Keraia
Acts 27

Acts 27:15

The Storm at Sea · Acts 27:13–26
Read Acts 27

Translations

Modern
Unable to head into the wind, the ship was caught up. So we gave way and let ourselves be driven along.
Traditional
And when the ship was caught, and could not bear up into the wind, we let her drive.
Literal
And the ship having been caught and not being able to face the wind, having given way, we were driven along.
Latin
Cumque arrepta esset navis, et non posset conari in ventum, data nave flatibus, ferebamur.

Original

Greek
English
Unable to head into the wind, the ship was caught up. So we gave way and let ourselves be driven along.

Notes

Acts 27:14–16

the Northeaster: This storm had the strength of a hurricane or cyclone. It threatened both the cargo and the crew. Forced to let the ship run in front of the storm, they sailed past a small island called Cauda (known today as Gaudos), south of Crete.

Acts 27:1–28:16

  • The graphic language describing sailing in the story of Paul's journey to Rome provides one of the best accounts of an ancient sea journey.

  • This is the last "we" section in Acts (see also 16:10–17; 20:5–15; 21:1–18). During Paul's two years of imprisonment, Luke probably researched his gospel throughout Judea and Galilee. Here, as part of Paul's sailing group, he had a personal witness of the dangers at sea.

Theme notes and profiles

Paul (Saul)

Events

Parallels

Jonah 1:4–10

Glossary

Book of the Acts of the Apostles Caesarea Luke (Person) Luke, Gospel of Paul the Apostle Phoenix Sailors Salvation Travel

Topics

Paul: The Ship Encounters a Storm Paul: The Ship is Wrecked, and all on Board Take Refuge on the Island of Melita (Malta)