Acts 27:15
New International Version
The ship was caught by the storm and could not head into the wind; so we gave way to it and were driven along.

New Living Translation
The sailors couldn’t turn the ship into the wind, so they gave up and let it run before the gale.

English Standard Version
And when the ship was caught and could not face the wind, we gave way to it and were driven along.

Berean Standard Bible
Unable to head into the wind, the ship was caught up. So we gave way and let ourselves be driven along.

Berean Literal Bible
And the ship having been caught and not being able to face to the wind, having given way, we were driven along.

King James Bible
And when the ship was caught, and could not bear up into the wind, we let her drive.

New King James Version
So when the ship was caught, and could not head into the wind, we let her drive.

New American Standard Bible
and when the ship was caught in it and could not head up into the wind, we gave up and let ourselves be driven by the wind.

NASB 1995
and when the ship was caught in it and could not face the wind, we gave way to it and let ourselves be driven along.

NASB 1977
and when the ship was caught in it, and could not face the wind, we gave way to it, and let ourselves be driven along.

Legacy Standard Bible
and when the ship was caught in it and could not face the wind, we gave way to it and let ourselves be carried along.

Amplified Bible
and when the ship was caught in it and could not head against the wind [to gain stability], we gave up and [letting her drift] were driven along.

Christian Standard Bible
Since the ship was caught and unable to head into the wind, we gave way to it and were driven along.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Since the ship was caught and was unable to head into the wind, we gave way to it and were driven along.

American Standard Version
and when the ship was caught, and could not face the wind, we gave way to it, and were driven.

Contemporary English Version
The wind struck the ship, and we could not sail against it. So we let the wind carry the ship.

English Revised Version
and when the ship was caught, and could not face the wind, we gave way to it, and were driven.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The wind carried the ship away, and we couldn't sail against the wind. We couldn't do anything, so we were carried along by the wind.

Good News Translation
It hit the ship, and since it was impossible to keep the ship headed into the wind, we gave up trying and let it be carried along by the wind.

International Standard Version
The ship was caught so that it couldn't face the wind, and we gave up and were swept along.

Majority Standard Bible
Unable to head into the wind, the ship was caught up. So we gave way and let ourselves be driven along.

NET Bible
When the ship was caught in it and could not head into the wind, we gave way to it and were driven along.

New Heart English Bible
When the ship was caught, and could not face the wind, we gave way to it, and were driven along.

Webster's Bible Translation
And when the ship was caught, and could not bear up into the wind, we let her drive.

Weymouth New Testament
She was unable to make headway against the gale; so we gave up and let her drive.

World English Bible
When the ship was caught and couldn’t face the wind, we gave way to it and were driven along.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and the ship being caught, and not being able to bear up against the wind, having given [her] up, we were carried on,

Berean Literal Bible
And the ship having been caught and not being able to face to the wind, having given way, we were driven along.

Young's Literal Translation
and the ship being caught, and not being able to bear up against the wind, having given her up, we were borne on,

Smith's Literal Translation
And the ship having been caught, and not able to resist the wind, yielding we were carried away.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And when the ship was caught, and could not bear up against the wind, giving up the ship to the winds, we were driven.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And once the ship had been caught in it and was not able to strive against the wind, giving over the ship to the winds, we were driven along.

New American Bible
Since the ship was caught up in it and could not head into the wind we gave way and let ourselves be driven.

New Revised Standard Version
Since the ship was caught and could not be turned head-on into the wind, we gave way to it and were driven.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And when the ship was caught, and could not bear against the wind, we let her drive.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And the ship was carried by force and could not stand against the wind and we surrendered to its power.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And the ship being caught and unable to bear up against the wind, we committed it to the gale, and were driven along.

Godbey New Testament
and the ship having been seized, and being unable to resist the wind, having given away to it, we were borne along.

Haweis New Testament
and the ship becoming ungovernable, and unable to bear up in the eye of the wind, we gave up the attempt, and let her drive.

Mace New Testament
we could not go upon the wind, but were forc'd to let her drive.

Weymouth New Testament
She was unable to make headway against the gale; so we gave up and let her drive.

Worrell New Testament
And, the ship being caught, and unable to face the wind, yielding to it, we were borne along.

Worsley New Testament
And the ship being hurried on, and not able to face the wind, we gave it up and so were carried along.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Storm at Sea
14But it was not long before a cyclone called the Northeaster swept down across the island. 15 Unable to head into the wind, the ship was caught up. So we gave way and let ourselves be driven along. 16Passing to the lee of a small island called Cauda, we barely managed to secure the lifeboat.…

Cross References
Jonah 1:4
Then the LORD hurled a great wind upon the sea, and such a violent storm arose that the ship was in danger of breaking apart.

Mark 4:37
Soon a violent windstorm came up, and the waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was being swamped.

Matthew 8:24
Suddenly a violent storm came up on the sea, so that the boat was engulfed by the waves. But Jesus was sleeping.

Psalm 107:25-27
For He spoke and raised a tempest that lifted the waves of the sea. / They mounted up to the heavens, then sunk to the depths; their courage melted in their anguish. / They reeled and staggered like drunkards, and all their skill was useless.

Ezekiel 27:26
Your oarsmen have brought you onto the high seas, but the east wind will shatter you in the heart of the sea.

James 1:6
But he must ask in faith, without doubting, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.

Isaiah 57:20
But the wicked are like the storm-tossed sea, for it cannot be still, and its waves churn up mire and muck.

Luke 8:23
As they sailed, He fell asleep, and a windstorm came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger.

Psalm 89:9
You rule the raging sea; when its waves mount up, You still them.

Job 9:8
He alone stretches out the heavens and treads on the waves of the sea.

2 Corinthians 11:25
Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked. I spent a night and a day in the open sea.

Psalm 46:2-3
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth is transformed and the mountains are toppled into the depths of the seas, / though their waters roar and foam and the mountains quake in the surge. Selah

Nahum 1:4
He rebukes the sea and dries it up; He makes all the rivers run dry. Bashan and Carmel wither, and the flower of Lebanon wilts.

Proverbs 30:4
Who has ascended to heaven and come down? Who has gathered the wind in His hands? Who has bound up the waters in His cloak? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name, and what is the name of His Son—surely you know!

Isaiah 51:15
For I am the LORD your God who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar—the LORD of Hosts is His name.


Treasury of Scripture

And when the ship was caught, and could not bear up into the wind, we let her drive.

we.

Acts 27:27
But when the fourteenth night was come, as we were driven up and down in Adria, about midnight the shipmen deemed that they drew near to some country;

James 3:4
Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.

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Able Bear Borne Caught Couldn't Drive Driven Face Gale Grip Head Headway Letting Ourselves Ship Storm Unable Way Wind
Acts 27
1. Paul shipping toward Rome,
10. foretells of the danger of the voyage,
11. but is not believed.
14. They are tossed to and fro by a storm;
41. and suffer shipwreck;
44. yet all come safe to land.














Unable to head into the wind
This phrase captures the dire situation faced by Paul and his companions. The Greek word for "unable" (ἀδύνατος, adynatos) conveys a sense of powerlessness or impossibility. In the context of a ship caught in a storm, it reflects the overwhelming force of nature that renders human effort futile. The "wind" (ἄνεμος, anemos) here is not just a natural phenomenon but can be seen as a metaphor for the trials and adversities that believers face. Historically, the Mediterranean Sea was known for its sudden and violent storms, making navigation perilous. This phrase reminds us of the limitations of human strength and the need to rely on God's sovereignty in the face of life's storms.

we gave way to it
The decision to "give way" (ἐπιδίδωμι, epididōmi) indicates a strategic choice to surrender to the circumstances rather than fight against them. This can be seen as an act of wisdom and humility, recognizing when to yield to God's greater plan. In the Christian life, there are times when surrendering to God's will, even when it seems contrary to our desires, is the path of faith. The historical context of ancient seafaring shows that sometimes the best course of action was to let the ship be driven by the wind, trusting in divine providence for safety.

and were driven along
The phrase "were driven along" (φέρω, pherō) suggests being carried by an external force. In this context, it is the wind that propels the ship, but spiritually, it can symbolize being led by the Holy Spirit. The early church often faced persecution and trials, yet they were "driven" by a higher purpose and calling. This imagery encourages believers to trust in God's guidance, even when the path is uncertain. Historically, the journey of Paul to Rome was fraught with challenges, yet it was part of God's plan to spread the Gospel. This verse serves as a reminder that, though we may not always control our circumstances, we can trust in God's direction and purpose for our lives.

(15) And could not bear up into the wind.--The Greek verb is literally, "to look into the wind's eye," to face the wind. The figure is a sufficiently natural one in all languages; but it perhaps received additional vividness from the fact that a large eye was commonly painted on the prow of Greek vessels. The practice is still not unusual in Mediterranean boats. Assuming the direction of the gale to have been as stated in the previous Note the ship was now driven in a south-west direction, scudding before the wind.

Verse 15. - Face the wind for bear up into the wind, A.V.; gave way to it, and were driven for let her drive, A.V. Was caught; συναρπασθέντος, only here in this sense of being caught and carried away by the gale, but used in three other places by St. Luke (and only by him), viz. Luke 8:29; Acts 6:12; Acts 19:29. It is found more than once in the LXX., and is common in classical Greek. Sophocles uses it of a storm which carries everything away, Πάντα ξυναρπάσας θύελλ ὅπως ('Elect.,' 1150). Face; ἀντοφθαλμεῖν, only here in the New Testament; but in Polybius and elsewhere it is said or' looking any one in the face with defiance. And so Wisd. 12:14; Ecclus. 19:5 (Complut. Edit.), ἀντοφθαλμῶν ἡδονᾶις, "resisteth pleasures," A.V. Compare the phrase, "looked one another in the face" (2 Kings 14:8, 11, ὤφθησαν προσώποις). Hence here it means simply "resist," or "stand against," or, as well rendered in the R.V., "face." Gave way to it, etc.; ἐπιδόντες ἐφερόμεθα, a rather obscure phrase, but best explained "giving her" (the ship) to the wind, "we were carried" rapidly before it. Ἑπιδίδωμι, is to give, to give up, to give into any one's hand (Luke 4:17; Acts 15:30). ἐπιδόντες is opposed to ἀντοφθαλμεῖν, giving up to, abandoning her to, as opposed to resisting. Ἐφερόμεθα, we were hurried along before the wind, without will or choice of our own (as ver. 17). Common in Homer and other classical writers, for being borne along by wind, or waves, or storm, etc. (For the application of φέρομαι in the middle voice to a wind, see Acts 2:2.)

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Unable
δυναμένου (dynamenou)
Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 1410: (a) I am powerful, have (the) power, (b) I am able, I can. Of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible.

to head into
ἀντοφθαλμεῖν (antophthalmein)
Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 503: From a compound of anti and ophthalmos; to face.

the
τῷ (tō)
Article - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

wind,
ἀνέμῳ (anemō)
Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 417: The wind; fig: applied to empty doctrines. From the base of aer; wind; by implication, quarters.

the
τοῦ (tou)
Article - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

ship
πλοίου (ploiou)
Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 4143: A ship, vessel, boat. From pleo; a sailer, i.e. Vessel.

was caught up.
συναρπασθέντος (synarpasthentos)
Verb - Aorist Participle Passive - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 4884: To seize, drag by force. From sun and harpazo; to snatch together, i.e. Seize.

[So] we gave way
ἐπιδόντες (epidontes)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1929: (a) trans: I hand in, give up, (b) intrans: I give way (to the wind). From epi and didomi; to give over.

[and] let ourselves be driven along.
ἐφερόμεθα (epherometha)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 1st Person Plural
Strong's 5342: To carry, bear, bring; I conduct, lead; perhaps: I make publicly known. A primary verb.


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