Bible Strands
Acts 27:43
But the centurion, wanting to spare Paul’s life, thwarted their plan. He commanded those who could swim to jump overboard first and get to land.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The centurion acts during the shipwreck aftermath to stop soldiers from killing the prisoners. He intervenes directly to protect Paul while ordering the swimmers to reach shore first.
The words — βουλόμενος (boulomenos) means "desiring" and ἐκώλυσεν (ekōlysen) means "he hindered." These terms describe the centurion's deliberate choice to override the military plan to preserve Paul's life.
The thread — The text records the centurion's protective action before the cross-references show how it aligns with Julius's prior consideration in Acts 27:3 and the commander's earlier rescue in Acts 23:10. This pattern reflects the principle that divine favor can pacify adversaries, as stated in Proverbs 16:7.
Why it lands — The passage requires the reader to observe how a single authoritative decision in crisis can redirect a fatal course toward survival. It asks for recognition that preservation often depends on deliberate human action executing a specific command.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
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:
Cross-references
- Acts 27:3 The next day we landed at Sidon, and Julius treated Paul with consideration, allowing him to visit his friends and receive their care.
- Proverbs 16:7 When a man’s ways please the LORD, He makes even the man’s enemies live at peace with him.
- Acts 23:10 The dispute grew so violent that the commander was afraid they would tear Paul to pieces. He ordered the soldiers to go down and remove him by force and bring him into the barracks.
- Acts 23:24 Provide mounts for Paul to take him safely to Governor Felix.”
- Acts 27:11 But contrary to Paul’s advice, the centurion was persuaded by the pilot and by the owner of the ship.
- 2 Corinthians 11:25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked. I spent a night and a day in the open sea.
- Acts 27:31 But Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men remain with the ship, you cannot be saved.”