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Prophecy

The shipwreck without loss of life (Acts 27:22-26)

Paul on Malta after the shipwreck, artist’s impression by Laurent de La Hyre (around 1630), after Acts 28:1-6: all the castaways reached land.
Artist’s impression Paul on Malta after the shipwreck, artist’s impression by Laurent de La Hyre (around 1630), after Acts 28:1-6: all the castaways reached land. — Laurent de La Hyre, Wikimedia Commons · Domaine public

○ Written after the events, according to historians; tradition dates it before

Written c. 59–62 AD according to tradition; c. 80–90 AD according to historians. Event: c. 59–60 AD.

See the full entry: sources, objections, answers

In short

The announcement. In the book of Acts, the apostle Paul, a prisoner on his way to Rome around 59-60, announces in the middle of a storm that none of the people on board will die and that only the ship will be lost.

What happened. Only the Bible tells this sequel: the ship breaks apart and everyone reaches land, on the island of Malta. No outside source mentions this shipwreck, but a 1st-century Maltese inscription confirms the title of “chief man of the island” that Acts gives to the local notable Publius.

What is still debated. the announcement and its fulfillment appear in the same chapter of the same book, with no independent witness of the shipwreck.

What would be striking if the text came first

So the author knew Malta closely. But Paul’s announcement, that no one would perish in the shipwreck, is confirmed only by the account that contains it: the accuracy of the setting does not verify the prediction.

Main objection (in French for now)

Limite décisive : l’annonce et son accomplissement figurent dans le même chapitre du même livre. Aucune source indépendante ne mentionne le naufrage ; le dossier ne peut pas dépasser le niveau du récit.

The text (World English Bible)

Now I exhort you to cheer up, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. For there stood by me this night an angel, belonging to the God whose I am and whom I serve, saying, ‘Don’t be afraid, Paul. You must stand before Caesar. Behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ Therefore, sirs, cheer up! For I believe God, that it will be just as it has been spoken to me. But we must run aground on a certain island.”

Acts 27:22-26

Sources