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Acts 27:38

New Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Acts 27:38 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, throwing out the wheat into the sea.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, throwing out the wheat into the sea.
Acts 27:38 — American Standard Version

Context — Acts 27

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
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.
36Then were they all of good cheer, and themselves also took food.
37And we were in all in the ship two hundred threescore and sixteen souls.
38And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, throwing out the wheat into the sea.
39And when it was day, they knew not the land: but they perceived a certain bay with a beach, and they took counsel whether they could drive the ship upon it.
40And 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.
41But lighting upon a place where two seas met, they ran the vessel aground; and the foreship struck and remained unmoveable, but the stern began to break up by the violence [of the waves].
← Acts 27:37Acts 27:39 →
← 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 when they had eaten enough, etc.]] Were satisfied, having eaten a full meal: they lightened the ship; of its burden, that it might the better carry them to the shore, and that by the following method: and cast out the wheat into the sea; which seems to have been part of the ship’s provision; or one part of their lading, which they brought from Egypt, and were carrying to Italy: they had cast out some of the goods of the ship before, and also the tackling of the ship, and now, last of all, the wheat; for what was eatable they reserved till last, not knowing to what extremity they might be reduced.”
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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
“when they had eaten enough, &c.--With fresh strength after the meal, they make a third and last effort to lighten the ship, not only by pumping, as before, but by throwing the whole cargo of wheat into the sea (see on Act 27:6).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“They lightened the ship - By casting the wheat into the sea. As they had no hope of saving the cargo, and had no further use for it, they hoped that by throwing the wheat overboard the ship would draw less water, and that thus they would be able to run the vessel on the shore. 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
“Casting out the wheat - So firmly did they now depend on what St. Paul had said. Acts 27:39”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“they lightened: Act 27:18, Act 27:19; Job 2:4; Jon 1:5; Mat 6:25, Mat 16:26; Heb 12:1 The wheat: The Romans imported corn from Egypt, by way of Alexandria, to which this ship belonged; for a curious account of which see Bryant's treatise on the Euroclydon. Acts 27:40”
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Related study paths

Read Acts 27 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification