Acts 27 15

Acts 27:15 kjv

And when the ship was caught, and could not bear up into the wind, we let her drive.

Acts 27:15 nkjv

So when the ship was caught, and could not head into the wind, we let her drive.

Acts 27:15 niv

The ship was caught by the storm and could not head into the wind; so we gave way to it and were driven along.

Acts 27:15 esv

And when the ship was caught and could not face the wind, we gave way to it and were driven along.

Acts 27:15 nlt

The sailors couldn't turn the ship into the wind, so they gave up and let it run before the gale.

Acts 27 verses

Acts 27 15 Meaning

Acts 27:15 vividly describes a moment of dire peril at sea, where the ship carrying Paul and others became completely overwhelmed by the tempestuous storm wind. Unable to maintain its course or resist the wind's force, the crew was compelled to relinquish control and allow the vessel to be driven along passively by the gale. This act of surrendering to the storm underscores the extreme vulnerability and human helplessness against the might of nature.

Acts 27 15 Context

Acts 27 details Paul's perilous sea journey to Rome as a prisoner. The narrative in Acts 27:15 occurs shortly after the ship has sailed from Fair Havens, Crete, despite Paul's warnings against it (v.10-11). The decision to proceed was made by the centurion, persuaded by the pilot and ship owner. After a relatively smooth start (v.13), a formidable northeasterly tempest, called Euroclydon or Euraquilo, violently struck the ship (v.14). Verse 15 marks the immediate consequence: the ship is overcome. This context sets the stage for an intense maritime drama where human wisdom fails, leading to desperation, before God's providential care for Paul and those with him becomes evident. Historically, ancient seafaring in the Mediterranean was highly dangerous, especially during winter months, and voyages like this often resulted in shipwrecks, a common peril reflected in other New Testament accounts (e.g., 2 Cor 11:25).

Acts 27 15 Word analysis

• And: Connective particle, linking the sudden onset of the storm to its immediate effect on the ship, signaling a rapid escalation of events.
• when: Indicates a moment in time, marking the point at which the storm's power definitively overwhelmed the vessel.
• the ship: Refers to the Alexandrian grain ship carrying 276 people, symbolizing human endeavors and the vessel of their safety, now under severe threat.
• was caught: (Greek: episyromenou, "being dragged/carried along," or some variants synepareisēs, "snatched away by force"). Signifies a sudden, involuntary seizure by an overpowering force. The ship ceased to be actively steered and became a passive object in the storm's grip, emphasizing the loss of control.
• and: Connects the "being caught" to the consequence of that event, elaborating on the ship's state.
• could not: Expresses absolute inability and impotence. There was no power or maneuverability left in the ship or its crew to counteract the force.
• bear up: (Greek: antophthalmein, lit. "to face with the eye," "to look in the face," meaning "to stand against," "resist"). A nautical term for heading into the wind, maintaining one's course, or resisting the wind's direct pressure.
• into the wind: Directly facing the gale (Euroclydon), which was too powerful for the ship's design and sailing capabilities to overcome.
• we: Paul's inclusive pronoun, identifying with the entire crew and passengers in their collective fate and the decision made out of necessity. It lends authenticity and eyewitness authority to the account.
• let her drive: (Greek: epidontes "having given up/yielded," followed by epherometha "we were carried along/driven"). This denotes a conscious, though forced, decision to abandon any attempt at steering a course. They released the rigging or ropes in such a way as to allow the ship to be swept before the wind, completely surrendering to its momentum. It's a statement of helplessness becoming passive surrender.

Words-group analysis:

• "And when the ship was caught": This phrase instantly conveys the dramatic, unexpected, and forceful seizure of the vessel by the storm. It transitions from an attempted struggle to an unavoidable takeover by natural forces.
• "and could not bear up into the wind": Highlights the utter defeat of human skill and power. The ship, designed for sailing, was rendered useless in its primary function by the sheer magnitude of the wind's opposing force. This sets a tone of despair and limits.
• "we let her drive": This signifies a critical moment of decision born of desperation. The crew had no alternative but to give in, transforming from active sailors attempting to control, to passive passengers or managers of a vessel being relentlessly propelled by the storm. This phrase emphasizes complete loss of direction and agency.

Acts 27 15 Bonus section

The maritime expertise demonstrated in Acts 27 is remarkably accurate and aligns with ancient seafaring practices, suggesting an eyewitness account, consistent with Luke being aboard. The decision to "let her drive" or "run before the wind" (running under bare poles or a small storm sail) was often a last resort when a ship could not head into the wind (which could dismast it) and could not lay-to (keep the bow pointed towards the wind by minimal sail to reduce drift). In the Mediterranean, ships usually sought a safe port or anchorage to avoid winter gales. The sailors' desperation here indicates no such options remained; they were truly adrift in open water, which ancient mariners greatly feared. This passive drift directly led to their predicament where they were driven towards Malta (Acts 27:27). The Greek term Euracylon (Euroclydon) is a rare composite term, signifying a northeasterly wind with characteristics of both East and North winds, known for its destructive force. The detail points to Luke's (or Paul's) keen observation.

Acts 27 15 Commentary

Acts 27:15 captures the decisive turning point in the storm, marking the end of the crew's attempts to navigate or resist the overwhelming force of the Euraquilo. Having failed to "bear up" against the ferocious headwind, the experienced mariners made the grim, pragmatic decision to "let her drive," effectively surrendering their ship's course to the wind's mercy. This action meant abandoning all hope of sailing purposefully and entering a phase of drifting, totally subject to the tempest. It showcases the boundary of human strength and foresight against God's natural power, preparing the stage for divine intervention through Paul later in the chapter. The immediate consequence of this decision was the ship being 'carried away' by the wind (v. 17).