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Acts 27:42

New Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Acts 27:42 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And the soldiers` counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any [of them] should swim out, and escape.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And the soldiers` counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any [of them] should swim out, and escape.
Acts 27:42 — American Standard Version

Context — Acts 27

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
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].
42And the soldiers` counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any [of them] should swim out, and escape.
43But 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;
44and the rest, some on planks, and some on [other] things from the ship. And so it came to pass, that they all escaped safe to the land.
← Acts 27:41Acts 27:43 →
← 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 the soldiers’ counsel was to kill the prisoners, etc.] Paul, and the rest: this they had not only an inclination to, but they declared it, and gave it as their opinion, and what they thought advisable to be done directly: lest any of them should swim out and escape; and they should be accountable for them: but this was dreadful wickedness in them to seek to take away the lives of others, when they themselves were in so much danger; and monstrous ingratitude to the Apostle Paul, who had been so much concerned for their lives, and careful of them, and had been the means of saving them, and for whose sake they were saved: the devil must have had a great hand in this.”
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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
“the soldiers' counsel was to hill the prisoners, lest any . . . should escape--Roman cruelty, which made the keepers answerable for their prisoners with their own lives, is here reflected in this cruel proposal.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“And the soldiers’ counsel ... - Why they gave this advice is not known. It was probably, however, because the Roman military discipline was very strict, and if they escaped it would be charged on them that it had been done by the negligence and unfaithfulness of the soldiers. They therefore proposed to kill them, though contrary to all humanity, justice, and laws; presuming, probably, that it would be supposed that they had perished in the wreck. This is a remarkable proof that people can be cruel even when experiencing the tender mercy of God, and that the most affecting scenes of divine goodness will not mitigate the natural ferocity and cruelty of those who delight in blood. return to…”
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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 counsel - Cruel, unjust, ungrateful. Acts 27:44”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“27:42-44 Even in a crisis, the prisoners remained the responsibility of the soldiers (see 12:19; 16:27; 27:32; see study note on 16:27). Fortunately, the commanding officer intervened on their behalf. It was a clear indication of God’s protection and favor that all 276 people made it safely to shore, precisely fulfilling the angel’s promise (see 27:24).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Psa 74:20; Pro 12:10; Ecc 9:3; Mar 15:15-20; Luk 23:40, Luk 23:41 Acts 27:43”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification