The soldiers’ plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any should swim away and escape.
The soldiers would murder the very man whose counsel saved their lives, and in doing so they resist God Himself, who had sworn their souls were given to Paul. This unthankfulness is common enough, but what betrays them here is forgetfulness of grace received; they tasted it in despair, yet the moment safety appears near, it loses all savor.
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 centurion stayed the soldiers' hand because he perceived Paul was no ordinary man, moved by a power above himself to thwart Satan's designs and fulfill God's will that Paul should testify of Christ in Rome. He commanded those who could swim to cast themselves into the sea and reach land.
AI summary