Devine Scripture

Acts 27:34

What does Acts 27:34 mean?

A plain-English look at Acts 27:34 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Acts 27:34 means

Paul pleads with them to take food “for this is for your safety,” adding the promise that not a hair will perish from any head. He connects nourishment to survival and undergirds it with God’s assurance. Eating becomes an act of faith, not just biology. The tender image of every hair safeguarded emphasizes the meticulous care God grants the entire company. This concrete encouragement turns a terrorized crowd into a disciplined group, ready to act together. The verse fuses promise and prudence: because God will save, you should strengthen yourselves to receive that salvation.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Wherefore I beseech you to take some food: for this is for your safety: for there shall not a hair perish from the head of any of you.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Wherefore I pray you to take some meat: for this is for your health: for there shall not an hair fall from the head of any of you.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Wherefore I beseech you to take some food: for this is for your safety: for there shall not a hair perish from the head of any of you.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

So I make request to you to take food; for this is for your salvation: not a hair from the head of any of you will come to destruction.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

wherefore I call upon you to take nourishment, for this is for your safety, for of not one of you shall a hair from the head fall;'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Wherefore, I pray you to take some meat for your health's sake: for there shall not an hair of the head of any of you perish.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Wherefore I exhort you to partake of food, for this has to do with your safety; for not a hair from the head of any one of you shall perish.

Context

Paul continues urging the starved crew to eat, anchoring his appeal in a divine promise of complete preservation. The next verse will show him modeling the act—taking bread, giving thanks to God before all, breaking it, and eating—thus setting a tone of reverence and normalcy amid chaos. This example leads to a visible change in morale, as the others follow suit and cheer returns to the ship.

v.33And 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.

v.34This passage

v.35And when he had said this, and had taken bread, he gave thanks to God in the presence of all; and he brake it, and began to eat.

Cross references

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

  • 1 Kings 1:52

    And Solomon said, If he shall show himself a worthy man, there shall not a hair of him fall to the earth; but if wickedness be found in him, he shall die.

  • Philippians 2:5

    Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

  • Matthew 15:32

    And Jesus called unto him his disciples, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days and have nothing to eat: and I would not send them away fasting, lest haply they faint on the way.

  • Luke 21:18

    And not a hair of your head shall perish.

  • Luke 12:7

    But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not: ye are of more value than many sparrows.

  • Matthew 10:30

    but the very hairs of your head are all numbered.

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