Acts 27 44

Acts 27:44 kjv

And the rest, some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship. And so it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land.

Acts 27:44 nkjv

and the rest, some on boards and some on parts of the ship. And so it was that they all escaped safely to land.

Acts 27:44 niv

The rest were to get there on planks or on other pieces of the ship. In this way everyone reached land safely.

Acts 27:44 esv

and the rest on planks or on pieces of the ship. And so it was that all were brought safely to land.

Acts 27:44 nlt

The others held on to planks or debris from the broken ship. So everyone escaped safely to shore.

Acts 27 verses

Acts 27 44 Meaning

Acts 27:44 concludes the dramatic shipwreck narrative, stating that following the initial group who swam, the remaining passengers and crew utilized various pieces of the broken ship as flotation devices. Despite the perilous conditions and the ship's destruction, every single person on board successfully reached the safety of the land. This verse marks the literal fulfillment of Paul's prophecy that no lives would be lost, demonstrating God's sovereign protection and faithfulness.

Acts 27 44 Context

Acts chapter 27 describes Paul's perilous journey as a prisoner on a ship bound for Rome. Despite Paul's warnings, the ship's centurion and owner decided to sail on, leading them into a violent storm called Euroclydon. The crew's and passengers' initial efforts to save the ship and themselves proved futile, bringing them to despair. Paul, however, received an angelic visitation confirming God's promise that he would reach Rome and that everyone on board would be saved, though the ship itself would be lost (Acts 27:22-26, 34). As the ship began to break apart on the reefs of Malta, the centurion prevented the soldiers from killing the prisoners, including Paul, showing divine intervention working through human decisions. The preceding verse (Acts 27:43) details the centurion's command for those who could swim to leap overboard and make for the land first. Verse 44 describes how the remaining individuals found safety. The entire chapter serves as a testament to divine sovereignty and the unwavering faithfulness of God's word, fulfilling a specific prophecy given through Paul in the midst of extreme human danger.

Acts 27 44 Word analysis

• And: (Greek: kai - καὶ) - Connects this action directly to the previous verse (Acts 27:43), indicating a continuation of the escape efforts by a different group. It signals the complete account of the everyone's escape.
• the rest: (Greek: hoi loipoi - οἱ λοιποί) - Refers to those who were not strong swimmers, distinct from the group mentioned in the preceding verse. This emphasizes the diverse means by which all were saved, catering to different capabilities.
• some on planks: (Greek: hous men epi sanidon - οὓς μὲν ἐπὶ σανίδων) -
  • sanides (σανίδων): Refers to boards or pieces of wood. This highlights the improvised nature of their escape. The broken remains of the ship became instruments of their salvation.
  • This group clung to readily available wreckage, demonstrating resourcefulness under desperate circumstances, guided by instinct or perhaps, divine nudging.
• and some on other things: (Greek: hous de epi tinōn tōn apo tou ploiou - οὓς δὲ ἐπὶ τινῶν τῶν ἀπὸ τοῦ πλοίου) -
  • tinōn tōn apo tou ploiou (τινῶν τῶν ἀπὸ τοῦ πλοίου): Lit. "on some of the things from the ship." This is a general term for any floating debris—spars, timbers, broken bits. It further stresses the varied, improvised methods.
  • This phrase covers all remaining options, ensuring that anyone, regardless of swimming ability or specific piece of wreckage, had a means of survival.
• from the ship: Reinforces the source of their rescue aids, underscoring the ship's destruction as a prerequisite for using its remnants for escape.
• And so it was that: (Greek: houtōs de egeneto - οὕτως δὲ ἐγένετο) - "Thus it happened" or "And it turned out this way." This phrase emphatically highlights the conclusive outcome. It underscores the certainty of the event and the fulfillment of what was predicted, often used in biblical narratives to signify divine orchestration of events.
• they all: (Greek: pantes - πάντες) - An absolute and emphatic pronoun. This is crucial for affirming the fulfillment of Paul's prophecy (Acts 27:22, 34) which specifically stated no lives would be lost. No exceptions, despite the storm's ferocity and the ship's total destruction. This highlights God's perfect precision in His promises.
• escaped safely: (Greek: diasōthēnai - διασωθῆναι) - Meaning "to be saved through," "to come safely through a danger." It signifies a complete and successful rescue from imminent peril, emphasizing that not only did they make it to land, but they did so unharmed from the elements or drowning.
• to land: (Greek: epi tēn gēn - ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν) - The intended safe destination. It denotes the successful conclusion of the arduous journey and perilous escape, bringing them from the chaos of the sea to the stability of solid ground.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And the rest, some on planks, and some on other things from the ship": This phrase intricately details the diversified means of survival for those unable to swim directly to shore. It paints a picture of individuals scrambling and clinging to whatever floating debris was available from the ship's wreckage, highlighting human ingenuity and God's provision even through seemingly chaotic means. The deliberate mention of "planks" and "other things" indicates Luke's precise reporting of the varied methods ensuring no one was left without a means of survival.
• "And so it was that they all escaped safely to land": This concluding statement unequivocally confirms the full and exact fulfillment of Paul's earlier prophecy (Acts 27:22, 34). The phrase "and so it was" emphasizes the certainty of the outcome, attributing it to a plan greater than human will. The crucial phrase "they all" highlights the absolute nature of God's preservation, meaning every single person survived against all odds. "Escaped safely to land" signifies not just arrival but uninjured arrival, making the deliverance complete. This confirms divine control over the natural forces and the destinies of individuals.

Acts 27 44 Bonus section

• Paul's Continued Mission: The complete safety of all persons ensures Paul's ability to fulfill his mission to preach the Gospel in Rome, as prophesied (Acts 23:11, 27:24). This survival directly links to God's grand plan for the spread of Christianity.
• Symbolic Significance: The journey and shipwreck can be seen metaphorically as life's trials and tribulations. The assurance of "no loss of life" and "all escaped safely" offers hope that even in the most tumultuous storms, God provides means for salvation and safe passage for those within His divine purpose. The shattered remains of the ship becoming instruments of salvation suggest that even broken things can be used by God for deliverance.
• Evidence of Luke's Detail: The meticulous detailing of the escape (some swimming, some on planks, some on other things) exemplifies Luke's characteristically precise historical writing, which is often rich in naval and travel terminology. This lends credibility to his narrative.
• Divine Intervention through Human Agencies: While God promised survival, it did not happen passively. He intervened through the centurion's compassionate decision (preventing the soldiers from killing prisoners, Acts 27:42-43) and by guiding the ship to break near land, providing accessible debris for those unable to swim. Human action and natural means are woven into the fabric of divine deliverance.

Acts 27 44 Commentary

Acts 27:44 is the triumphant conclusion to a harrowing ordeal, succinctly declaring the successful rescue of all 276 people aboard the doomed ship. This verse is not merely a statement of fact but the vivid fulfillment of divine prophecy spoken through Paul amidst despair. It powerfully testifies to God's meticulous care, demonstrating that His promises are sure and His sovereignty extends even to the minutest details of survival (like specific planks and pieces of the ship). The varied means of escape, some swimming and others clinging to debris, illustrates divine providence working through both natural human ability and provided resources from the wreckage. This total preservation ensures Paul's ministry can continue to Rome, showcasing how God orchestrates events—even shipwrecks—to advance His purposes. It underlines that no one, when within God's will and purpose, is beyond His saving hand.