Acts 27:21
What does Acts 27:21 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 27:21 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 27:21 means
After a long period without food, Paul stands and addresses the group. He reminds them that they should have listened and not sailed from Crete, which led to this harm. His words are not petty triumph but sober realism; recognition of error is part of preparing to receive guidance. The mention of fasting or neglecting food reveals physical weakness and strain. Paul’s emergence as spokesman shows leadership rooted in conviction, not status. He speaks in the midst of shared suffering, identifying with them while calling them to heed what he will say next—a word of hope based on God’s revelation.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And when they had been without food for a long time, Paul got up among them and said, Friends, it would have been better if you had given attention to me and not gone sailing out from Crete, to undergo this damage and loss.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And there having been long fasting, then Paul having stood in the midst of them, said, `It behoved <FI>you<Fi> , indeed, O men--having hearkened to me--not to set sail from Crete, and to save this hurt and damage;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And after they had fasted a long time, Paul standing forth in the midst of them, said: You should indeed, O ye men, have hearkened unto me and not have loosed from Crete and have gained this harm and loss.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And when they had been a long while without taking food, Paul then standing up in the midst of them said, Ye ought, O men, to have hearkened to me, and not have made sail from Crete and have gained this disaster and loss.
Context
At their lowest point, weakened by hunger and despair, the crew hears Paul speak again. He references his earlier counsel to frame their present situation truthfully. This sets up his main announcement—that despite the loss, no life will be lost—grounded in a divine message. The next verse will turn from “you should have listened” to “be of good cheer,” shifting the tone from correction to comfort and preparing the crew to act on faith-informed instructions.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 27:33
And while the day was coming on, Paul besought them all to take some food, saying, This day is the fourteenth day that ye wait and continue fasting, having taken nothing.
- Acts 27:9
And when much time was spent, and the voyage was now dangerous, because the Fast was now already gone by, Paul admonished them,
- Genesis 42:22
And Reuben answered them, saying, Spake I not unto you, saying, Do not sin against the child; and ye would not hear? therefore also, behold, his blood is required.
- Acts 27:7
And when we had sailed slowly many days, and were come with difficulty over against Cnidus, the wind not further suffering us, we sailed under the lee of Crete, over against Salmone;
- Psalms 107:5
Hungry and thirsty, Their soul fainted in them.
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