Acts 27 18

Acts 27:18 kjv

And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next day they lightened the ship;

Acts 27:18 nkjv

And because we were exceedingly tempest-tossed, the next day they lightened the ship.

Acts 27:18 niv

We took such a violent battering from the storm that the next day they began to throw the cargo overboard.

Acts 27:18 esv

Since we were violently storm-tossed, they began the next day to jettison the cargo.

Acts 27:18 nlt

The next day, as gale-force winds continued to batter the ship, the crew began throwing the cargo overboard.

Acts 27 verses

Acts 27 18 Meaning

The verse describes the ship’s situation after prolonged and strenuous sailing. Luke notes that they were sailing under Malta, indicating their proximity to the island. The difficulty of sailing ("coasts," "wind," "storm") had so increased that the mariners could no longer manage the ship in the customary way, leading them to drive the ship along, losing control in the tempest. The key point is the loss of directional control due to the severity of the storm.

Acts 27 18 Context

In Acts chapter 27, the narrative focuses on Paul's perilous sea voyage to Rome. After experiencing initial difficulties with headwinds, the centurion Julius allowed Paul to go with the ship, a vessel sailing from Adramyttium. They stopped at Sidon, where Paul was allowed to visit friends. Later, encountering contrary winds, they sailed under the lee of Cyprus. Continuing the journey, they struggled against the wind and were driven southward along the coast of Crete, putting in at the Fair Havens. Due to unfavorable weather conditions, it was advised to stay put, but Paul warned of impending disaster if they set sail. Despite Paul's prophecy, the ship captain and owner, along with the centurion, decided to proceed, hoping to reach Phoenix, a harbor on Crete, to winter there. The subsequent storm was severe, disorienting the sailors and making normal navigation impossible, leading to the situation described in verse 18.

Acts 27 18 Word Analysis

• Ὡς: (Hōs) - "When," "as," "while." It introduces a temporal clause, indicating the circumstance under which the following actions occurred.

• δὲ: (de) - A conjunction, often translated as "but," "and," "however." Here, it signifies a transition and introduces the consequence of the preceding events or conditions.

• συμπιπιζόντων: (sumpipizontōn) - From the verb sumpipizō. This is a present participle, genitive plural, meaning "pressing together," "crushing," or "narrowing." It describes the action of the sea and the wind on the ship, creating intense pressure and constriction. The wind's direction, the "Euroclydon" (a powerful tempestuous wind, as described in v. 14), is pushing them towards the dangerous shallows or shoals.

• τοῦ. (tou) - The definite article, "the."

• πνεύματος: (pneumatos) - Genitive singular of pneuma, meaning "wind," "spirit." Here, it refers to the violent wind driving the storm.

• τοιαύτης: (toiautēs) - "Such," "of such a kind." It emphasizes the exceptional or severe nature of the wind and the resulting circumstances.

• ἐφ’ ὅσον: (eph' hson) - "Insofar as," "to what extent," "as long as." This phrase indicates the degree or duration of the described condition.

• τῆς. (tēs) - The definite article, "the."

• διαπλεῖν. (diaplein) - From the verb diapleō, meaning "to sail across," "to sail through," "to navigate successfully."

• οὐκέτι: (ouketi) - "No longer," "not anymore." It signifies a cessation of a previous ability or action.

• δυναμένους. (dynamenous) - Present participle, accusative plural of dynamai, meaning "being able," "having the power." This directly states that the sailors were no longer able to navigate the ship.

• συγκρατεῖν. (sygkratein) - From the verb sygkrateō, meaning "to hold together," "to restrain," "to keep control of." It refers to the act of maintaining control over the ship's course and behavior in the storm. The sailors could not keep hold of the helm or guide the vessel properly.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "συμπιπιζόντων τοῦ πνεύματος τοιαύτης": This phrase powerfully depicts the overwhelming force of the wind, so intense that it was "crushing" or "pressing in" on them. The "such" (toiautēs) highlights the extreme nature of this wind, unlike anything they had likely experienced before. It's not just a strong wind, but one that renders their usual methods ineffective.
  • "ἐφ’ ὅσον τῆς διαπλεῖν οὐκέτι δυναμένους": This group clearly articulates the consequence of the overwhelming wind. Their ability to sail across or navigate (diaplein) was utterly compromised ("no longer" - ouketi). They lacked the power or capability (dynamenous) to do so.
  • "συγκρατεῖν": The final verb encapsulates the core problem: the loss of control. They could not "hold fast," "restrain," or "keep control" of the ship. The ship was at the mercy of the elements, no longer under human command. This indicates the severity had reached a point where their skilled seamanship was rendered useless by the storm's fury.

Acts 27 18 Bonus Section

The term "Euroclydon" in verse 14 (from which this condition arises) refers to a violent northeasterly gale. Ancient mariners had detailed knowledge of winds and their effects. This specific term emphasizes the precise nature of the danger. The inability to "keep hold of" the ship implies more than just not being able to steer; it suggests the vessel itself was being battered and tossed about so violently that holding it on any stable course was impossible. The loss of control suggests they had likely dropped anchor and then the ship was being driven backward, a desperate and dangerous situation as it could lead them onto hidden reefs or onto the coast itself. This level of helplessness was so extreme that "all hope of survival was at last abandoned" (Acts 27:20). The historical context also emphasizes the dangers of sea travel in the first century, especially during the "season of sailing" (Acts 27:9) which had passed, making any journey risky.

Acts 27 18 Commentary

This verse vividly illustrates the overwhelming power of nature and the complete loss of human control that can occur in extreme weather. The seasoned sailors, accustomed to the sea, found themselves helpless. Their inability to "keep hold of" or steer the ship highlights the terrifying helplessness and danger. It was no longer a matter of skill or experience but of succumbing to forces beyond their command. This predicament underscores the vulnerability of those who brave the seas, a reality often contemplated in ancient seafaring. For believers, it reflects times of severe trial where life circumstances become so overwhelming that conventional methods of coping prove insufficient, leaving one feeling adrift and at the mercy of circumstances, a point that resonates with themes of complete reliance on God.