Acts 27:21
New International Version
After they had gone a long time without food, Paul stood up before them and said: “Men, you should have taken my advice not to sail from Crete; then you would have spared yourselves this damage and loss.

New Living Translation
No one had eaten for a long time. Finally, Paul called the crew together and said, “Men, you should have listened to me in the first place and not left Crete. You would have avoided all this damage and loss.

English Standard Version
Since they had been without food for a long time, Paul stood up among them and said, “Men, you should have listened to me and not have set sail from Crete and incurred this injury and loss.

Berean Standard Bible
After the men had gone a long time without food, Paul stood up among them and said, “Men, you should have followed my advice not to sail from Crete. Then you would have averted this disaster and loss.

Berean Literal Bible
There being also much time without food, at that time having stood up in their midst, Paul said, "It behooved you indeed, O men, having been obedient to me, not to have set sail from Crete and to have incurred this disaster and loss.

King James Bible
But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss.

New King James Version
But after long abstinence from food, then Paul stood in the midst of them and said, “Men, you should have listened to me, and not have sailed from Crete and incurred this disaster and loss.

New American Standard Bible
When many had lost their appetites, Paul then stood among them and said, “Men, you should have followed my advice and not have set sail from Crete, and thereby spared yourselves this damage and loss.

NASB 1995
When they had gone a long time without food, then Paul stood up in their midst and said, “Men, you ought to have followed my advice and not to have set sail from Crete and incurred this damage and loss.

NASB 1977
And when they had gone a long time without food, then Paul stood up in their midst and said, “Men, you ought to have followed my advice and not to have set sail from Crete, and incurred this damage and loss.

Legacy Standard Bible
And when they had gone a long time without food, then Paul stood up in their midst and said, “Men, you ought to have followed my advice to not set sail from Crete and to avoid this damage and loss.

Amplified Bible
After they had gone a long time without food [because of seasickness and stress], Paul stood up before them and said, “Men, you should have followed my advice and should not have set sail from Crete, and brought on this damage and loss.

Christian Standard Bible
Since they had been without food for a long time, Paul then stood up among them and said, “You men should have followed my advice not to sail from Crete and sustain this damage and loss.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Since many were going without food, Paul stood up among them and said, “You men should have followed my advice not to sail from Crete and sustain this damage and loss.

American Standard Version
And when they had been long without food, then Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have set sail from Crete, and have gotten this injury and loss.

Contemporary English Version
Since none of us had eaten anything for a long time, Paul stood up and told the men: You should have listened to me! If you had stayed on in Crete, you would not have had this damage and loss.

English Revised Version
And when they had been long without food, then Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have set sail from Crete, and have gotten this injury and loss.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Since hardly anyone wanted to eat, Paul stood among them and said, "Men, you should have followed my advice not to sail from Crete. You would have avoided this disaster and loss.

Good News Translation
After everyone had gone a long time without food, Paul stood before them and said, "You should have listened to me and not have sailed from Crete; then we would have avoided all this damage and loss.

International Standard Version
After they had gone a long time without food, Paul stood among his shipmates and said, "Men, you should have listened to me and not have sailed from Crete. You would have avoided this hardship and damage.

Majority Standard Bible
After the men had gone a long time without food, Paul stood up among them and said, “Men, you should have followed my advice not to sail from Crete. Then you would have averted this disaster and loss.

NET Bible
Since many of them had no desire to eat, Paul stood up among them and said, "Men, you should have listened to me and not put out to sea from Crete, thus avoiding this damage and loss.

New Heart English Bible
When they had been long without food, Paul stood up in the middle of them, and said, "Sirs, you should have listened to me, and not have set sail from Crete, and have gotten this injury and loss.

Webster's Bible Translation
But after long abstinence, Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened to me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss.

Weymouth New Testament
When for a long time they had taken but little food, Paul, standing up among them, said, "Sirs, you ought to have listened to me and not have sailed from Crete. You would then have escaped this suffering and loss.

World English Bible
When they had been long without food, Paul stood up in the middle of them and said, “Sirs, you should have listened to me, and not have set sail from Crete and have gotten this injury and loss.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And there having been long fasting, then Paul having stood in the midst of them, said, “It was necessary, indeed, O men—having listened to me—not to set sail from Crete, and to save this hurt and damage;

Berean Literal Bible
There being also much time without food, at that time having stood up in their midst, Paul said, "It behooved you indeed, O men, having been obedient to me, not to have set sail from Crete and to have incurred this disaster and loss.

Young's Literal Translation
And there having been long fasting, then Paul having stood in the midst of them, said, 'It behoved you, indeed, O men -- having hearkened to me -- not to set sail from Crete, and to save this hurt and damage;

Smith's Literal Translation
And there being much abstinence from food, then Paul having stood in the midst of them, said, Truly it was fitting, O men, having obeyed me, not to be conveyed from Crete, and gain this violence and damage.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And after they had fasted a long time, Paul standing forth in the midst of them, said: You should indeed, O ye men, have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and have gained this harm and loss.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And after they had fasted for a long time, Paul, standing in their midst, said: “Certainly, men, you should have listened to me and not set out from Crete, so as to cause this injury and loss.

New American Bible
When many would no longer eat, Paul stood among them and said, “Men, you should have taken my advice and not have set sail from Crete and you would have avoided this disastrous loss.

New Revised Standard Version
Since they had been without food for a long time, Paul then stood up among them and said, “Men, you should have listened to me and not have set sail from Crete and thereby avoided this damage and loss.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And as no man among them had eaten anything, Paul stood up in the midst of them, and said, Men, if you had listened to me, we would not have sailed from Crete, and we would have been spared this loss and suffering.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And when no one was able to endure the situation, then Paulus arose in their midst and said, “If you men had believed me, we would not have sailed from Crete, and we would have been spared this loss and this suffering.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
But, after long abstinence from food, Paul stood up in the midst of them, and said: men, you ought to have been persuaded by me, and not to have put to sea from Crete; and you would have avoided this damage and loss.

Godbey New Testament
And there being much fasting, Paul standing in their midst, said, O men, truly it behooved you obeying me, not to depart from Crete, and incur this injury and loss.

Haweis New Testament
Now after being a long while without food, then stood up Paul in the midst of them, and said, Ye ought, my friends, to have been persuaded by me, and not have sailed from Crete, and got this loss and damage.

Mace New Testament
and our spirits droop with fasting: when Paul presented himself, and said, "well, my friends, it had been, if I could have prevail'd upon you, to have sav'd your selves all this perplexity and loss by staying at Crete.

Weymouth New Testament
When for a long time they had taken but little food, Paul, standing up among them, said, "Sirs, you ought to have listened to me and not have sailed from Crete. You would then have escaped this suffering and loss.

Worrell New Testament
And, after long abstinence from food, then Paul, standing up in the midst of them, said, "Ye ought, indeed, O men, hearkening to me, not to have set sail from Crete, and to have incurred this violence and loss.

Worsley New Testament
But after long abstinence from food, Paul stood up in the midst of them and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not loosed from Crete, and so have saved this damage and loss.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Storm at Sea
20When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the great storm continued to batter us, we abandoned all hope of being saved. 21After the men had gone a long time without food, Paul stood up among them and said, “Men, you should have followed my advice not to sail from Crete. Then you would have averted this disaster and loss. 22But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because you will not experience any loss of life, but only of the ship.…

Cross References
Jonah 1:12
“Pick me up,” he answered, “and cast me into the sea, so it may quiet down for you. For I know that I am to blame for this violent storm that has come upon you.”

Proverbs 1:25-27
because you neglected all my counsel, and wanted none of my correction, / in turn I will mock your calamity; I will sneer when terror strikes you, / when your dread comes like a storm, and your destruction like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish overwhelm you.

Ezekiel 2:5
And whether they listen or refuse to listen—for they are a rebellious house—they will know that a prophet has been among them.

Matthew 11:20-24
Then Jesus began to denounce the cities in which most of His miracles had been performed, because they did not repent. / “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. / But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. ...

Luke 16:31
Then Abraham said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.’”

Jeremiah 44:4-6
Yet I sent you all My servants the prophets again and again, saying: ‘Do not do this detestable thing that I hate.’ / But they did not listen or incline their ears; they did not turn from their wickedness or stop burning incense to other gods. / Therefore My wrath and anger poured out and burned in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem, so that they have become the desolate ruin they are today.

2 Chronicles 36:15-16
Again and again the LORD, the God of their fathers, sent word to His people through His messengers because He had compassion on them and on His dwelling place. / But they mocked the messengers of God, despising His words and scoffing at His prophets, until the wrath of the LORD against His people was stirred up beyond remedy.

Isaiah 30:9-11
These are rebellious people, deceitful children, children unwilling to obey the LORD’s instruction. / They say to the seers, “Stop seeing visions!” and to the prophets, “Do not prophesy to us the truth! Speak to us pleasant words; prophesy illusions. / Get out of the way; turn off the road. Rid us of the Holy One of Israel!”

Jeremiah 25:4-7
And the LORD has sent all His servants the prophets to you again and again, but you have not listened or inclined your ear to hear. / The prophets told you, ‘Turn now, each of you, from your evil ways and deeds, and you can dwell in the land that the LORD has given to you and your fathers forever and ever. / Do not follow other gods to serve and worship them, and do not provoke Me to anger with the works of your hands. Then I will do you no harm.’ ...

Matthew 24:25
See, I have told you in advance.

Luke 24:25
Then Jesus said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!

1 Samuel 8:19-20
Nevertheless, the people refused to listen to Samuel. “No!” they said. “We must have a king over us. / Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to judge us, to go out before us, and to fight our battles.”

2 Kings 17:13-14
Yet through all His prophets and seers, the LORD warned Israel and Judah, saying, “Turn from your wicked ways and keep My commandments and statutes, according to the entire Law that I commanded your fathers and delivered to you through My servants the prophets.” / But they would not listen, and they stiffened their necks like their fathers, who did not believe the LORD their God.

Nehemiah 9:26-30
But they were disobedient and rebelled against You; they flung Your law behind their backs. They killed Your prophets, who had admonished them to return to You. They committed terrible blasphemies. / So You delivered them into the hands of enemies who oppressed them, and in their time of distress they cried out to You. From heaven You heard them, and in Your great compassion You gave them deliverers who saved them from the hands of their enemies. / But as soon as they had rest, they again did evil in Your sight. So You abandoned them to the hands of their enemies, who had dominion over them. When they cried out to You again, You heard from heaven, and You delivered them many times in Your compassion. ...

Isaiah 42:23-25
Who among you will pay attention to this? Who will listen and obey hereafter? / Who gave Jacob up for spoil, and Israel to the plunderers? Was it not the LORD, against whom we have sinned? They were unwilling to walk in His ways, and they would not obey His law. / So He poured out on them His furious anger and the fierceness of battle. It enveloped them in flames, but they did not understand; it consumed them, but they did not take it to heart.


Treasury of Scripture

But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the middle of them, and said, Sirs, you should have listened to me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss.

after.

Acts 27:33-35
And while the day was coming on, Paul besought them all to take meat, saying, This day is the fourteenth day that ye have tarried and continued fasting, having taken nothing…

Psalm 107:5,6
Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them…

ye should.

Acts 27:9,10
Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them, …

Genesis 42:22
And Reuben answered them, saying, Spake I not unto you, saying, Do not sin against the child; and ye would not hear? therefore, behold, also his blood is required.

not.

Acts 27:13
And when the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, loosing thence, they sailed close by Crete.

Jump to Previous
Abstinence Better Crete Damage Escaped Food Forth Friends Gained Gotten Harm Hearkened Incurred Injury Loss Middle Midst Ought Paul Sail Sailed Sailing Sirs Spared Standing Stood Time Undergo Yourselves
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Abstinence Better Crete Damage Escaped Food Forth Friends Gained Gotten Harm Hearkened Incurred Injury Loss Middle Midst Ought Paul Sail Sailed Sailing Sirs Spared Standing Stood Time Undergo Yourselves
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.














After the men had gone a long time without food
This phrase sets the scene of desperation and physical weakness. The Greek word for "a long time" (πολλῆς) indicates an extended period, emphasizing the severity of the situation. The lack of food symbolizes not only physical deprivation but also spiritual and emotional exhaustion. In the ancient world, fasting was often associated with seeking divine intervention, and here it underscores the dire circumstances faced by those on the ship.

Paul stood up among them
Paul's action of standing up is significant. In the Greek, "stood up" (ἀναστὰς) implies taking a position of authority and readiness to speak. Despite being a prisoner, Paul assumes a leadership role, demonstrating the power of faith and conviction. His standing is a metaphor for spiritual resilience and courage, reminding believers that God empowers His servants to lead and provide hope even in the darkest times.

and said, 'Men, you should have followed my advice
Paul's address to the men is both a rebuke and a reminder of his earlier warning. The Greek word for "advice" (παραινέω) suggests counsel or exhortation. This moment highlights the importance of heeding godly wisdom and discernment. Paul's words serve as a reminder that God's guidance, often delivered through His servants, is meant to protect and direct us.

not to sail from Crete
Crete, an island in the Mediterranean, was a significant location in ancient maritime routes. Historically, sailing from Crete during the stormy season was perilous. Paul's reference to Crete underscores the consequences of ignoring divine warnings. It serves as a metaphor for the spiritual journey, where departing from God's path can lead to turmoil and danger.

Then you would have avoided this disaster and loss
The Greek word for "disaster" (ὕβρις) conveys the idea of violence or insult, while "loss" (ζημία) refers to damage or detriment. Paul points out the tangible consequences of their decision, illustrating a broader spiritual truth: disobedience to God's guidance often results in unnecessary suffering. This phrase encourages believers to trust in God's wisdom to avoid spiritual shipwrecks in their own lives.

(21) After long abstinence . . .--We find from Acts 27:35-38 that there was still a fair supply of food on board, but. as they could not tell how long it might be before they reached a harbour, the crew, amounting, with passengers, to two hundred and seventy-six men (Acts 27:37), had been naturally put on reduced rations, and the storm, and the sacrifice which they had been obliged to make of all their goods that could be spared probably made cooking all but impossible.

Paul stood forth in the midst of them.--The narrative implies that while others had burst into the wailing cries of despair, calling, we may believe, like the sailors in Jonah 1:5, "every man unto his god," the Apostle had passed his hours of darkness in silent communing with God, and now came forward with the assurance that his prayers were heard. With the feeling natural to one whose counsel had been slighted, he reminds them that if they had followed it they would have been spared the harm and loss (the same words are used in the Greek as in Acts 27:10) to which they were now exposed. "Sirs," as in Acts 14:15; Acts 19:25, answers to the Greek for "men." . . .

Verse 21. - And when they had been long without food for but after long abstinence, A.V. and T.R.; then Paul for Paul, A.V.; set sail for loosed, A.V.; and gotten for to have gained, A.V.; injury for harm, A.V. Long without food (πολλῆς ἀσιτίας ὑπαρχούσης). Ἀσιτία is only found here in the Bible; but it was the common medical term for loss of the appetite, and such is the most natural rendering here. There is nothing about "long abstinence" in the text, nor does the verb ὑπαρχούσης admit of being translated "when they had been." It describes a present condition. The literal rendering is, when there was a great (or, general) loss of appetite among the crew. The terror, the discomfort, the sea-sickness, the constant pressure of danger and labor, the difficulty of cooking, the unpalatableness of the food, combined to take away relish of their food, and they were becoming weak for want of nourishment. Have gotten (κερδῆσαι). Schleusner, Bengel, Meyer, Alford, and the 'Speaker's Commentary' explain this as equivalent to "have avoided," or "have escaped," and quote Josephus ('Ant. Jud,' it. 3:2), Τὸ μιανθῆναι τὰς χεῖρας κερδαίνειν, "To avoid staining their hands;" and ' Bell. Jud.,' it. 16:4 (towards the close of Agrippa's speech), Τῆς ἥττης ὄνειδος κερδήσετε," You will gain (i.e. avoid) the disgrace of defeat," like the use in Latin of lucrifacere. But it is simpler on the whole to understand it in the sense of "getting" as the fruit of your own conduct. We should say in English, "What have yon gained by this? Nothing but loss and shame." Compare too the phrase Τὰ ὀψώνια τῆς ἀμαρτίας θάνατος (Romans 6:23). So Liddell and Scott give us one use of κερδαίνειν, to gain a loss, 1.e. reap disadvantage, and quote from Euripides, 'Hecuba,' 1. 518 (516, Scholefield), διπλᾶ δάκρυα κερδᾶναι, "to gain double weeping." Injury (ὕβριν); see ver. 10, note. In the A.V. "to have gained" observe the same idiom as in ver. 10, "and there to winter."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
[After]
τε (te)
Conjunction
Strong's 5037: And, both. A primary particle of connection or addition; both or also.

[the men] had gone
ὑπαρχούσης (hyparchousēs)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 5225: To begin, am, exist, be in possession. From hupo and archomai; to begin under, i.e. Come into existence; expletively, to exist (verb).

a long
Πολλῆς (Pollēs)
Adjective - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 4183: Much, many; often.

time without food,
ἀσιτίας (asitias)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 776: From asitos; fasting.

Paul
Παῦλος (Paulos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3972: Paul, Paulus. Of Latin origin; Paulus, the name of a Roman and of an apostle.

stood up
σταθεὶς (statheis)
Verb - Aorist Participle Passive - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2476: A prolonged form of a primary stao stah'-o; to stand, used in various applications.

among them
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

[and] said,
εἶπεν (eipen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2036: Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.

“Men,
ἄνδρες (andres)
Noun - Vocative Masculine Plural
Strong's 435: A male human being; a man, husband. A primary word; a man.

you should have
Ἔδει (Edei)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1163: Third person singular active present of deo; also deon deh-on'; neuter active participle of the same; both used impersonally; it is Necessary.

followed my advice
πειθαρχήσαντάς (peitharchēsantas)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3980: From a compound of peitho and archo; to be persuaded by a ruler, i.e. to submit to authority; by analogy, to conform to advice.

not
μὴ (mē)
Adverb
Strong's 3361: Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether.

to sail
ἀνάγεσθαι (anagesthai)
Verb - Present Infinitive Middle or Passive
Strong's 321: From ana and ago; to lead up; by extension to bring out; specially, to sail away.

from
ἀπὸ (apo)
Preposition
Strong's 575: From, away from. A primary particle; 'off, ' i.e. Away, in various senses.

Crete.
Κρήτης (Krētēs)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 2914: Crete. Of uncertain derivation; Crete, an island in the Mediterranean.

Then
τε (te)
Conjunction
Strong's 5037: And, both. A primary particle of connection or addition; both or also.

[you would have averted]
κερδῆσαί (kerdēsai)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 2770: To gain, acquire, win (over), avoid loss. From kerdos; to gain.

this
ταύτην (tautēn)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it.

disaster
ὕβριν (hybrin)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 5196: (a) insult, injury, outrage, (b) damage, loss. From huper; insolence, i.e. Insult, injury.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

loss.
ζημίαν (zēmian)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2209: Damage, loss, detriment. Probably akin to the base of damazo; detriment.


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NT Apostles: Acts 27:21 When they had been long without food (Acts of the Apostles Ac)
Acts 27:20
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