What does Acts 27:43 mean?
ESV: But the centurion, wishing to save Paul, kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and make for the land,
NIV: But the centurion wanted to spare Paul’s life and kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and get to land.
NASB: but the centurion, wanting to bring Paul safely through, kept them from accomplishing their intention, and commanded that those who could swim were to jump overboard first and get to land,
CSB: But the centurion kept them from carrying out their plan because he wanted to save Paul, and so he ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and get to land.
NLT: But the commanding officer wanted to spare Paul, so he didn’t let them carry out their plan. Then he ordered all who could swim to jump overboard first and make for land.
KJV: But the centurion, willing to save Paul, kept them from their purpose; and commanded that they which could swim should cast themselves first into the sea, and get to land:
NKJV: But the centurion, wanting to save Paul, kept them from their purpose, and commanded that those who could swim should jump overboard first and get to land,
Verse Commentary:
Perhaps a month before, Julius, a centurion of the Augustan Cohort, received orders to take prisoners from Caesarea Maritima to Rome. He loaded them on a coastal vessel that brought them to Myra, a port in southwest modern-day Turkey. Then, they boarded an Alexandrian ship headed to Rome (Acts 27:1–6). He and his soldiers likely gained a second commission as guards for the cargo.
After meeting contrary winds, the ship found shelter at Fair Havens, a port on the southern coast of Crete. One of the prisoners, Paul, warned the crew that if they left Fair Havens they would lose the ship, the cargo, and their lives. The ship's owner and pilot agreed they needed to find a safe harbor to spend the winter. But the port at Fair Havens was not sufficient. Slightly farther west, the town of Phoenix had two harbors perfectly sheltered from the coming storms (Acts 27:8–10, 12). Julius sided with the owner and pilot (Acts 27:11).
A few hours after they set sail, the winds shifted. The passengers and crew held on for dear life as a typhoon-grade storm tossed them about, hid the stars and sun, and made it impossible to even eat. Long after everyone had lost hope of rescue, Paul stood up again. He proclaimed that his God promised he would get to Rome. Further, the Lord would let everyone else on the ship live, as well. This time, Julius listened to Paul (Acts 27:13–25).
Two weeks after they entered the storm, the sailors realized they were coming fast upon an island. It was too dark to bring the ship in close. The crew lowered the aft anchors to stop the ship's movement. Then they went to the front of the ship. There, they should have been lowering the fore anchors to keep the waves from spinning the ship around. At least, that is what Julius thought they were doing. Paul pointed out they had lowered the lifeboat and were preparing to climb in. Julius ordered the soldiers to cut the lines (Acts 27:27–32).
The next morning, Paul encouraged everyone to eat. This gave them enough energy to throw the remaining grain overboard to raise the ship, and to sail into the nearby harbor, hoping to run aground on the beach. Instead, the bow is now stuck on a clay reef and the waves are tearing apart the stern. The soldiers have a problem. If they'd landed the ship on the beach, they could have monitored the prisoners to make sure no one escaped. As things stand, the ship is still quite a ways from the shore, and they can't guard everyone. But they can't lose any prisoners, either, or else they could be executed. They decide to just kill the prisoners, instead (Acts 27:33–42).
They didn't account for their centurion. He will not let Paul die. He orders the soldiers to stand down and the prisoners to swim if they can. The rest will make their way on the broken-off bits of the ship that still float. Everyone will make it out alive (Acts 27:44).
Verse Context:
Acts 27:39–44 describes dawn breaking as Paul's ship finally succumbs to the sea and wrecks. The 276 crew members and passengers can see the island they've reached. But it's still a dangerous trek to the shore. Paul and the other prisoners face a hidden reef, strong surf, and murderous Roman soldiers. They finally make it to land—where it promptly starts raining. Fortunately, the locals are friendly and helpful, and after another three months, Paul finally makes it to Rome (Acts 28).
Chapter Summary:
Acts 27 is an account of a famous sea voyage. Paul, Luke, and Aristarchus travel from Caesarea Maritima on their way to Rome. False charges and two years of imprisonment in Caesarea led Paul to appeal his case to a higher Roman court, and he is now on his way to that court. The chapter can be divided into seven paragraphs, alternating between descriptions of the sea voyage and Paul trying to keep everyone alive during a horrific storm. Eventually, they shipwreck on Malta. The ship and cargo are a complete loss, but no one dies.
Chapter Context:
Twice the Sanhedrin brought unfounded charges against Paul. In both cases, the ruling governor knew Paul was innocent but refused to let him go. Finally, Paul appealed his case to Caesar (Acts 24:22–27; 25:1–12). He, Luke, Aristarchus, and 273 others sail for Rome. But they shipwreck on a reef off the island of Malta. When they finally reach Rome, Paul will meet with Jewish leaders and tell them how Jesus fulfills the Old Testament prophecies of the Messiah. Some will believe and some won't. This leads Paul to resolve, once again, to focus his efforts on the Gentiles (Acts 28).
Book Summary:
The summary of the book of Acts is provided in Jesus' words in Acts 1:8: ''But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.'' In Acts 2:1–13, the Christ-followers receive the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:14—7:60 describes the rapid growth of the church in Jerusalem. Chapters 8—12 find Jewish persecution inadvertently spreading the gospel throughout Judea and Samaria. And in chapters 13—28, Paul and his companions spread the good news throughout the Roman Empire.
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