Acts 27 35

Acts 27:35 kjv

And when he had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in presence of them all: and when he had broken it, he began to eat.

Acts 27:35 nkjv

And when he had said these things, he took bread and gave thanks to God in the presence of them all; and when he had broken it he began to eat.

Acts 27:35 niv

After he said this, he took some bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all. Then he broke it and began to eat.

Acts 27:35 esv

And when he had said these things, he took bread, and giving thanks to God in the presence of all he broke it and began to eat.

Acts 27:35 nlt

Then he took some bread, gave thanks to God before them all, and broke off a piece and ate it.

Acts 27 verses

Acts 27 35 Meaning

Acts 27:35 describes Paul's actions during a severe storm at sea, when he publicly took bread, gave thanks to God in front of all on board, broke it, and began to eat. This act served as a profound demonstration of faith, courageous leadership, and practical wisdom amidst despair. It was an explicit acknowledgment of God's providence, meant to encourage and assure everyone—sailors, soldiers, and prisoners alike—that survival was promised by God, and they should therefore take strength for the ordeal ahead. His actions provided a visible and tangible sign of trust in God's word.

Acts 27 35 Context

Acts chapter 27 describes Paul's perilous sea voyage as a prisoner en route to Rome to appeal his case to Caesar. After repeated warnings from Paul regarding the dangers of sailing, which were ignored by the ship's centurion and pilot, the ship encountered a violent nor'easter, the "Euroclydon," which threatened to destroy them. For fourteen days, all hope of being saved vanished as the ship was battered, driven without sun or stars, and everyone on board, numbering 276 souls, stopped eating. In this dire situation, an angel of the Lord appeared to Paul, assuring him that no one would be lost, though the ship would be wrecked. Empowered by this divine revelation, Paul stood before the weary and starving crew and passengers, urging them to take food for their survival, linking their eating to the promise of safety. Verse 35 directly follows this encouragement, demonstrating Paul's immediate action based on his trust in God's word and setting a personal example for all the despairing people aboard.

Acts 27 35 Word analysis

• And when he had said these things:

  • Significance: This phrase links directly to Paul's preceding words (Acts 27:33-34) where he encouraged everyone to eat after their long fast. It highlights his authoritative speech, not as a mere prisoner, but as one with a divine message and spiritual authority, paving the way for his action.

• he took bread,

  • Greek: ἔλαβεν (elaben) - from λαμβάνω (lambanō), meaning "to take, receive."
  • Greek: ἄρτον (arton) - meaning "bread," often referring to a loaf or meal in general.
  • Significance: A simple, practical action for initiating a meal. Paul doesn't wait for permission or for someone else to act. He takes the initiative, signaling leadership and readiness to act on his faith. It emphasizes a basic, life-sustaining need in a critical situation.

• and gave thanks to God

  • Greek: εὐχαρίστησεν (eucharistēsen) - from εὐχαριστέω (eucharisteō), meaning "to give thanks."
  • Significance: This is a profoundly spiritual and public act. Despite the storm, the danger, and the hunger, Paul directs his gratitude to God. This isn't merely a private prayer but a visible declaration of faith in divine providence to everyone present, including the pagan sailors and Roman soldiers. It underscores the Christian belief in acknowledging God as the source of all provision, especially when circumstances seem hopeless.

• in the presence of all,

  • Greek: πάντων (pantōn) - "of all" (people).
  • Significance: This phrase is crucial. Paul's act of thanksgiving was not hidden or discreet but performed openly. This amplifies its impact as a public witness to his unwavering faith. It provides a visual and auditory example, demonstrating that trust in God is possible and beneficial even in extreme peril, urging others to look beyond their immediate despair.

• and he broke it

  • Greek: κλάσας (klasas) - a participle from κλάω (klaō), meaning "to break."
  • Significance: Breaking bread was a common ancient practice for distributing food from a single loaf among many. This action had both practical (sharing food) and symbolic connotations. It resonates strongly with Jewish customs and Christian observances of "breaking of bread," like the Lord's Supper, linking Paul's ordinary meal to sacred traditions, even if this specific instance is not sacramental communion.

• and began to eat.

  • Greek: ἤρξατο (ērxato) - from ἄρχομαι (archomai), "to begin."
  • Greek: ἐσθίειν (esthiein) - "to eat."
  • Significance: Paul, having given thanks and broken the bread, proceeds to eat first. This completes his demonstration of leadership by example. It conveys genuine conviction in his words and trust in God's promise. His act serves as a direct invitation and encouragement for everyone else, who had been without food for days, to break their fast and gain strength, thereby literally "beginning" to move towards their promised survival.

Acts 27 35 Bonus section

• Theological Parallel with Old Testament Prophets: Paul's actions here echo the provision and faith demonstrated by Old Testament figures like Elijah and Elisha, who similarly received divine sustenance in their journeys and ministered food to others.
• Paul as an Unofficial Priest: Although not functioning in a formal priestly role, Paul’s public act of consecrating food with thanksgiving, in the presence of those both inside and outside the faith, resembles a priestly mediation, pointing to Christ the true High Priest.
• Impact on Roman Soldiers and Sailors: This event profoundly impacted the pagans on board. Seeing a prisoner exercise such authority, faith, and calm, contrasting with their own despair and the superstitious fears common among sailors, must have been a powerful demonstration of the Christian God. This laid a foundation for potential future conversions or at least a softening of hearts.
• The Sanctification of Everyday Life: The verse shows that even the most mundane act of eating can be transformed into an act of worship and witness when approached with gratitude and faith in God's providence, consecrating not just the food but the challenging circumstances.

Acts 27 35 Commentary

Acts 27:35 presents Paul as an extraordinary spiritual and practical leader, whose actions brilliantly model faith, courage, and reliance on God in extreme adversity. Facing certain death by all human accounts, Paul steps forward not as a prisoner, but as God's chosen messenger. His act of taking bread, giving thanks to God publicly, breaking it, and eating is laden with significance. It's not a sacramental event like the Eucharist, as the context is survival and it involves non-believers, yet it deliberately echoes the language of Jesus' feeding miracles and the Lord's Supper. This echoing subtly asserts Christ's lordship even over a life-or-death crisis on the high seas. Paul's prayer of thanks consecrates the meal and silences the gnawing fear, replacing it with a sense of divine peace and provision. By eating first, he models trust in God's promise, proving the sincerity of his words and giving others the permission and courage they desperately needed to break their long fast and preserve their lives. His actions are a testament to faith, hope, and an exemplary Christian witness in the darkest hours.