King James Version

What Does Acts 27:18 Mean?

Acts 27:18 in the King James Version says “And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next day they lightened the ship ;” — study this verse from Acts chapter 27 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next day they lightened the ship ;”

Acts 27:18 · KJV

Context

16

And running under a certain island which is called Clauda, we had much work to come by the boat:

17

Which when they had taken up, they used helps, undergirding the ship; and, fearing lest they should fall into the quicksands, strake sail, and so were driven.

18

And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next day they lightened the ship ;

19

And the third day we cast out with our own hands the tackling of the ship.

20

And when neither 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.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
We being exceedingly tossed with a tempest—The Greek σφοδρῶς χειμαζομένων (sphodrōs cheimazomenōn) means 'violently storm-tossed,' conveying relentless battering. The next day they lightened the ship (ἐκβολὴν ἐποιοῦντο, ekbolēn epoiounto, 'they made a throwing out')—jettisoning cargo, likely the wheat destined for Rome. Economically catastrophic, this desperate measure reduced weight and raised the waterline. Spiritually symbolic: crisis forces us to jettison what we valued—success, security, possessions—to survive. The progression (vv. 18-19, 38) shows escalating desperation: cargo, then ship's tackle, then food supplies. Each loss strips away false securities until only God's word remains (27:25).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Grain ships carried 1,000+ tons of Egyptian wheat to feed Rome. Throwing cargo overboard represented staggering financial loss—the owner's ruin, the crew's unpaid voyage. Ancient ships sat lower in water when heavily laden, making them more vulnerable to swamping. Lightening the ship was a last-resort survival measure.

Reflection Questions

  1. What 'cargo'—possessions, ambitions, securities—has God asked you to jettison in life's storms?
  2. How does progressive loss in trials prepare you to cling solely to God's promises?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 8 words
σφοδρῶς1 of 8

“being exceedingly”

G4971

very much

δὲ2 of 8

“And”

G1161

but, and, etc

χειμαζομένων3 of 8

“tossed with a tempest”

G5492

to storm, i.e., (passively) to labor under a gale

ἡμῶν4 of 8

“we”

G2257

of (or from) us

τῇ5 of 8
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἑξῆς6 of 8

“the next”

G1836

successive

ἐκβολὴν7 of 8

“day they lightened the ship”

G1546

ejection, i.e., (specially) a throwing overboard of the cargo

ἐποιοῦντο8 of 8
G4160

to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Acts. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Acts 27:18 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Acts 27:18 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jonah 1:5Acts 27:38Matthew 16:26Hebrews 12:1Acts 27:19Luke 16:8

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