Acts 27:30
New International Version
In an attempt to escape from the ship, the sailors let the lifeboat down into the sea, pretending they were going to lower some anchors from the bow.

New Living Translation
Then the sailors tried to abandon the ship; they lowered the lifeboat as though they were going to put out anchors from the front of the ship.

English Standard Version
And as the sailors were seeking to escape from the ship, and had lowered the ship’s boat into the sea under pretense of laying out anchors from the bow,

Berean Standard Bible
Meanwhile, the sailors attempted to escape from the ship. Pretending to lower anchors from the bow, they let the lifeboat down into the sea.

Berean Literal Bible
And of the sailors seeking to flee out of the ship and having let down the lifeboat into the sea under pretense as being about to cast out anchors from the bow,

King James Bible
And as the shipmen were about to flee out of the ship, when they had let down the boat into the sea, under colour as though they would have cast anchors out of the foreship,

New King James Version
And as the sailors were seeking to escape from the ship, when they had let down the skiff into the sea, under pretense of putting out anchors from the prow,

New American Standard Bible
But as the sailors were trying to escape from the ship and had let down the ship’s boat into the sea, on the pretense that they were going to lay out anchors from the bow,

NASB 1995
But as the sailors were trying to escape from the ship and had let down the ship’s boat into the sea, on the pretense of intending to lay out anchors from the bow,

NASB 1977
And as the sailors were trying to escape from the ship, and had let down the ship’s boat into the sea, on the pretense of intending to lay out anchors from the bow,

Legacy Standard Bible
But as the sailors were trying to escape from the ship and had let down the ship’s boat into the sea, on the pretense of intending to lay out anchors from the bow,

Amplified Bible
But as the sailors were trying to escape [secretly] from the ship and had let down the skiff into the sea, pretending that they were going to lay out anchors from the bow,

Christian Standard Bible
Some sailors tried to escape from the ship; they had let down the skiff into the sea, pretending that they were going to put out anchors from the bow.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Some sailors tried to escape from the ship; they had let down the skiff into the sea, pretending that they were going to put out anchors from the bow.

American Standard Version
And as the sailors were seeking to flee out of the ship, and had lowered the boat into the sea, under color as though they would lay out anchors from the foreship,

Contemporary English Version
The sailors wanted to escape from the ship. So they lowered the lifeboat into the water, pretending that they were letting down some anchors from the front of the ship.

English Revised Version
And as the sailors were seeking to flee out of the ship, and had lowered the boat into the sea, under colour as though they would lay out anchors from the foreship,

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The sailors tried to escape from the ship. They let the lifeboat down into the sea and pretended they were going to lay out the anchors from the front of the ship.

Good News Translation
Then the sailors tried to escape from the ship; they lowered the boat into the water and pretended that they were going to put out some anchors from the front of the ship.

International Standard Version
Meanwhile, the sailors had begun trying to escape from the ship. They lowered the lifeboat into the sea and pretended that they were going to lay out the anchors from the bow.

Majority Standard Bible
Meanwhile, the sailors attempted to escape from the ship. Pretending to lower anchors from the bow, they let the lifeboat down into the sea.

NET Bible
Then when the sailors tried to escape from the ship and were lowering the ship's boat into the sea, pretending that they were going to put out anchors from the bow,

New Heart English Bible
As the sailors were trying to flee out of the ship, and had lowered the boat into the sea, pretending that they would lay out anchors from the bow,

Webster's Bible Translation
And as the shipmen were about to flee out of the ship, when they had let down the boat into the sea, under color as though they would cast anchors out of the foreship,

Weymouth New Testament
The sailors, however, wanted to make their escape from the ship, and had lowered the boat into the sea, pretending that they were going to lay out anchors from the bow.

World English Bible
As the sailors were trying to flee out of the ship and had lowered the boat into the sea, pretending that they would lay out anchors from the bow,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And the sailors seeking to flee out of the ship, and having let down the boat to the sea, in pretense as [if] out of the prow they are about to cast anchors,

Berean Literal Bible
And of the sailors seeking to flee out of the ship and having let down the lifeboat into the sea under pretense as being about to cast out anchors from the bow,

Young's Literal Translation
And the sailors seeking to flee out of the ship, and having let down the boat to the sea, in pretence as if out of the foreship they are about to cast anchors,

Smith's Literal Translation
And the sailors seeking to flee out of the ship, and having loosened the boat to the sea, for a pretext as about to extend the anchors from the prow,
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But as the shipmen sought to fly out of the ship, having let down the boat into the sea, under colour, as though they would have cast anchors out of the forepart of the ship,

Catholic Public Domain Version
Yet truly, the sailors were seeking a way to flee from the ship, for they had lowered a lifeboat into the sea, on the pretext that they were attempting to cast anchors from the bow of the ship.

New American Bible
The sailors then tried to abandon ship; they lowered the dinghy to the sea on the pretext of going to lay out anchors from the bow.

New Revised Standard Version
But when the sailors tried to escape from the ship and had lowered the boat into the sea, on the pretext of putting out anchors from the bow,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
The sailors sought to desert the ship; so they lowered the ship’s boat into the sea, under pretense that they were going in it to make fast the ship to the land.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
But the Sailors sought to flee the ship and lowered the lifeboat from it to the sea, in the pretense that they would go in it and tie the ship to land.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And as the sailors were attempting to flee from the ship, and were letting down the boat into the sea, under the pretext that they were about to let down anchors from the prow,

Godbey New Testament
And the sailors seeking to escape from the ship, and lowering the boat into the sea, with a pretext as about to cast anchors from the prow,

Haweis New Testament
Now as the sailors were seeking to escape out of the ship, and had hoisted out the boat into the sea, under pretence as if they were going to carry out anchors a-head,

Mace New Testament
but the crew under pretext of dropping their anchors to moor, had hoisted out the boat; designing to make off:

Weymouth New Testament
The sailors, however, wanted to make their escape from the ship, and had lowered the boat into the sea, pretending that they were going to lay out anchors from the bow.

Worrell New Testament
And, when the sailors were seeking to escape out of the ship, and had lowered the boat into the sea, by pretext, as though they were about to cast anchors out of the prow,

Worsley New Testament
But the mariners endeavouring to flee out of the ship, and having let down the boat into the sea, under pretence that they were going to stretch out anchors from the head of the ship,

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Shipwreck
29Fearing that we would run aground on the rocks, they dropped four anchors from the stern and prayed for daybreak. 30Meanwhile, the sailors attempted to escape from the ship. Pretending to lower anchors from the bow, they let the lifeboat down into the sea. 31But Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men remain with the ship, you cannot be saved.”…

Cross References
Jonah 1:5
The sailors were afraid, and each cried out to his own god. And they threw the ship’s cargo into the sea to lighten the load. But Jonah had gone down to the lowest part of the vessel, where he lay down and fell into a deep sleep.

Matthew 8:25-26
The disciples went and woke Him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!” / “You of little faith,” Jesus replied, “why are you so afraid?” Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and it was perfectly calm.

Mark 4:38-40
But Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on the cushion. So they woke Him and said, “Teacher, don’t You care that we are perishing?” / Then Jesus got up and rebuked the wind and the sea. “Silence!” He commanded. “Be still!” And the wind died down, and it was perfectly calm. / “Why are you so afraid?” He asked. “Do you still have no faith?”

Luke 8:24-25
The disciples went and woke Him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” Then Jesus got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters, and they subsided, and all was calm. / “Where is your faith?” He asked. Frightened and amazed, they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey Him!”

John 6:18-21
A strong wind was blowing, and the sea grew agitated. / When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the sea—and they were terrified. / But Jesus spoke up: “It is I; do not be afraid.” ...

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 107:23-30
Others went out to sea in ships, conducting trade on the mighty waters. / They saw the works of the LORD, and His wonders in the deep. / For He spoke and raised a tempest that lifted the waves of the sea. ...

Isaiah 33:23
Your ropes are slack; they cannot secure the mast or spread the sail. Then an abundance of spoils will be divided, and even the lame will carry off plunder.

Ezekiel 27:26-27
Your oarsmen have brought you onto the high seas, but the east wind will shatter you in the heart of the sea. / Your wealth, wares, and merchandise, your sailors, captains, and shipwrights, your merchants and all the warriors within you, with all the other people on board, will sink into the heart of the sea on the day of your downfall.

Proverbs 1:17
How futile it is to spread the net where any bird can see it!

Proverbs 21:30
There is no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel that can prevail against the LORD.

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.

Hebrews 2:1
We must pay closer attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.

1 Timothy 1:19
holding on to faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and thereby shipwrecked their faith.

2 Peter 2:17
These men are springs without water and mists driven by a storm. Blackest darkness is reserved for them.


Treasury of Scripture

And as the shipmen were about to flee out of the ship, when they had let down the boat into the sea, under color as though they would have cast anchors out of the bow,

the boat.

Acts 27:16,32
And running under a certain island which is called Clauda, we had much work to come by the boat: …

foreship.

Acts 27:41
And falling into a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the forepart stuck fast, and remained unmoveable, but the hinder part was broken with the violence of the waves.

Jump to Previous
Anchors Attempts Boat Bow Carry Cast Color Colour Escape Flee Foreship Front Hooks However Intending Lower Lowered Pretence Pretending Pretense Pretext Sailors Sea Secretly Seeking Ship Shipmen Ship's Trying Wanted
Jump to Next
Anchors Attempts Boat Bow Carry Cast Color Colour Escape Flee Foreship Front Hooks However Intending Lower Lowered Pretence Pretending Pretense Pretext Sailors Sea Secretly Seeking Ship Shipmen Ship's Trying Wanted
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.














Meanwhile, the sailors attempted to escape from the ship.
In the context of Acts 27, Paul is aboard a ship headed for Rome, which encounters a violent storm. The sailors' attempt to escape reflects their desperation and fear, highlighting the severity of the storm. This act of self-preservation contrasts with Paul's faith and leadership during the crisis. Historically, sailors were often superstitious and might have believed abandoning the ship was their only hope. This moment underscores the tension between human fear and divine providence, as Paul had already assured them of God's promise of safety (Acts 27:23-24).

Pretending to lower anchors from the bow,
The sailors' pretense indicates deceit, as they were not genuinely trying to stabilize the ship but rather planning their escape. This action can be seen as a lack of trust in God's promise delivered through Paul. The bow, or front of the ship, was a strategic place to lower anchors to steady the vessel, making their actions appear legitimate. This deception is reminiscent of other biblical instances where individuals acted out of fear rather than faith, such as Jonah fleeing from God's command (Jonah 1:3).

they let the lifeboat down into the sea.
The lifeboat, a smaller vessel used for emergencies, symbolizes a false sense of security. By lowering it, the sailors hoped to save themselves, ignoring the collective safety of all aboard. This act can be compared to the futility of relying on human efforts rather than divine intervention, as seen in other biblical narratives like the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11:1-9). The lifeboat's presence also highlights the practical aspects of ancient seafaring, where such boats were essential for survival but not always reliable in severe storms.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Paul
- The apostle who is being transported to Rome as a prisoner. He plays a crucial role in advising the ship's crew and passengers during the storm.

2. Sailors
- The crew members responsible for navigating the ship. In this verse, they attempt to abandon the ship under the guise of lowering anchors.

3. Ship
- The vessel carrying Paul, other prisoners, soldiers, and crew to Rome. It is caught in a severe storm, leading to the events described in this chapter.

4. Storm
- A violent storm that threatens the safety of everyone on board, setting the stage for the sailors' attempted escape.

5. Rome
- The intended destination of the ship, where Paul is to stand trial.
Teaching Points
Trust in God's Sovereignty
In times of crisis, we must trust in God's plan rather than relying solely on human wisdom or deceitful means of escape.

Integrity in Actions
The sailors' pretense serves as a reminder to act with integrity, even when faced with fear or uncertainty.

Community and Accountability
The situation underscores the importance of community and accountability, as Paul later advises the centurion to prevent the sailors' escape for the safety of all.

Faith in Adversity
Like Paul, we are called to maintain faith and provide guidance to others during life's storms, trusting in God's deliverance.

Divine Guidance
God's guidance can come through unexpected sources, such as Paul's leadership, reminding us to be open to His direction through others.(30) And as the shipmen were about to flee . . .--The hour of danger called out the natural instinct of self-preservation, to the exclusion of better feelings. It was easy for the sailors to urge that the ship needed anchors fore as well as aft, and, while pretending to be occupied about this, to lower the boat which they had before hoisted on deck (Acts 27:16), and so effect their escape. The boat, it might appear, was necessary to their alleged purpose, as their ostensible aim was not merely to cast anchors from the bow, but to carry them out (as the word which St. Luke uses implies) to the full tether of the cable's length.

Verse 30. - Sailors for shipmen, A.V.; seeking for about, A.V.; and had lowered for when they had let down, A.V.; lay out for have east, A.V.; from for out of, A.V. Had lowered (χαλάσαντες, see ver. 17, note). The sailors thought the only chance of safety was to get into the boat and run ashore on the beach. They pretended, therefore, that they wished to let down more anchors from the bow; and let down the boat, as if with that intention, being prepared to jump in and make for the shore, leaving the ship to be wrecked, with all on board her. What a contrast to the conduct of our English crews, who are always the last to quit a sinking vessel!

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Meanwhile,
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

the
Τῶν (Tōn)
Article - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

sailors
ναυτῶν (nautōn)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 3492: A sailor, seaman. From naus; a boatman, i.e. Seaman.

attempted
ζητούντων (zētountōn)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 2212: To seek, search for, desire, require, demand. Of uncertain affinity; to seek; specially, to worship, or to plot.

to escape
φυγεῖν (phygein)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 5343: To flee, escape, shun. Apparently a primary verb; to run away; by implication, to shun; by analogy, to vanish.

from
ἐκ (ek)
Preposition
Strong's 1537: From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.

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.

Pretending
προφάσει (prophasei)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4392: A pretext, an excuse. From a compound of pro and phaino; an outward showing, i.e. Pretext.

to lower
ἐκτείνειν (ekteinein)
Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 1614: To stretch out (forth), cast forth (as of an anchor), lay hands on. From ek and teino; to extend.

anchors
ἀγκύρας (ankyras)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Plural
Strong's 45: An anchor. From the same as agkale; an 'anchor'.

from
ἐκ (ek)
Preposition
Strong's 1537: From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.

[the] bow,
πρῴρης (prōrēs)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 4408: The prow of a ship. Feminine of a presumed derivative of pro as noun; the prow, i.e. Forward part of a vessel.

they let
χαλασάντων (chalasantōn)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 5465: To let down, lower, slacken, loosen. From the base of chasma; to lower.

the
τὴν (tēn)
Article - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

lifeboat
σκάφην (skaphēn)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4627: A boat; any hollow vessel. A 'skiff', or yawl.

{down} into
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

the
τὴν (tēn)
Article - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

sea.
θάλασσαν (thalassan)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2281: Probably prolonged from hals; the sea.


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Acts 27:29
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