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.
It would seem God mocked Paul and Paul deluded his companions with false hope when the ship broke, but God at once put away that error by saving them all. The wreck itself sharpened their senses to see His power: He likes rather to lose the ship and bring them safe to shore than to spare the vessel. Despair makes the miracle glorious.
AI summary
Paul stands forth among them not as a prisoner but as their counselor and comforter, rescuing them first from despair, for a man will starve himself in despair sooner than any storm can drown him. He assures them in God's name that all their lives shall be saved, and this word pulls them back from the grave when human hope is utterly gone.
AI summary
Commenting on Acts 27:21-44
The soldiers wanted to kill the prisoners so none could swim away and leave them accountable. Dreadful wickedness, to shed blood when drowning themselves; monstrous ingratitude to Paul, who had saved their lives and for whose sake God saved theirs. The devil must have had a hand in this.
AI summary