Acts 27:20
What does Acts 27:20 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 27:20 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 27:20 means
Days pass without sun or stars—no celestial navigation, no relief from a “no small tempest.” With instruments primitive and skies closed, navigation is blind; morale collapses. The phrase “all hope that we should be saved was now taken away” is stark. Experienced sailors, soldiers, and prisoners alike reach the end of their confidence. This is the narrative’s rock bottom. The verse prepares the reader for divine intervention, not by changing the weather yet, but by changing the people through a word of promise. When human resources fail completely, God’s word comes into its sharpest focus and credibility.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And when neither sun nor stars shone upon us for many days, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was now taken away.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And when neither sun nor stars shone upon us for many days, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was now taken away.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And as we had not seen the sun or stars for a long time, and a great storm was on us, all hope of salvation was gone.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and neither sun nor stars appearing for more days, and not a little tempest lying upon us, thenceforth all hope was taken away of our being saved.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And when neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and no small storms lay on us, all hope of our being saved was now taken away.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And neither sun nor stars appearing for many days, and no small storm lying on us, in the end all hope of our being saved was taken away.
Context
After exhausting practical measures—securing the lifeboat, undergirding the ship, dumping cargo and tackle—the storm still rages. Without sun or stars, they cannot navigate or estimate position. Despair sets in universally. The next verses will show Paul rising to speak, first recalling his earlier warning and then delivering a message from an angel that all lives will be preserved. The contrast between total human hopelessness and divine assurance becomes the turning point of the chapter.
v.19and the third day they cast out with their own hands the tackling of the ship.
v.20This passage
v.21And when they had been long without food, then Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have set sail from Crete, and have gotten this injury and loss.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 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.
- Jonah 1:11
Then said they unto him, What shall we do unto thee, that the sea may be calm unto us? for the sea grew more and more tempestuous.
- Psalms 107:25
For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, Which lifteth up the waves thereof.
- 1 Thessalonians 4:13
But we would not have you ignorant, brethren, concerning them that fall asleep; that ye sorrow not, even as the rest, who have no hope.
- Ezekiel 37:11
Then he said unto me, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel: behold, they say, Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are clean cut off.
- Isaiah 57:10
Thou wast wearied with the length of thy way; yet saidst thou not, It is in vain: thou didst find a quickening of thy strength; therefore thou wast not faint.
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