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Acts 27

And when it was determined that we should sail into Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners unto one named Julius, a centurion of Augustus' band.

And entering into a ship of Adramyttium, we launched, meaning to sail by the coasts of Asia; one Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us.

And the next day we touched at Sidon. And Julius courteously entreated Paul, and gave him liberty to go unto his friends to refresh himself.

And when we had launched from thence, we sailed under Cyprus, because the winds were contrary.

And when we had sailed over the sea of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city of Lycia.

And there the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing into Italy; and he put us therein.

And when we had sailed slowly many days, and scarce were come over against Cnidus, the wind not suffering us, we sailed under Crete, over against Salmone;

And, hardly passing it, came unto a place which is called The fair havens; nigh whereunto was the city of Lasea.

Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them,

And said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives.

Nevertheless the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul.

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.

And when the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, loosing thence, they sailed close by Crete.

But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon.

And when the ship was caught, and could not bear up into the wind, we let her drive.

And running under a certain island which is called Clauda, we had much work to come by the boat:

Which when they had taken up, they used helps, undergirding the ship; and, fearing lest they should fall into the quicksands, strake sail, and so were driven.

And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next day they lightened the ship;

And the third day we cast out with our own hands the tackling of the ship.

And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away.

But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss.

And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man's life among you, but of the ship.

For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve,

Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.

Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.

Howbeit we must be cast upon a certain island.

But when the fourteenth night was come, as we were driven up and down in Adria, about midnight the shipmen deemed that they drew near to some country;

And sounded, and found it twenty fathoms: and when they had gone a little further, they sounded again, and found it fifteen fathoms.

Then fearing lest we should have fallen upon rocks, they cast four anchors out of the stern, and wished for the day.

And as the shipmen were about to flee out of the ship, when they had let down the boat into the sea, under colour as though they would have cast anchors out of the foreship,

Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved.

Then the soldiers cut off the ropes of the boat, and let her fall off.

And while the day was coming on, Paul besought them all to take meat, saying, This day is the fourteenth day that ye have tarried and continued fasting, having taken nothing.

Wherefore I pray you to take some meat: for this is for your health: for there shall not an hair fall from the head of any of you.

And when he had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in presence of them all: and when he had broken it, he began to eat.

Then were they all of good cheer, and they also took some meat.

And we were in all in the ship two hundred threescore and sixteen souls.

And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, and cast out the wheat into the sea.

And when it was day, they knew not the land: but they discovered a certain creek with a shore, into the which they were minded, if it were possible, to thrust in the ship.

And when they had taken up the anchors, they committed themselves unto the sea, and loosed the rudder bands, and hoised up the mainsail to the wind, and made toward shore.

And falling into a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the forepart stuck fast, and remained unmoveable, but the hinder part was broken with the violence of the waves.

And the soldiers' counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim out, and escape.

But the centurion, willing to save Paul, kept them from their purpose; and commanded that they which could swim should cast themselves first into the sea, and get to land:

And the rest, some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship. And so it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land.

What does Acts 27:28 mean?

Explanation

The verse Acts 27:28 comes from the New Testament of the Christian Bible, describing a moment during the apostle Paul's sea voyage to Rome. The ship he is on is facing a violent storm, and the crew is attempting to establish the depth of the water to avoid running aground.

"Sounding" refers to an ancient technique used by sailors to measure the depth of water by dropping a weighted line over the side of the ship.

The measurements are given in "fathoms," a nautical unit of depth, where one fathom equals approximately 1.8 meters or 6 feet.

The literal meaning is clear: they first find the depth to be twenty fathoms and then fifteen, indicating that the ship is approaching shallower water which could potentially lead to a shipwreck.

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Historical Context

This verse is situated within the narrative of Paul's journey to Rome to stand trial, as narrated in Acts of the Apostles, attributed to Luke the Evangelist.

This was occurring during the first century.

The practice of "sounding" was common among sailors in ancient times to avoid dangers under the water when navigating close to coastlines or in unfamiliar territories.

Theological Insights

From a theological viewpoint, the verse can signify man's attempt to navigate through the trials and tribulations of life, relying on God's guidance to avoid disaster.

The decreasing depth signifies the impending crisis, foreshadowed earlier in Acts, that Paul had warned the sailors about.

This can be seen as an example of God's providence, as the impending shipwreck eventually leads to divine opportunities and the fulfillment of God's plan for Paul.

Practical Applications

The passage can be taken as a metaphor for the vigilance and proactive steps needed in life when facing difficult circumstances.

Just as the sailors measure the waters to anticipate and mitigate potential dangers, individuals can be encouraged to evaluate risks and act to avoid negative outcomes.

Furthermore, it can be a reminder to seek divine guidance and wisdom when making important decisions or during times of trouble.

Cross-References

Acts 27:9-11: This is where Paul advises against the voyage that leads to the storm.
Acts 27:17: The sailors' previous efforts to secure the ship against the storm.
Acts 27:39-41: The actual shipwreck that happens following the shallowing of the water depths.

Language Study

"Sounded" (original Greek "bolízō"): meaning to throw a sounding line or lead.
"Fathoms" (original Greek “orguia”): a measurement of length representing the breadth of two outstretched arms, approximately six feet.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In other ancient cultures, such as the Greeks and Romans, mythology often personified the sea and natural elements as gods, such as Poseidon.

The reliance on God's providence in this verse contrasts with the reliance on appeasing such deities in ancient myths.

In Judaism, the story might be likened to narratives in the Hebrew Bible where God guides and protects individuals, such as Noah's Ark.

Scientific Perspectives

The technique of "sounding" has been replaced by modern navigational instruments like sonar and depth gauges.

However, the science behind the method used in Acts remains sound. As the depth decreases in a gradual gradient, it implies that the ship is moving towards land, which correlates with the ship's approach to Malta, where Paul's ship ultimately wrecked.

Commentaries

John Gill's Exposition of the Bible suggests that the sailors used a plumb line weighted with lead to determine the depth, a common practice in ancient maritime navigation.
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary interprets the passage as a part of the unfolding narrative that displays God’s deliverance of Paul and illustrates the care God takes of all His people.
The MacArthur Study Bible notes that the crew, realizing they were approaching land, were taking soundings to avoid shipwreck, and this showed the providential care by which God brought Paul to his destination.
The Pulpit Commentary discusses the use of "sounded" to express the act of measuring the depth of the sea, and how such details lend historical credibility to the account.

Acts 27

Acts 27

What does Acts 27:28 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Acts Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Acts 27:28 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Acts Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?