THAT WE SHOULD SAIL (του αποπλειν ημας). This genitive articular infinitive with εκριθη like the LXX construction translating the Hebrew infinitive construct is awkward in Greek. Several similar examples in Luke 17:1; Acts 10:25; Acts 20:3 (Robertson, _Grammar_, p. 1068). Luke alone uses this old... [ Continue Reading ]
IN A SHIP OF ADRAMYTTIUM (πλοιω Hαδραμυντηνω). 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 (τοπους). Julius would take his chances to catch another ship for Rome. The usual way... [ Continue Reading ]
THE NEXT DAY (τη ετερα). Locative case with ημερα understood.WE TOUCHED (κατηχθημεν). First aorist passive of καταγω, the usual term for "coming down" from the seas as αναγω above (and verse Acts 27:4) is for "going up" to sea. So it _looks_ to sailors. Sidon was 67 miles from Caesarea, the riv... [ Continue Reading ]
WE SAILED UNDER THE LEE OF CYPRUS (υπεπλευσαμεν την Κυπρον). First aorist active indicative of υποπλεω, to sail under. Cyprus was thus on the left between the ship and the wind from the northwest, under the protection of Cyprus.BECAUSE THE WINDS WERE CONTRARY (δια το τους ανεμους εινα εναντιους... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN WE HAD SAILED ACROSS (διαπλευσαντες). First aorist active participle of διαπλεω (another compound of πλεω).THE SEA WHICH IS OFF CILICIA AND PAMPHYLIA (το πελαγος το κατα την Κιλικιαν κα Παμφυλιαν). Πελαγος is properly the high sea as here. In Matthew 18:6 (which see) Jesus uses it of "the... [ Continue Reading ]
SAILING FOR ITALY (πλεον εις την Ιταλιαν). This was the opportunity for which Lysias had been looking. So he put (ενεβιβασεν, first aorist active of εμβιβαζω, to cause to enter. Cf. επιβαντες in verse Acts 27:2) prisoners and soldiers on board. This was a ship of Alexandria bound for Rome, a grai... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN WE HAD SAILED SLOWLY (βραδυπλοουντες). Present active participle of βραδυπλοεω (βραδυς, slow, πλους, voyage). Literally, "sailing slowly," not "having or had sailed slowly." Only here and in Artemidorus (sec. cent. A.D.). It may mean "tacking" before the wind. Polybius uses ταχυπλοεω, to sai... [ Continue Reading ]
COASTING ALONG (παραλεγομενο). Present middle participle of παραλεγω, to lay beside, not from λεγω, to collect or λεγω, to say. Diodorus Siculus uses παραλεγομα in precisely this sense of coasting along, like Latin _legere oram_. In N.T. only here and verse Acts 27:13.FAIR HAVENS (Καλους Λιμενα... [ Continue Reading ]
WHERE MUCH TIME WAS SPENT (Hικανου χρονου διαγενομενου). Genitive absolute again with second aorist middle participle of διαγινομα, to come in between (δια). "Considerable time intervening," since they became weatherbound in this harbour, though some take it since they left Caesarea.AND THE VOYAG... [ Continue Reading ]
GAVE MORE HEED (μαλλον επειθετο). Imperfect middle of πειθω, to yield to (with the dative case). The "Frumentarian" centurion ranked above the captain and owner. As a military officer the centurion was responsible for the soldiers, the prisoners, and the cargo of wheat. It was a government ship.... [ Continue Reading ]
BECAUSE THE HAVEN WAS NOT COMMODIOUS TO WINTER IN (ανευθετου του λιμενος υπαρχοντος προς παραχειμασιαν). Genitive absolute again present tense of υπαρχω: "The harbour being unfit (ανευθετου, this compound not yet found elsewhere, simplex in Luke 9:62; Luke 14:35; Hebrews 6:7) for wintering" (παρα... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN THE SOUTH WIND BLEW SOFTLY (υποπνευσαντος νοτου). Genitive absolute with aorist active participle of υποπνεω, old verb to blow under, then to blow gently, here only in N.T. "A south wind having blown gently," in marked contrast to the violent northwest wind that they had faced so long. They... [ Continue Reading ]
AFTER NO LONG TIME (μετ' ου πολυ). Litotes again.BEAT DOWN FROM IT (εβαλεν κατ' αυτης). Second aorist active indicative of βαλλω, to throw. Here "dashed" (intransitive). Αυτης is in the ablative, not genitive case, beat "down from it" (Crete), not "against it or on it." (Robertson, _Grammar_, p... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN THE SHIP WAS CAUGHT (συναρπασθεντος του πλοιου). Genitive absolute again with first aorist passive of συναρπαζω, old word, in N.T. only Luke 8:29; Acts 6:12; Acts 19:29, and here. Graphic picture as if the ship was seized by a great monster.FACE THE WIND (αντοφθαλμειν τω ανεμω). Dative case... [ Continue Reading ]
RUNNING UNDER THE LEE OF (υποδραμοντες). Second aorist active participle of υποτρεχω. Same use of υπο as in υπεπλευσαμεν (verses Acts 27:4; Acts 27:8) for "under the lee", under the protection of. Νησιον is diminutive of νησος, a small island. The MSS. vary between Cauda (B) and Clauda (Aleph).TO... [ Continue Reading ]
AS WE LABOURED EXCEEDINGLY WITH THE STORM (σφοδρως χειμαζομενων ημων). Genitive absolute with present passive participle of χειμαζω, old verb to afflict with a tempest (χειμα, stormy weather), to toss upon the waves, here alone in N.T.THEY BEGAN TO THROW OVERBOARD (εκβαλην εποιουντο). Literally... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN NEITHER SUN NOR STARS SHONE UPON US (μητε ηλιου μητε αστρων επιφαινοντων). Genitive absolute again.FOR MANY DAYS (επ πλειονας ημερας). For more days than a few.NO SMALL TEMPEST (χειμονος ουκ ολιγου). Litotes again.ALL HOPE THAT WE SHOULD BE SAVED WAS NOW TAKEN AWAY (λοιπον περιηιρειτο... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN THEY HAD BEEN LONG WITHOUT FOOD (πολλης τε ασιτιας υπαρχουσης). Genitive absolute, the old word ασιτια from ασιτος (verse Acts 27:33) α privative and σιτος, food, here alone in N.T. Literally, "There being much abstinence from food." They had plenty of grain on board, but no appetite to eat... [ Continue Reading ]
AND NOW (κα τα νυν). Accusative plural neuter article of general reference in contrast with μεν in verse Acts 27:21. Paul shows modesty (Bengel) in the mild contrast.NO LOSS OF LIFE (αποβολη ψυχης ουδεμια). Old word from αποβαλλω, to throw away, only twice in N.T. Romans 11:15 (rejection) and h... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THERE STOOD BY ME (παρεστη γαρ μο). Second aorist active (intransitive) indicative of παριστημ with the locative case (beside me). The very form used by Paul of his trial (2 Timothy 4:17) when "the Lord stood by me" (ο δε κυριος μο παρεστη) when others deserted him. This angel of the God whom... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU MUST STAND BEFORE CAESAR (Καισαρ σε δε παραστηνα). Note the same δε (must) as in Acts 23:11 when Jesus appeared to Paul in Jerusalem and the same verb παραστηνα (second aorist active infinitive) used in verse Acts 27:23.HATH GRANTED THEE (κεχαριστα σο). Perfect middle indicative of χαριζομ... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEREFORE BE OF GOOD CHEER (διο ευθυμειτε). God had spoken. That was enough. This old verb from ευθυμος in the N.T. only here, verse Acts 27:25; James 5:13. See the adjective Acts 27:36.FOR I BELIEVE GOD (πιστευω γαρ τω θεω). This is Paul's reason for his own good cheer and for his exhortation... [ Continue Reading ]
WE MUST BE CAST (δε ημας εκπεσειν). It is necessary for us to fall out (εκπεσειν, second aorist active infinitive of εκπιπτω). It was not revealed to Paul what island it would be.... [ Continue Reading ]
AS WE WERE DRIVEN TO AND FRO (διαφερομενων ημων). Genitive absolute with present passive participle of διαφερω, old verb to bear different ways (δια=δυο, two), this way and that. Continued to be tossed to and fro in the rough seas. It would seem so to those on board. It does not necessarily mean... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY SOUNDED (βολισαντες). First aorist active participle of βολιζω rare verb only here and in Eustathius who says it was familiar in ancient Greek. Apparently from βολις, a missile or dart, and so to throw down the lead into the sea, to heave the lead, to take soundings. The inscriptions give βο... [ Continue Reading ]
LEST HAPLY WE SHOULD BE CAST ASHORE ON ROCKY GROUND (μη που κατα τραχεις τοπους εκπεσωμεν). The usual construction after a verb of fearing (μη and the aorist subjunctive εκπεσωμεν). Literally, "Lest somewhere (που) we should fall out down against (κατα) rocky places." The change in the soundings... [ Continue Reading ]
THE SAILORS (των ναυτων). Old word from ναυς (ship), in N.T. only here, verse Acts 27:30; Revelation 18:17.WERE SEEKING (ζητουντων). Genitive absolute again with present active participle of ζητεω to seek.HAD LOWERED (χαλασαντων). Aorist active participle of χαλαζω.UNDER COLOUR (προφασε). Po... [ Continue Reading ]
EXCEPT THESE ABIDE IN THE SHIP (Εαν μη ουτο μεινωσιν εν τω πλοιω). Condition of the third class (undetermined, but with hope, etc.). Paul has no hesitancy in saying this in spite of his strong language in verse Acts 27:24 about God's promise. He has no notion of lying supinely down and leaving Go... [ Continue Reading ]
THE ROPES (τα σχοινια). Diminutive of σχοινος, old word, but in N.T. only here and John 2:15. Paul is now saviour of the ship and the soldiers quickly cut loose the skiff and "let her fall off" (ειασαν αυτην εκπεσειν) rather than be the means of the escape of the sailors who were needed. This das... [ Continue Reading ]
WHILE THE DAY WAS COMING ON (αχρ ου ημερα ημελλεν γινεσθα). More likely here αχρ ου (for αχρ τουτου ω) with the imperfect ημελλεν, has its usual meaning, "until which time day was about to come on (γινεσθα, present middle infinitive, linear action)." That is Paul kept on exhorting or beseeching (π... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THIS IS FOR YOUR SAFETY (τουτο γαρ προς της υμετερας σωτηριας υπαρχε). Note σωτηρια in sense of "safety," literal meaning, not spiritual salvation. This is the only instance in the N.T. of the use of προς with the ablative meaning "from the side of" your safety, though a classic idiom (Robert... [ Continue Reading ]
GAVE THANKS TO GOD (ευχαριστησεν τω θεω). First aorist active indicative of ευχαριστεω from which our word "Eucharist" comes. It was saying grace like the head of a Hebrew family and the example of Paul would encourage the others to eat. Probably Paul, Luke, and Aristarchus had memories of the Lo... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN WERE THEY ALL OF GOOD CHEER (ευθυμο δε γενομενο). More exactly, "Then all becoming cheerful," because of Paul's words and conduct.TOOK FOOD (προσελαβοντο τροφης). Partitive genitive here (some food), not accusative as verse Acts 27:33. Paul's courage was contagious.... [ Continue Reading ]
TWO HUNDRED THREE-SCORE AND SIXTEEN SOULS (διακοσια εβδομηκοντα εξ). The Vatican Manuscript (B) has ως in place of διακοσια (two hundred) which Westcott and Hort put in the margin. But Alford is probably correct in suggesting that the scribe of B wrote ως by repeating the omega in πλοιω with ς =... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN THEY HAD EATEN ENOUGH (κορεσθεντες τροφης). First aorist passive of κορεννυμ, old verb to satisfy, to satiate, with the genitive. Literally, "Having been satisfied with food." Here only in the N.T.THEY LIGHTENED (εκουφιζον). Inchoative imperfect active, began to lighten. Old verb from κουφ... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY KNEW NOT (ουκ επεγινωσκον). Imperfect active of επιγινωσκω, to recognize. Probably conative, tried to recognize and could not (Conybeare and Howson). The island was well-known (Acts 28:1, επεγνωμεν), but St. Paul's Bay where the wreck took place was some distance from the main harbour (Valet... [ Continue Reading ]
CASTING OFF (περιελοντες). Second aorist active of περιαιρεω. Literally, "Having taken away from around," that is all four anchors from around the stern. Cf. the other verbs with αγκυρας in verse Acts 27:29; Acts 27:30.THEY LEFT THEM IN THE SEA (ειων εις την θαλασσαν). Imperfect active of εαω,... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT LIGHTING UPON (περιπεσοντες δε). Second aorist active participle of περιπιπτω, old verb to fall into and so be encompassed by as in Luke 10:30; James 1:2. There is a current on one side of St. Paul's Bay between a little island (Salmonetta) and Malta which makes a sand bank between the two cu... [ Continue Reading ]
COUNSEL WAS TO KILL (βουλη εγενετο ινα--αποκτεινωσιν). The soldiers did not relish the idea of the escape of the prisoners. Hence there came this "counsel" (βουλη). Regular Greek idiom for purpose (ινα and aorist active subjunctive of αποκτεινω, to kill). Soldiers were responsible for the lives o... [ Continue Reading ]
TO SAVE PAUL (διασωσα τον Παυλον). Effective first aorist active infinitive of διασωζω. And no wonder for the centurion knew now how much they all owed to Paul.STAYED THEM FROM THEIR PURPOSE (εκωλευσεν αυτους του βουληματος.) Ablative case of βουλημα after εκωλευσεν (from κωλευω, to hinder, com... [ Continue Reading ]
SOME ON PLANKS (ους μεν επ σανισιν). Common Greek idiom (ους μεν--ους δε) for "some--some." The only N.T. instance of the old Greek word σανις for board or plank. The breaking of the ship gave scraps of timber which some used.THEY ALL ESCAPED SAFE (παντας διασωθηνα). First aorist passive infini... [ Continue Reading ]