Acts 27:16-19 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Bible Comments

Running under a certain island called Clauda A little to the south of the western coast of Crete. Such was the violence of the storm, that we had much work Great difficulty to become masters of the boat, so as to secure it from being staved; which when they had taken up, they used helps Not only all such instruments as were fit for their purpose, but all hands too; undergirding the ship With cables, to keep it from bulging, and enable it to ride out the storm; and fearing As the wind had varied more to the north, and blew them toward Africa; lest they should fall into the quick-sands The greater or the lesser Syrtis, those quick-sands on the African shore, so famous for the destruction of mariners and vessels; they strake sail That so their progress might be slower, and some more favourable weather, in the mean time, might come to their relief; and so were driven Before the wind, as before. And the next day they lightened the ship Casting the heavy goods with which she was laden into the sea. And the third day we cast out the tackling of the ship Cutting away even those masts that were not absolutely necessary, and throwing them overboard with their furniture.

Acts 27:16-19

16 And running under a certain island which is called Clauda, we had much work to come by the boat:

17 Which when they had taken up, they used helps, undergirding the ship; and, fearing lest they should fall into the quicksands, strake sail, and so were driven.

18 And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next day they lightened the ship;

19 And the third day we cast out with our own hands the tackling of the ship.