Acts 27:28Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Yet Paul's words inspired trust in him and encouragement in only a few on the ship, and least of all in the sailors. Therefore, after fourteen days of stormy sailing, signs appeared that the ship was approaching some shore.

They then wanted to escape from the ship by means of the boat. They hoped that if the ship were broken against the shore, they would not perish with the others.

Pretending that they wanted to cast anchors from the bow, they began to lower the boat into the sea. But Paul perceived their intention and told the centurion that, if the ship were left without sailors, salvation would be impossible.

Then the soldiers cut the ropes of the boat. After this it fell away and was driven by the waves from the ship.

"Twenty fathoms," and then, a little farther on, "fifteen fathoms." This means that the depth was rapidly decreasing. They could suppose that land, an island, was nearby, and could fear striking underwater rocks, which are especially numerous around small islands. Therefore they cast four anchors from the stern, so the ship would hold more securely in one place, and in this way they waited for day. Four anchors were needed because ancient ships did not have such enormous anchors as ships have now. They had small anchors, but many of them.

The Gentile sailors perhaps partly believed Paul, but still they could not give up their own measures and means of salvation. Thus, noticing that the ship was approaching land, they began to measure the depth of the sea.

They began this work at midnight on the fourteenth night, as though the days were no longer even being counted. Finding a depth of fifteen fathoms, they cast four small anchors from the stern and seemed to wait for day. In reality, however, they had another plan.

"Do not be surprised," says St. John Chrysostom, "that the sailors did not yet believe, but believed afterwards. They are a coarse people and not quick to obedience."