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Acts 27:30

New Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Acts 27:30 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “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,” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

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,
Acts 27:30 — American Standard Version

Context — Acts 27

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
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:
28and they sounded, and found twenty fathoms; and after a little space, they sounded again, and found fifteen fathoms.
29And fearing lest haply we should be cast ashore on rocky ground, they let go four anchors from the stern, and wished for the day.
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,
31Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved.
32Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the boat, and let her fall off.
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.
← Acts 27:29Acts 27:31 →
← Full Chapter 27 Acts Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And as the shipmen were about to flee out of the ship, etc.] To save their lives, concluding that it was in the utmost danger, and that it would quickly, notwithstanding the anchors cast out, break away, and fall upon the rocks, and split to pieces: when they had let down the boat into the sea; which before they had taken up into the ship, (<442716>Acts 27:16,17) and now they let it down, in order to get into it, and make their escape: under colour as though they would have cast anchors out of the foreship; the foremost part of the ship, the prow of it; their pretence in attempting to get out of the ship, and into the boat, was, that whereas there were anchors cast out of the stern, or…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“as the shipmen were about to flee out of the ship--under cover of night. when they had let down the boat . . . as though they would . . . cast anchors out of the foreship--"bow"--rather, "carry out" anchors, to hold the ship fore as well as aft. "This could have been of no advantage in the circumstances, and as the pretext could not deceive a seaman, we must infer that the officers of the ship were parties to the unworthy attempt, which was perhaps detected by the nautical skill of St. Luke, and communicated by him to St. Paul" [SMITH].”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The shipmen - The sailors, leaving the prisoners. Under colour - Under pretence. They pretended that it was necessary to get into the boat, and carry the anchors ahead of the ship so as to make it secure, but with a real intention to make for the shore. Out of the foreship - From the prow, so as to make the fore-part of the ship secure. The reason why they did this was probably that they expected the ship would go to pieces; and, since all on board could not be saved in one small boat, they resolved to escape to a place of safety as soon as possible. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“The sailors were attempting to flee out of the ship - Supposing the boat would go more safely over the shallows. Acts 27:31”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“27:30-32 This time the soldiers listened to Paul (cp. 27:10-11).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“the boat: Act 27:16, Act 27:32 foreship: Act 27:41 Acts 27:31”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification