Acts 27 24

Acts 27:24 kjv

Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.

Acts 27:24 nkjv

saying, 'Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.'

Acts 27:24 niv

and said, 'Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.'

Acts 27:24 esv

and he said, 'Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.'

Acts 27:24 nlt

and he said, 'Don't be afraid, Paul, for you will surely stand trial before Caesar! What's more, God in his goodness has granted safety to everyone sailing with you.'

Acts 27 verses

Acts 27 24 Meaning

In Acts 27:24, an angel of God directly reassures the Apostle Paul amidst a perilous storm at sea, telling him not to fear. It confirms that Paul is divinely destined to appear before Caesar in Rome to bear witness, a necessity ordained by God. Furthermore, it reveals a profound act of divine grace: for Paul's sake and in fulfillment of God's plan for him, God has graciously spared the lives of every person aboard the distressed ship.

Acts 27 24 Context

Acts chapter 27 describes Paul's arduous journey by ship to Rome as a prisoner, after appealing his case to Caesar. After an initial leg of the journey, Paul had warned against continuing to sail, predicting "injury and much loss" (v. 10), but his advice was disregarded by the centurion and ship owner. The ship then encountered a violent northeasterly storm called the "Euroclydon" (v. 14). For many days, the ship was battered, hope of survival dwindled, and all on board abandoned eating (v. 20). It is in this desperate and fearful atmosphere, with all hope of rescue gone, that Paul stands up to deliver this message of divine assurance, having received it through an angel. The verse serves as a crucial turning point, injecting divine certainty and comfort into an otherwise hopeless situation, reaffirming God's ultimate control over seemingly chaotic events. Historically, Roman maritime travel was highly perilous, making the survival of over 270 people an extraordinary feat attributed here solely to divine intervention.

Acts 27 24 Word analysis

• "Do not be afraid, Paul." (Θαρσεῖ, Παῦλε - Tharsei, Paule)
  • Θαρσεῖ (Tharsei): Greek imperative, meaning "Be of good cheer," "Take courage," "Do not be afraid." It is a command to confront fear with divine confidence. This exact word is often used by Jesus Himself to encourage (e.g., Matt 9:2 for the paralytic, Mark 6:50 to the disciples in the storm). It emphasizes strength and hope found in God, even when circumstances are dire.
  • Παῦλε (Paule): "Paul." The direct address underscores a personal, intimate message from God to Paul, specifically reinforcing his unique calling and destiny.
• "You must stand before Caesar;" (καῖσαρι δεῖ σε παραστῆναι - Kaisari dei se parastēnai)
  • δεῖ (dei): "Must," "it is necessary." This powerful word denotes a divine imperative, an absolute necessity determined by God's sovereign will and purpose, not by human choice or circumstance. It indicates an unalterable destiny set by God. Paul's appeal to Caesar was part of God's predetermined plan.
  • Καῖσαρι (Kaisari): "Caesar." Represents the supreme earthly judicial and political authority of the Roman Empire. Paul's appearance before Caesar fulfills a significant part of his prophetic commission (Acts 9:15).
  • παραστῆναι (parastēnai): "To stand before," "to be presented," "to appear." In a legal context, it means to appear for judgment or trial, fulfilling the very reason Paul sought to go to Rome.
• "and behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you." (καὶ ἰδοὺ, κεχάρισταί σοι ὁ θεὸς πάντας τοὺς πλέοντας μετὰ σοῦ - kai idou, kecharistai soi ho theos pantas tous pleontas meta sou)
  • Ἰδοὺ (Idou): "Behold!" or "Look!" An exclamatory particle that draws attention to a crucial, significant, and often divinely initiated announcement that follows.
  • κεχάρισταί (kecharistai): "He has granted," "He has given as a favor." Perfect active indicative of χαρίζομαι (charizomai), meaning "to bestow a favor graciously." The perfect tense signifies a completed action with lasting results. This is an act of divine grace (charis), freely given, unearned, and motivated by God's character.
  • ὁ θεὸς (ho theos): "God." Clearly identifies the sole and supreme source of this immense gift and intervention, highlighting His omnipotence and benevolent will.
  • πάντας (pantas): "All," "everyone." Emphasizes the comprehensive scope of the salvation—every single person on the ship is spared, not just Paul. This demonstrates the magnitude of God's grace and His intention.
  • τοὺς πλέοντας μετὰ σοῦ (tous pleontas meta sou): "those who sail with you." Refers to all 276 people aboard—soldiers, prisoners, crew, passengers—whose lives are divinely preserved due to Paul's presence and God's plan for him.

Acts 27 24 Bonus section

The appearance of the "angel of the God whose I am and whom I serve" (Acts 27:23) connects deeply to Paul's identity and spiritual conviction. It underscores that Paul’s entire life and service are fundamentally consecrated to God, creating an intimate connection where God directly intervenes and communicates with him. The detail of the angel appearing "this very night" signifies the immediacy and personal nature of God's concern amidst extreme distress. This intervention can be seen as a reaffirmation of the call given to Ananias about Paul: that he would carry God’s name before Gentiles and kings (Acts 9:15), specifically before Caesar, fulfilling this part of his prophetic destiny despite incredible obstacles. The specific wording "God has granted you" positions Paul not merely as a passive recipient, but as an active intercessor whose divine commission directly leads to the corporate salvation of all. This act also serves as a testament to the fact that divine protection is not solely for the righteous, but often extends to the undeserving for the sake of God's elect, mirroring themes of divine preservation seen with Noah, Lot, or even in national deliverances for the sake of God's people.

Acts 27 24 Commentary

Acts 27:24 is a pivotal moment in the harrowing sea voyage, bringing divine clarity and comfort into despair. God's message through the angel not only directly reassures Paul, reinforcing his call to stand before Caesar, but also reveals a wider act of grace for the multitude on board. The use of "δεῖ" ("must") powerfully asserts God's immutable sovereignty over all circumstances, demonstrating that human will or natural disasters cannot thwart His predetermined purpose for Paul. Even in the face of imminent death, God's plan prevails. Moreover, the act of "granting" (kecharistai) all those on board to Paul highlights God's expansive grace, demonstrating that divine favor upon one individual (Paul, chosen for His kingdom work) can extend to save many others. This is a dramatic illustration of vicarious preservation—the lives of the hundreds on board are spared not because of their merit, but for the sake of God's chosen servant, reflecting the divine economy of salvation where one individual can be a channel of blessing for many. The verse stands as a profound declaration of divine presence, purpose, and pervasive grace even in the direst human conditions.