📖 Acts — Chapter 27 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Red lettering identifies words spoken by Jesus; it is an editorial reading aid. Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
Acts 27:1 And Rwhen it was determined that we should sail into Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners unto one named Julius, a centurion of Augustus’ band.
Acts 27:2 And entering into a ship of Adramyttium, we launched, meaning Rto sail by the coasts of Asia; one Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us.
Acts 27:3 And the next day we touched at RSidon. And Julius courteously entreated Paul, and gave him liberty to go unto his friends to refresh himself.
Acts 27:4 And when we had launched from thence, we sailed under RCyprus, because the winds were contrary.
Acts 27:5 And when we had sailed over the sea of RCilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city of Lycia.
Acts 27:6 And there the centurion found a ship of RAlexandria sailing into Italy; and he put us therein.
Acts 27:7 And when we had sailed slowly many days, and scarce were come over against Cnidus, the wind not suffering us, Rwe sailed under Crete, over against Salmone;
Acts 27:8 And, hardly passing it, came unto a place which is called The fair havens; nigh whereunto was the city of Lasea.
Acts 27:9 Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because Rthe fast was now already past, Paul admonished them,
Acts 27:10 And said unto them, Sirs, RI perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives.
Acts 27:11 Nevertheless the centurion Rbelieved the master and the owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul.
Acts 27:12 And because Rthe haven was not commodious to winter in, the more part advised to depart thence also, if by any means they might attain to Phenice, and there to winter; which is an haven of Crete, and lieth toward the south west and north west.
Acts 27:13 And when Rthe south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, loosing thence, they sailed close by Crete.
Acts 27:14 But Rnot long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon.
Acts 27:15 And when the ship was caught, and could not bear up into the wind, we let her drive.
Acts 27:16 And running under a certain island which is called Clauda, we had much work to come by the boat:
Acts 27:17 Which when they had taken up, they used helps, undergirding the ship; and, Rfearing lest they should fall into the quicksands, strake sail, and so were driven.
Acts 27:18 And we Rbeing exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next day they lightened the ship;
Acts 27:19 And the third day we cast out with our own hands the tackling of the ship.
Acts 27:20 And when Rneither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away.
Acts 27:21 But Rafter long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss.
Acts 27:22 And now RI exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man’s life among you, but of the ship.
Acts 27:23 For Rthere stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve,
Acts 27:24 Saying, RFear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.
Acts 27:25 Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for RI believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.
Acts 27:26 Howbeit we must be cast upon Ra certain island.
Acts 27:27 But when the fourteenth night was come, as we were driven up and down in Adria, about midnight Rthe shipmen deemed that they drew near to some country;
Acts 27:28 And sounded, and found it twenty fathoms: and when they had gone a little further, they sounded again, and found it fifteen fathoms.
Acts 27:29 Then fearing lest we should have Rfallen upon rocks, they cast four anchors out of the stern, and wished for the day.
Acts 27:30 And as the shipmen were about to flee out of the ship, when they had let down Rthe boat into the sea, under colour as though they would have cast anchors out of the foreship,
Acts 27:31 Paul Rsaid to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved.
Acts 27:32 RThen the soldiers cut off the ropes of the boat, and let her fall off.
Acts 27:33 And while the day was coming on, Paul besought them all to take meat, saying, This day is the fourteenth day that ye have tarried and continued fasting, having taken nothing.
Acts 27:34 Wherefore I pray you to take some meat: Rfor this is for your health: for there shall not an hair fall from the head of any of you.
Acts 27:35 And when he had thus spoken, he took bread, Rand gave thanks to God in presence of them all: and when he had broken it, he began to eat.
Acts 27:36 Then were Rthey all of good cheer, and they also took some meat.
Acts 27:37 And we were in all in the ship two hundred threescore and sixteen Rsouls.
Acts 27:38 And when they had eaten enough, Rthey lightened the ship, and cast out the wheat into the sea.
Acts 27:39 And when it was day, they knew not the land: but they discovered a certain creek with a shore, into the which they were minded, if it were possible, to thrust in the ship.
Acts 27:40 And when they had Rtaken up the anchors, they committed themselves unto the sea, and loosed the rudder bands, and hoised up the mainsail to the wind, and made toward shore.
Acts 27:41 And falling into a place where two seas met, Rthey ran the ship aground; and the forepart stuck fast, and remained unmoveable, but the hinder part was broken with the violence of the waves.
Acts 27:42 And the soldiers’ counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim out, and escape.
Acts 27:43 But the centurion, Rwilling 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:
Acts 27:44 And the rest, some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship. And so it came to pass, Rthat they escaped all safe to land.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
Acts 27:1–12 — The voyage begins and a warning is disregarded
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Paul sails as a prisoner under Julius, with companions and changing ports. Slow progress brings them to Fair Havens, but the officer prefers the pilot’s and owner’s advice to Paul’s warning about loss.
Key Truth: Hear a serious warning carefully before choosing convenience.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “And when it was ____ that we should sail into Italy, they delivered Paul and …” (Acts 27:1)
Find it in Acts 27:1 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “And when we had launched from thence, we ____ under Cyprus, because the winds were contrary.” (Acts 27:4)
Find it in Acts 27:4 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “And because the ____ was not commodious to winter in, the more part advised …” (Acts 27:12)
Find it in Acts 27:12 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Acts 27:13–26 — The storm strips confidence while Paul brings encouragement
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
A violent wind drives the ship, gear is thrown out, and hope of safety fades. Paul recalls the warning and reports an angelic promise concerning his appearance before Caesar and the lives of those sailing with him.
Key Truth: Encourage others through truthful hope without denying present danger.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “And when the ____ wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, …” (Acts 27:13)
Find it in Acts 27:13 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “And when neither sun nor ____ in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on …” (Acts 27:20)
Find it in Acts 27:20 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “____ we must be cast upon a certain island.” (Acts 27:26)
Find it in Acts 27:26 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Acts 27:27–44 — Practical action accompanies the promise of safety
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
As land approaches, Paul prevents the sailors’ escape and urges food for strength. The ship breaks on a shoal; the officer prevents the prisoners’ killing, and all reach land by swimming or on wreckage.
Key Truth: Join trust with the practical actions required to protect life.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “But when the ____ night was come, as we were driven up and down …” (Acts 27:27)
Find it in Acts 27:27 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “____ were they all of good cheer, and they also took …” (Acts 27:36)
Find it in Acts 27:36 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “And the ____ , some on boards, and some on broken pieces of …” (Acts 27:44)
Find it in Acts 27:44 (KJV).
Related Scripture (KJV)
Psalms 107:28 — The psalm’s account of distress at sea and rescue offers a related passage for the voyage.
This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.
Reflect and Apply
What practical action should accompany the hope or reassurance you offer others?
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. Which account best distinguishes Acts 27:1–12 (The voyage begins and a warning is disregarded) from the other movements of this chapter?
2. Which account best distinguishes Acts 27:13–26 (The storm strips confidence while Paul brings encouragement) from the other movements of this chapter?
3. Which account best distinguishes Acts 27:27–44 (Practical action accompanies the promise of safety) from the other movements of this chapter?
4. What identity underlies Paul's account of the angel's assurance?
5. How does Paul's warning connect assurance with required action?
Notes
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