But soon a tempestuous wind, called the northeaster, struck down from the land.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The word "northeaster" here isn't just a simple direction, but a name for a particularly violent and unpredictable storm, likely a hurricane. This detail emphasizes that the trouble wasn't just bad luck, but an almost personal assault from nature itself, quickly overwhelming their safe harbor.
But soon a tempestuous wind, called the northeaster, struck down from the land.
English Standard Version (ESV)
After deciding to push on rather than winter in a less-than-ideal harbor, Paul's ship set sail from Crete. However, their journey took a sudden, violent turn when a fierce northeasterly wind, known as the Euroclydon, violently struck the ship. This powerful storm immediately began to drive them off course, overwhelming the sailors' efforts to control the vessel.
Imagine being on a ship, thinking you're safe, when suddenly the sky turns black and a furious wind blasts down. This wasn't just any storm; it had a name.
The Bible describes this wind as 'tempestuous,' a powerful storm wind. Scholars connect the name 'Euroclydon' to winds that were fierce and unpredictable in the Mediterranean Sea.
A Nasty Gale
Paul and the crew thought they knew the sea, but this storm quickly showed them the limits of their knowledge and experience.
The sailors, despite their expertise, were utterly powerless against the 'Euroclydon.' Their plans were thwarted, and their skills became useless.
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Understand the original words
typhōnikos · Greek Adjective
A strong, destructive, or violent wind, often used metaphorically in Scripture to describe divine judgment, spiritual trials, or overwhelming crises that threaten human safety and stability.
The verse describes a specific, named storm, the Euroclydon, which was a dreaded seasonal wind in the Mediterranean. Its sudden and violent nature underscores the peril faced by the travelers and the immense power of nature against which human efforts were often futile.
c. AD 57
Paul begins his sea voyage from Caesarea
Paul, a prisoner, sets sail from Caesarea towards Rome, accompanied by Luke and other prisoners under the guard of centurion Julius.
c. AD 57
Ship reaches Fair Havens, Crete
After a difficult journey, the ship anchors at Fair Havens, a port on the southern coast of Crete. Sailing is deemed too dangerous as autumn storms begin.
c. AD 57— this verse
The Euroclydon storm strikes
A violent north-easterly storm, named Euroclydon, suddenly hits the ship as it attempts to sail from Fair Havens to a better harbor.
c. AD 57
Ship driven towards Clauda
Despite efforts to control the ship, the storm drives it south-west towards the small island of Clauda, just off the coast of Crete.
c. AD 57
Shipwreck on Malta
After days of being tossed by the storm, the ship breaks apart and the passengers and crew are shipwrecked on the island of Malta.
This passage describes God's awesome power over the weather, similar to the uncontrollable storm that hit Paul's ship, reminding us of our smallness in the face of creation's might.
Psalm 107:25-29This psalm directly relates the power of storms at sea and God's ability to calm them, mirroring the experience of the sailors and Paul on their voyage.
Jonah 1:4This verse describes a violent storm that threatened Jonah's ship, highlighting a similar peril faced by ancient mariners and the fear it instilled, much like Paul's crew experienced.
Matthew 8:24The description of Jesus calming the storm emphasizes His divine authority over nature, providing a stark contrast to the helplessness of Paul's crew against the tempestuous wind.
2 Corinthians 11:25Paul himself recounts experiencing 'three times I was shipwrecked,' which directly connects to the dangers faced in Acts 27, showing this was a recurring and severe trial in his ministry.
barnesActs 27:14: "But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon."
Arose - Beat violently. Against it - Against the vessel. Greek: seizing her, and whirling her around. A tempestuous wind - Turbulent - violent - strong. Called Euroclydon - Εὐροκλύδων Eurokludōn. Interpreters have been much perplexed about the meaning of this word, which occurs nowhere else in the New Testament. The most probable supposition is, that it denotes "a wind not blowing steadily from an…
henryActs 27:12-20: "And because the haven was not commodious to winter in, the more part advised to depart thence also, if by any means they might attain to Phenice, and there to winter; which is an haven of Crete, and lieth toward the south west and north west."
27:12-20 Those who launch forth on the ocean of this world, with a fair gale, know not what storms they may meet with; and therefore must not easily take it for granted that they have obtained their purpose. Let us never expect to be quite…
The word "northeaster" here isn't just a simple direction, but a name for a particularly violent and unpredictable storm, likely a hurricane. This detail emphasizes that the trouble wasn't just bad luck, but an almost personal assault from nature itself, quickly overwhelming their safe harbor.
After deciding to push on rather than winter in a less-than-ideal harbor, Paul's ship set sail from Crete. However, their journey took a sudden, violent turn when a fierce northeasterly wind, known as the Euroclydon, violently struck the ship. This powerful storm immediately began to drive them off course, overwhelming the sailors' efforts to control the vessel.
After deciding to push on rather than winter in a less-than-ideal harbor, Paul's ship set sail from Crete. However, their journey took a sudden, violent turn when a fierce northeasterly wind, known as the Euroclydon, violently struck the ship. This powerful storm immediately began to drive them off course, overwhelming the sailors' efforts to control the vessel.
"But soon a tempestuous wind, called the northeaster, struck down from the land." — The word "northeaster" here isn't just a simple direction, but a name for a particularly violent and unpredictable storm, likely a hurricane. This detail emphasizes that the trouble wasn't just bad l…
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Last reviewed October 2026