Introductory remarks:
In this chapter we have the record of Paul's visit to Rome. "Paul is put on a ship to Italy, At Sidon he is allowed to visit his friends. They switch ships in Myra in Lycia. They wait in Lasea because of bad weather and Paul warns against sailing but they sail toward Phenice anyway. They are caught in a huge storm. When they fear they will die, Paul tells them an angel told him they would all live. After fourteen days of fasting Paul tells them to eat and they are cheered. They run the ship aground on an island, and though the ship is broken up, everyone escapes" (A Survey of Acts - by Brenda).
This chapter may be outlined as follows: Paul sails to Rome vv. 1-12; the storm at sea vv. 13-38; the shipwreck vv. 39-44.
Paul Sails for Rome
Verse 1, "And when it was determined that we should sail into Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners unto one named Julius, a centurion of Augustus' band."
LGT "But when it was decided that we should sail away to Italy, they delivered up both Paul and certain other prisoners, to a centurion, by name Julius, of the band of Augustus."
But when it was decided that we should sail away to Italy: Luke uses that plural we because he and Aristarchus are traveling with Paul. Neither Festus nor king Agrippa had the authority to release Paul, since Paul had made his appeal to Caesar (26:32). They delivered up both Paul and certain other prisoners: Paul was sent with certain other prisoners to be tried by the Roman court. To a centurion, by name Julius, of the band of Augustus: Julius, a centurion, the leader of a hundred men, of the band of Augustus, who was in charge of four hundred men.
Verse 2, "And entering into a ship of Adramyttium, we launched, meaning to sail by the coast of Asia; one Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us."
LGT "And having gone on board a ship of Adramyttium, about to navigate the places along Asia, we set sail, Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us."
And having gone on board a ship of Adramyttium: "a boat belonging to Adramyttium, a city in Mysia in the province of Asia. Probably a small coasting vessel on its way home for the winter stopping at various places. Julius would take his chances to catch another ship for Rome. The usual way to go to Rome was to go to Alexandria and so to Rome, but no large ship for Alexandria was at hand" (Robertson). About to navigate the places along Asia: "of Asia Minor. Probably the owners of the ship designed to make a coasting voyage along the southern part of Asia Minor, and to engage in traffic with the maritime towns and cities" (Barnes). Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us: Luke and Aristarchus assisted Paul as his traveling companions.
Barnes notes about Paul's companions:
"Aristarchus is mentioned as Paul's companion in travel in ch. 19:20. He afterward attended him to Macedonia, and returned with him to Asia, ch. 20:4. He now appears to have attended him, not as a prisoner, but as a voluntary companion, choosing to share with him his dangers, and to enjoy the benefit of his society and friendship. He went with him to Rome, and was a fellow-prisoner with him there (Col. 4:10), and is mentioned (Philemon 24) as Paul's fellow-laborer. It was doubtless a great comfort to Paul to have with him two such valuable friends as Luke and Aristarchus; and it was an instance of great affection for him that they were not ashamed of his bonds, but were willing to share his dangers, and to expose themselves to peril for the sake of accompanying him to Rome."
Verse 3, "And the next day we touched at Sidon. And Julius courteously entreated Paul, and gave him liberty to go unto his friends to refresh himself."
LGT "And the next [day] we landed at Sidon, and Julius, having treated Paul kindly, allowed [him] going to [his] friends to receive care."
We landed at Sidon: Sidon was a maritime rival of Tyre; the ship stopped there to do some trading. Sidon was some seventy miles from Caesarea. And Julius, having treated Paul kindly: Julius might have heard Paul and his companions fellowshipping, and was impressed at their bond of Christian brotherhood Robertson says: "Julius treated Paul kindly throughout the voyage (verse 43:28:16), taking a personal interest in his welfare." Allowed him going to his friends to receive care: Paul was allowed to go and visit friends that he had in Sidon. These friends doubtless gave Paul supplies for his long perilous journey, and tended to his ailing body, due to his long confinement in Caesarea.
Verse 4, "And when we launched from thence, we sailed under Cyprus, because the winds were contrary."
LGT "And setting sail from there, we sailed under the lee of Cyprus, because the winds were contrary."
We sailed under the lee of Cyprus: notice on the map that they could not sail straight across from Sidon to Patara, but had to go up through the channel with Cyprus on the left of the ship with the protection of the land, because of the strong winds they would have had to face.
Verse 5, "And when we had sailed over the sea of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city of Lysia."
LGT "And having sailed over the sea along Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra of Lycia."
Checking the map you will see that they sailed very close to the shore south of Cyprus. "Myra was two and a half miles from the coast of Lycia. The port Andriace had a fine harbor and did a large grain business" (Robertson).
Verse 6, "And there the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing into Italy; and he put us therein."
LGT "And there, the centurion, having found a ship of Alexandria sailing to Italy, he caused us to enter it."
Having found a ship of Alexandria sailing to Italy: "A ship belonging to Alexandria. Alexandria was in Egypt, and was founded by Alexander the Great. It appears from verse 38 that the ship was laden with wheat. It is well known that great quantities of wheat were imported from Egypt to Rome, and it appears that this was one of the large ships, which were employed for that purpose. Why the ship was on the coast of Asia Minor is not known. But it is possible that it had been driven out of its way by adverse winds or tempests" (Barnes).
Verse 7, "And when we had sailed slowly many days, and scarce were come over against Cnidus, the wind not suffering us, we sailed under Crete, over against Salmone;"
LGT "And for many days sailing slowly and hardly having come over against Cnidus, the wind not suffering us, we sailed under Crete over against Salmone:"
"The meaning is not that they had scarcely reached Cnidus when the wind became contrary, nor that they had come only as far as Cnidus in many days; but that they were retarded by contrary winds between Myra and Cnidus, a distance of about one hundred and thirty miles, which, with a favorable wind, they might have accomplished in a day. Such a contrary wind would have been the northwesterly, which prevails during the summer months in that part of the Archipelago [the grouping of Islands]" (Vincent).
Verse 8, And, hardly passing it, came unto a place which is called The Fair of Havens; nigh whereunto was the city of Lasea."
LGT "And, it hardly coasting along we came to a certain place called Fair Havens, near which was a city Lasea."
The winds would not allow them to pass between the Island Crete and the mainland, so they had to go around the Island and anchor for a time off Fair Havens. "Fair Havens was on the south eastern part of the island of Crete. It was probably not so much a harbor as an open roadstead, which afforded good anchorage for a time. It is called be Stephen, the geographer, the fair shore. It still retains the name, which it formerly had. It is called in ancient Dutch and French Sailing Directions the beautiful bay. There was no town or city at the Fair Havens, but the city of Lasea seems to have been well known, and it is mentioned here to identify the place" (Barnes).
Verse 9, "Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them."
LGT "And much time having passed, and the voyage already being dangerous, because the fast had already past, Paul kept on exhorting [them]."
And much time having passed: this means that they spent much time anchored in the Fair Havens harbor; or it could mean since they left Caesarea. And the voyage being dangerous: he does not mean that the winds were the only thing contrary, that the time of the year was not cooperative. Because the fast had already past: "The great Day of Atonement, called the Fast by way of eminence [importance]. It occurred about the end of September. Navigation was considered unsafe from the beginning of November until the middle of March" (Vincent). Paul exhorted them: "It is remarkable that a prisoner like Paul should venture to give advice at all and to keep on doing it (imperfect tense, began to exhort and kept on at it). Paul had clearly won the respect of the centurion and officers and also felt it to be his duty to give this unasked for warning" (Robertson).
Verse 10, "And said unto them, sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also our lives."
LGT "Saying to them, Men, I perceive that with disaster and much loss, not only to the lading and the ship, but also to our lives, the voyage is about to be."
Paul is warning the crew that the ship and its lading [cargo], and also their lives are now in danger. Paul is not exercising his gift of prophecy here; he is speaking from experience of three previous shipwrecks (2 Cor. 11:25). Paul begins to exercise the leading authority on this voyage. "The freight of the ship was wheat, vv. 8. Paul evidently, by this, intended to suggest the propriety [correctness] of remaining where they were until the time of dangerous navigation was past" (Robertson).
Verse 11, "Nevertheless the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul."
LGT "But the centurion gave more heed to the steersman and the ship-owner, rather than the things spoken by Paul."
This was a government-hired ship, and the centurion was responsible for the soldiers, the prisoners, and the cargo of wheat. "One can certainly understand the centurion. After all, you would expect the captain of the ship to know more about sailing than Paul.
We see Paul under a real testing here. He certainly stands out. He makes a suggestion, which, they will find later, should have been followed. The spiritual superiority of Paul is evident at this point. There is no confusion in the life of Paul, no uncertainty, no frustration. He is what would be called a poised personality. Paul knew the way he was going. This one thing I do was his declaration when he got to Rome. We can observe these qualities in his behavior, throughout the voyage. Paul lived his life as a man in touch with God" (McGee).
Verse 12, "And because the haven was not commodious to winter in, the more part advised to depart thence also, if by any means they might attain to Phenice, and there to winter; which is an haven of Crete, and lieth toward the southwest and north-west."
LGT "And the port being ill-adapted to winter in, the most counseled to set sail thence, if by any means they might be able, having arrived at Phenice, to winter [there], a port of Crete, looking towards south-west and towards north-west."
Phenice was a port facing Italy on the south and Greece on the north. "The harbor was doubtless curved. Its entrance was in a south-west direction. It then turned so as to lie in a direction toward the north-west. It was thus rendered perfectly safe from the winds and heavy seas; and in that harbor they might pass the winter in security" (Barnes).
The Storm at Sea
Verse 13, "And when the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, loosing thence, they sailed close by Crete."
LGT "And a south-wind blowing gently, thinking to have gained the purpose, having weighed [anchor], they coasted along close by Crete."
They set sail sailing slowly along the island of Crete. They set sail from Fair Havens hoping to reach Phoenix, about thirty-five miles distance, in order to winter there.
Verse 14, "But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon."
LGT "But not long after there beat down from it a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon:"
This verse gives the direction the wind beat down upon them, Euroclydon, that is, it blew in one direction, then suddenly in another. The wind had the character of a typhoon.
Verse 15, "And when the ship was caught, and could not bear up into the wind, we let her drive."
LGT "And the ship, having been caught, and not being able to bring [her] head to the wind, giving [her] up, we were driven along."
The ancient ships had eyes painted on each side of the bow, so they might keep their eyes to the wind, or that they might sail in the eye of the wind. "This hurricane type wind made it impossible for them to unfurl the mainsail" (Vincent). They were unable to bear up against the wind, so they were tossed to and fro by the wind.
Verse 16, "And running under a certain island which is called Clauda, we had much work to come by the boat:"
LGT "But running under the lee of a certain island, called Clauda, we were hardly able to become masters of the boat:"
But running under the lee [the protection] of the island, called Clauda, a small island off Crete (see the map). We were hardly able to become masters of the boat; they had great difficulty in bringing the small boat attached to the ship up into the ship.
Verse 17, "Which when they had taken up, they used helps, under girding the ship; and, fearing lest they should fall into the quicksands, strake sail, and so were driven."
LGT "Which having taken up they used helps, under girding the ship, and fearing lest they fall into the Quicksand, having lowered the gear, so they were driven."
Which taken up they used helps: Any thing on hand, ropes, chains, etc. Under girding the ship: "In modern nautical language, frapping: passing cables or chains round the ship's hull in order to support her in a storm" (Vincent). Fearing lest they should fall into the Quicksand: The Quicksand has an article and it is the name of a certain shoal [a shallow sand bank]. Having lowered the gear: they took down the masts in order to save the ship from the winds. So they were driven: the ship was now unmanageable, so they were tossed about by the wind and the waves.
Verse 18, "And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next day they lightened the ship."
LGT "But we violently being tempest tossed, on the next [day], they began to make a casting out [of the cargo]."
The next day they cast out the lading [cargo], to lighten the ship and keep it afloat; the wheat was saved until the last measure (vs. 38).
Verse 19, "And the third day we cast out with our own hands the tackling of the ship."
LGT "And on the third [day] with our own hands they cast away the tackling of the ship."
They cast overboard the furniture, equipment, and anything of weight they did not need for survival.
Verse 20, "And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away."
LGT "And neither sun nor stars shone upon us for many days, and no small tempest lying on us, henceforth all hope was taken away of our being saved."
And no small tempest lay on us: here again Luke uses the diminutive to express the fact that they were in a very great storm; so much so that, all hope was taken away of our being saved. As the sun and stars were concealed by the storm, and they having no compass, all hope of their making it through the storm was lost.
Verse 21, "But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss."
LGT "And there being much abstinence without food, Paul then stood up in their midst said, It behooved [you] indeed, o men, having not hearkened to me, not to have set sail from Crete, and to have gained this disaster and loss."
And there being much abstinence without food: the men had no stomach for food; some from anxiety, and others from sea-sickness. Paul stood up in their midst said: what a scene this must have been. Paul standing up, a prisoner, reprimanding the entire crew of men for not heeding his advice in Crete. Having not harkened to me: that is, not to have listened to my advice. Not to have set sail from Crete: having remained there you would have been safe. And have gained this disaster and loss: this phrase, being poor English, to have gained this disaster, expresses in the Greek the fact that they had acquired something, whether good or bad.
Verse 22, "And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man's life among you, but of the ship."
LGT "And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for not any loss of life shall be among you, only of the ship."
Remember, Paul had gained the respect of all the men aboard the ship, especially the centurion. Paul did not stand up to say, 'I told you so', but to assure them; for if he gave them good advice previously, they would now be inclined to listen to him now. Paul assures them that they would loose the ship, but not their lives; and now he gives them the reason for this good news.
Verse 23, "For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve,"
LGT "For an angel of the God stood by me this night, whose I am and whom I serve."
For an angel of the God stood by me this night: there is no article before angel, so it was just one of God's angels. God used angels to communicate to men in apostolic times; He no longer uses angels, only His wonderful Word, the Bible. The article is used before God, reading, the God, because Paul was standing before mostly heathen men. Whose I am and whom I serve: this of course refers to God as the One whom Paul serves, and to whom he belongs.
Verse 24, "Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee."
LGT "Saying, Fear not, Paul, it is necessary for you to stand before Caesar, and lo, God has granted to thee all the ones sailing with thee."
Paul assures them that when God speaks things happen; it must have been quite assuring to all the ones aboard to know that they would be saved. Back in 23:11 when Jesus appeared to Paul in Jerusalem, he was told that he would stand before Caesar, so there was no doubt in Paul's mind that they were all saved; not that they would be converted, but that their lives would be spared.
Verse 25, "Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer; for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me."
LGT "Wherefore be of good cheer, men: for I believe God that thus it shall be according as it has been said to me."
For I believe God: this is Paul's complete confidence; he believes God. How much pain and suffering could we avoid if we only believed God. God is constantly testing us; not so God can see how we would react to His testing; it is for us to see and understand the reason for the testing; God already knows how we will react. It is for our benefit that He loves us so much that He tests us. God desires that we put our complete confidence in Him in every situation: let us believe God.
Verse 26, "Howbeit we must be cast upon a certain island."
LGT "But on an island we must fall."
It was not revealed to Paul what island it was; we learn from 28:1 that it was Malta [Malita].
Verse 27, "But when the fourteenth night was come, as we were driven up and down in Adria, about midnight the shipmen deemed that they drew near to some country."
LGT "And when the fourteenth night was come, we were being driven about in the Adriatic, towards [the] middle of the night, the sailors supposed them to be near some country."
And when the fourteenth night was come: since they left Fair Havens. We were being driven about in the Adriatic. The Adriatic Sea lies between Greece and Italy, where they were being driven by the wind to and fro in that Sea, all the way down to the Ionian Sea. The sailors supposed them to be near some country: the mariners thought they were near some country, not as Paul had said in vs. 26, that they would land on some island.
Verse 28, "And sounded, and found it twenty fathoms: and when they had gone a little further, they sounded again, and found it fifteen fathoms."
LGT "And having sounded they found twenty fathoms: and having gone a little farther, and again having sounded they found fifteen fathoms:"
They checked the depth of the water by casting a line into the water; a fathom was about six feet, or the distance between the tip of the index finger on one hand with the arms outstretched to the tip of the other index finger; so the depth therefore was one hundred and twenty feet. Then they sounded again and they were at a depth of ninety feet; so they were getting closer to the land.
Verse 29, "Then fearing lest we should have fallen upon rocks, they cast four anchors out of the stern, and wished for the day."
LGT "And fearing lest somewhere we should fall out down against rocky places, having cast four anchors out of the stern, they wished day to come."
The sounding showed that they were getting dangerously close to land, where rocks or shoals [sandbars] surround most coasts. Having cast four anchors out of the stern: it is the usual case to anchor from the bow [front] of the ship; here they anchored from the stern [rear] of the ship, which would make the ship face the beach. They wished day to come: of course in the daylight they would be able to discern more accurately their danger.
Verse 30, "And as the shipmen were about to flee out of the ship, when they had let down the boat into the sea, under color as though they would have cast anchors out of the foreship."
LGT "But the sailors seeking to flee out of the ship, and having let the boat into the sea, on pretence as from [the] prow, being about to cast out anchors."
The sailors let down the small skiff from the prow [front] of the ship, on the pretence that they were going to secure anchors from the bow. "The reason why they did this was probably that they expected the ship would go to pieces; and as all on board could not be saved in one small boat, they resolved to escape to a place of safety as soon as possible" (Barnes).
Verse 31, "Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved."
LGT "Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Unless these abide in the ship, you all cannot be saved."
Paul cautioned the sailors that if they did not do things according to God's Word, they could not be saved; Paul took control and went to the centurion revealing the scheme of the sailors, in order to have the soldiers stop the sailors from their plot to save themselves. They needed the sailors to guide the ship to safety, in order that all would be saved; remember in vv. 22-24 the angel had promised no lives would be lost.
Verse 32, "Then the soldiers cut off the ropes of the boat, and let her fall off."
LGT "Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the boat, and let her fall."
Paul is now the hero of the ship; the sailor's plot is denied, and many lives are spared. The sailors are now compelled to stay on board where they are dreadfully needed.
Verse 33, "And while the day was coming on, Paul besought them all to take meat, saying, This day is the fourteenth day that ye have tarried and continued fasting, having taken nothing."
LGT "And until day was about to come, Paul exhorted all to partake of food, saying, Today [is] the fourteenth day without ye continue taking food, having taken nothing."
And until day was about to come: it was between midnight and dawn. Paul exhorted all to partake of food: Paul kept on exhorting them to eat. Today is the fourteenth day without ye continue taking food: this means that they did not have any regular meals, just taking bits of food now and then. They had been so anxious throughout the storm, and so preoccupied with saving the ship; they had not taken any regular meals.
Verse 34, "Wherefore I pray you to take some meat: for this is for your health: for there shall not an hair fall from the head of any of you."
LGT "Wherefore I exhort you to take food: for this is for your safety: for of no one of you a hair of your head shall fall."
For of no one of you a hair of your head shall fall: this is a proverbial expression stating that they would be preserved in perfect safety. This truth should now encourage them all.
Verse 35, "And when he had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in presence of them all: and when he had broken it, he began to eat."
LGT "And having said these things and having taken a loaf he gave thanks to God before all, and having broken [it] he began to eat."
By this public act of giving thanks to God, Paul not only showed them all that it was God who would deliver them, but also that he was in the center of God's will. There are some commentators that say this trip was one of Paul's blunders; but the Word throughout this entire expedition proves God was directing Paul's every step.
Verse 36, "Then were they all of good cheer, and they also took some meat."
LGT "And all having become cheerful, also themselves took food."
Because of Paul's overt actions the rest became cheerful; Paul set them an example, and as Robertson said: "Paul's courage was contagious."
Matthew Poole notes:
"Believing Paul's words, promising in the name of that God whom he served, that they should all be preserved; believing they did rejoice. Now Paul, a prisoner, a neglected and condemned person, comes to be valued and credited. Whilst they sailed with a prosperous gale, neither God, nor His poor prisoner and chained apostle, is thought upon; but in a storm or tempest they are glad to believe and follow directions. God's stars shine in the night, and are seen in affliction."
Verse 37, "And we were in all the ship two hundred threescore and sixteen souls."
LGT "And we were in all the ship two hundred threescore and sixteen souls."
This ship was quite big to hold two hundred and seventy-six men. "The grain ships were of considerable size. The number included sailors, soldiers, and prisoners. A muster or roll call may have been taken" (Robertson).
Verse 38, "And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, and cast out the wheat into the sea."
LGT "And having been satisfied with food they lightened the ship, casting out the wheat into the sea."
At first, remember, they threw the furniture and equipment that was not absolutely necessary overboard, and now they throw the cargo of wheat into the sea. They had hoped to lighten the load so that the ship would take on less water, and they would be able to safely guide the ship to shore.
The Shipwreck
Verse 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."
LGT "And when it was day they did not recognize the land, but a certain bay they perceived having a shore, on which they took counsel if they were able to drive the ship."
They did not recognize the land: they were moved about in a direction toward the island Melita, off the tip of Italy 28:1, of which they were completely unfamiliar. But a certain bay they perceived having a shore: the bay was accessible, having a sandy beach instead of a rocky shore. On which they took counsel if they were able to drive the ship: the most likely means to safely guide the ship to shore.
Verse 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."
LGT "And having taken away from around the anchors, they left them in the sea, at the same time having loosened the bands of the rudders, and having hoisted the foresail to the wind, they made for the shore."
And having taken away from around the anchors: they cut the anchors loose from the stern [the back of the boat]. They left them in the sea: they let the anchors go to the sea. At the same time having loosened the bands of the rudders: "the ancient ships had a pair of paddle rudders like those of the early Northmen, one on each quarter. The paddle rudders had been fastened while the ship was anchored" (Robertson). And having hoisted the foresail to the wind: it is not clear what is meant by the Greek word artemona here, but the foresail is probably meant [a sail carried on the foreyard of a square-rigged ship that is the lowest sail on the foremast - Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary]. They made for the shore: they held the ship steady as they headed for the beach.
Verse 41, "And falling into place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground: and the forepart stuck fast, and remained unmoveable, but the hinder part was broken with the violence of the waves."
LGT "And having fallen into a place where two seas met they ran the vessel aground: and the prow having stuck fast remained immovable, but the stern was broken by the violence of the waves."
And having fallen into a place where two seas met: "That is, a place which was washed on both sides by the sea. It refers properly to an isthmus, tongue of land, or a sand bar stretching out from the mainland, and which was washed on both sides by the waves. It is evident that this was not properly an isthmus that was above the waves, but was probably a long sand bank that stretched far out into the sea, and which they did not perceive." (Barnes). They ran the vessel aground: not intentionally but trying to make it safely to the harbor. The bow [the front] of the ship stuck on the sand bar, while the stern [the rear] of the ship broke up; this allowed boards etc. for them to safely float to shore.
Verse 42, "And the soldiers' counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim out, and escape."
LGT "And the soldiers, [the] counsel was, that they should kill the prisoners, lest anyone having swum out should escape."
The soldiers were responsible for the prisoners so it was their counsel that they should kill them all, lest any escape.
Verse 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:"
LGT "But the centurion, desiring to save Paul, hindered them of [their] purpose, and commanded the ones able to swim, having cast [themselves] off first, to go out on the land:"
But the centurion, desiring to save Paul: no wonder; it was Paul who had the centurion stop the sailors from abandoning the ship vv. 30-31. Hindered them of their purpose: the centurion commanded the soldiers to forget about it. The centurion commanded all that could swim to swim to shore.
Verse 44, "And the rest, some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship. And they escaped all safe to land."
LGT "And the rest, some indeed upon planks, and others upon some things from the ship, and thus it came to pass all were brought safely upon the land."
"So Luke in this marvelous narrative, worthy of any historian in any age, shows how Paul's promise was fulfilled (verse 24). Paul the prisoner is the hero of the voyage and shipwreck, a wonderful example of God's providential care" (Robertson). "God hath a tribute of praise which is due unto Him from the readers of this story, that they would acknowledge that there is none else who can deliver after this manner, Dan. 3:29; and then to be sure they will desire that this God might be their God for ever and ever, Psalm 48:14" (Matthew Poole). It would be completely impossible for any thinking person not to praise God after reading this wonderful account by Luke. We do have an Awesome, wonderful, matchless God and Savior Jesus Christ.
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