Acts 27:20Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

When the ship stopped in the bay of Fair Havens, the season was already late. The fast of the Day of Atonement had already passed, on the tenth day of the month Tishri, in the second half of September. The winter months, dangerous for navigation, had arrived. Paul had gained considerable experience in sea journeys during his apostolic travels. He advised them to spend the winter in Fair Havens. But this bay was unsuitable for wintering. Therefore the centurion, trusting the helmsman and the ship's master more, agreed to the advice of others. They wished, if possible, to reach the harbor of Phoenix for the winter. It lay on the same shore of Crete, but capes jutting into the sea protected it better from the southwest and northwest winds.

Several days passed in this way, terrible and gloomy. Neither sun nor stars could be seen, so that "at last all hope of being saved was taken away." For thirteen days they were driven at the mercy of the hurricane, finding essential support in the courageous encouragement of the great Apostle.

"At last all hope was taken away." This is a brief and powerful depiction of those dreadful days at sea, when every hope of salvation had been lost. Even Paul's strong soul needed heavenly encouragement and strengthening: "Do not be afraid" (v. 24).

The lightening of the ship began with throwing out the cargo, so that its destruction would not be immediate. Each person threw out his own belongings. Afterward the ship was carried over the waves more lightly and did not strike the shoals. But the rolling became stronger, and therefore the passengers' hardship increased. The heaviness of their condition was increased further because neither the sun by day nor the stars by night were visible. In cold mists and stormy waves they were carried about for days and nights, having lost hope of salvation, though not all equally. Yet even Paul's strong soul now needed strengthening, and this saved them all. All this is permitted by God, says Saint John Chrysostom, so that afterward they might not remain in unbelief. A violent storm arises, great darkness comes, and for salvation from destruction the wheat and everything else are thrown overboard.