Acts 27 16

Acts 27:16 kjv

And running under a certain island which is called Clauda, we had much work to come by the boat:

Acts 27:16 nkjv

And running under the shelter of an island called Clauda, we secured the skiff with difficulty.

Acts 27:16 niv

As we passed to the lee of a small island called Cauda, we were hardly able to make the lifeboat secure,

Acts 27:16 esv

Running under the lee of a small island called Cauda, we managed with difficulty to secure the ship's boat.

Acts 27:16 nlt

We sailed along the sheltered side of a small island named Cauda, where with great difficulty we hoisted aboard the lifeboat being towed behind us.

Acts 27 16 Cross References

VerseTextReference
Acts 27:15And when the ship was caught, and could not stand against the wind, we let her go.Survival struggle
Acts 27:17And when they had hoisted over, they used helps, undergirding the ship; and fearing lest they should fall into the quicksands, strake sail, and so were driven.Fear and pragmatic action
Acts 27:18And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next day they lightened the ship;Storm's intensity
Acts 27:19And the third day we cast out with our own hands the ship's furniture.Further lightening
Luke 5:4Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.Letting go, action following word
Matthew 8:24And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep.Divine presence amidst storms
Mark 4:36And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship; and there were also with him other little ships.Ship context
Mark 4:37And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.Storm impact
John 6:17And entered into a ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them.Journey by sea
John 21:3Simon Peter said unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night took nothing.Efforts and results
Psalm 107:23They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters;Seafaring context
Psalm 107:24These see the works of the LORD, and his wonders in the deep.Divine power in the sea
Psalm 107:25For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof.Divine control over storms
Psalm 107:26They mount up to the heaven, they go down to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble.Effect of storms
Proverbs 23:4Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward the heaven.Possessions, potential loss
Isaiah 43:2When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.God's presence in difficulty
Jeremiah 51:13O thou that dwellest upon many waters, abundant in treasures, thine end is come, and the measure of thy covetousness.Water and abundance
Ezekiel 28:2Son of man, say unto the prince of Tyrus, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thine heart is lifted up, and thou hast said, I am a god, I sit in the seat of God, in the midst of the seas; yet thou art but a man, and not God, though thou set thine heart as the heart of God;Maritime power and pride
1 Corinthians 3:12Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;Value of materials
Galatians 6:10As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.Doing good, prioritizing

Acts 27 verses

Acts 27 16 Meaning

This verse describes the immediate physical context and the group's action concerning the ship and its cargo during a fierce storm at sea. They are under severe stress, and their actions reflect a desperate attempt at survival, guided by pragmatic, even if potentially fruitless, efforts to lighten the vessel.

Acts 27 16 Context

This verse occurs within the dramatic narrative of Paul's perilous sea voyage to Rome. Following the incident where the ship was unable to make headway against the gale, the crew and passengers, including Paul, are now in a desperate struggle for survival. The intense storm has likely been raging for some time, leading to the need for extreme measures to preserve the ship from breaking apart. The mention of "furniture" refers to the movable items and perhaps secondary equipment of the ship, anything that could be jettisoned to reduce the load. This action is a stark depiction of the severity of the tempest and the crew's efforts to stay afloat.

Acts 27 16 Word analysis

  • "And": Connects this action to the previous verse, showing a progression in the crisis.

  • "the next": Refers to the day immediately following the events of verse 17, highlighting the continuous nature of the hardship.

  • "day": Marks the passage of time during the ordeal.

  • "they": Refers to the ship's crew, who were the primary decision-makers and operators of the vessel.

  • "lightened": Past tense of lighten, meaning to reduce the burden or weight. In this nautical context, it signifies the act of throwing cargo overboard.

  • "the": Definite article specifying the ship.

  • "ship": The vessel on which Paul and the others were traveling.

  • "and": Connects the act of lightening the ship to the subsequent action.

  • "we": Includes Paul and the narrator (Luke), indicating their passive involvement or observation of these efforts, possibly also participating in manual labor as part of the ship's community during the crisis.

  • Word Group Analysis:

    • "the next day they lightened the ship": This phrase encapsulates a decisive, yet dire, action taken by the mariners in response to the ongoing crisis. It’s a pragmatic, instinctual reaction to an overwhelming force of nature. The "lightening" suggests the jettisoning of less essential items, aiming to increase buoyancy and seaworthiness in the face of imminent danger.

Acts 27 16 Bonus section

The act of "lightening the ship" by casting out furniture points to the extreme value placed on buoyancy and survival. Every ounce of weight reduction was crucial. This is echoed in a spiritual sense when believers are called to shed the "weights" that hinder their spiritual progress and relationship with God, as described in Hebrews 12:1. While the immediate context is physical survival, the principle of discerning what is essential versus what is burdensome can be applied to spiritual discipline and reliance on God's provision rather than worldly possessions or methods. The fact that the "we" also participated, or at least observed these actions, shows a communal experience of hardship and the shared effort, even if not entirely effective, to overcome the overwhelming circumstances.

Acts 27 16 Commentary

The relentless fury of the storm compels the experienced sailors to take more drastic measures. On the following day, facing the continuation of the tempest, they decided to further reduce the ship's weight by casting out its furniture. This wasn't merely the cargo, but also items within the ship that, while useful in normal conditions, were now a dangerous burden. This highlights the escalating danger and the increasing desperation of those aboard. Even though it might seem a small measure against such a powerful storm, such actions were standard procedure to enhance the chances of survival when a ship was in peril. It underscores the extreme conditions and the efforts made by the sailors to save the vessel and everyone on board, despite the dire circumstances.