Acts 27:38
New International Version
When they had eaten as much as they wanted, they lightened the ship by throwing the grain into the sea.

New Living Translation
After eating, the crew lightened the ship further by throwing the cargo of wheat overboard.

English Standard Version
And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, throwing out the wheat into the sea.

Berean Standard Bible
After the men had eaten their fill, they lightened the ship by throwing the grain into the sea.

Berean Literal Bible
Then having been filled with food, they began to lighten the ship, casting out the wheat into the sea.

King James Bible
And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, and cast out the wheat into the sea.

New King James Version
So when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship and threw out the wheat into the sea.

New American Standard Bible
When they had eaten enough, they began lightening the ship by throwing the wheat out into the sea.

NASB 1995
When they had eaten enough, they began to lighten the ship by throwing out the wheat into the sea.

NASB 1977
And when they had eaten enough, they began to lighten the ship by throwing out the wheat into the sea.

Legacy Standard Bible
And when they had eaten enough, they began to lighten the ship by throwing out the wheat into the sea.

Amplified Bible
After they had eaten enough, they began to lighten the ship by throwing the wheat [from Egypt] overboard into the sea.

Christian Standard Bible
When they had eaten enough, they began to lighten the ship by throwing the grain overboard into the sea.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
When they had eaten enough, they began to lighten the ship by throwing the grain overboard into the sea.

American Standard Version
And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, throwing out the wheat into the sea.

Contemporary English Version
and after everyone had eaten, they threw the cargo of wheat into the sea to make the ship lighter.

English Revised Version
And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, throwing out the wheat into the sea.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
After the people had eaten all they wanted, they lightened the ship by dumping the wheat into the sea.

Good News Translation
After everyone had eaten enough, they lightened the ship by throwing all the wheat into the sea.

International Standard Version
After they had eaten all they wanted, they began to lighten the ship by dumping its cargo of wheat into the sea.

Majority Standard Bible
After the men had eaten their fill, they lightened the ship by throwing the grain into the sea.

NET Bible
When they had eaten enough to be satisfied, they lightened the ship by throwing the wheat into the sea.

New Heart English Bible
When they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, throwing out the wheat into the sea.

Webster's Bible Translation
And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, and cast the wheat into the sea.

Weymouth New Testament
After eating a hearty meal they lightened the ship by throwing the wheat overboard.

World English Bible
When they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, throwing out the wheat into the sea.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and having eaten sufficient nourishment, they were lightening the ship, casting forth the wheat into the sea.

Berean Literal Bible
Then having been filled with food, they began to lighten the ship, casting out the wheat into the sea.

Young's Literal Translation
and having eaten sufficient nourishment, they were lightening the ship, casting forth the wheat into the sea.

Smith's Literal Translation
And satisfied with food, they lightened the ship, casting out the wheat into the sea.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, casting the wheat into the sea.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And having been nourished with food, they lightened the ship, casting the wheat into the sea.

New American Bible
After they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship by throwing the wheat into the sea.

New Revised Standard Version
After they had satisfied their hunger, they lightened the ship by throwing the wheat into the sea.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship by taking the wheat and throwing it into the sea.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And when they were filled with food, they lightened the ship, and they took wheat and threw it into the sea.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
When they were satisfied with food, they lightened the ship by throwing the provisions into the sea.

Godbey New Testament
And having been revived by the food, they lightened the ship, casting the wheat over into the sea.

Haweis New Testament
and having made a hearty meal, they lightened the vessel, throwing the wheat into the sea.

Mace New Testament
when they had eat enough, they threw the wheat over board to ease the ship:

Weymouth New Testament
After eating a hearty meal they lightened the ship by throwing the wheat overboard.

Worrell New Testament
And, having been satisfied with food, they were lightening the ship, throwing out the wheat into the sea.

Worsley New Testament
And when they were satisfied with food, they lightened the ship and cast out the corn into the sea.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Shipwreck
37In all, there were 276 of us on board. 38After the men had eaten their fill, they lightened the ship by throwing the grain into the sea. 39When daylight came, they did not recognize the land, but they sighted a bay with a sandy beach, where they decided to run the ship aground if they could.…

Cross References
John 6:12-13
And when everyone was full, He said to His disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over, so that nothing will be wasted.” / So they collected them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.

Matthew 14:20
They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.

Mark 8:8
The people ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.

Luke 9:17
They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.

2 Kings 4:44
So he set it before them, and they ate and had some left over, according to the word of the LORD.

Exodus 16:18
When they measured it by the omer, he who gathered much had no excess, and he who gathered little had no shortfall. Each one gathered as much as he needed to eat.

1 Kings 17:16
The jar of flour was not exhausted and the jug of oil did not run dry, according to the word that the LORD had spoken through Elijah.

2 Corinthians 8:15
As it is written: “He who gathered much had no excess, and he who gathered little had no shortfall.”

Matthew 15:37
They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.

Mark 6:43
and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish.

Luke 5:6-7
When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to tear. / So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.

John 21:11
So Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many, the net was not torn.

Genesis 41:49
So Joseph stored up grain in such abundance, like the sand of the sea, that he stopped keeping track of it; for it was beyond measure.

1 Samuel 9:24
So the cook picked up the leg and what was attached to it and set it before Saul. Then Samuel said, “Here is what was kept back. It was set apart for you. Eat, for it has been kept for you for this occasion, from the time I said, ‘I have invited the people.’” So Saul dined with Samuel that day.

2 Kings 7:1
Then Elisha said, “Hear the word of the LORD! This is what the LORD says: ‘About this time tomorrow at the gate of Samaria, a seah of fine flour will sell for a shekel, and two seahs of barley will sell for a shekel.’”


Treasury of Scripture

And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, and cast out the wheat into the sea.

they lightened.

Acts 27:18,19
And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next day they lightened the ship; …

Job 2:4
And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life.

Jonah 1:5
Then the mariners were afraid, and cried every man unto his god, and cast forth the wares that were in the ship into the sea, to lighten it of them. But Jonah was gone down into the sides of the ship; and he lay, and was fast asleep.

The wheat.

Jump to Previous
Cast Eaten Eating Enough Food Forth Grain Hearty Lightened Lightening Meal Nourishment Overboard Satisfied Sea Ship Sufficient Themselves Throwing Turning Wanted Weight Wheat
Jump to Next
Cast Eaten Eating Enough Food Forth Grain Hearty Lightened Lightening Meal Nourishment Overboard Satisfied Sea Ship Sufficient Themselves Throwing Turning Wanted Weight Wheat
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 eaten their fill
This phrase indicates a moment of physical sustenance and relief amidst a dire situation. The Greek word for "eaten their fill" is "χορτάζω" (chortazō), which means to be satisfied or filled. In the context of Acts 27, this moment follows a period of fasting and fear during a violent storm at sea. The act of eating symbolizes a return to strength and hope, a divine provision in the midst of chaos. It reflects God's care for physical needs, as seen throughout Scripture, such as in the feeding of the 5,000 (Matthew 14:13-21). This moment of nourishment is a reminder of God's faithfulness and provision, encouraging believers to trust in His sustenance during life's storms.

they lightened the ship
The decision to lighten the ship is a strategic and necessary action for survival. The Greek word "κοπάζω" (kopazō) means to reduce or lessen. Historically, ships in ancient times were often overloaded with cargo, and in stormy conditions, reducing weight was crucial to prevent sinking. This act of lightening the ship can be seen as a metaphor for casting off burdens and trusting in God's deliverance. Hebrews 12:1 encourages believers to "lay aside every weight," emphasizing the importance of spiritual readiness and reliance on God rather than material possessions.

by throwing the grain into the sea
Grain was a valuable commodity, essential for trade and sustenance. The Greek word for "grain" is "σίτος" (sitos), which refers to wheat or other cereal grains. In the historical context, this grain was likely part of a larger shipment intended for trade or sustenance. The act of throwing it into the sea signifies a significant sacrifice and a prioritization of life over material wealth. This mirrors the biblical principle of valuing eternal life over earthly possessions, as Jesus taught in Matthew 6:19-21 about storing treasures in heaven. It challenges believers to consider what they are willing to sacrifice for the sake of following Christ and trusting in His provision. This act of faith, casting away what is seen for the unseen, is a powerful testament to the transformative power of trust in God's plan.

(38) And when they had eaten enough . . .--More accurately, when they were filled with food. The words describe a full and hearty meal. The first effect of this was seen in renewed activity for work. In spite of all that had been done before (Acts 27:18-19), the ship still needed to be lightened. The tense implies a process of some continuance. The "wheat" which they now cast out may have been part of the cargo which had been reserved by way of provisions. As it was clear that they could no longer continue in the ship, this was no longer required, and the one essential point was to keep her floating till they reached the shore.

Verse 38. - Throwing out for and cast out, A.V. They lightened the ship; ἐκούφισαν, only here in the New Testament; but it is the technical word for lightening a ship so as to keep her afloat. So in Polybius, 1:39, Ἐκρίψαντες ἐκ τῶν πλοίων πάντα τὰ βάρη μόλις ἐκούφισαν τὰς ναῦς: and Jonah 1:5, "They cast forth the wares that were in the ship into the sea, to lighten it of them (τοῦ κουφισθῆναι ἀπ αὐτῶν (see ver. 18, note). Κουφίσαι τὴν ναῦν is one of the technical expressions for taking cargo out of a ship, given by Julius Pollux (Smith), The wheat (τὸν σῖτον). There is a difference of opinion as to what St. Luke here means by τὸν σῖτον. Meyer and others think it was merely "the ship's provision," and that, considering the number of persons in the ship, and the little consumption during the last fortnight, the weight of what was left would be considerable. They add that the cargo had been already thrown overboard in ver. 18. Others, as Howson, following Smith and Penroso, Farrar, Lewin, and many older commentators, with more reason, understand "the wheat" to mean the ship's cargo from Alexandria to Rome; they think it had been impossible to get at it while the ship was drifting; and that, even had it been possible, it was the last thing they would have recourse to. But now, when it was impossible to save the ship, and the only chance of saving their lives was to run her on the beach, it was an absolute necessity to lighten the ship as much as possible. They therefore cast her freight of Alexandrian corn into the sea, and waited for daylight (see note to ver. 18).

Parallel Commentaries ...


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

[the men] had eaten their fill,
κορεσθέντες (koresthentes)
Verb - Aorist Participle Passive - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 2880: To fill, sate, glut, feed full, satisfy. A primary verb; to cram, i.e. Glut or sate.

they lightened
ἐκούφιζον (ekouphizon)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 2893: To lighten, make light. From kouphos; to unload.

the
τὸ (to)
Article - Accusative 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
πλοῖον (ploion)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4143: A ship, vessel, boat. From pleo; a sailer, i.e. Vessel.

by throwing
ἐκβαλλόμενοι (ekballomenoi)
Verb - Present Participle Middle - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1544: To throw (cast, put) out; I banish; I bring forth, produce. From ek and ballo; to eject.

the
τὸν (ton)
Article - Accusative 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.

grain
σῖτον (siton)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4621: Wheat, grain. Also plural irregular neuter sita of uncertain derivation; grain, especially wheat.

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 27:37
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