Acts 27:38

Modern

After the men had eaten their fill, they lightened the ship by throwing the grain into the sea.

Traditional

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

Literal

And having been filled with food, they began to lighten the ship, casting out the wheat into the sea.

Latin

Et satiati cibo alleviabant navem, jactantes triticum in mare.

Greek

English

After the men had eaten their fill, they lightened the ship by throwing the grain into the sea.

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.
Matthew 6:25
Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?
Acts 27:18–19
We were tossed so violently that the next day the men began to jettison the cargo.
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.
Job 2:4
“Skin for skin!” Satan replied. “A man will give up all he owns in exchange for his life.