Paul the prisoner, a grain ship, fourteen days of storm and an island called Malta, as it happened, by the people on board.
We’re sailing for Italy. Paul’s been handed over, with some other prisoners, to a centurion called Julius, from the Imperial Regiment.
When it was decided that we would sail for Italy, Paul and some other prisoners were handed over to a centurion named Julius, who belonged to the Imperial Regiment.
Replying to @luke
One of the “other prisoners”. Hi.
When it was decided that we would sail for Italy, Paul and some other prisoners were handed over to a centurion named Julius, who belonged to the Imperial Regiment.
And I’m the one taking him. Him and a handful of others, all the way to Rome.
Governor Festus@governorfestusHe’s appealed to Caesar. So to Caesar he’ll go.When it was decided that we would sail for Italy, Paul and some other prisoners were handed over to a centurion named Julius, who belonged to the Imperial Regiment.
Our ship’s from Adramyttium, working its way along the ports of the Asian coast. Aristarchus is with us. He’s from Thessalonica.
We boarded an Adramyttian ship about to sail for ports along the coast of Asia, and we put out to sea. Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica, was with us.
Travelling with Paul once got me dragged into the theatre at Ephesus by a mob. A boat has to be calmer than that.
Someone in the theatre at Ephesus@ephesus.crowd · EphesusThe whole city poured into the theatre. Some people shouting one thing, some another. Most of us had no idea why we were even there. Then for about two hours everyone just chanted, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”We boarded an Adramyttian ship about to sail for ports along the coast of Asia, and we put out to sea. Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica, was with us. Soon the whole city was in disarray. They rushed together into the theatre, dragging with them Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul’s traveling companions from Macedonia.
Put in at Sidon. Julius has been decent to Paul. He’s let him go and see his friends here so they can look after him.
The next day we landed at Sidon, and Julius treated Paul with consideration, allowing him to visit his friends and receive their care.
Paul’s in port for the day! The centurion’s let him come to us, so we get to look after him for once.
The next day we landed at Sidon, and Julius treated Paul with consideration, allowing him to visit his friends and receive their care.
Replying to @sidon.friend
Must be nice.
The next day we landed at Sidon, and Julius treated Paul with consideration, allowing him to visit his friends and receive their care.
Wind’s against us. We’ve had to go round the sheltered side of Cyprus instead of the straight way.
After putting out from there, we sailed to the lee of Cyprus because the winds were against us.
Replying to @luke
Then across the open sea past Cilicia and Pamphylia. Now we’re at Myra, in Lycia.
And when we had sailed across the open sea off the coast of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra in Lycia.
Change of ship at Myra. The centurion’s found one from Alexandria sailing for Italy, and put us all on it.
There the centurion found an Alexandrian ship sailing for Italy and put us on board.
Replying to @luke
Welcome aboard. We haul Egypt’s grain to Italy. This trip, apparently, prisoners and soldiers too.
There the centurion found an Alexandrian ship sailing for Italy and put us on board. After the men had eaten their fill, they lightened the ship by throwing the grain into the sea.
Days and days of crawling along. We barely made it level with Cnidus, then the wind stopped us again. So we’ve gone down and round the sheltered side of Crete, past Cape Salmone.
After sailing slowly for many days, we arrived off Cnidus. When the wind impeded us, we sailed to the lee of Crete, opposite Salmone.
Replying to @luke
Hugging the coast. Hard going all the way.
After we had moved along the coast with difficulty, we came to a place called Fair Havens, near the town of Lasea.
In harbour at last. A place called Fair Havens, near the town of Lasea, on Crete.
After we had moved along the coast with difficulty, we came to a place called Fair Havens, near the town of Lasea.
We’ve lost a lot of time. The Fast has already been and gone, the Day of Atonement, in the autumn, and after that it gets dangerous to be at sea.
By now much time had passed, and the voyage had already become dangerous because it was after the Fast. So Paul advised them,
Replying to @luke
Sitting in a harbour on Crete. With winter coming.
By now much time had passed, and the voyage had already become dangerous because it was after the Fast. So Paul advised them,
I can see where this voyage is heading, and it’s disaster. We’ll lose the cargo and the ship, and our own lives as well.
By now much time had passed, and the voyage had already become dangerous because it was after the Fast. So Paul advised them, “Men, I can see that our voyage will be filled with disaster and great loss, not only to ship and cargo, but to our own lives as well.”
Replying to @paul
He’s not a sailor. He has been shipwrecked three times, mind.
“Men, I can see that our voyage will be filled with disaster and great loss, not only to ship and cargo, but to our own lives as well.” Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked. I spent a night and a day in the open sea.
Most of them want to sail on and try for Phoenix, a harbour on Crete that looks out south-west and north-west, and spend the winter there. Somehow.
Since the harbor was unsuitable to winter in, the majority decided to sail on, hoping that somehow they could reach Phoenix to winter there. Phoenix was a harbor in Crete facing both southwest and northwest.
South wind. Gentle. This is our chance. Anchor up, keeping close to the coast of Crete.
When a gentle south wind began to blow, they thought they had their opportunity. So they weighed anchor and sailed along, hugging the coast of Crete.
Replying to @grainship.sailor
Lovely. So much for disaster.
When a gentle south wind began to blow, they thought they had their opportunity. So they weighed anchor and sailed along, hugging the coast of Crete.
The south wind hasn’t held. A wind like a whirlwind just came screaming down off the island. It’s the north-easter.
But it was not long before a cyclone called the Northeaster swept down across the island.
Replying to @grainship.sailor
Never seen it come down like this.
But it was not long before a cyclone called the Northeaster swept down across the island.
Can’t point the ship into it. We’ve stopped fighting it and we’re letting it drive us wherever it wants.
Unable to head into the wind, the ship was caught up. So we gave way and let ourselves be driven along.
Replying to @luke
Wherever it wants?
Unable to head into the wind, the ship was caught up. So we gave way and let ourselves be driven along.
A few minutes’ shelter behind a little island called Cauda. It took everything we had just to haul the lifeboat up on board.
Passing to the lee of a small island called Cauda, we barely managed to secure the lifeboat.
Ropes passed right under the hull and pulled tight, to hold her together.
After hoisting it up, the crew used ropes to undergird the ship. And fearing that they would run aground on the sandbars of Syrtis, they lowered the sea anchor and were driven along.
Replying to @grainship.sailor
If this keeps driving us, we end up on the Syrtis, the sandbanks off Africa. Sea anchor’s down. That’s all we can do.
After hoisting it up, the crew used ropes to undergird the ship. And fearing that they would run aground on the sandbars of Syrtis, they lowered the sea anchor and were driven along.
We’re being thrown about so badly that the crew have started throwing the cargo over the side.
We were tossed so violently that the next day the men began to jettison the cargo.
Replying to @luke
Just watching it go.
We were tossed so violently that the next day the men began to jettison the cargo.
Can’t stand. Can’t sit. Can’t sleep. Can’t keep anything down.
We were tossed so violently that the next day the men began to jettison the cargo.
Replying to @prisoner.to.rome
Same. Hold on to something.
We were tossed so violently that the next day the men began to jettison the cargo.
Day three. Now it’s the ship’s own gear going over. Throwing it with our bare hands.
On the third day, they threw the ship’s tackle overboard with their own hands.
Replying to @grainship.sailor
Is there anything left on this ship we’re allowed to keep?
On the third day, they threw the ship’s tackle overboard with their own hands.
Haven’t seen the sun in days. No stars at night either. That’s what they steer by. Nobody knows where we are.
When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the great storm continued to batter us, we abandoned all hope of being saved.
Replying to @luke
Nothing to steer by. Nothing.
When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the great storm continued to batter us, we abandoned all hope of being saved.
The storm won’t stop. I’ll say it plainly. We’ve given up any hope of getting out of this alive.
When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the great storm continued to batter us, we abandoned all hope of being saved.
Replying to @luke
Nobody’s eaten for days. What’s the point.
After the men had gone a long time without food, Paul stood up among them and said, “Men, you should have followed my advice not to sail from Crete. Then you would have averted this disaster and loss.
You should have listened to me and not sailed from Crete. You’d have been spared all this damage and loss.
After the men had gone a long time without food, Paul stood up among them and said, “Men, you should have followed my advice not to sail from Crete. Then you would have averted this disaster and loss.
Replying to @paul
He’s opened with “I told you so.”
After the men had gone a long time without food, Paul stood up among them and said, “Men, you should have followed my advice not to sail from Crete. Then you would have averted this disaster and loss.
Last night an angel of the God I belong to and serve stood next to me. He said: “Don’t be afraid, Paul.” I have to stand before Caesar. And God has given me the lives of everyone sailing with me.
For just last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And look, God has granted you the lives of all who sail with you.’
Replying to @paul
An angel. On this ship. Last night.
For just last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me
Second time. In Jerusalem the Lord himself stood by me: take courage, it’s Rome. Last night an angel: don’t be afraid, it’s Caesar.
Paul@paul · JerusalemThat night the Lord stood beside me. Told me to be brave. I’d told people about him in Jerusalem, and I have to do the same in Rome.and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And look, God has granted you the lives of all who sail with you.’ The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about Me in Jerusalem, so also you must testify in Rome.”
I heard him at Fair Havens. I went with the pilot and the owner.
Paul@paulI can see where this voyage is heading, and it’s disaster. We’ll lose the cargo and the ship, and our own lives as well.But contrary to Paul’s advice, the centurion was persuaded by the pilot and by the owner of the ship. After the men had gone a long time without food, Paul stood up among them and said, “Men, you should have followed my advice not to sail from Crete. Then you would have averted this disaster and loss.
Fourteen nights now, driven back and forth across the Adriatic.
On the fourteenth night we were still being driven across the Adriatic Sea. About midnight the sailors sensed they were approaching land.
Midnight. Something’s different. Pretty sure we’re near land.
On the fourteenth night we were still being driven across the Adriatic Sea. About midnight the sailors sensed they were approaching land.
Replying to @grainship.sailor
Dropped the line. Twenty fathoms.
They took soundings and found that the water was twenty fathoms deep. Going a little farther, they took another set of soundings that read fifteen fathoms.
Four anchors down from the back of the ship. The sailors are praying for morning.
Fearing that we would run aground on the rocks, they dropped four anchors from the stern and prayed for daybreak.
Replying to @luke
Them and all of us.
Fearing that we would run aground on the rocks, they dropped four anchors from the stern and prayed for daybreak.
Few of us going up the front to let some anchors down from the bow as well.
Meanwhile, the sailors attempted to escape from the ship. Pretending to lower anchors from the bow, they let the lifeboat down into the sea.
Paul’s just come to the centurion and the lot of us. Said if those sailors don’t stay on the ship, none of us can be saved.
But Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men remain with the ship, you cannot be saved.”
Replying to @imperial.soldier
They weren’t letting down anchors. They’d lowered the lifeboat into the sea.
Meanwhile, the sailors attempted to escape from the ship. Pretending to lower anchors from the bow, they let the lifeboat down into the sea.
“Anchors.”
Another sailor@grainship.crewFew of us going up the front to let some anchors down from the bow as well.Meanwhile, the sailors attempted to escape from the ship. Pretending to lower anchors from the bow, they let the lifeboat down into the sea.
So the sailors had been trying to get off the ship. Paul told the centurion and the soldiers, and that was the end of it.
Meanwhile, the sailors attempted to escape from the ship. Pretending to lower anchors from the bow, they let the lifeboat down into the sea. But Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men remain with the ship, you cannot be saved.”
Fourteen days you’ve been on edge and waiting, and nobody’s eaten a thing. Please eat something. You need it to get through this. Not one hair on anyone’s head is going to be lost.
Right up to daybreak, Paul kept urging them all to eat: “Today is your fourteenth day in constant suspense, without taking any food. So for your own preservation, I urge you to eat something, because not a single hair of your head will be lost.”
Then he took some bread, thanked God for it in front of everyone, broke it, and started eating.
After he had said this, Paul took bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all. Then he broke it and began to eat.
Replying to @luke
So I ate. First time in two weeks.
They were all encouraged and took some food themselves.
Two hundred and seventy-six of us on board, and every one of us had something to eat.
They were all encouraged and took some food themselves. In all, there were 276 of us on board.
Not a hair of your head. The same words Jesus used to his followers.
Jesus@jesusWatch out that you're not fooled. Many will come in my name. They'll arrest you and persecute you because of me, and some of you they'll put to death. But not a hair of your head will be lost. Stand firm, and you'll win life.So for your own preservation, I urge you to eat something, because not a single hair of your head will be lost.” Yet not even a hair of your head will perish.
Everyone’s had all they want to eat. Now the grain’s going over the side, to lighten her.
After the men had eaten their fill, they lightened the ship by throwing the grain into the sea.
Replying to @grainship.sailor
A grain ship with no grain.
After the men had eaten their fill, they lightened the ship by throwing the grain into the sea.
Light. Nobody recognises this coast.
When daylight came, they did not recognize the land, but they sighted a bay with a sandy beach, where they decided to run the ship aground if they could.
Replying to @grainship.sailor
There’s a bay with a sandy beach. We’re running her onto it if we can.
When daylight came, they did not recognize the land, but they sighted a bay with a sandy beach, where they decided to run the ship aground if they could.
Anchors cut loose and left in the sea. The ropes on the steering oars untied. Foresail up to the wind. Heading for the beach.
Cutting away the anchors, they left them in the sea as they loosened the ropes that held the rudders. Then they hoisted the foresail to the wind and made for the beach.
Sandbar. We’ve hit a sandbar.
But the ship struck a sandbar and ran aground. The bow stuck fast and would not move, and the stern was being broken up by the pounding of the waves.
The front of the ship is stuck fast and won’t move. The back is being smashed to pieces by the waves.
But the ship struck a sandbar and ran aground. The bow stuck fast and would not move, and the stern was being broken up by the pounding of the waves.
Replying to @luke
My ship.
But the ship struck a sandbar and ran aground. The bow stuck fast and would not move, and the stern was being broken up by the pounding of the waves.
The soldiers are talking about killing the prisoners. So none of us can swim off and get away.
The soldiers planned to kill the prisoners so none of them could swim to freedom.
Replying to @prisoner.to.rome
Paul’s a prisoner.
The soldiers planned to kill the prisoners so none of them could swim to freedom.
Nobody touches the prisoners. Anyone who can swim, jump now and get to land. Everyone else, follow on planks. Bits of the ship. Anything that floats.
But the centurion, wanting to spare Paul’s life, thwarted their plan. He commanded those who could swim to jump overboard first and get to land. The rest were to follow on planks and various parts of the ship. In this way everyone was brought safely to land.
Jumped. Swam. On the sand.
But the centurion, wanting to spare Paul’s life, thwarted their plan. He commanded those who could swim to jump overboard first and get to land.
Can’t swim. Came in on a plank.
The rest were to follow on planks and various parts of the ship. In this way everyone was brought safely to land.
Replying to @prisoner.to.rome
Bit of the deck here. Held on and kicked.
The rest were to follow on planks and various parts of the ship. In this way everyone was brought safely to land.
Everyone made it. Every single one. Two hundred and seventy-six people standing on a beach.
The rest were to follow on planks and various parts of the ship. In this way everyone was brought safely to land. In all, there were 276 of us on board.
Replying to @luke
Headcount done. Prisoners, crew, all of us. Nobody missing.
The rest were to follow on planks and various parts of the ship. In this way everyone was brought safely to land.
Every one of us. Only the ship.
Paul@paulBut now keep up your courage. Not one of you is going to lose your life. Only the ship.But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because you will not experience any loss of life, but only of the ship. The rest were to follow on planks and various parts of the ship. In this way everyone was brought safely to land.
Found out where we are. The island’s called Malta.
Once we were safely ashore, we learned that the island was called Malta.
Malta. There’s your island.
Paul@paulWe will have to run aground on some island, though.Once we were safely ashore, we learned that the island was called Malta. However, we must run aground on some island.”
A whole shipload of people just washed up on our beach. It’s pouring with rain and it’s freezing, so we’ve got a fire going for all of them.
Once we were safely ashore, we learned that the island was called Malta. The islanders showed us extraordinary kindness. They kindled a fire and welcomed all of us because it was raining and cold.
Replying to @malta.islander
I don’t think I’ve ever been shown such kindness. They took every one of us in.
The islanders showed us extraordinary kindness. They kindled a fire and welcomed all of us because it was raining and cold.
One of them’s been gathering sticks for the fire. He put them on and a viper came out of the heat and fastened onto his hand. It’s hanging off him.
Paul gathered a bundle of sticks, and as he laid them on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself to his hand.
Replying to @malta.islander
He must be a murderer. He got out of the sea, and the goddess Justice still won’t let him live.
When the islanders saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “Surely this man is a murderer. Although he was saved from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live.”
It’s been ages. We’ve all been watching him. Nothing. Not even a swelling.
But Paul shook the creature off into the fire and suffered no ill effects. The islanders were expecting him to swell up or suddenly drop dead. But after waiting a long time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god.
Replying to @malta.islander
Right. Not a murderer. He’s a god.
The islanders were expecting him to swell up or suddenly drop dead. But after waiting a long time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god.
Murderer to god in one afternoon.
Another islander on Malta@malta.islander2Right. Not a murderer. He’s a god.When the islanders saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “Surely this man is a murderer. Although he was saved from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live.” But Paul shook the creature off into the fire and suffered no ill effects. The islanders were expecting him to swell up or suddenly drop dead. But after waiting a long time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god.
Replying to @aristarchus
And it didn’t do him any harm at all.
But Paul shook the creature off into the fire and suffered no ill effects.
Our estate’s right by where the ship came ashore. Taking them in for a few days.
Nearby stood an estate belonging to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us and entertained us hospitably for three days.
Replying to @publiusmalta
Publius, the island’s chief official. Three days he looked after us, and properly.
Nearby stood an estate belonging to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us and entertained us hospitably for three days.
My father’s in bed with a fever and dysentery. It’s not good.
The father of Publius was sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him, and after praying and placing his hands on him, he healed the man.
Replying to @publiusmalta
Paul went in to see him. Prayed, put his hands on him, and healed him.
The father of Publius was sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him, and after praying and placing his hands on him, he healed the man.
Word’s all round the island. Everyone who’s ill is going to see the man from the ship. And they’re coming back cured.
After this had happened, the rest of the sick on the island came and were cured as well.
Replying to @malta.islander
It’s true. They’re coming back well.
After this had happened, the rest of the sick on the island came and were cured as well.
Three months on Malta. Now there’s another ship from Alexandria that wintered here, the one with the Twin Brothers carved on the front, and we’re on it.
After three months we set sail in an Alexandrian ship that had wintered in the island. It had the Twin Brothers as a figurehead.
Replying to @luke
The Twin Brothers. Sailors’ gods. Let’s hope they’re paying attention.
After three months we set sail in an Alexandrian ship that had wintered in the island. It had the Twin Brothers as a figurehead.
Loaded them up with everything they’ll need for the voyage. Going to miss them.
The islanders honored us in many ways and supplied our needs when we were ready to sail.
Syracuse, three days. Then on to Rhegium.
Putting in at Syracuse, we stayed there three days. From there we weighed anchor and came to Rhegium. After one day, a south wind came up, and on the second day we arrived at Puteoli.
Replying to @luke
A day at Rhegium, then a south wind came up. Next day, Puteoli.
From there we weighed anchor and came to Rhegium. After one day, a south wind came up, and on the second day we arrived at Puteoli.
Ship in from Malta, and Paul’s on it. Yes, that Paul. Under guard. We’ve asked them all to stay the week with us.
From there we weighed anchor and came to Rhegium. After one day, a south wind came up, and on the second day we arrived at Puteoli. There we found some brothers who invited us to spend the week with them. And so we came to Rome.
Replying to @puteoli.church
A whole week and nothing’s been thrown overboard. Bliss.
There we found some brothers who invited us to spend the week with them. And so we came to Rome.
Word’s reached us from the coast. Paul’s on his way up the road. A group of us are walking out to meet him.
The brothers there had heard about us and traveled as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns to meet us. When Paul saw them, he was encouraged and gave thanks to God.
We’ve had his letter a good while. “I really want to see you.” Today we’re going to see him.
Paul@paul · CorinthHi Rome. Paul here. We haven’t met. I’ve planned to come to you so many times, and something has always stopped me. I pray about it constantly. I really, really want to see you.The brothers there had heard about us and traveled as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns to meet us. When Paul saw them, he was encouraged and gave thanks to God.
Some of us walked as far as the Forum of Appius, out on the Appian Way. Others were waiting at Three Taverns.
The brothers there had heard about us and traveled as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns to meet us. When Paul saw them, he was encouraged and gave thanks to God.
Replying to @rome.church
When Paul saw them coming, he thanked God. You could see the courage come back into him.
The brothers there had heard about us and traveled as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns to meet us. When Paul saw them, he was encouraged and gave thanks to God.
And so we came to Rome.
There we found some brothers who invited us to spend the week with them. And so we came to Rome. When we arrived in Rome, Paul was permitted to stay by himself, with a soldier to guard him.
I did say I’d come and see you. Not quite how I planned to arrive.
Paul@paulThe plan: first Jerusalem, taking the gift the believers in Macedonia and Achaia have collected for the poor there. Then Spain. And I’ll see you on the way. Finally.When we arrived in Rome, Paul was permitted to stay by himself, with a soldier to guard him.
New posting. The prisoner off the Malta ship is allowed to live on his own, not in the barracks. Just him, me, and the chain.
When we arrived in Rome, Paul was permitted to stay by himself, with a soldier to guard him. So for this reason I have called to see you and speak with you. It is because of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain.”
Caesarea to Rome. It took a shipwreck and a winter on Malta, but we’re here.
When it was decided that we would sail for Italy, Paul and some other prisoners were handed over to a centurion named Julius, who belonged to the Imperial Regiment. After three months we set sail in an Alexandrian ship that had wintered in the island. It had the Twin Brothers as a figurehead. When we arrived in Rome, Paul was permitted to stay by himself, with a soldier to guard him.
Paul spends the next two years in Rome under guard, welcoming everyone who comes. That’s where Acts ends.
Back to the startLukeA prisoner bound for RomeJuliusAristarchusA friend of Paul’s in SidonA soldier under JuliusA sailor on the grain shipPaulThe ship’s pilotThe ship’s ownerAnother sailorSomeone who reads the ScripturesAn islander on MaltaAnother islander on MaltaPublius
Publius’s fatherA believer in PuteoliA believer from RomeThe soldier guarding Paul