Acts 27:29
What does Acts 27:29 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 27:29 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 27:29 means
Afraid of being cast onto rocky ground, they drop four stern anchors and pray for daylight. Stern-anchoring holds the ship facing seaward, preventing drift onto unseen hazards. The verse captures a universal human posture in crisis: do what you can, then long for light. It also reflects good seamanship—stability first, then movement when visibility allows. Fear is not denied; it is managed by wise action. This pause between knowledge (soundings) and decision (morning run to shore) becomes the last calm before the final scramble to reach land alive.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And fearing lest haply we should be cast ashore on rocky ground, they let go four anchors from the stern, and wished for the day.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Then fearing lest we should have fallen upon rocks, they cast four anchors out of the stern, and wished for the day.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And fearing lest haply we should be cast ashore on rocky ground, they let go four anchors from the stern, and wished for the day.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Then, fearing that by chance we might come on to the rocks, they let down four hooks from the back of the ship, and made prayers for the coming of day.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and fearing lest on rough places we may fall, out of the stern having cast four anchors, they were wishing day to come.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Then fearing lest we should fall upon rough places, they cast four anchors out of the stern: and wished for the day.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890and fearing lest we should be cast on rocky places, casting four anchors out of the stern, they wished that day were come.
Context
With soundings confirming shallows, the crew stabilizes the ship through multiple anchors and awaits dawn. The next verses reveal a test of solidarity: some sailors attempt to escape by lowering the boat, pretending to set anchors from the bow. Paul will intervene, insisting that everyone must remain aboard for salvation. This episode shows that God’s promise requires corporate fidelity and obedience, not fragmented self-preservation, as they approach deliverance.
v.28and they sounded, and found twenty fathoms; and after a little space, they sounded again, and found fifteen fathoms.
v.29This passage
v.30And as the sailors were seeking to flee out of the ship, and had lowered the boat into the sea, under color as though they would lay out anchors from the foreship,
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 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 27:26
But we must be cast upon a certain island.
- Hebrews 6:19
which we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and stedfast and entering into that which is within the veil;
- Acts 27:30
And as the sailors were seeking to flee out of the ship, and had lowered the boat into the sea, under color as though they would lay out anchors from the foreship,
- Deuteronomy 28:67
In the morning thou shalt say, Would it were even! and at even thou shalt say, Would it were morning! for the fear of thy heart which thou shalt fear, and for the sight of thine eyes which thou shalt see.
- Acts 27:40
And casting off the anchors, they left them in the sea, at the same time loosing the bands of the rudders; and hoisting up the foresail to the wind, they made for the beach.
Related questions readers ask
Keep reading
Want to dig deeper? Explore Acts 27
Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Acts 27.
Topics that quote it
Topic
Bible Verses About Baptism
Baptism is a significant act symbolizing new life in Christ, repentance, and identification with his death, burial, and resurrection.
Topic
Bible Verses About Bible Reading
The Bible encourages us to read, study, and meditate on God’s Word to grow in faith and wisdom.
Topic
Bible Verses About Bitterness
Bitterness is a deep-seated resentment that can poison the heart, but God offers healing and freedom through forgiveness.
What the Bible says about…