Acts 27 21

Acts 27:21 kjv

But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss.

Acts 27:21 nkjv

But after long abstinence from food, then Paul stood in the midst of them and said, "Men, you should have listened to me, and not have sailed from Crete and incurred this disaster and loss.

Acts 27:21 niv

After they had gone a long time without food, Paul stood up before them and said: "Men, you should have taken my advice not to sail from Crete; then you would have spared yourselves this damage and loss.

Acts 27:21 esv

Since they had been without food for a long time, Paul stood up among them and said, "Men, you should have listened to me and not have set sail from Crete and incurred this injury and loss.

Acts 27:21 nlt

No one had eaten for a long time. Finally, Paul called the crew together and said, "Men, you should have listened to me in the first place and not left Crete. You would have avoided all this damage and loss.

Acts 27 verses

Acts 27 21 Meaning

Acts 27:21 depicts Paul seizing a moment of intense crisis to address the ship's crew and passengers. After a prolonged period of severe storm and involuntary starvation, Paul rises with authority to deliver a message rooted in past counsel and future hope. He candidly reminds them of their prior refusal to heed his warning against sailing from Crete, acknowledging that this disobedience directly led to their current "injury and loss." This serves as a pivot point in the narrative, re-establishing Paul's prophetic voice and preparing the ground for God's further intervention through him.

Acts 27 21 Context

Acts chapter 27 details Paul's perilous sea voyage as a prisoner on his way to Rome. The verse occurs during an extended, violent storm (Euroclydon), which has already lasted for "many days" (Acts 27:20), causing intense fear, despair, and, by this point, severe hunger among all aboard. Earlier, in verses 9-10, Paul had warned the centurion and ship's owner against continuing the voyage past Crete, prophesying "injury and much loss." However, his advice was overruled by the centurion, who trusted the pilot and owner more, and also preferred a different harbor (Acts 27:11-12). Their decision to set sail directly led them into the heart of the disastrous storm. Verse 21, therefore, is spoken at a point of utter desperation and hopelessness, where no food has been eaten for a significant duration, and all human effort has failed, yet Paul still remains calm and spiritually authoritative, preparing to deliver a message of divine intervention.

Acts 27 21 Word analysis

• After they had gone a long time without food (ESV) / But after long abstinence (KJV): ἀσιτίας (asitias - hunger, abstinence from food). This was not a religious fast but forced starvation due to the incessant storm, fear, nausea, and lack of means to cook or consume food. It signifies extreme distress, physical weakness, and profound despair, setting the stage for Paul's intervention as the situation had deteriorated to its gravest point.
• Paul: The apostle, prisoner, and divinely appointed messenger to the Gentiles, here demonstrates spiritual leadership that transcends his physical chains.
• stood up: στὰς (stas - having stood, rising). An action of assuming authority, regaining attention, and asserting leadership in a chaotic environment. It marks a moment of intentional address, signaling an important message.
• among them: Implies he shared their suffering, physically present and identifying with their predicament, even as he was distinct in his spiritual insight.
• and said: Denotes a formal address, carrying weight and importance.
• Men: Ἄνδρες (Andres - men). A direct, respectful, yet authoritative form of address, seeking to command attention and convey the seriousness of his words.
• you should have listened to me: ἔδει μὲν, ὦ ἄνδρες, πειθαρχήσαντάς μοι (edei men, ō andres, peitharchēsantas moi - It was necessary, men, that you, having obeyed me...). This is a clear "hindsight is 20/20" statement. It's not merely an "I told you so," but a factual reiteration of his prior, divinely inspired warning. The Greek word πειθαρχέω (peitharcheō) implies "to obey a superior," hinting at the divine authority behind Paul's initial advice, not just human experience.
• and not have set sail from Crete: This references the specific disobeyed advice from Acts 27:9-10. Crete was their last point of safety before embarking into the severe winter sailing season.
• and incurred this injury and loss: κερδίσαι τὴν ὕβριν ταύτην καὶ τὴν ζημίαν (kerdisai tēn hybrin tautēn kai tēn zēmian - to gain this insolence/damage and this loss).
  • incurred: κερδίσαι (kerdisai - to gain, profit). Used here ironically. They "gained" the opposite of what they hoped for. Instead of gaining a better harbor or saving time, they "gained" only calamity.
  • injury: ὕβριν (hybrin - insolence, outrage, damage). Can refer to insult or injury, implying damage to the ship and its cargo, possibly also the hardship endured by the men themselves.
  • loss: ζημίαν (zēmian - damage, loss, penalty). A broader term encompassing the loss of property (cargo, potential ship), time, and health, possibly even lives (which God would later prevent). It denotes the full, detrimental consequences of their actions.

Acts 27 21 Bonus section

The "Fast" mentioned in Acts 27:9, refers to Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement), which falls in late September or early October. This date historically marked the end of safe navigation in the Mediterranean due to the onset of severe winter storms. The fact that the ship was still at sea well after the Fast indicates their significant delay and their deliberate choice to sail during the treacherous season, despite Paul's warning, underscores the crew's negligence and overconfidence in human skill. Paul, though a passenger and prisoner, demonstrates a seasoned understanding of both maritime dangers and divine providence, often linked to the perils he had already faced as documented in 2 Corinthians 11:25-27. His courage and spiritual acuity amidst such a catastrophic scene reinforce his prophetic anointing and the Lord's consistent presence with him.

Acts 27 21 Commentary

In Acts 27:21, Paul leverages the ship's desperate condition not to gloat, but to re-establish credibility and prepare hearts for a message of hope. His initial counsel in Acts 27:9-10, rejected in favor of human judgment and convenience, is now vindicated by the dire circumstances. This moment highlights divine wisdom against human pragmatism, demonstrating that ignoring God's word often leads to self-inflicted harm. Paul, having patiently endured the consequences alongside them, steps into the vacuum of leadership created by the crisis and general despair. His words, though a reminder of their poor choices, serve as an indispensable bridge to the coming divine revelation (Acts 27:22-26), where he announces that no lives will be lost. This serves as a powerful example of faithful leadership that offers truth and hope even when surrounded by despair, using past failures as a foundation for future trust in God's guiding hand.