Darby Bible
Acts 27:42
42And [the] counsel of the soldiers was that they should kill the prisoners, lest any one should swim off and escape.
Acts 27:42 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)And the soldiers’ counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim out, and escape.
- New International Version (NIV)The soldiers planned to kill the prisoners to prevent any of them from swimming away and escaping.
- English Standard Version (ESV)The soldiers' plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any should swim away and escape.
- New King James Version (NKJV)And the soldiers’ plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim away and escape.
Context of Acts 27:42
40and, having cast off the anchors, they left [them] in the sea, at the same time loosening the lashings of the rudders, and hoisting the foresail to the wind, they made for the strand. 41And falling into a place where two seas met they ran the ship aground, and the prow having stuck itself fast remained unmoved, but the stern was broken by the force of the waves. And [the] counsel of the soldiers was that they should kill the prisoners, lest any one should swim off and escape. 43But the centurion, desirous of saving Paul, hindered them of their purpose, and commanded those who were able to swim, casting themselves first [into the sea], to get out on land; 44and the rest, some on boards, some on some of the things [that came] from the ship; and thus it came to pass that all got safe to land.
Read all of Acts 27Acts 27:42 word by word
τῶν δὲ στρατιωτῶν βουλὴ ἐγένετο ἵνα τοὺς δεσμώτας ἀποκτείνωσιν, μή τις ἐκκολυμβήσας διαφύγῃ.Read the interlinear
Cross-references for Acts 27:42
- Psalms 74:20Have respect unto the covenant; for the dark places of the earth are full of the dwellings of violence.
- Proverbs 12:10A righteous man is concerned for the life of his beast; but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.
- Ecclesiastes 9:3This is an evil among all that is done under the sun, that one thing befalleth all: yea, also the heart of the children of men is full of evil, and madness is in their heart while they live; and after that, [they have to go] to the dead.
- Mark 15:15And Pilate, desirous of contenting the crowd, released to them Barabbas, and delivered up Jesus, when he had scourged him, that he might be crucified.
- Luke 23:40But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost thou too not fear God, thou that art under the same judgment?
Commentaries on Acts 27:42
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 42The soldiers' counsel was to kill the prisoners - What blood-thirsty, cowardly villains must these have been! Though, through the providence of God, those poor men had escaped a watery grave, and had borne all the anxiety and distresses of this disastrous voyage, as well as the others, now that there is a likelihood of all getting safe to land that could swim, lest these should swim to shore, and so escape, those men, whose trade was in human blood…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 42And the soldiers‘ counsel - Why they gave this advice is not known. It was probably, however, because the Roman military discipline was very strict, and if they escaped it would be charged on them that it had been done by the negligence and unfaithfulness of the soldiers. They therefore proposed to kill them, though contrary to all humanity, justice, and laws; presuming, probably, that it would be supposed that they had perished in the wreck. This is a…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 39-44Verses 39-44 The ship that had weathered the storm in the open sea, where it had room, is dashed to pieces when it sticks fast. Thus, if the heart fixes in the world in affection, and cleaving to it, it is lost. Satan's temptations beat against it, and it is gone; but as long as it keeps above the world, though tossed with cares and tumults, there is hope for it. They had the shore in view, yet suffered shipwreck in the harbour; thus we are taught never…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 42-44Even during a crisis, the soldiers were responsible for the prisoners (see 12:19; 16:27; 27:32; see study note on 16:27). Fortunately, the commanding officer helped them. This showed God's protection and favor, as all 276 people safely reached the shore, exactly as the angel promised (see 27:24).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 42-4442-44. the soldiers' counsel was to hill the prisoners, lest any ... should escape--Roman cruelty, which made the keepers answerable for their prisoners with their own lives, is here reflected in this cruel proposal.Read the comment
Topics related to Acts 27:42
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
Darby Bible — 1889 — Public Domain
Commentaries