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#52.
From Jerusalem to Rome (22: 1 - 28: 22).
From Caesarea to Melita (27:).
pp. 129 - 134
The record of the voyage, shipwreck and arrival at Rome which occupies so much
space in the closing section of the Acts is perhaps the most wonderful record of travel
that has been preserved from ancient times. Since 1856, no writer on the subject can
ignore the volume entitled: "On the Voyage and Shipwreck of St. Paul, with
Dissertations" by James Smith. All writers of note, such as Conybeare and Howson,
Lewin, Alford, and Farrar, who have had the xxviith chapter of the Acts before them,
have given unstinted praise to this writer. In addition, Conybeare and Howson had the
help of Admiral Sir Charles Penrose, whose notes on the narrative make Luke's record,
owing to the exactness of his nautical references and the breadth of his knowledge, little
short of a miracle were the record but the figment of his imagination.
Independent research is commendable, and originality, where it is unaffected, is
charming, but any attempt on our part to write on Acts 27: without reference to these
technical treaties would be folly. Moreover, while it is impracticable to smother our
pages with quotation marks, it would be a waste of good material to attempt avoidance of
the use of the language of those who have made the subject their own. Like all writers
since 1856 we are indebted to James Smith, and with this introduction and recognition let
us open the book at Acts 27: and learn its lessons.
Paul was not the only prisoner who was to be delivered to Rome, and Julius, a
centurion of the Augustin cohort, whose duty it was to see his charges safely to Rome in
the shortest time, finding a trading vessel of Adramyttium about to sail by the coast of
Asia, embarked with his men and prisoners and the eventful voyage commenced. Few
Biblical maps show Adramyttium, but the reader would do well to acquaint himself with
this as with every detail of this momentous voyage. This sea-port is on the coast of
Mysia, opposite Mitylene, not far from Pergamos and Troas. It will be seen that such a
port would well serve the centurion's purpose. Paul was courteously treated and, at the
end of the first day's sail, permitted to land at Sidon "to go unto his friends and refresh
himself". The wind that had enabled them to cover this 67 miles, now changed, and they
"sailed under Cyprus, because the winds were contrary". To a landsman, "sailing under
Cyprus" suggests the south side of the island. The truer translation is "under the lee",
and, in the case in point, this was the north side, for the record continues: "And when we
had sailed over the sea of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city of Lysia." One
glance at the map will confirm this rendering and fix the route.
Myra, is practically due north of Alexandria in Egypt, and with the prevailing wind, it
was not strange that a grain ship from Alexandria should be found so far off the straight
course to Rome. Seizing the opportunity thus presented, the centurion transferred his
living freight, and the ship started on its journey to Rome.