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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comRobertson Word Pictures - Acts 27:1 - 27:1
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
That we should sail (tou apoplein hēmas). This genitive articular infinitive with ekrithē like the lxx construction translating the Hebrew infinitive construct is awkward in Greek. Several similar examples in Luk 17:1; Act 10:25; Act 20:3 (Robertson, Grammar, p. 1068). Luke alone uses this old verb in N.T. He uses nine compounds of pleō, to sail. Note the reappearance of “we” in the narrative. It is possible, of course, that Luke was not with Paul during the series of trials at Caesarea, or at least, not all the time. But it is natural for Luke to use “we” again because he and Aristarchus are travelling with Paul. In Caesarea Paul was the centre of the action all the time whether Luke was present or not. The great detail and minute accuracy of Luke’s account of this voyage and shipwreck throw more light upon ancient seafaring than everything else put together. Smith’s Voyage and Shipwreck of St. Paul is still a classic on the subject. Though so accurate in his use of sea terms, yet Luke writes like a landsman, not like a sailor. Besides, the character of Paul is here revealed in a remarkable fashion.
They delivered (paredidoun). Imperfect active ōmega form rather than the old ̇mi form paredidosan as in Act 4:33, from paradidōmi. Perhaps the imperfect notes the continuance of the handing over.
Certain other prisoners (tinas heterous desmōtas). Bound (desmōtas) like Paul, but not necessarily appellants to Caesar, perhaps some of them condemned criminals to amuse the Roman populace in the gladiatorial shows, most likely pagans though heterous does not have to mean different kind of prisoners from Paul.
Of the Augustan band (speirēs Sebastēs). Note Ionic genitive speirēs, not speiras. See note on Mat 27:27 and note on Act 10:1. Cohortis Augustae. We do not really know why this cohort is called “Augustan.” It may be that it is part of the imperial commissariat (frumentarii) since Julius assumes chief authority in the grain ship (Act 27:11). These legionary centurions when in Rome were called peregrini (foreigners) because their work was chiefly in the provinces. This man Julius may have been one of them.