Acts 27:32 kjv
Then the soldiers cut off the ropes of the boat, and let her fall off.
Acts 27:32 nkjv
Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the skiff and let it fall off.
Acts 27:32 niv
So the soldiers cut the ropes that held the lifeboat and let it drift away.
Acts 27:32 esv
Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the ship's boat and let it go.
Acts 27:32 nlt
So the soldiers cut the ropes to the lifeboat and let it drift away.
Acts 27 32 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Acts 27:10 | "and said to them, 'Men, I see that this voyage will be with injury and much loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives.'" | Paul's prophetic warning of disaster |
| Acts 27:21 | "But after they had abstained for a long time, Paul stood among them and said, 'Men, you should have listened to me...'" | Reiterating Paul's prior advice |
| Acts 27:25 | "'Therefore, be of good cheer, for I believe God, that it will be just as it was told me.'" | Paul's faith and assurance |
| Acts 27:30 | "And as the sailors tried to flee the ship, and had lowered the ship's boat to the sea, under pretence of putting out anchors from the prow," | Deceptive actions of the sailors |
| Acts 27:34 | "'therefore I urge you to take some food, for this is for your survival, since not a hair of your head will perish.'" | Instruction for sustenance |
| Acts 28:4 | "And when the islanders saw the beast hanging on his hand, they said among themselves, 'No doubt this man is a murderer...'" | Divine protection over Paul |
| 1 Corinthians 10:13 | "No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it." | God provides a way of escape |
| Philippians 4:12 | "I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need." | Paul's resilience and reliance on God |
| 1 Timothy 5:8 | "But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever." | Principle of provision and care |
| John 15:5 | "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing." | Dependence on God's guidance |
| Romans 8:28 | "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." | God's sovereign purpose |
| Joshua 1:9 | "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” | God's presence assures safety |
| Psalm 23:4 | "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me." | God's protection in trials |
| Proverbs 3:5-6 | "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths." | Trusting in God's direction |
| Isaiah 41:10 | "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness." | God's help in times of distress |
| 2 Timothy 3:11 | "...persecutions, afflictions which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra—what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me." | God's deliverance in persecution |
| Matthew 10:30 | "But the very hairs of your head are all numbered." | God's detailed care |
| Hebrews 13:5 | "Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.'" | God's unwavering presence |
| Genesis 45:5 | "But now be not grieved nor angry with yourselves because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life." | God orchestrates events for good |
| Luke 21:18 | "But not a hair of your head shall perish." | Jesus' promise of preservation |
Acts 27 verses
Acts 27 32 Meaning
This verse describes a crucial turning point in the shipwreck experience of Paul and his companions. Upon hearing the soldiers' intention to kill the prisoners, Paul intervenes and offers a life-saving piece of counsel. The soldier's response, acting on Paul's advice, directly prevents the disaster.
Acts 27 32 Context
In Acts chapter 27, Paul is being transported to Rome as a prisoner. The voyage is fraught with danger, experiencing severe storms and facing perilous conditions. The centurion in charge, Julius, seems to hold a degree of respect for Paul, at times even following his advice, despite Paul being a prisoner. During the journey, Paul has a prophetic vision where an angel of God reassures him and those on board. As the ship nears Malta, it founders on a sandbar, and the soldiers, fearing that the prisoners will escape, resolve to kill them all. It is at this critical moment that Paul intervenes.
Acts 27 32 Word Analysis
- And when (Καὶ ὅτε - Kai hote): This phrase introduces the specific moment of crisis and decision. "Kai" means "and," connecting this action to what preceded, and "hote" signifies "when" or "at what time." It marks a temporal conjunction.
- the centurion (ὁ ἑκατόνταρχος - ho hekatontarchos): This refers to the Roman military officer in charge of a "century" (a unit of about 100 soldiers). The presence and authority of the centurion are central to the immediate events. The Gospels frequently mention centurions, often acknowledging their faith (e.g., the centurion at the cross in Matthew 27:54).
- wished (ἤθελε - ēthele): From the verb "ethelō," meaning "to wish," "to will," or "to desire." It indicates the centurion's intention or inclination at that particular time.
- to kill the prisoners (τοὺς δεσμίους ἀναιρεῖν - tous desmious anairein): "Desmious" is the accusative plural of "desmios," meaning "bound" or "imprisoned." "Anairein" means "to take away," "to kill," or "to destroy." This highlights the desperate measure contemplated by the soldiers to prevent any possibility of escape.
- lest (μήπως - mēpōs): A conjunction used to express fear or possibility, meaning "lest," "perhaps," "whether," or "so that not." It explains the reason behind the soldiers' wish.
- any (τις - tis): An indefinite pronoun, meaning "someone" or "anyone."
- of them (αὐτῶν - autōn): The genitive plural pronoun, referring back to "desmious" (prisoners).
- should swim out (ἐκκολυμβήσουσιν - ekkolumbēsousin): From the verb "ekkolumbaō," meaning "to swim out" or "to swim away." The future tense indicates the potential action the soldiers feared.
- and so escape (καὶ διαφυγόντες - kai diaphygontes): "Kai" means "and." "Diaphygontes" is the aorist active participle of "diapheugō," meaning "to flee away," "to escape," or "to slip away." It expresses the ultimate goal of the prisoners in the soldiers' estimation.
- And when (Καὶ ὅτε - Kai hote): Again, marking a new temporal event and reaction.
- Paul (Παῦλος - Paulos): The central figure whose action dramatically alters the situation.
- had spoken (εἶπεν - eipen): Aorist tense of "legō," meaning "to say" or "to speak." This signifies Paul's declarative statement.
- Paul said (ὁ Παῦλος εἶπεν - ho Paulos eipen): Emphasizes Paul's active role and his deliberate communication.
- to the centurion (τῷ ἑκατοντάρχῃ - tō hekatontarchē): The recipient of Paul's words. The definite article "tō" indicates a specific centurion already mentioned.
- and to the soldiers (καὶ τοῖς στρατιώταις - kai tois stratiōtais): Including the soldiers directly, as they were the ones inclined to the destructive action. "Stratiōtais" is the dative plural of "stratiōtēs," meaning "soldier."
- You have Paul's words (Σὺ ἔχεις τὴν παῦλαν - Sy echeis tēn paulan): A literal translation would be "You have Paul the comma," which is an archaic and incorrect rendering. The Greek phrase is "Σὺ ἔχεις σῴζειν οὓς σοί ἐστιν." Correct translation is "You will save..."
- You will save (σῴζειν - sōizein): The infinitive of "sōzō," meaning "to save," "to preserve," "to rescue." This is the crucial word, highlighting the consequence of heeding Paul's advice.
- all them (πάντας τούτους - pantas toutous): "Pantas" (all) and "toutous" (these) refer to everyone on board, emphasizing the totality of those saved.
- that are with you (τοὺς ὄντας σοι - tous ontas soi): "Tas" (the) with "ontas" (being) and "soi" (to you). This clause specifies "all" refers to those currently with the centurion.
Acts 27 32 Bonus Section
The soldier's hesitation and then obedience highlight a tension within the Roman military context regarding prisoner accountability and potential mutiny or escape. Paul's intervention, appealing to practicality and a sense of collective survival, mirrors the guidance he gave earlier regarding rationing and not casting anchors from the stern. The saving of all aboard reflects Jesus' own words that "not a hair of your head will perish" (Luke 21:18), indicating God's overarching protection in this dire situation, a promise rooted in God’s faithful character demonstrated throughout Scripture, as seen in His protection of Noah's family, Joseph, and Israel. The assurance that not a hair will perish also ties into a deeper spiritual truth of ultimate salvation, where even physical death is not the end for believers.
Acts 27 32 Commentary
Paul, in the midst of his own peril and imprisonment, demonstrates profound leadership and spiritual insight. The centurion, perhaps already seeing God's hand upon Paul through the earlier storm warnings, is open to Paul's counsel. Paul's assertion, "you will save all these," is a powerful declaration of faith and a strategic intervention. It appeals to the self-interest of the soldiers and the centurion (as they would also perish if the prisoners died in a way that made them accountable, or if the ship was lost), while also demonstrating a higher calling to preserve life. By guiding the soldiers to prevent their own escape route by allowing all to live and stay together, Paul directly averts the massacre and ensures their collective survival, a testament to his unwavering trust in God's promise of deliverance for himself and everyone on board. This event underscores the theme of God working through human agency, even in dire circumstances.