Acts 27:18

Modern

We were tossed so violently that the next day the men began to jettison the cargo.

Traditional

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

Literal

And in our being storm-tossed violently, on the next day they began to make a jettison of cargo,

Latin

Valida autem nobis tempestate jactatis, sequenti die jactum fecerunt:

Greek

English

We were tossed so violently that the next day the men began to jettison the cargo.

The violent and persistent storm forced the crew to throw the cargo over the side of the boat (compare Jonah 1:5). The crew had lost hope.

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

Jonah 1:5
The sailors were afraid, and each cried out to his own god. And they threw the ship’s cargo into the sea to lighten the load. But Jonah had gone down to the lowest part of the vessel, where he lay down and fell into a deep sleep.
Acts 27:38
After the men had eaten their fill, they lightened the ship by throwing the grain into the sea.
Matthew 16:26
What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?
Hebrews 12:1
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off every encumbrance and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with endurance the race set out for us.
Acts 27:19
On the third day, they threw the ship’s tackle overboard with their own hands.
Luke 16:8
The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the sons of this age are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the sons of light.
Philippians 3:7–8
But whatever was gain to me I count as loss for the sake of Christ.
Psalm 107:27
They reeled and staggered like drunkards, and all their skill was useless.