on shore; using still all means for their safety.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
39. when it was day they knew notthe landThis has been thought surprising in sailors accustomedto that sea. But the scene of the wreck is remote from the greatharbor, and possesses no marked features by which it could berecognized, even by a native if he came unexpectedly upon it [SMITH],not to speak of the rain pouring in torrents (Ac28:2), which would throw a haze over the coast even after daybroke. Immediately on landing they knew where they were (Ac28:1).
discovered a creek with ashoreEvery creek of course, must have a shore; but the meaningis, a practicable shore, in a nautical sense, that is, onewith a smooth beach, in contradistinction to a rocky coast (as Ac27:41 shows).
into which they were minded,if . . . possible, to thrust the shipThis was their one chanceof safety.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And when it was day they knew not the land,…. What place it was, or the name of it:
but they discovered a certain creek with a shore; a gulf or bay, with a shore near it; the Ethiopic version explains it,
an arm of the sea, where was a port, where they thought they could secure themselves, or get ashore:
into which they were minded, if it were possible, to thrust in the ship; whither they had a mind, and consulted to run the ship, if it could be done by any means, believing it was the most likely method of saving themselves, and that; for notwithstanding the assurance they had that no man’s life should be lost, they made use of all proper means for their safety and security.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
They knew not ( ). Imperfect active of , to recognize. Probably conative, tried to recognize and could not (Conybeare and Howson). The island was well-known (28:1, ), but St. Paul’s Bay where the wreck took place was some distance from the main harbour (Valetta) of Melita (Malta).
They perceived (). Imperfect active of , gradually perceived after some effort as in 11:16. This beach seemed their only hope.
They took counsel (). Imperfect middle showing the process of deliberation and doubt. The bay “having a beach” ( ) is a phrase found in Xenophon’s Anabasis VI. 4, 4.
Whether they could drive ( ). This use of the optative with in questions of this sort (implied indirect) is a neat Greek idiom (Robertson, Grammar, p. 1021). B C Bohairic read (first aorist active infinitive of ), to save out (so Westcott and Hort), instead of (from , to push out, as Textus Receptus).
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
Bay [] . See on bosom, Luk 6:38.
Shore [] . See on Mt 13:2. Better, as Rev., beach.
They were minded [] . Better, as Rev., took counsel. See on Mt 1:19.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “And when it was day,” (hote de hemera egeneto) “Then when the daylight came,” when day arrived, following the realization that they were nearing land, when hope of landing safely had revived, Act 27:27-36.
2) “They knew not the land,” (ten gen ouk epeginoskon) “They did not recognize the land,” neither the veteran shipmaster, ship owner, sailors, nor any passenger, knew where they were about to land. They could not recognize any landmarks. But immediately on landing they knew where they were, Act 28:1.
3) “But they discovered a certain creek with a shore,” (de kolpon tina katenooun echonta aigialon) “But they noticed that there was a certain bay that had a shore,” an inlet to the island, a shore with a beach suitable for landing, in contrast with a rocky coast, such as the ship eventually came upon to break up, Act 27:41.
4) “Into which they were minded,” (eis hon ebouleuonto) “Into which they were inclined, intended,” set their minds to run the ship for their own safety, if possible. They took council among themselves, and concluded that they would attempt a beach landing at this place.
5) “If it were possible to thrust in the ship.” (ei dunainto eksosai to ploion) “If they were able (at all) to drive the ship,” by man power, by rowing and pushing, if possible, to get out of the sea’s fury. This inlet is now known as Paul’s Bay, located south of the west end of the isle of Salmonetta, a few miles north of Valetta.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
(39) They knew not the land.It was, of course, probable enough that some at least of the sailors had been at Malta before; but St. Pauls Bay, which we assume to be the point they had now reached, was remote from the Great Harbour, now that of Valetta, into which ships commonly sailed, and may therefore well have remained unknown to them.
A certain creek with a shore.Better, having a beach, the English word failing to describe why it was that the creek attracted them. The earlier versions have bank. In Homer and other Greek writers the word is commonly used for a flat, sandy beach.
To thrust in the ship.The word was a quasi-technical one, answering to our to run the ship aground.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
Stranding, wreck, and escape , Act 27:39-44 .
Broad day reveals an unknown shore, but a narrow inlet, or creek with a beach, tempts them to run from the open sea into its slender channel for safety. In their effort to accomplish this they push the prow of the ship into a mud bank, where it remains immovably fixed. The rush of two counter currents striking the stem breaks the stern half of the ship in pieces, but upon the front half the whole company find a footing long enough to secure the escape of every individual safe to shore.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
39. Knew not the land From this harbour even a native Maltese would probably not have recognised the spot.
Creek Or indentation into the shore.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘And when it was day, they did not know the land, but they perceived a certain bay with a beach, and they discussed together whether they could drive the ship on it.’
And when day came they saw land. Many of them could hardly believe it. They had never expected to see land again. But they did not recognise the land. They did, however, observe a certain bay with a beach, and they discussed among themselves whether they would be able to drive the ship onto the beach.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
The Shipwreck Act 27:39-44 gives us the account of the shipwreck on the island of Malta.
Act 27:43 Comments – God gave Paul favor with man. This is because Paul walked in mercy and truth (Pro 3:3-4).
Pro 3:3-4, “Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.”
Fuente: Everett’s Study Notes on the Holy Scriptures
The escape from the ship:
v. 39. And when it was day, they knew not the land; but they discovered a certain creek with a shore, into the which they were minded, if it were possible, to thrust in the ship.
v. 40. And when they had taken up the anchors; they committed themselves unto the sea, and loosed the rudder-bands, and hoised up the mainsail to the wind, and made toward shore.
v. 41. And falling into a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the forepart stuck fast, and remained unmovable, but the hinder part was broken with the violence of the waves.
v. 42. And the soldiers’ counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim out and escape.
v. 43. But the centurion, willing to save Paul, kept them from their purpose, and commanded that they which could swim should cast themselves first into the sea, and get to land,
v. 44. and the rest, some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship. And so it came to pass that they escaped all safe to land. When it was day, when it became light enough to distinguish objects plainly, the sailors tried to get their bearings, but they did not recognize the land. They may have been at the island before, but this particular section on the northeastern shore was not familiar to them. From where they were anchored, near a rocky point, they perceived, or noticed, a small bay or inlet with a sandy beach, which looked much more inviting than the reefs farther out. Into this small bay, therefore, they wished, if possible, to drive the ship; they wanted to run her ashore on the beach. Having therefore loosed the anchors by slipping the cables which held them inside the vessel, they left them, they abandoned them in the sea. At the same time they unlashed the bands, the fastening of the rudders, of the two paddle-rudders with which the ships of those days were supplied, for they now needed them to steer the ship. And finally, they hoisted the foresail, spread its full extent to the breeze, and made for the, flat beach. But as the vessel entered into the channel, it suddenly struck a submerged bank, ridge, shoal, or reef, the bow cutting deeply into the mud or sand and jamming fast, while the stern began to break up from the force of the waves. It was an extremely dangerous situation and one which almost caused the soldiers to lose their self-control and common sense. For their plan now was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them escape by swimming. Just as though there had been much danger of that. In the rocky island! But here Julius, the centurion, again showed his good will. He wanted to bring Paul through safely, and therefore hindered them in their plan, put a stop to their intention. He gave the command that all those that were able to swim should jump overboard first and thus reach the land. And afterwards, when the sea about the hulk was clear of the swimmers, the rest, some on planks and some on pieces of wreckage, were to do the same thing. It was no easy task, with a heavy sea rolling and the waves sweeping high up on the shore, to reach a place beyond danger; but finally all the men that had been on the vessel, crew, soldiers, passengers, prisoners, came through in safety, according to the prediction of Paul. It was a miraculous escape. If only they had all acknowledged that it was due to the God of the Christians to whom they owed life and all blessings!
Summary. The Voyage to Rome is begun at Caesarea in an Adramyttine ship, continued at Myra on an Alexandrine vessel, through the southern Aegean Sea and along the south side of Crete, where a terrible storm overtakes the ship and drives it westward to be wrecked on the island of Melita.
Fuente: The Popular Commentary on the Bible by Kretzmann
Act 27:39 . .] i.e. when it became day, they recognised not what land it was; the land lying before them ( ) was one unknown to them.
] Thus Luke writes quite faithfully and simply (I might say naively) what presented itself to the scrutinizing gaze of those on board: but they perceived a bay which had a beach . A bay and a beach belonging to it so much they saw at the unknown land, and this sufficed for the resolution to land there, where it was possible. Observe that is a flat coast (Mat 13:2 ; and see Ngelsbach on the Iliad , p. 254, Exo 3 ), thus suitable for landing, in distinction from the high and rugged (see Hom. Od . v. 405, x. 89; Pind. Pyth . iv. 64; Lucian, Tox . 4). Hence it is not even necessary, and is less simple, to connect, with Winer, . . . as modal definition of . closely with the latter: “a shore of such a nature, that,” etc.
] applies to . See Act 27:40 . For examples of , used of the thrusting a ship from the open sea on to the land (navem ejicere, expellere ), see Wetstein. On St. Paul’s Bay , see the description and chart of Smith.
Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament Commentary
And when it was day, they knew not the land: but they discovered a certain creek with a shore, into the which they were minded, if it were possible, to thrust in the ship. (40) And when they had taken up the anchors, they committed themselves unto the sea, and loosed the rudder bands, and hoisted up the mainsail to the wind, and made toward shore. (41) And falling into a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the forepart stuck fast, and remained unmovable, but the hinder part was broken with the violence of the waves. (42) And the soldiers’ counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim out, and escape. (43) But the centurion, willing to save Paul, kept them from their purpose; and commanded that they which could swim should cast themselves first into the sea, and get to land: (44) And the rest, some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship. And so it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land.
How our nature shudders at the cruel and desperately wicked purposes of the soldiers, in the proposal they made to kill the prisoners. Reader! do observe, not all the horrors of the shipwreck they had escaped, could soften the hardened nature of the unawakened mind. The devil raged more in their hearts than the storm of the sea upon their bodies. But, while we trace this temptation to the devil, do not fail to remark also, how the hand of the Lord was in this business, by his gracious influence on the mind of the Centurion, to counteract and defeat their inhuman policy. Oh! how blessed is it to trace the Lord’s mercies both in providence and grace! Neither Jews nor Gentiles at Jerusalem and Caesarea, neither tempest of sea, or the raging of men or devils on land, shall destroy Paul; for the Lord hath said, Fear not Paul, thou must be brought before Caesar. Be of good cheer, for as thou host testified of me at Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome, Act 23:11 . And how often may it be seen in the life of every child of God, both in spiritual concerns, and temporal, that when the enemy cometh in like a food, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him? Isa 59:19 .
How very beautiful, yet simple, the language with which the chapter closeth: And so it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land. Yes! The Lord had said it, and so it must be accomplished. Even from the mouth of an enemy, the Lord hath forced the confession; God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent. Hath he said, and shall he not do it? Hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good? Num 33:19 . And, depend upon it, so it shall come to pass with all the Lord’s family, embarked as they are with Christ, and passing through the storms and tempests of the present time state of the Church. Jehovah hath given to his dear Sons all them that sail with him. And he will bring them unto the haven, where they would be! Oh! that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! Psa 107:30-31 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
39 And when it was day, they knew not the land: but they discovered a certain creek with a shore, into the which they were minded, if it were possible, to thrust in the ship.
Ver. 39. They discovered a creek ] Then chiefly are we to look for tempests when we draw nighest to the shore, to the haven. Our last encounter at death is like to be the sharpest. The Israelites never met with such opposition as when they were to take possession of the land. Then all the kings of Canaan combined against them.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
39. ] It may be and has been suggested, that some of the Alexandrian seamen must have known Malta ; but we may answer with Mr. Smith that “St. Paul’s Bay is remote from the great harbour, and possesses no marked features by which it might be recognized.” p. 100.
. ] a creek having a sandy beach . Some Commentators suppose that it should be , since every creek must have a beach: but what is meant is, a creek with a smooth, sandy beach , as distinguished from a rocky inlet.
] Not, ‘ to thrust in ,’ as E. V., but to strand , ‘ to run a-ground :’ so Thucyd., ref., and more in Wetst.
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Act 27:39 . .: “they did not recognise the land,” Ramsay; the sailors probably knew Malta, since, Act 28:11 , there was evidently nothing unusual in eastern ships touching at the island on their way to Rome. But they did not know St. Paul’s Bay, which is remote from the great harbour, and was not distinguished by any marked features to secure recognition, Ramsay, J. Smith; see also note on Act 28:1 . C. and H. lay stress on the imperfect, “they tried to recognise , but could not”; but in Act 28:1 we have the aorist indicating that the land was recognised immediately on landing. : “perceived,” R.V., cf. Mat 7:3 , Luk 6:41 ; Luk 20:23 . : a sort of bay or creek, “a bay,” R.V., the word means a bay either small or large, and St. Paul’s Bay may be described as a small bay or creek (Rendall); “with a sandy beach,” Ramsay, with a beach, R.V., i.e. , smooth and fit for a vessel’s landing-place, cf. Act 21:5 , Mat 13:2 ; Mat 13:48 , Joh 21:4 ; cf. Xen., Anab. , vi., 4, 4 (see Page’s note); in LXX, Jdg 5:17 A, Sir 24:14 , al [421] J. Smith adds that St. Luke here again employs the correct hydrographical term, frequently used by Arrian in this sense. The traditional St. Paul’s Bay may certainly well have been the place meant (so Wendt, 1899, and Blass). On the smooth, sandy beach see Hackett, note, p. 334,) who has also visited the spot, and confirmed Smith’s view, although both admit that the former sandy beach has been worn away by the action of the sea; Smith, p. 247, 4th edition, and see also Ramsay, St. Paul , p. 341. : “to drive the ship upon it,” R.V., i.e. , the beach, so Ramsay, Rendall, Breusing, Vars, Goerne, J. Smith (4th edit., p. 142); the object was not to save the ship from being destroyed, but the crew from perishing; under like circumstances the same would be done today (so Breusing, Vars), cf. Arrian, Peripl. Pont. Eux. , 6. : so in Thuc., ii., 90; viii., 104 (and see Wetstein); see also critical note on , and Burton, p. 106, and Grimm-Thayer, sub , i., 7, c. , with optative, where the condition represents the mind and judgment of others , as if the sailors had said amongst themselves , cf. Act 24:19 .
[421] Alford’s Greek Testament .
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Act 27:39-44
39When day came, they could not recognize the land; but they did observe a bay with a beach, and they resolved to drive the ship onto it if they could. 40And casting off the anchors, they left them in the sea while at the same time they were loosening the ropes of the rudders; and hoisting the foresail to the wind, they were heading for the beach. 41But striking a reef where two seas met, they ran the vessel aground; and the prow stuck fast and remained immovable, but the stern began to be broken up by the force of the waves. 42The soldiers’ plan was to kill the prisoners, so that none of them would swim away and escape; 43but the centurion, wanting to bring Paul safely through, kept them from their intention, and commanded that those who could swim should jump overboard first and get to land, 44and the rest should follow, some on planks, and others on various things from the ship. And so it happened that they all were brought safely to land.
Act 27:39 They could still control the ship to some degree (cf. Act 27:40).
There is a Greek manuscript variant related to “drive the ship onto it” (cf. MSS , A, B2) and “land the ship safely” (cf. MSS B* and C). These two words sound very similar (exsai vs. ekssai). Ancient Greek manuscripts were often read by one and copied by many. Similar sounding terms were often confused.
Act 27:40 These reefs along the shore caused many a ship wreck. In this case a reef developed where the ocean waves and the bay waters met.
NASB, NKJV,
NJV”rudders”
NRSV, TEV”steering-oars”
This refers to the dual rudders, which were typical on larger ships. Jas 3:4 uses this same word for “rudder.”
“the foresail” This is a rare term, but it must refer to a small sail on the bow (cf. Juvenal, Sat. 12.69).
Act 27:42 “The soldiers’ plan was to kill the prisoners” If they escaped the soldiers would have had to bear their penalty!
Act 27:43 Paul’s words, faith, and actions had convinced the leader of the Roman contingent to trust him and protect him.
Fuente: You Can Understand the Bible: Study Guide Commentary Series by Bob Utley
knew = recognized. Greek. epiginosko. App-132.
land. Greek. ge. App-129.
discovered = perceived. App-133.
creek. Greek. kolpos, bosom. Here, Luk 6:38; Luk 16:22, Luk 16:23. Joh 1:18.
shore = beach.
the. Omit,
were minded = took counsel or planned. Greek. bouleuo.
it were possible = they might be able.
thrust in. Greek. exotheo. Only here and Act 7:45.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
39.] It may be and has been suggested, that some of the Alexandrian seamen must have known Malta;-but we may answer with Mr. Smith that St. Pauls Bay is remote from the great harbour, and possesses no marked features by which it might be recognized. p. 100.
. ] a creek having a sandy beach. Some Commentators suppose that it should be , since every creek must have a beach: but what is meant is, a creek with a smooth, sandy beach, as distinguished from a rocky inlet.
] Not, to thrust in, as E. V., but to strand, to run a-ground: so Thucyd., ref., and more in Wetst.
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Act 27:39. , the land) which they had begun to see.-, the shore) which was smooth: Mat 13:2, note [Hesychius defines as a smooth shore with sands].
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
9
Act 27:39. Knew not the land denotes that they did not recognize it. All creeks of necessity have shores, so we learn that a clearer translation would be that they thought they saw a bay with a beach that would be a desirable place for a “forced landing.”
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Preparations for running the Ship agroundCruel Scheme of the Soldiers foiledUltimate Escape of all to Land, 39-44.
Act 27:39. When it was day, they knew not the land. At first sight this may cause surprise; for Melita was a well-known island, a distinct part of a Roman province, having an admirable harbour, familiar to Alexandrian sailors. But these sailors were not at this moment in the harbour of Valetta, but on a part of the coast which they had never seen before. An English seaman might have made many voyages between New York and Liverpool, and yet might be puzzled (even with the help of such charts as the old Greek sailors did not possess) if he found himself, in foggy weather, off a part of the coast of North Wales which he had never seen before.
A certain creek with a shore. In one sense every creek has a shore; but the Greek word here () denotes a pebbly or sandy beach, as opposed to rocks.
Minded, if it were possible, to thrust in the ship. They were not quite sure that they would be able to accomplish their purpose. How the matter was managed is described in the following verses.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
Shipwrecked!
As day broke, it became clear why Paul had said the sailors needed to stay on board. Though they did not recognize the land which stood nearby, they did know how to guide the ship toward a bay with a beach which they could see. They let go of the anchors, cut loose the rudders’ ropes and hoisted the mainsail. Before the ship reached shore, it stuck fast in a sandbar formed by the swirling waters caused by the merging of two seas. The prow stuck firm but the stern began to break apart in the rough seas. The soldiers wanted to kill the prisoners so that none could escape, but Luke says Julius wanted to save Paul so he forbid this course of action. Instead, all who could swim were told to make their way to shore while the rest used boards and broken pieces of ship to help them float ashore. Just as God’s angel had promised, not a single life was lost ( Act 27:39-44 )!
Fuente: Gary Hampton Commentary on Selected Books
Act 27:39-41. And when it was day And they had the shore before them; they knew not the land And therefore were still at a loss what course to take; but they discovered a certain creek A bay or bosom of the sea, having land on each side, where they judged it most likely for them to get on shore; using, however, still all proper means for their safety. And when they had taken up Or, as it is now termed, weighed; the anchors, they committed themselves Or, rather, the ship; unto the sea And tried to stand in for the creek. But the original expressions here, ; , may be rendered, having cut the anchors, they left them in the sea. And loosed the rudder- bands Their ships had frequently two rudders, one on each side. These were fastened while they let the ship drive; but were now loosened, when they had need of them to steer her into the creek. And hoisted up the mainsail to the wind Which seemed to set right for their purpose. Although our translators here render the word, , mainsail, Grotius (who supposes that , rendered sail, Act 27:17, signifies the main-mast, and consequently, that the mainsail was now gone, Act 27:19) supposes it was a sail near the fore part of the ship, answering to what we call the foremast, or the bowsprit. And falling into a place where two seas met Probably by reason of a sand-bank running parallel with the shore, such was the violence of the current, that they ran the ship aground, so that the fore part stuck fast upon the sand. but the hinder part was broken to pieces by the violence of the waves So that they suffered shipwreck with the shore in view, and almost in the harbour, teaching us never to be secure.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
39-41. All was now done that could be, until daylight should reveal the nature of the shore ahead. (39) “And when it was day they did not recognize the land. But they discovered a certain inlet having a sandy shore, into which they determined, if it were possible, to thrust the ship. (40) And having cut away the anchors, they abandoned them to the sea; at the same time loosing the rudder-bands, and hoisting the foresail to the wind, they held toward the shore. (41) And falling into a place between two seas, they ran the ship aground; and the bow sticking fast, remained immovable; but the stern was broken by the violence of the waves.” At every point, except the one to which the vessel was steered, the shore was rocky; for this point was selected because it had a sandy shore. It required some seamanship to land where they did. While lying at anchor, the rudders, which were merely paddle-rudders, one at each side of the stern, had been lashed up, to prevent them from fouling with the four anchor-cables also astern. These were loosed to guide the vessel; and the foresail was unfurled to give the vessel the impetus necessary to a successful use of the rudders. By a skillful use of both she was steered clear of the rocks, and stranded on the sandy beach. Here “two seas met;” that is, the waves from two different points met each other, and spent their combined force upon the stern of the vessel, and she was rapidly going to pieces.
Fuente: McGarvey and Pendleton Commentaries (New Testament)
39. At day dawn, behold! the first land they have seen in two weeks bursts upon their delectable vision. No one on board identifies it. However, they discover a certain bay having a shore into which they mutually agreed if possible to thrust out the ship.
Fuente: William Godbey’s Commentary on the New Testament
Verse 39
They knew not the land. They ascertained afterwards that it was the island now called Malta.
Fuente: Abbott’s Illustrated New Testament
27:39 {11} And when it was day, they knew not the land: but they discovered a certain {h} creek with a shore, into the which they were minded, if it were possible, to thrust in the ship.
(11) Then are tempests most of all to be feared and looked for, when the port or haven is nearest.
(h) A creek is a sea within land, as the Adriatic Sea, and the Persian Sea.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
A sandy beach, traditionally St. Paul’s Bay, was second best to a harbor. This type of ship had rudder-like paddles on the sides of the vessel that served to guide it. Evidently the sailors had locked these rudders in place when the ship was drifting, but now they put them into use again. The foresail on the front of the ship would have increased its maneuverability.