Acts 27:42

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 casting off the anchors, they left them in the sea while at the same time they were loosening the ropes of the rudders; and hoisting the foresail to the wind, they were heading for the beach. 41But striking a reef where two seas met, they ran the vessel aground; and the prow stuck fast and remained immovable, but the stern began to be broken up by the force of the waves. The soldiers’ plan was to kill the prisoners, so that none of them would swim away and escape; 43but the centurion, wanting to bring Paul safely through, kept them from their intention, and commanded that those who could swim should jump overboard first and get to land, 44and the rest should follow, some on planks, and others on various things from the ship. And so it happened that they all were brought safely to land.

Acts 27:42 word by word

τῶν δὲ στρατιωτῶν βουλὴ ἐγένετο ἵνα τοὺς δεσμώτας ἀποκτείνωσιν, μή τις ἐκκολυμβήσας διαφύγῃ.Read the interlinear

• The soldiers’στρατιώτηςstratiōtēs · soldierG4757
• planβουλήboulē · planG1012
• killἀποκτείνωapokteinō · to killG615
• the prisonersδεσμώτηςdesmōtēs · prisonerG1202
• so that noneμήmē · notG3361
• so that noneτιςtis · oneG5100
• would swimἐκκολυμβάωekkolumbaō · to swim outG1579
• and escapeδιαφεύγωdiapheugō · to escapeG1309

Cross-references for Acts 27:42

• Psalms 74:20Consider the covenant; For the dark places of the land are full of the habitations of violence.
• Proverbs 12:10A righteous man has regard for the life of his animal, But even the compassion of the wicked is cruel.
• Ecclesiastes 9:3This is an evil in all that is done under the sun, that there is one fate for all men. Furthermore, the hearts of the sons of men are full of evil and insanity is in their hearts throughout their lives. Afterwards they go to the dead.
• Mark 15:15Wishing to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas for them, and after having Jesus scourged, he handed Him over to be crucified.
• Luke 23:40But the other answered, and rebuking him said, “Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation?

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

• Mariners (Sailors)
• Paul
• Prophecy
• Soldiers

In the dictionaries

• Cheer
• Close
• Creek
• Crete
• Euroclydon
• Exhort
• Fast
• Gain
• Hinder
• James

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