Chapter

Acts 27:24

ESV and he said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.’
NIV and said, 'Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.'
NASB saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar; and behold, God has graciously granted you all those who are sailing with you.’
CSB and said, 'Don't be afraid, Paul. It is necessary for you to appear before Caesar. And indeed, God has graciously given you all those who are sailing with you.'
NLT and he said, ‘Don’t be afraid, Paul, for you will surely stand trial before Caesar! What’s more, God in his goodness has granted safety to everyone sailing with you.’
KJV Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.

What does Acts 27:24 mean?

The ship's captain and pilot were warned, by Paul, that if they left Fair Havens in Crete they would lose their ship, cargo, and lives (Acts 27:10). The text doesn't say how Paul knew this. He is well-traveled, having crossed the Aegean Sea multiple times. And he's had at least three shipwrecks and spent a night and day adrift in the sea (2 Corinthians 11:25). It's likely he spoke from experience. Even so, he knew he would not die: God had promised him two years before he would get to Rome (Acts 23:11).

Now, several days in the belly of a storm that hides sun and stars, Paul reassures the other 275 crew members and passengers they will live (Acts 27:21, 37). Apparently, he's been praying for their lives, and an angel has appeared to give him God's answer (Acts 27:22–23).

Even though God promises no one will die, people still need to act. First, when the crew tries to sneak off in the lifeboat, Paul warns the centurion, and the soldiers cut the ropes (Acts 27:30–32). Then Paul gets everyone to eat so they have the strength to throw the grain overboard and swim to shore (Acts 27:33). When the ship crashes on the reef on the shores of Malta and the soldiers want to kill the prisoners, the centurion stops them. Eventually, as the boat breaks up around them, they all reach safety, whether by swimming or grabbing planks (Acts 27:42–44).
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