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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 27:42 mean?

Explanation

Acts 27:42 discusses a critical moment when the apostle Paul is being transported as a prisoner to Rome to be tried before Caesar.

The ship he is aboard has been caught in a storm and has run aground.

Fearful that the prisoners might escape if they reach land, the soldiers propose killing them.

This verse highlights the tension and desperation of the situation.

The soldiers' main concern is to prevent any chance of the prisoners escaping, which would have had severe repercussions for the soldiers themselves under Roman law.

Paul, as one of these prisoners, is at risk of being executed by the soldiers, despite his Roman citizenship and right to a fair trial.

Top Rated Acts Books

Historical Context

The Book of Acts is written by Luke, a companion of Paul, and it recounts the early history of Christianity and Paul's missionary journeys.

During this period, under Roman law, a Roman soldier was held responsible for his prisoner; if a prisoner escaped, the soldier could face punishment, potentially even death.

When the ship carrying Paul and the other prisoners to Rome is wrecked, the soldiers fear that allowing the prisoners to swim to safety might lead to escape, thus threatening their own lives.

Theological Insights

From a Christian theological perspective, this verse might be seen as part of God's providential care for Paul.

Although the situation seems dire, Acts 27:43-44 goes on to describe how the centurion in charge of the prisoners intervenes to prevent the soldiers from executing Paul, showing God's protection.

Theological insights here can revolve around themes of divine intervention, the preciousness of human life, and the overarching plan of God that overrides human intent.

Practical Applications

In practical terms, this verse serves as a reminder of the intrinsic value of human life, regardless of one's societal status.

It challenges individuals to consider the implications of their actions and the sanctity of life.

In modern society, the verse may inspire discussions on criminal justice, the treatment of prisoners, and the ethics of punishment, urging fairness and respect for legal processes.

Cross-References

Acts 27:43-44: "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."
Acts 12:4-5: "And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people. [...] prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him."
Acts 16:27: "And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled."

Language Study

Key words in this verse in the original Greek are critical to understanding the nuances:

"kill" (Greek: ἀναίρεσις, anaíresis) suggests the act of taking away life or making an end.
"the prisoners" (Greek: τοὺς δεσμώτας, tous desmōtas) refers to those who are bound or in bondage, indicating those who are in custody.
"swim out" (Greek: κολυμβήσας, kolymbēsas) means to swim or dive, suggesting the idea of escaping by swimming.

These terms reveal the intent of the soldiers was to eliminate any risk by ending the lives of those in their custody.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In the broader cultural and religious context of the ancient world, the execution of prisoners before potential escape was not unique to Rome.

Many ancient civilizations, including the Greeks and Persians, maintained severe penalties for guards who allowed prisoners to escape.

The Bible story of Paul's shipwreck can be compared to other ancient narratives that display divine intervention or fate intervening in human affairs, such as Homer's "Odyssey."

Scientific Perspectives

From a modern scientific perspective, examining the verse does not particularly intersect with scientific ideas directly.

However, the psychology behind the fear response of the soldiers, as well as the study of moral decision-making in crisis situations, could be relevant areas of interest to modern psychology and neuroscience.

commentaries

Commentators on Acts 27:42 have various thoughts:

John Calvin notes the potential breach of justice here, with the soldiers preferring to "shed innocents' blood" rather than risk the prisoners escaping.
The Pulpit Commentary suggests the soldiers' proposal reflects not just fear of punishment, but Roman military discipline's harshness.
Matthew Henry brings out the insight that this proposed cruelty sets the stage for the centurion's favorable disposition towards Paul in the following verses, suggesting God's directing hand in even menacing situations.

These interpretations understand the verse as a confluence of Roman military protocol, human desperation, and divine orchestration.

Acts 27

Acts 27

What does Acts 27:42 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 27:42 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?