Acts 27:43

But the centurion, desiring to save Paul, stopped them from their purpose, and commanded that those who could swim should throw themselves overboard first to go toward the land;

World English Bible
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Other translations

WEBBE

But the centurion, desiring to save Paul, stopped them from their purpose, and commanded that those who could swim should throw themselves overboard first to go towards the land;

BSB

But the centurion, wanting to spare Paul’s life , thwarted their plan. He commanded those who could swim to jump overboard first and get to land.

KJV

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:

ASV

But the centurion, desiring to save Paul, stayed them from their purpose; and commanded that they who could swim should cast themselves overboard, and get first to the land;

BBE

But the captain, desiring to keep Paul safe, kept them from their purpose, and gave orders that those who had knowledge of swimming were to go off the ship and get first to land:

Original Greek

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ὁ ho (the) G3588 δὲ de But G1161 ἑκατοντάρχης hekatontarchēs the centurion G1543 βουλόμενος boulomenos desiring G1014 διασῶσαι diasōsai to save G1295 τὸν ton (the) G3588 Παῦλον Paulon Paul G3972 ἐκώλυσεν ekōlusen hindered G2967 αὐτοὺς autous them G846 τοῦ tou of the G3588 βουλήματος boulēmatos purpose G1013 ἐκέλευσέν ekeleusen he commanded G2753 τε te then G5037 τοὺς tous those G3588 δυναμένους dunamenous being able G1410 κολυμβᾶν kolumban to swim G2860 ἀπορίψαντας aporipsantas having cast [themselves] off G641 πρώτους prōtous first G4413 ἐπὶ epi on G1909 τὴν tēn the G3588 γῆν gēn land G1093 ἐξιέναι exienai to go out G1826

The early church

And so it was through themselves being saved that they learnt who Paul was. But some one may say: why did he not save the ship? That they might perceive how great a danger they had escaped: and that the whole matter depended, not on the help of man, but on God's hand saving them independently of a ship.
John Chrysostom · d. 407Homilies on Acts
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.
John Chrysostom · d. 407Homilies on Acts

Commentary

Matthew Henry · Verses 39–44

The ship that had weathered the storm in the open sea, where it had room, is dashed to pieces when it sticks fast. Thus, if the heart fixes in the world in affection, and cleaving to it, it is lost. Satan's temptations beat against it, and it is gone; but as long as it keeps above the world, though tossed with cares and tumults, there is hope for it. They had the shore in view, yet suffered shipwreck in the harbour; thus we are taught never to be secure. Though there is great difficulty in the way of the promised salvation, it shall, without fail, be brought to pass. It will come to pass that whatever the trials and dangers may be, in due time all believers will get safely to heaven. Lord Jesus, thou hast assured us that none of thine shall perish. Thou wilt bring them all safe to the heavenly shore. And what a pleasing landing will that be! Thou wilt present them to thy Father, and give thy Holy Spirit full possession of them for ever.

Read Matthew Henry on Acts 27 →

Cross-references

7

People & places

Paul

Topics

ArmiesKindnessSoldiersJulius

Cross-references: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. Hebrew and Greek data from STEPBible.org (Tyndale House, Cambridge), CC BY 4.0. Library: sources.