Acts 27:16

16 After running under the shelter of a little island called Cauda,^[a] we were barely able to get control of the skiff.

Acts 27:16 Meaning and Commentary

Acts 27:16

And running under a certain island
Or below a certain island and hard by, it or under the sea shore of it, where the sea might be smoother, the wind not being there so strong:

which is called Clauda:
by Ptolomy ^F24 it is called Claudus, and was near the island of Crete, and now called Gozo. The Vulgate Latin and Ethiopic versions, and some copies, read "Cauda"; and there was an island near to Crete, which was called Gaudos ^F25, and is thought to be the place here meant:

we had much work to come by the boat;
which they had with them to go ashore in, or to betake themselves to in case of shipwreck; and which in this storm was in danger of being dashed to pieces against the ship, or lost; and it was with some difficulty that they came at it, and took it up into the ship.

---

FOOTNOTES:

F24 Geograph. l. 3. c. 17.
F25 Mela, l. 2. c. 7. Plin. l. 4. c. 12.

Acts 27:16 In-Context

14 But not long afterwards, a fierce wind called the "northeaster" rushed down from the island.

15 Since the ship was caught and was unable to head into the wind, we gave way to it and were driven along.

16 After running under the shelter of a little island called Cauda, we were barely able to get control of the skiff.

17 After hoisting it up, they used ropes and tackle and girded the ship. Then, fearing they would run aground on the Syrtis, they lowered the drift-anchor, and in this way they were driven along.

18 Because we were being severely battered by the storm, they began to jettison the cargo the next day.

Footnotes

• [a]. Or Clauda