Verses 9-10: “the fast” probably refers to the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16:29-34; 23:26-32). That puts this voyage in late September to early October, a time when sea travel of the Mediterranean began to be more dangerous. Paul advised them that an attempted voyage would be a mistake. Therefore, they should stay put; be content to winter in The fair havens. There may be good men and bad men on the ship – sailors, soldiers, and scofflaws, but they are all “in the same boat” when it comes to the ravages of the sea. Paul’s phrasing – “I perceive” – suggests knowledge based on his experience rather than giving a divine prophecy. Paul was familiar with travel on the Mediterranean, and with Crete in particular, having pioneered the gospel there (cf. Titus 1:5, 12).
Verses 11-12: Julius, the centurion in charge of the prisoners, conferred with the master and the owner of the ship.[1] Together they determined to sail on from their present position. “It was a fair haven, but it was not their haven” (Matthew Henry’s Commentary). They overruled and ignored Paul’s advice, apparently thinking a small window might allow them to reach Phenice (now known as Phoenix) before the danger of travel became increasingly worse. “the more part” suggests others also concurred with this plan. The fair havens (1) was not their intended destination, and (2) “the haven was not commodious to winter in.” This probably refers to how the winter winds blew into the harbor, and possibly that Phenice offered larger and better quarters for the centurion and his prisoners. Also, the town does not appear to have been on the harbor (The fair havens was nigh unto the city of Lasea), as the town of Phenice was situated. Though the centurion was kindly disposed toward Paul (cf. v. 3), he did not regard his seafaring advice.[2]
1 comment:
I am really, really looking forward to this commentary when you publish it!
E. T. Chapman
Post a Comment