Devine Scripture

Acts 27:26

What does Acts 27:26 mean?

A plain-English look at Acts 27:26 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Acts 27:26 means

Paul adds a crucial detail: they must run aground on a certain island. Deliverance will include disaster for the vessel. This defines realistic hope—no denial of coming wreck, yet assurance of life. The verse teaches that God’s salvation may come by unexpected routes; avoiding loss is not guaranteed, but preservation of people is. It also signals that they will reach land unknown to them, a controlled outcome amid chaos. The company must prepare emotionally and practically to beach or break the ship, trusting that God’s promise holds when the hull fails.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

But we must be cast upon a certain island.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Howbeit we must be cast upon a certain island.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

But we must be cast upon a certain island.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But we will be sent on to a certain island.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and on a certain island it behoveth us to be cast.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And we must come unto a certain island.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But we must be cast ashore on a certain island.

Context

After declaring faith in God’s promise of life, Paul explains that the path of deliverance is a shipwreck on an island. This shapes the crew’s tactical decisions going forward. The next verses will jump ahead to the fourteenth night, with the ship being driven in the sea of Adria and the sailors sensing land nearby. The narrative’s timing shows that the promise sustains them for many dark hours before signs of land appear.

v.25Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even so as it hath been spoken unto me.

v.26This passage

v.27But when the fourteenth night was come, as we were driven to and fro in the sea of Adria, about midnight the sailors surmised that they were drawing near to some country:

Cross references

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

  • Acts 28:1

    And when we were escaped, then we knew that the island was called Melita.

  • Acts 27:17

    and when they had hoisted it up, they used helps, under-girding the ship; and, fearing lest they should be cast upon the Syrtis, they lowered the gear, and so were driven.

  • Acts 27:29

    And fearing lest haply we should be cast ashore on rocky ground, they let go four anchors from the stern, and wished for the day.

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