King James Version

What Does Acts 27:30 Mean?

Acts 27:30 in the King James Version says “And as the shipmen were about to flee out of the ship, when they had let down the boat into the sea, under colour as tho...” — study this verse from Acts chapter 27 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“And as the shipmen were about to flee out of the ship, when they had let down the boat into the sea, under colour as though they would have cast anchors out of the foreship,”

Acts 27:30 · KJV

Context

28

And sounded, and found it twenty fathoms: and when they had gone a little further, they sounded again, and found it fifteen fathoms.

29

Then fearing lest we should have fallen upon rocks , they cast four anchors out of the stern, and wished for the day.

30

And as the shipmen were about to flee out of the ship, when they had let down the boat into the sea, under colour as though they would have cast anchors out of the foreship,

31

Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved.

32

Then the soldiers cut off the ropes of the boat, and let her fall off.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The shipmen were about to flee out of the ship—The sailors' attempted desertion reveals self-preservation instinct overriding duty and divine promise. The Greek nautai (sailors) were experienced seamen, yet panic eclipsed professional responsibility. Their deception under colour as though they would have cast anchors shows how crisis exposes character—religious pretense masking cowardice. Luke's nautical precision ('foreship,' technical anchor terminology) validates his eyewitness account.

Paul's earlier assurance (v. 22-26) that all would survive required human cooperation, not passive fatalism. The sailors' expertise was necessary for safe landing, demonstrating how divine sovereignty works through human means, not apart from them.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Mediterranean sailing required specialized knowledge of winds, currents, and coastal navigation. Lifeboats (Greek skaphe) were small boats towed behind or carried aboard larger vessels. Sailors abandoning ship would have doomed passengers unfamiliar with seamanship, making their desertion particularly treacherous during this 60 AD storm.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does panic lead believers to abandon God's clear promises and pursue self-preservation?
  2. In what ways does God's sovereignty require rather than eliminate human responsibility and action?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 22 words
τῶν1 of 22
G3588

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

δὲ2 of 22

“And”

G1161

but, and, etc

ναυτῶν3 of 22

“as the shipmen”

G3492

a boatman, i.e., seaman

ζητούντων4 of 22

“were about”

G2212

to seek (literally or figuratively); specially, (by hebraism) to worship (god), or (in a bad sense) to plot (against life)

φυγεῖν5 of 22

“to flee”

G5343

to run away (literally or figuratively); by implication, to shun; by analogy, to vanish

ἐκ6 of 22

“out of”

G1537

a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct

τοῦ7 of 22
G3588

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

πλοίου8 of 22

“the ship”

G4143

a sailer, i.e., vessel

καὶ9 of 22

“when”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

χαλασάντων10 of 22

“they had let down”

G5465

to lower (as into a void)

τὴν11 of 22
G3588

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

σκάφην12 of 22

“the boat”

G4627

a "skiff" (as if dug out), or yawl (carried aboard a large vessel for landing)

εἰς13 of 22

“into”

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

τὴν14 of 22
G3588

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

θάλασσαν15 of 22

“the sea”

G2281

the sea (genitive case or specially)

προφάσει16 of 22

“under colour”

G4392

an outward showing, i.e., pretext

ὡς17 of 22

“as though”

G5613

which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)

ἐκ18 of 22

“out of”

G1537

a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct

πρώρας19 of 22

“the foreship”

G4408

the prow, i.e., forward part of a vessel

μελλόντων20 of 22

“they would”

G3195

to intend, i.e., be about to be, do, or suffer something (of persons or things, especially events; in the sense of purpose, duty, necessity, probabili

ἀγκύρας21 of 22

“anchors”

G45

an "anchor" (as crooked)

ἐκτείνειν22 of 22

“have cast”

G1614

to extend

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 27:30 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 27:30 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Acts 27:16Acts 27:32

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