Luke narrates how the ship bringing Paul, grain, prisoners, guards and sailors sets sail and suddenly faces a severe storm. We discuss the terminology used by Luke which is in keeping with that of other authors who were contemporary with Luke.

Much of it is also in keeping with events which still happen at sea. Of interest is how Paul had warned against beginning their journey that late in the sailing season but they did not heed his advice. Paul was right that they would be endangered, even facing death.

However, during the storm an angel of the Lord appeared to Paul and reiterated what was said earlier in Acts that Paul “must” stand before Caesar and that God had granted those sailing with him. We discuss how this is a specific word from the Lord to Paul as His apostle and gave Paul boldness to help as the storm ravages the ship. The details of Luke’s narrative are powerful in their descriptive accuracy; he was truly an eyewitness to these events.