Amplified Bible
Acts 27:29
29Then fearing that we might run aground somewhere on the rocks, they dropped four anchors from the stern [to slow the ship] and kept wishing for daybreak to come.
Acts 27:29 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Then fearing lest we should have fallen upon rocks, they cast four anchors out of the stern, and wished for the day.
- New International Version (NIV)Fearing that we would be dashed against the rocks, they dropped four anchors from the stern and prayed for daylight.
- English Standard Version (ESV)And fearing that we might run on the rocks, they let down four anchors from the stern and prayed for day to come.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Then, fearing lest we should run aground on the rocks, they dropped four anchors from the stern, and prayed for day to come.
Context of Acts 27:29
27The fourteenth night had come and we were drifting and being driven about in the Adriatic Sea, when about midnight the sailors began to suspect that they were approaching some land. 28So they took soundings [using a weighted line] and found [the depth to be] twenty fathoms (120 feet); and a little farther on they sounded again and found [the depth to be] fifteen fathoms (90 feet). Then fearing that we might run aground somewhere on the rocks, they dropped four anchors from the stern [to slow the ship] and kept wishing for daybreak to come. 30But 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, 31Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men remain on the ship, you cannot be saved.”
Read all of Acts 27Acts 27:29 word by word
φοβούμενοί τε μή που κατὰ τραχεῖς τόπους ἐκπέσωμεν, ἐκ πρύμνης ῥίψαντες ἀγκύρας τέσσαρας ηὔχοντο ἡμέραν γενέσθαι.Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- Thenτεte · and/bothG5037
- fearingφοβέωphobeō · to fearG5399
- lestμήπωςmēpōs mē pōs · so thatG3381
- we should have fallenἐκπίπτωekpiptō · to fall outG1601
- uponεἰςeis · towardG1519
- rocksτραχύςtrachus · roughG5138
- rocksτόποςtopos · placeG5117
- they castῥίπτωrhiptō̄ · to throw/lay downG4496
- fourτέσσαρεςtessares tessara · fourG5064
- anchorsἄγκυραagkura · anchorG45
- out ofἐκek ex · out fromG1537
- the sternπρύμναprumna · sternG4403
- and wishedεὔχομαιeuchomai · to pray/wish forG2172
- forγίνομαιginomai · to beG1096
- the dayἡμέραhēmera · dayG2250
Cross-references for Acts 27:29
- Acts 27:17After hoisting the skiff [on board], they used support lines [for frapping] to undergird and brace the ship’s hull; and fearing that they might run aground on the shallows of Syrtis [off the north coast of Africa], they let down the sea anchor and lowered the sails and were driven along [backwards with the bow into the wind].
- Acts 27:30But 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,
- Hebrews 6:19This hope [this confident assurance] we have as an anchor of the soul [it cannot slip and it cannot break down under whatever pressure bears upon it]—a safe and steadfast hope that enters within the veil [of the heavenly temple, that most Holy Place in which the very presence of God dwells],
- Deuteronomy 28:67In the morning you will say, ‘I wish it were evening!’ and in the evening you will say, ‘I wish it were morning!’—because of the dread in your heart with which you tremble, and because of the sight of your eyes which you will see.
- Psalms 130:6My soul waits for the Lord More than the watchmen for the morning; More than the watchmen for the morning.
Commentaries on Acts 27:29
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 29Cast four anchors out of the stern - By this time the storm must have been considerably abated; though the agitation of the sea could not have subsided much. The anchors were cast out of the stern to prevent the vessel from drifting ashore, as they found that, the farther they stood in, the shallower the water grew; therefore they dropped the anchor astern, as even one ship's length might be of much consequence.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 29They cast four anchors - On account of the violence of the storm and waves, to make, if possible, the ship secure. And wished for the day - To discern more accurately their situation and danger.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 21-29Verses 21-29 They did not hearken to the apostle when he warned them of their danger; yet if they acknowledge their folly, and repent of it, he will speak comfort and relief to them when in danger. Most people bring themselves into trouble, because they do not know when they are well off; they come to harm and loss by aiming to mend their condition, often against advice. Observe the solemn profession Paul made of relation to God. No storms or tempests can…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1-44The graphic language describing sailing in the story of Paul's journey to Rome provides one of the best accounts of an ancient sea journey. This is the last "we" section in Acts (see also 16:10–17; 20:5–15; 21:1–18). During Paul's two years of imprisonment, Luke probably researched his gospel throughout Judea and Galilee. Here, as part of Paul's sailing group, he had a personal witness of the dangers at sea.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 27-2927-29. when the fourteenth night was come--from the time they left Fair Havens. as we were driven--drifting up and down in Adria--the Adriatic, that sea which lies between Greece and Italy. about midnight the shipmen deemed--no doubt from the peculiar sound of the breakers. that they drew near some country--"that some land was approaching them." This nautical language gives a graphic character to the narrative.Read the comment
Topics related to Acts 27:29
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Acts 27
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on Acts
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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