Acts 27:43
What does Acts 27:43 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 27:43 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 27:43 means
Desiring to save Paul, the centurion stops the soldiers from killing the prisoners. He orders those who can swim to go first to land. The centurion’s favor toward Paul now becomes life-preserving for many. Mercy triumphs over fear-driven protocol. The orderly command prevents panic and enables staged evacuation. The verse shows how God can incline the hearts of rulers to protect His servants, and through them, others. Paul’s presence aboard becomes the channel of deliverance not only spiritually but practically, fulfilling the promise that all with him would be granted safety.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000But the centurion, desiring to save Paul, stayed them from their purpose; and commanded that they who could swim should cast themselves overboard, and get first to the land;
KJV
King James Version · 1611But the centurion, willing to save Paul, kept them from their purpose; and commanded that they which could swim should cast themselves first into the sea, and get to land:
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901But the centurion, desiring to save Paul, stayed them from their purpose; and commanded that they who could swim should cast themselves overboard, and get first to the land;
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But the captain, desiring to keep Paul safe, kept them from their purpose, and gave orders that those who had knowledge of swimming were to go off the ship and get first to land:
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862but the centurion, wishing to save Paul, hindered them from the counsel, and did command those able to swim, having cast themselves out first--to get unto the land,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752But the centurion, willing to save Paul, forbade it to be done. And he commanded that they who could swim should cast themselves first into the sea and save themselves and get to land.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But the centurion, desirous of saving Paul, hindered them of their purpose, and commanded those who were able to swim, casting themselves first [into the sea], to get out on land;
Context
In response to the soldiers’ lethal plan, the centurion decisively intervenes, protecting Paul and, by extension, the rest. He initiates a method for reaching shore: swimmers first. The next verse completes the rescue, with the remainder using planks and debris, and confirms that all escape safely to land. The narrative resolves with God’s word vindicated amid wreckage, closing the chapter with preservation exactly as promised.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 27:11
But the centurion gave more heed to the master and to the owner of the ship, than to those things which were spoken by Paul.
- Proverbs 16:7
When a man’s ways please Jehovah, He maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.
- Acts 23:10
And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should be torn in pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him by force from among them, and bring him into the castle.
- 2 Corinthians 11:25
Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day have I been in the deep;
- Acts 23:24
and he bade them provide beasts, that they might set Paul thereon, and bring him safe unto Felix the governor.
- Acts 27:31
Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved.
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