King James Version

What Does Acts 27:33 Mean?

Acts 27:33 in the King James Version says “And while the day was coming on, Paul besought them all to take meat, saying, This day is the fourteenth day that ye hav... — study this verse from Acts chapter 27 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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 27:33 · KJV


Context

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.

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.

34

Wherefore I pray you to take some meat: for this is for your health: for there shall not an hair fall from the head of any of you.

35

And when he had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in presence of them all: and when he had broken it, he began to eat.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
While the day was coming on—Paul seized the psychological moment between darkness and dawn to address the ship's crisis. This day is the fourteenth day that ye have tarried and continued fasting emphasizes sustained distress; the Greek asitoi (without food) suggests anxiety-induced inability to eat, not religious fasting. Two weeks of terror had depleted them physically and spiritually.

Paul's exhortation (parekalei, 'besought') shows pastoral concern for practical needs. The apostle modeled spiritual leadership addressing whole-person welfare—not just souls but bodies, not merely eternal destiny but present survival. His having taken nothing indicates they'd subsisted on minimal food, weakening them for the coming ordeal of swimming ashore.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient sailors feared shipwreck intensely; most couldn't swim. Fourteen days adrift in storm-tossed seas would have caused severe dehydration, exhaustion, and fear-induced appetite loss. The Adriatic Sea (Acts 27:27) was notorious for sudden violent storms. Dawn brought first opportunity to assess their location and plan landing strategy.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does crisis-induced anxiety prevent you from accepting God's provision for basic needs?
  2. What does Paul's concern for physical welfare teach about holistic spiritual leadership?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 21 words
Ἄχρι1 of 21

while

G891

(of time) until or (of place) up to

δὲ2 of 21

And

G1161

but, and, etc

οὗ3 of 21
G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

ἔμελλεν4 of 21

on

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

ἡμέραν5 of 21

day

G2250

day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of

γίνεσθαι6 of 21

was coming

G1096

to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)

παρεκάλει7 of 21

besought

G3870

to call near, i.e., invite, invoke (by imploration, hortation or consolation)

8 of 21
G3588

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

Παῦλος9 of 21

Paul

G3972

(little; but remotely from a derivative of g3973, meaning the same); paulus, the name of a roman and of an apostle

ἅπαντας10 of 21

them all

G537

absolutely all or (singular) every one

μεταλαβεῖν11 of 21

to take

G3335

to participate; genitive case, to accept (and use)

τροφῆς12 of 21

meat

G5160

nourishment (literally or figuratively); by implication, rations (wages)

λέγων,13 of 21

saying

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

Τεσσαρεσκαιδεκάτην14 of 21

is the fourteenth

G5065

fourteenth

σήμερον15 of 21

This day

G4594

on the (i.e., this) day (or night current or just passed); generally, now (i.e., at present, hitherto)

ἡμέραν16 of 21

day

G2250

day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of

προσδοκῶντες17 of 21

that ye have tarried

G4328

to anticipate (in thought, hope or fear); by implication, to await

ἄσιτοι18 of 21

fasting

G777

without (taking) food

διατελεῖτε19 of 21

and continued

G1300

to accomplish thoroughly, i.e., (subjectively) to persist

μηδὲν20 of 21

nothing

G3367

not even one (man, woman, thing)

προσλαβόμενοι21 of 21

having taken

G4355

to take to oneself, i.e., use (food), lead (aside), admit (to friendship or hospitality)


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 27:33 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

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