Episodes

Friday, 10 May 2024 “For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve, Acts 27:23 A bit more literally, it reads, “For a messenger of the God stood by me this night, whose I am and whom I serve” (CG). In the previous verse, Paul told those gathered on the ship to be of good cheer because there would be no loss of life. Only the ship would be lost. Now, to explain how he knows this, he says, “For a messenger of the God.” The Greek word aggelos means a mes...

Thursday, 9 May 2024 “And now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. Acts 27:22 A literal rendering of the Greek would be, “And now, I admonish you to be cheerful, for there will be no off-casting of soul from you, except the ship” (CG). Paul had just noted that those on the ship should have listened to him and stayed in Crete. By doing so, they would not have incurred the damage and loss that was now being experienced. Now, having set for...

Wednesday, 8 May 2024 But after long abstinence from food, then Paul stood in the midst of them and said, “Men, you should have listened to me, and not have sailed from Crete and incurred this disaster and loss. Acts 27:21 More literally, “And being much abstinence then, Paul having stood in their midst, said, ‘Indeed, O men, you ought to have hearkened to me not to go up from Crete, and to gain this disaster and loss’” (CG). In the previous verse, Luke noted that it had been many days withou...

Tuesday, 7 May 2024 Now when neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest beat on us, all hope that we would be saved was finally given up. Acts 27:20 A literal rendering would be, “And neither sun nor stars appearing for many days, and no little tempest lying upon, removed all remaining hope of us being saved” (CG). Luke just noted that the tackle of the ship was thrown overboard. Ellicott noted that the word goes beyond the ship’s own tackle, but to anything moveable. ...

Monday, 6 May 2024 On the third day we threw the ship’s tackle overboard with our own hands. Acts 27:19 A literal reading is much sparser in content, “And on the third, self-handed, the tackle of the ship we cast away” (CG). In the previous verse, Luke noted that because the ship was exceedingly tempest-tossed, the ship was lightened. Now, his words continue with, “And on the third.” The storm continued to rage which would have put a great strain on the ship, even with it having been lighten...

Sunday, 5 May 2024 And because we were exceedingly tempest-tossed, the next day they lightened the ship. Acts 27:18 A more literal rendering of the Greek would be, “And we, being tempest-tossed violently, the following day they made a jettisoning” (CG). In the previous verse, it noted that the crew had run ropes under the ship to hold it together and then lowered the tackle so that they would be driven. Now, Luke continues with, “And we, being tempest-tossed violently.” Luke continues with n...

Saturday, 4 May 2024 When they had taken it on board, they used cables to undergird the ship; and fearing lest they should run aground on the Syrtis Sands, they struck sail and so were driven. Acts 27:17 A literal rendering would be, “Which, having lifted, they used helps, undergirding the ship. And fearing lest they fall into the Syrtis, having lowered the tackle – thus they were borne.” (CG). The last verse revealed that the ship ran under Clauda and at that time, they were able to secure t...

Friday, 3 May 2024 And running under the shelter of an island called Clauda, we secured the skiff with difficulty. Acts 27:16 A literal rendering would be, “And having run under a certain islet called Clauda, scarcely we were able to become controllers of the skiff” (CG). The previous verse noted that the ship could not head into the wind and so those on board simply let it be borne along. Now, a verse filled with new and rare words is given. In it, Luke says, “And having run under a certain ...

Thursday, 2 May 2024 So when the ship was caught, and could not head into the wind, we let her drive. Acts 27:15 The Greek more closely reads, “And the ship, having been caught, and not being able to face the wind, having given way, we were borne” (CG). In the previous verse, it was noted that a tempestuous storm, a Euroclydon, arose. This became problematic for those on the ship as Luke now notes, saying, “And the ship, having been caught.” With the storm raging from all sides, those on it ...

Wednesday, 1 May 2024 But not long after, a tempestuous head wind arose, called Euroclydon. Acts 27:14 More literally, the words read, “And not long after, a typhonic wind cast against it, called Euroclydon” (CG). In the last verse, it said, “And Auster, having wafted, having thought to have obtained the purpose, having hoisted they laid beside near Crete.” With that, complicated words are penned by Luke, beginning with, “And not long after.” There was a fair wind from the south wafting alon...

Tuesday, 30 April 2024 When the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their desire, putting out to sea, they sailed close by Crete. Acts 27:13 Although quite obscure in some of the wording, a more literal rendering of the Greek would be, “And Auster, having wafted, having thought to have obtained the purpose, having hoisted they laid beside near Crete” (CG). Luke just noted that the majority had come together and decided th ey would try to reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete. ...

Monday, 29 April 2024 And because the harbor was not suitable to winter in, the majority advised to set sail from there also, if by any means they could reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete opening toward the southwest and northwest, and winter there. Acts 27:12 A more literal translation is, “And the harbor, being unsuitable to a wintering, the majority set counsel to go up thence also, if how they might be able, having arrived to Phoenix to winter – a harbor of Crete looking against southwest an...

Sunday, 28 April 2024 Nevertheless the centurion was more persuaded by the helmsman and the owner of the ship than by the things spoken by Paul. Acts 27:11 More literally, the Greek reads, “But the centurion rather trusted the pilot and the shipmaster than these spoken by Paul” (CG). In the previous verse, Paul noted from his personal experience and deduction that disaster lay ahead for the ship and the crew if the voyage to Rome was continued at this time. However, Paul’s views were not shar...

Saturday, 27 April 2024 saying, “Men, I perceive that this voyage will end with disaster and much loss, not only of the cargo and ship, but also our lives.” Acts 27:10 More literally, it reads, “saying to them, ‘Men, I discern that with damage and much loss, not only the cargo and the ship but also our lives – the voyage is going to be’” (CG). The words of this verse continue the thought from the previous verse. There, it said, “And much time having elapsed, and the sailing being already dang...

Friday, 26 April 2024 Now when much time had been spent, and sailing was now dangerous because the Fast was already over, Paul advised them, Acts 27:9 A literal translation would be, “And much time having elapsed, and the sailing being already dangerous – and the Fast already passed by – Paul admonished” (CG). With the ship at Fair Havens, near Lasaea, Luke next says, “And much time having elapsed.” This is referring to the constant delays experienced by the contrary winds while sailing and ...

Thursday, 25 April 2024 Passing it with difficulty, we came to a place called Fair Havens, near the city of Lasea. Acts 27:8 More exactingly, it reads, “And laboriously lying beside it, we came to a certain place being called Fair Havens, which was near Lasaea City” (CG). Luke just detailed the slow and difficult sailing they had encountered on the Alexandrian ship since leaving Myra. He continues that now with the words, “And laboriously lying beside it.” This is referring to sailing under ...

Wednesday, 24 April 2024 When we had sailed slowly many days, and arrived with difficulty off Cnidus, the wind not permitting us to proceed, we sailed under the shelter of Crete off Salmone. Acts 27:7 The Greek more literally reads, “And in many days, having sailed slowly and laboriously, having come against Cnidus, the wind not permitting us, we sailed under Crete against Salmone” (CG). The previous verse noted that the centurion had found an Alexandrian ship sailing to Italy. Therefore, Pau...

Tuesday, 23 April 2024 There the centurion found an Alexandrian ship sailing to Italy, and he put us on board. Acts 27:6 More precisely, it reads, “And there, the centurion having found a ship of Alexandria sailing to Italy, he placed us in it” (CG). Having arrived in Myra of Lycia in the previous verse, it now says, “And there, the centurion.” Luke had previously given the name of the centurion, Julius. However, he now reverts to using his official rank rather than his name. His identificat...

Monday, 22 April 2024 And when we had sailed over the sea which is off Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city of Lycia. Acts 27:5 More literally, it reads, “And having sailed through the depth against Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra of Lycia” (CG). Luke just noted that when they put out from Sidon, they had to sail under the lee of Cyprus due to contrary winds. This brought them between Cyprus and the main continent. He now notes, “And having sailed through the depth.” Here ar...

Sunday, 21 April 2024 When we had put to sea from there, we sailed under the shelter of Cyprus, because the winds were contrary. Acts 27:4 A literal rendering of the Greek is, “And thence, having gone up, we sailed under Cyprus, because of the winds being contrary” (CG). Luke just detailed a stop at Sidon where the centurion, Julius, gave Paul the liberty to visit friends. With that stop complete, it now says, “And thence, having gone up, we sailed under Cyprus.” Luke meticulously described t...

Saturday, 20 April 2024 And the next day we landed at Sidon. And Julius treated Paul kindly and gave him liberty to go to his friends and receive care. Acts 27:3 A literal rendering of the Greek is, “And another day, we brought down at Sidon. And Julius, having treated Paul philanthropically, permitted him, having gone to his friends, to receive care” (CG). Luke is in the process of describing the ongoing voyage from Caesarea to Rome. He continues that now with, “And another.” The meaning is...

Friday, 19 April 2024 So, entering a ship of Adramyttium, we put to sea, meaning to sail along the coasts of Asia. Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, was with us. The Greek closely reads, “And having boarded a ship of Adramyttium, intending to sail unto among the regions of Asia, we headed out. Aristarchus, a Macedonian, being with us” (CG). Chapter 27 began with a note concerning the anticipated departure of Paul, prisoners, and a centurion named Julius to Rome on a ship. That now co...

Thursday, 18 April 2024 And when it was decided that we should sail to Italy, they delivered Paul and some other prisoners to one named Julius, a centurion of the Augustan Regiment. Acts 27:1 Much more literally, the words read, “And when our sailing away to Italy was decided, they delivered both Paul and certain others, prisoners, to a centurion by name Julius, of the Augustan cohort” (CG). Chapter 26 ended with the words of Agrippa noting that if Paul had not appealed to Caesar, he could ha...

Wednesday, 17 April 2024 Then Agrippa said to Festus, “This man might have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.” Acts 26:32 In the previous verse, those gathered after the trial had said, “This man is doing nothing deserving of death or chains.” Next, it says, “Then Agrippa said to Festus.” Festus had asked for advice and an opinion on the matter of Paul. That has now been rendered by Agrippa and it will give Festus the statement he needed to include with Paul’s continued evaluatio...