Acts 27:9
Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them, Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them,
This verse belongs to Paul's long voyage to Italy, to Rome, as a prisoner in chains. The voyage began aboard a ship from Adramyttium sailing along the coast of Asia, carrying other prisoners as well as Paul's companions. By the time of this verse much time had been spent and sailing had become dangerous because the fast was now already past. That fast was the Day of Atonement, whose timing marked the end of the Jewish sailing season when travel by sea was especially perilous.
By then the ship was held at Fair Havens in Crete for some time, compelled to remain waiting for favoring winds while winter came on rapidly. Sailing had become dangerous and the season for safe travel by sea was closing for the year, so those in charge gave up hope of reaching Italy before it closed. The only question left was whether to remain at Fair Havens for the winter or to attempt to reach a more favorable place in which to winter. Risking sailing to a more favorable harbor was set against remaining there for the winter.
Paul had won the respect of the soldiers and sailors, and the centurion consulted him. He warned the ship's company to stay where they were, because continuing the voyage would bring hurt and much damage to the cargo and the ship and to their lives. But the master and the owner of the ship and the majority of the passengers and crew refused his counsel, because Fair Havens was not suitable to winter in. They advised leaving to try to reach Phenice, a haven of Crete, to winter there. That sea journey to Rome served God's purpose, as the ship's crew witnessed God's power through Paul and people outside Israel heard the name of Jesus, and Paul's teaching and the miracles he performed led many to believe.