King James Version

What Does Acts 27:41 Mean?

Acts 27:41 in the King James Version says “And falling into a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the forepart stuck fast, and remained unmove...” — study this verse from Acts chapter 27 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“And falling into a place where two seas met, they 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 27:41 · KJV

Context

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.

40

And when they had taken 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. taken: or, cut the anchors, they left them in the sea

41

And falling into a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the forepart stuck fast, and remained unmoveable, but the hinder part was broken with the violence of the waves.

42

And the soldiers' counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim out, and escape.

43

But the centurion, willing 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:

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Falling into a place where two seas met—The nautical term (τόπον διθάλασσον, topon dithalasson) describes a reef or sandbar where currents converge. Archaeological research identifies this as Malta's St. Paul's Bay, where a muddy channel between Salmonetta promontory and the island creates exactly such conditions. The forepart stuck fast, and remained unmoveable, but the hinder part was broken—Luke's precise description reflects eyewitness detail: the ship's prow lodged in sand while the stern, exposed to wave action (τῆς βίας τῶν κυμάτων, the violence of the waves), disintegrated. This divinely orchestrated shipwreck fulfilled Paul's prophecy (v. 22) while demonstrating God's sovereignty over nature's forces—the ship destroyed, but all 276 souls saved (v. 37).

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Historical & Cultural Context

This occurred in late October or early November AD 60 during Paul's voyage to Rome as a prisoner. Ancient ships were structurally vulnerable: the bow's tenon-and-mortise construction could lodge firmly in sand, while the stern's lighter construction shattered under wave assault.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's promise of deliverance (v. 24) coexist with physical hardship and material loss in your life?
  2. What does the precise fulfillment of both Paul's warning (v. 10) and God's promise (v. 24) teach about prophetic reliability?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 24 words
περιπεσόντες1 of 24

“falling”

G4045

to fall into something that is all around, i.e., light among or upon, be surrounded with

δὲ2 of 24

“And”

G1161

but, and, etc

εἰς3 of 24

“into”

G1519

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

τόπον4 of 24

“a place”

G5117

a spot (general in space, but limited by occupancy; whereas g5561 is a large but participle locality), i.e., location (as a position, home, tract, etc

διθάλασσον5 of 24

“where two seas met”

G1337

having two seas, i.e., a sound with a double outlet

ἐπώκειλαν6 of 24

“aground”

G2027

to drive upon the shore, i.e., to beach a vessel

τὴν7 of 24
G3588

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

ναῦν8 of 24

“the ship”

G3491

a boat (of any size)

καὶ9 of 24

“and”

G2532

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

ἡ10 of 24
G3588

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

μὲν11 of 24
G3303

properly, indicative of affirmation or concession (in fact); usually followed by a contrasted clause with g1161 (this one, the former, etc.)

πρῷρα12 of 24

“the forepart”

G4408

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

ἐρείσασα13 of 24

“stuck fast”

G2043

to prop, i.e., (reflexively) get fast

ἔμεινεν14 of 24

“and remained”

G3306

to stay (in a given place, state, relation or expectancy)

ἀσάλευτος15 of 24

“unmoveable”

G761

unshaken, i.e., (by implication) immovable (figuratively)

ἡ16 of 24
G3588

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

δὲ17 of 24

“And”

G1161

but, and, etc

πρύμνα18 of 24

“the hinder part”

G4403

the stern of a ship

ἐλύετο19 of 24

“was broken”

G3089

to "loosen" (literally or figuratively)

ὑπὸ20 of 24

“with”

G5259

under, i.e., (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or means, through); (with the accusative case) of place (whither (

τῆς21 of 24
G3588

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

βίας22 of 24

“the violence”

G970

force

τῶν23 of 24
G3588

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

κυμάτων24 of 24

“of the waves”

G2949

a billow (as bursting or toppling)

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 27:41 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 27:41 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Corinthians 11:25-26Ezekiel 27:262 Chronicles 20:37Acts 27:171 Kings 22:48Acts 27:26-29

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