What does Acts 27:6 Mean?

Verse Meaning

At Myra Julius transferred his party to another ship bound for Italy. This was a grain ship ( Acts 27:38) that had accommodations for at least276 passengers ( Acts 27:37). There were no ships devoted exclusively to passenger travel at this time. ^[1] Its port of origin was Alexandria, the capital of Egypt. Egypt was the major supplier of grain for Italy. A large fleet of these ships sailed between Egypt and Italy along the coast of Palestine, Syria, and Asia Minor carrying food. According to a contemporary description, these large ships were usually180 feet long, 50 feet wide, and44feet deep from the deck to the hold. ^[2] [source]

Context Summary

The we indicates that the good physician, Luke, had rejoined the party. Separated from Paul by the Apostle's imprisonment, he now accompanied him on the ship to Rome. The centurion was indulgently disposed toward Paul. He may have been one of the brilliant crowd who had listened to Paul's last address. It was a most merciful Providence that placed the Apostle with such a man. He showed exceptional kindness in releasing Paul on parole at Sidon, that he might visit his friends, and, no doubt, provide himself with necessaries against the stormy and hazardous winter voyage.

The travelers were fortunate enough to find at Myra a large vessel carrying wheat from Egypt to Rome. There was room for the centurion, his soldiers, and prisoners, as well as such others as chose to accompany them. It was toward the close of September, and perhaps at Fair Havens the Apostle and any Jewish Christians on board may have observed the great Day of Atonement, the one fast of the Jewish calendar. The season for navigation with sailing vessels was drawing to a close, and Paul counseled delay, but his words were unheeded. The man who knew God was wiser than the men who knew the sea. [source]

Chapter Summary: Acts 27

¹  Paul shipping toward Rome,
¹⁰  foretells of the danger of the voyage,
¹¹  but is not believed
¹⁴  They are tossed to and fro by a storm;
⁴¹  and suffer shipwreck;
⁴⁴  yet all come safe to land