Acts 27 30

Acts 27:30 kjv

And as the shipmen were about to flee out of the ship, when they had let down the boat into the sea, under colour as though they would have cast anchors out of the foreship,

Acts 27:30 nkjv

And as the sailors were seeking to escape from the ship, when they had let down the skiff into the sea, under pretense of putting out anchors from the prow,

Acts 27:30 niv

In an attempt to escape from the ship, the sailors let the lifeboat down into the sea, pretending they were going to lower some anchors from the bow.

Acts 27:30 esv

And as the sailors were seeking to escape from the ship, and had lowered the ship's boat into the sea under pretense of laying out anchors from the bow,

Acts 27:30 nlt

Then the sailors tried to abandon the ship; they lowered the lifeboat as though they were going to put out anchors from the front of the ship.

Acts 27 verses

Acts 27 30 Meaning

Acts 27:30 describes a critical moment of deception and attempted abandonment during the severe storm at sea. The professional sailors, in a state of extreme fear and believing the ship was irredeemably doomed despite Paul's divine assurance, prepared to escape in the small ship's lifeboat. They engineered a clever ruse, pretending they were merely going to deploy additional anchors from the ship's bow—a plausible and seemingly responsible action for maritime safety—when in reality, their intention was to selfishly flee the vessel and leave the other 276 souls on board to face a certain perilous fate. This act reveals their deep-seated fear, a profound lack of faith in God's protective word through Paul, and a primal instinct for self-preservation that overrode their professional duty and morality.

Acts 27 30 Context

Acts chapter 27 provides a vivid narrative of Paul's arduous sea journey to Rome as a prisoner, fulfilling God's plan for him to testify in the capital (Acts 23:11). Despite Paul's early warnings against sailing during a dangerous season, which were disregarded by the centurion, pilot, and owner (v. 9-11), the ship encountered the ferocious "Euroclydon" tempest (v. 14). This severe storm persisted for many days, stripping all hope of survival from those on board (v. 18-20). Amidst this profound despair, an angel of God appeared to Paul, confirming that though the ship would be lost, Paul and all sailing with him would be miraculously preserved (v. 22-26). By verse 30, the ship, now nearing an unknown coastline and with the risk of being dashed upon rocks in the dark (v. 27-29), triggers the sailors' instinct for survival. This historical context illuminates the extreme conditions and imminent danger that drove the highly skilled crew to their deceitful, selfish act, contrasting sharply with Paul's unwavering faith rooted in divine assurance. Culturally, ancient seafaring was incredibly perilous, and sailors, while vital, were also subject to intense fear and superstition, sometimes resorting to drastic measures to save their own lives.

Acts 27 30 Word analysis

• And as (ὡς δὲ - hōs de): This conjunction signifies a progression in the narrative, often introducing a contrasting or intensifying event. It acts as a bridge, marking a crucial turn in the story where the sailors' covert actions begin to unfold amidst the existing crisis.
• the sailors (οἱ ναῦται - hoi nautai): Refers to the ship's professional mariners, those whose expertise was meant to guide and safeguard the vessel and its occupants. Their actions underscore that even those most qualified in a specific domain can be overwhelmed by fear, losing sight of duty and integrity.
• were seeking to escape (ἐζήτουν φυγεῖν - ezētoun phygein): Ezētoun (imperfect active of zēteō) indicates a sustained effort or intent—they "were trying" or "desiring" to escape, not just contemplating it. Phygein (aorist active infinitive of pheugō) clearly means "to flee" or "to get away." The combined phrase powerfully conveys their deliberate and ongoing treacherous plan for self-preservation.
• from the ship (ἐκ τοῦ πλοίου - ek tou ploiou): This specifies their intention to completely abandon the main vessel. It indicates a permanent severance from the responsibility of the ship and all other lives aboard.
• when they had let down (χαλάσαντων - chalasasonton): A genitive aorist participle, denoting a completed action occurring just prior to or simultaneous with the sailors' main intent. It highlights their efficiency and preparedness, already having the skiff deployed.
• the skiff (τὴν σκάφην - tēn skaphēn): This refers to the ship's smaller, often oar-propelled boat, typically used for shuttling between the ship and shore. Its limited capacity means their attempt was solely for their own group, an undeniable act of desertion of the larger company.
• into the sea (εἰς τὴν θάλασσαν - eis tēn thalassan): Indicates the final preparatory step for their escape, positioning the lifeboat for immediate use, poised for flight.
• under pretense (προφάσει - prophasei): A significant term, translating to "pretext," "excuse," or "false show." It exposes the core of their deception: their subsequent actions were a calculated lie designed to mislead others and conceal their true motive.
• as though they were going to lay out (ὡς μελλόντων ἐκτείνειν - hōs mellontōn ekteinein): Hōs means "as if" or "as though." Mellontōn is a participle implying "about to" or "intending to." Ekteinein means "to stretch out" or "to deploy." This phrase meticulously crafts their fake story, making their movements appear legitimate.
• anchors (ἀγκύρας - ankyras): Heavy devices used to moor a ship. Mentioning "anchors" specifically lends professional credibility to their lie, making their actions seem like standard, diligent seafaring procedure.
• from the bow (ἐκ πρῴρας - ek prōras): Prōra refers to the ship's forward part. Deploying anchors from the bow, perhaps to orient the ship differently or stabilize it against a new threat, was a plausible action for mariners, adding further layers of believability to their deceptive pretext for non-sailors.

• "And as the sailors were seeking to escape from the ship": This phrase directly introduces the crew's treacherous intent. It contrasts their professional role as custodians of the ship and its occupants with their personal drive for self-preservation, which superseded their duty in the face of overwhelming fear and perceived doom.
• "when they had let down the skiff into the sea": This detail establishes that their escape plan was beyond mere contemplation; it was an active and pre-meditated maneuver. The immediate deployment of the small skiff for what could only accommodate a fraction of the ship's population solidifies the selfish nature of their imminent abandonment.
• "under pretense as though they were going to lay out anchors from the bow": This crucial part highlights the elaborate deceit involved. The specific, technically plausible excuse of "laying out anchors from the bow" was crafted to deflect suspicion and allow their selfish departure. It underlines the calculated treachery and their cynical manipulation of the general passengers' ignorance of maritime procedures.

Acts 27 30 Bonus section

• This verse starkly contrasts human ingenuity used for selfish ends (the sailors' deception) with divine foresight and providence delivered through faith (Paul's prophecy and subsequent actions). It's a critical turning point where God's plan, which included preserving all lives, would have been thwarted by human treachery had Paul not intervened.
• The excuse given by the sailors was particularly shrewd: deploying anchors from the bow would be a valid maneuver, perhaps to prevent the ship from swinging in a certain direction or to prevent a stern-first grounding, thus adding layers of credibility to their false story. The common passengers and soldiers would likely not discern the deceit.
• Paul's presence transformed a desperate situation, illustrating that true leadership and spiritual authority, when coupled with divine guidance, involve both prophecy and decisive, practical action to protect the community. His role extends beyond being a passive recipient of revelation to actively ensuring its fulfillment.
• The event highlights how external circumstances (a raging storm, threat of shipwreck) can expose the true character and priorities of individuals, often bringing out either great courage and selfless action or, in this case, deceitful, self-centered desperation.

Acts 27 30 Commentary

Acts 27:30 dramatically captures the inherent human struggle between duty and the powerful instinct for self-preservation in the face of perceived inevitable catastrophe. Despite Paul's recent divine assurance that all lives would be spared, the veteran sailors, relying solely on their professional judgment honed by earthly experience with the Euroclydon, believed the ship was lost beyond saving. Their stealthy act of preparing the skiff for personal escape, disguised under the legitimate-sounding pretense of deploying bow anchors, reveals not only profound fear but also a calculated breach of duty and a shocking disregard for the lives of the remaining hundreds. This moment serves as a sharp contrast between worldly pragmatism steeped in despair and Paul's resolute faith in God's explicit promises, requiring Paul's immediate, divinely-guided intervention to ensure the collective salvation God had pledged.