Devine Scripture

Acts 27:14

What does Acts 27:14 mean?

A plain-English look at Acts 27:14 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Acts 27:14 means

Without long delay, a tempestuous wind called Euraquilo sweeps down from the island, a violent northeaster. The name and description convey dread among sailors familiar with Mediterranean storms. What seemed a manageable hop becomes a life-threatening crisis. The storm’s suddenness cancels human plans. This verse quietly teaches that we live at the mercy of forces beyond us and introduces the central trial of the voyage. The calm south wind gives way to a howling gale, and the ship’s struggle for survival begins—no harbor, no control, only endurance and the search for any tactic to stay afloat.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

But after no long time there beat down from it a tempestuous wind, which is called Euraquilo:

KJV

King James Version · 1611

But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

But after no long time there beat down from it a tempestuous wind, which is called Euraquilo:

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But after a little time, a very violent wind, named Euraquilo, came down from it with great force.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, that is called Euroclydon,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But not long after, there arose against it a tempestuous wind, called Euroaquilo.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But not long after there came down it a hurricane called Euroclydon.

Context

Right after the apparent confirmation to sail, disaster strikes. The storm’s arrival reverses their hopes for Phoenix, pushing them into open water. The next verses describe the ship being caught and driven, taking shelter under a small island, and attempts to secure the lifeboat and undergird the hull. The narrative now enters a technical and desperate phase, where seamanship and improvisation fight the storm’s power, highlighting human limitation and setting up the moment when divine assurance becomes crucial.

v.13And when the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, they weighed anchor and sailed along Crete, close in shore.

v.14This passage

v.15and when the ship was caught, and could not face the wind, we gave way to it, and were driven.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Exodus 14:21

    And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and Jehovah caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all the night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided.

  • Mark 4:37

    And there ariseth a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the boat, insomuch that the boat was now filling.

  • Ezekiel 27:26

    Thy rowers have brought thee into great waters: the east wind hath broken thee in the heart of the seas.

  • Jonah 1:3

    But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of Jehovah; and he went down to Joppa, and found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of Jehovah.

  • Matthew 8:24

    And behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the boat was covered with the waves: but he was asleep.

  • Psalms 107:25

    For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, Which lifteth up the waves thereof.

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