Acts 27 14

Acts 27:14 kjv

But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon.

Acts 27:14 nkjv

But not long after, a tempestuous head wind arose, called Euroclydon.

Acts 27:14 niv

Before very long, a wind of hurricane force, called the Northeaster, swept down from the island.

Acts 27:14 esv

But soon a tempestuous wind, called the northeaster, struck down from the land.

Acts 27:14 nlt

But the weather changed abruptly, and a wind of typhoon strength (called a "northeaster") burst across the island and blew us out to sea.

Acts 27 verses

Acts 27 14 Meaning

Immediately following their ill-advised decision to sail, a fierce and specific storm, known as Euroclydon, violently assailed the ship. This event marks the sudden onset of the perilous ordeal Paul had previously warned about, plunging the travelers into extreme danger and signifying a direct confrontation between human will and natural forces under divine control.

Acts 27 14 Context

Acts 27 details Paul's journey as a prisoner to Rome under the custody of a centurion named Julius. Prior to verse 14, Paul and his companions had sailed from Caesarea and were anchored at Fair Havens on Crete, a poor winter harbor (v. 8). Paul, drawing from his vast experience with sea travel, warned against continuing the voyage, stating it would bring "injury and much loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives" (v. 10). However, the centurion chose to trust the pilot and the ship's owner over Paul (v. 11), encouraged by the majority who wanted to reach the better winter harbor of Phoenix (v. 12). With a deceptively "softly blowing" south wind, they optimistically put out to sea, attempting to hug the coast of Crete (v. 13). Verse 14 abruptly introduces the consequence of that decision, highlighting the swift and severe turn of events. Ancient Mediterranean sea travel, especially outside the fair-weather months, was extremely hazardous, often involving slow, cautious coastal navigation due to lack of advanced weather forecasting and navigational tools. Ships relied on sail and limited oars, making them vulnerable to sudden, powerful gales.

Acts 27 14 Word analysis

• But (Greek: De, δὲ): A strong adversative conjunction, indicating a sharp contrast or turning point. It dramatically shifts the narrative from the false hope of the south wind to sudden disaster.
• not long after (Greek: met' ou polu, μετ' οὐ πολὺ): This phrase denotes a surprisingly brief interval. It emphasizes the immediacy with which Paul’s ignored warning became reality, implying that their foolish decision quickly bore bitter fruit. This rapid onset of the storm highlights the abruptness of divine judgment or natural consequence following human imprudence.
• a tempestuous wind (Greek: anemos tuphōnikos, ἄνεμος τυφωνικὸς):
  • tempestuous (tuphōnikos): Derives from typhōōn, meaning a violent storm or whirlwind. It signifies a storm of unusual violence, like a hurricane or cyclone. This isn't just a strong gust but a cyclonic, potentially swirling, destructive force far beyond what ordinary ancient vessels could safely weather. It implies chaotic and powerful wind patterns.
  • wind (anemos): A general term for wind, but here modified by tuphōnikos to denote extreme force and ferocity.
• called Euroclydon (Greek: ho kaloumenos Euroklydōn, ὁ καλούμενος Εὐροκλύδων):
  • called (kaloumenos): Indicates a specific, known name for this type of wind or storm, suggesting it was a recognized phenomenon, though perhaps rare in its extreme intensity.
  • Euroclydon (Euroklydōn): A composite Greek word. Euros (Εὖρος) means "east wind," and klydōn (κλύδων) means "wave, surge, swelling." Therefore, "east-wave" or "east-surge" wind. This particular term has a textual variant: "Euroaquilo" (Εὐρακύλων), which blends Euros (east) with Latin aquilo (north wind), suggesting a "north-easter." Many scholars consider Euroaquilo to be meteorologically more plausible for such a devastating wind in the Mediterranean (often a strong winter nor'easter from the Balkans/Aegean that strikes Crete and then pushes westward into the open sea), which matches the ship's subsequent drift to the southwest. Both names describe a dangerously powerful wind coming from the northeast/east. Its specific name underscores the dramatic nature and severity of the storm, marking it as a memorable, life-threatening event.
• struck her (Greek: ebalen kat' autēs, ἔβαλεν κατ' αὐτῆς):
  • struck (ebalen): From ballō (to throw, cast, hurl). This verb denotes a violent, forceful impact, not merely being "caught" by the wind. The storm aggressively "threw itself against" the ship, portraying the wind as an active, hostile force.
  • her (autēs): Refers to the ship (Greek: naus, feminine), personifying the vessel as being directly assailed.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "But not long after, a tempestuous wind": This opening phrase starkly juxtaposes the brief time lapse with the ferocity of the impending danger. It emphasizes the direct and rapid consequence of the centurion's decision to ignore Paul's prophetic warning (Acts 27:9-10). The inclusion of "but" signals an immediate shift from fair promise to dire reality.
• "called Euroclydon, struck her": The specific naming of the wind not only adds to the narrative's authenticity but also underlines the extraordinary nature of the storm. It was not a generic squall but a notoriously fierce phenomenon. The active verb "struck" against "her" (the ship) vividly portrays the aggressive and immediate onset of the storm, highlighting the ship's sudden vulnerability and helplessness.

Acts 27 14 Bonus section

The debate surrounding "Euroclydon" vs. "Euroaquilo" (found in some significant manuscripts, like the King James Version "Euroclydon" vs. others "Euroaquilo") holds practical importance for understanding the ship's drift. While "Euroclydon" suggests an "east-wave" wind, "Euroaquilo" points to a specific north-easterly wind. Meteorologically, a persistent strong north-easterly gale (like the modern Gregale) from Crete is precisely what would drive a ship southwestward across the Mediterranean towards Malta, matching the subsequent narrative of the ship's drifting for days (Acts 27:27). This suggests a remarkably accurate meteorological observation recorded by Luke, even if there's minor textual variance. The very specific nature of the named storm, regardless of precise etymology, indicates its rare ferocity, strong enough to overwhelm even well-built ancient grain ships. The inability of the seasoned sailors to cope highlights their immediate loss of control, directly contrary to their initial confidence in their sailing judgment (Acts 27:11-13).

Acts 27 14 Commentary

Acts 27:14 serves as the dramatic turning point in Paul's perilous sea voyage to Rome. The prior verses depict a human choice—to disregard wise counsel for a seemingly more convenient option—followed by a deceptively favorable beginning. However, this verse abruptly shatters that illusion. The arrival of the "Euroclydon," a formidable, possibly north-easterly, cyclonic storm, was not a mere inconvenience but an existential threat, fulfilling Paul’s ignored warning with terrifying immediacy.

The term tuphōnikos underscores the exceptional violence of this particular gale, marking it as more than a common Mediterranean storm; it was hurricane-like in its intensity. Luke's inclusion of the specific name "Euroclydon" or "Euroaquilo" reflects his precise reporting and adds verisimilitude to the account, likely recording the sailor's dreaded name for such a devastating wind. This detail helps locate the narrative in its real-world maritime context, where certain weather phenomena were recognized and feared.

The suddenness, "not long after," emphasizes divine timing. The consequence of rejecting inspired wisdom was swift. This is a recurring theme in Scripture, where decisions made outside of God's counsel often lead to unforeseen troubles (Pro 1:24-25). Yet, even in this maelstrom, God's sovereign hand is at work. The storm, though threatening to destroy the ship, ultimately works into God's plan for Paul to reach Rome (Acts 23:11) and bears witness to His power and faithfulness. The event foreshadows Paul's incredible role as the one who brings comfort and eventual promise of safety (Acts 27:21-26). It also practically reminds us that ignoring good, divinely inspired advice often leads to difficulty, and that God is present even in the fiercest of storms.