Acts 27 11

Acts 27:11 kjv

Nevertheless the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul.

Acts 27:11 nkjv

Nevertheless the centurion was more persuaded by the helmsman and the owner of the ship than by the things spoken by Paul.

Acts 27:11 niv

But the centurion, instead of listening to what Paul said, followed the advice of the pilot and of the owner of the ship.

Acts 27:11 esv

But the centurion paid more attention to the pilot and to the owner of the ship than to what Paul said.

Acts 27:11 nlt

But the officer in charge of the prisoners listened more to the ship's captain and the owner than to Paul.

Acts 27 verses

Acts 27 11 Meaning

Acts 27:11 describes a pivotal decision made by a Roman centurion, Julius, regarding the onward journey of a ship carrying the apostle Paul as a prisoner. Despite Paul's clear warning of impending disaster if they continued sailing, the centurion chose to trust the judgment of the ship's pilot and owner. This verse highlights the centurion's preference for expert human advice and financial prudence over divinely inspired counsel from Paul, setting the stage for the dramatic events that follow.

Acts 27 11 Context

Acts chapter 27 details Paul's perilous sea voyage as a prisoner en route to Rome to appeal his case to Caesar. After an initial leg of the journey, the ship reached Fair Havens on Crete. The sailing season was dangerous, past the "fast" (Day of Atonement, typically in late September/early October), meaning treacherous storms were imminent. Paul, guided by divine insight, warned against continuing the journey, predicting "injury and much loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives." The centurion, Julius, was responsible for the prisoners and, to a degree, the safety of the journey. This verse marks his decision point, where practical wisdom (the experienced sailors' advice) clashed directly with spiritual warning (Paul's prophecy). The captain and shipowner, naturally, desired to reach a more suitable winter harbor, which aligned with their financial and professional interests.

Acts 27 11 Word analysis

• But (Greek: ἀλλὰ, alla): This is a strong adversative conjunction. It signifies a direct contrast or opposition to what has just been stated—Paul's warning in Acts 27:10. It sets up a tension between two differing views or authorities.
• the centurion (Greek: ὁ ἑκατοντάρχης, ho hekatontarchēs): A Roman military officer in charge of approximately one hundred soldiers. Julius held considerable authority on the ship, not primarily as a sailor, but as the one responsible for the prisoners' safe transport and thus making overall decisions impacting the journey. His authority extended beyond merely guarding prisoners; it was a leadership role within this context.
• gave more heed (Greek: ἐπεῖθεν, epeithen): This is from the verb peithō (πείθω), meaning "to persuade," "to trust," or "to obey." In this context, it implies that the centurion was "persuaded by" or "listened to" these individuals more readily. It denotes a conscious choice of whom to trust and whose counsel to follow, signifying an act of conviction rather than passive hearing.
• to the master (Greek: τῷ κυβερνήτῃ, tō kybernētē): This refers to the pilot or helmsman of the ship, the chief navigator. This individual possessed the technical expertise and practical experience in maritime affairs. His advice would be based on seamanship and knowledge of the sea conditions and routes.
• and to the owner of the ship (Greek: καὶ τῷ ναυκλήρῳ, kai tō naukliērō): The individual who owned or chartered the vessel. The shipowner would have significant financial interests in the cargo and the ship itself. His advice would often reflect economic prudence, the desire to minimize risk to assets, or to secure profitable harbor.
• than to the things which Paul spoke (Greek: ἢ τοῖς ὑπὸ Παύλου λεγομένοις, ē tois hypo Paulou legomenois): This phrase directly contrasts the advice received from the pilot and owner with the prophetic counsel offered by Paul. Paul's message was not based on professional sailing expertise or economic considerations, but on divine insight and revelation.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "But the centurion gave more heed...": This phrasing immediately sets up the central conflict and the centurion's agency in making a critical choice. It emphasizes the weight of his decision despite the warnings given. The centurion, representing earthly authority and reason, stands at a crossroads.
• "...to the master and to the owner of the ship than to the things which Paul spoke.": This comparison highlights a fundamental clash between two types of counsel: pragmatic, experienced human wisdom (pilot/owner driven by professional expertise and financial interest) versus divinely inspired prophetic warning (Paul, a prisoner with no maritime experience). It reveals the human tendency to trust the visible, the empirical, and the professionally validated over the unseen spiritual guidance, even when God speaks through an unexpected vessel. This preference forms a significant theme within the narrative of Acts, where divine guidance is often pitted against worldly prudence.

Acts 27 11 Bonus section

The narrative function of this verse is crucial for developing the theme of God's ultimate sovereignty and Paul's divine protection throughout the subsequent shipwreck. The centurion's misjudgment, born from practical human reasoning, directly leads to the "injury and much loss" Paul prophesied. This establishes a clear cause-and-effect relationship demonstrating the reliability of divine warnings and Paul's unique connection to God, despite his status as a prisoner. The decision also foreshadows God's power to deliver His people even in the face of human error and natural catastrophe, reinforcing Paul's prophetic credibility in the eyes of his captors and fellow passengers after the storm. The scene highlights an indirect polemic against complete reliance on secular expertise when God's counsel is available, demonstrating that even the most skilled human endeavors are subject to forces beyond their control unless aligned with divine will.

Acts 27 11 Commentary

Acts 27:11 presents a stark moment of decision, illustrating a common human dilemma: whether to trust experienced human wisdom or divine revelation when they contradict. The centurion, as a figure of secular authority, found himself in a position to choose whose counsel to follow for the safety of the voyage. His choice reflects the practical, risk-averse, and worldly-wise inclination, prioritizing the expertise of seasoned mariners and the financial stakes of the ship's owner over the seemingly non-expert, prophetic word of Paul, a prisoner. This decision was rational by human standards, valuing demonstrable skill and economic benefit. However, from a divine perspective, it was a rejection of God's foresight delivered through His servant. The verse thus sets in motion the dramatic unfolding of God's sovereign plan amidst human decisions, illustrating that ignoring divine counsel, even when seemingly logical, can lead to foreseen perils and require miraculous intervention.

Examples:

• A leader choosing to follow economic forecasts from experts over moral or spiritual warnings about potential negative consequences of certain policies.
• An individual opting for career security advised by mentors instead of pursuing a less conventional path that they feel God is calling them to.
• Someone relying on conventional medical advice alone while neglecting prayer and spiritual guidance when facing a health crisis.