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.

◄ Acts 27:43 ►

New International Version
But the centurion wanted to spare Paul’s life and kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and get to land.

New Living Translation
But the commanding officer wanted to spare Paul, so he didn’t let them carry out their plan. Then he ordered all who could swim to jump overboard first and make for land.

English Standard Version
But the centurion, wishing to save Paul, kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and make for the land,

Berean Standard Bible
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 Literal Bible
But the centurion, desiring to save Paul, hindered them of the purpose; and he commanded those being able to swim, having cast themselves off first, to go out on the land,

King James Bible
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:

New King James Version
But the centurion, wanting to save Paul, kept them from their purpose, and commanded that those who could swim should jump overboard first and get to land,

New American Standard Bible
but the centurion, wanting to bring Paul safely through, kept them from accomplishing their intention, and commanded that those who could swim were to jump overboard first and get to land,

NASB 1995
but the centurion, wanting to bring Paul safely through, kept them from their intention, and commanded that those who could swim should jump overboard first and get to land,

NASB 1977
but the centurion, wanting to bring Paul safely through, kept them from their intention, and commanded that those who could swim should jump overboard first and get to land,

Legacy Standard Bible
but the centurion, wanting to bring Paul safely through, kept them from their intention, and ordered that those who could swim should jump overboard first and get to land,

Amplified Bible
but the centurion, wanting to save Paul, kept them from [carrying out] their plan. He commanded those who could swim to jump overboard first and get to the shore;

Christian Standard Bible
But the centurion kept them from carrying out their plan because he wanted to save Paul, and so he ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and get to land.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But the centurion kept them from carrying out their plan because he wanted to save Paul, so he ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and get to land.

American Standard Version
But the centurion, desiring to save Paul, stayed them from their purpose; and commanded that they who could swim should cast themselves overboard, and get first to the land;

Contemporary English Version
But Captain Julius wanted to save Paul's life, and he did not let the soldiers do what they had planned. Instead, he ordered everyone who could swim to jump into the water and head for shore.

English Revised Version
But the centurion, desiring to save Paul, stayed them from their purpose; and commanded that they which could swim should cast themselves overboard, and get first to the land:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
However, the officer wanted to save Paul, so he stopped the soldiers from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and swim ashore.

Good News Translation
But the army officer wanted to save Paul, so he stopped them from doing this. Instead, he ordered everyone who could swim to jump overboard first and swim ashore;

International Standard Version
but the centurion wanted to save Paul, so he prevented them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and get to land.

Majority Standard Bible
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.

NET Bible
But the centurion, wanting to save Paul's life, prevented them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and get to land,

New Heart English Bible
But the centurion, desiring to save Paul, stopped them from their purpose, and commanded that those who could swim should throw themselves overboard first to go toward the land;

Webster's Bible Translation
But the centurion, willing to save Paul, kept them from their purpose, and commanded that they who could swim, should cast themselves first into the sea, and get to land:

Weymouth New Testament
But their Captain, bent on securing Paul's safety, kept them from their purpose and gave orders that those who could swim should first jump overboard and get to land;

World English Bible
But the centurion, desiring to save Paul, stopped them from their purpose, and commanded that those who could swim should throw themselves overboard first to go toward the land;

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
but the centurion, resolving to save Paul, hindered them from the counsel, and commanded those able to swim, having cast themselves out first—to get to the land,

Berean Literal Bible
But the centurion, desiring to save Paul, hindered them of the purpose; and he commanded those being able to swim, having cast themselves off first, to go out on the land,

Young's Literal Translation
but the centurion, wishing to save Paul, hindered them from the counsel, and did command those able to swim, having cast themselves out first -- to get unto the land,

Smith's Literal Translation
But the centurion wishing to save Paul, hindered from the resolution; and he commanded those being able to swim, having cast off first, to come to land:

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
But the centurion, willing to save Paul, forbade it to be done; and he commanded that they who could swim, should cast themselves first into the sea, and save themselves, and get to land.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But the centurion, wanting to save Paul, prohibited it from being done. And he ordered those who were able to swim to jump in first, and to escape, and to get to the land.

New American Bible
but the centurion wanted to save Paul and so kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and get to the shore,

New Revised Standard Version
but the centurion, wishing to save Paul, kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and make for the land,

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
But the centurion stopped them from doing this, because he was willing to save Paul; so he commanded those who could swim to cast themselves first into the sea and get to land.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And the Centurion denied them this because he wanted to save Paulus, and those who were able to take to swimming he commanded first to swim and to pass on to land.

NT Translations

Anderson New Testament
But the centurion, wishing to save Paul, kept them from their purpose, and commanded those who were able to swim, to throw themselves into the sea first, and get to land;

Godbey New Testament
but the centurion, wishing to save Paul, forbade them from their counsel; and commanded that those who were able to swim, having first thrown themselves overboard, to go to the land;

Haweis New Testament
But the centurion, desirous to preserve Paul, withheld them from their purpose, and commanded those who were able to swim to jump overboard first, and reach the land:

Mace New Testament
who had a mind to save Paul, prevented their design: and order'd all that could swim immediately to get off to shore,

Weymouth New Testament
But their Captain, bent on securing Paul's safety, kept them from their purpose and gave orders that those who could swim should first jump overboard and get to land;

Worrell New Testament
But the centurion, wishing to save Paul, kept them from their purpose; and he commanded that those able to swim, throwing themselves first into the sea, should get out upon the land;

Worsley New Testament
But the centurion, desirous to save Paul, hindered them from their purpose, and ordered those that could swim to throw themselves out first, and get off to land:

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

The Shipwreck
…42The soldiers planned to kill the prisoners so none of them could swim to freedom. 43But 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. 44The rest were to follow on planks and various parts of the ship. In this way everyone was brought safely to land.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Matthew 14:28-31
“Lord, if it is You,” Peter replied, “command me to come to You on the water.” / “Come,” said Jesus. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water, and came toward Jesus. / But when he saw the strength of the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” ...

Jonah 1:12-15
“Pick me up,” he answered, “and cast me into the sea, so it may quiet down for you. For I know that I am to blame for this violent storm that has come upon you.” / Nevertheless, the men rowed hard to get back to dry land, but they could not, for the sea was raging against them more and more. / So they cried out to the LORD: “Please, O LORD, do not let us perish on account of this man’s life! Do not charge us with innocent blood! For You, O LORD, have done as You pleased.” ...

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.

Psalm 107:28-30
Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and He brought them out of their distress. / He calmed the storm to a whisper, and the waves of the sea were hushed. / They rejoiced in the silence, and He guided them to the harbor they desired.

Mark 4:39-41
Then Jesus got up and rebuked the wind and the sea. “Silence!” He commanded. “Be still!” And the wind died down, and it was perfectly calm. / “Why are you so afraid?” He asked. “Do you still have no faith?” / Overwhelmed with fear, they asked one another, “Who is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?”

John 6:19-21
When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the sea—and they were terrified. / But Jesus spoke up: “It is I; do not be afraid.” / Then they were willing to take Him into the boat, and at once the boat reached the shore where they were heading.

Isaiah 43:2
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you go through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched; the flames will not set you ablaze.

Luke 8:24-25
The disciples went and woke Him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” Then Jesus got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters, and they subsided, and all was calm. / “Where is your faith?” He asked. Frightened and amazed, they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey Him!”

Exodus 14:21-22
Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the LORD drove back the sea with a strong east wind that turned it into dry land. So the waters were divided, / and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on their right and on their left.

Psalm 69:1-3
For the choirmaster. To the tune of “Lilies.” Of David. Save me, O God, for the waters are up to my neck. / I have sunk into the miry depths, where there is no footing; I have drifted into deep waters, where the flood engulfs me. / I am weary from my crying; my throat is parched. My eyes fail, looking for my God.

1 Samuel 30:6
And David was greatly distressed because the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of every man grieved for his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the LORD his God.

2 Kings 6:16-17
“Do not be afraid,” Elisha answered, “for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” / Then Elisha prayed, “O LORD, please open his eyes that he may see.” And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw that the hills were full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

Daniel 6:16-23
So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the den of lions. The king said to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, deliver you!” / A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the rings of his nobles, so that nothing concerning Daniel could be changed. / Then the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting. No entertainment was brought before him, and sleep fled from him. ...

Hebrews 11:29
By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to follow, they were drowned.

Genesis 7:17-18
For forty days the flood kept coming on the earth, and the waters rose and lifted the ark high above the earth. / So the waters continued to surge and rise greatly on the earth, and the ark floated on the surface of the waters.

Treasury of Scripture

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:

willing.

Acts 27:3,11,31
And the next day we touched at Sidon. And Julius courteously entreated Paul, and gave him liberty to go unto his friends to refresh himself…

Acts 23:10,24
And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should have been pulled in pieces of them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and to take him by force from among them, and to bring him into the castle…

Proverbs 16:7
When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.

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Acts 27

1. Paul shipping toward Rome,
10. foretells of the danger of the voyage,
11. but is not believed.
14. They are tossed to and fro by a storm;
41. and suffer shipwreck;
44. yet all come safe to land.

Berean Study Bible

But the centurion
The centurion in this passage is a Roman officer, typically in command of a hundred soldiers. The Greek word used here is "ἑκατόνταρχος" (hekatontarchos), which reflects a position of authority and responsibility. Historically, centurions were known for their leadership and discipline. In the context of Acts 27, the centurion is Julius, who has shown kindness to Paul earlier in the journey (Acts 27:3). His role is crucial as he holds the power to make decisions affecting the lives of those on the ship. This highlights the providence of God in placing Paul under the care of someone who would ultimately act to preserve his life.

wanted to spare Paul’s life
The centurion's desire to spare Paul is significant. The Greek word for "spare" is "διασῴζω" (diasōzō), meaning to save thoroughly or to preserve. This reflects a deep sense of responsibility and perhaps respect or admiration for Paul. Historically, Roman soldiers were often pragmatic, and the centurion's decision may have been influenced by Paul's earlier prophetic warning about the voyage (Acts 27:10) and his leadership during the storm. This act of sparing Paul can be seen as a divine intervention, ensuring that Paul would fulfill his mission to testify in Rome.

and kept them from carrying out their plan
The phrase indicates a thwarting of intentions. The Greek word for "plan" is "βουλή" (boulē), which can mean counsel or purpose. The soldiers' plan was to kill the prisoners to prevent any escape, a common practice to avoid the severe penalties for losing prisoners. The centurion's intervention prevented this, showing how God can use individuals in authority to protect His servants. This aligns with the biblical theme of God's sovereignty and protection over His people, ensuring that His purposes are accomplished despite human intentions.

He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and get to land
The centurion's order is practical and decisive. The Greek word for "ordered" is "κελεύω" (keleuō), which implies a command or directive. This reflects the centurion's leadership and quick thinking in a crisis. The instruction for those who could swim to jump overboard first demonstrates a strategic approach to survival, ensuring that the strongest would reach land and potentially assist others. This moment underscores the theme of survival and deliverance, as God provides a way of escape for Paul and the others, fulfilling His promise that none would perish (Acts 27:24). The centurion's actions serve as a reminder of the importance of wise leadership and the role of human agency in God's divine plan.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(43) But the centurion, willing to save Paul.--Better, wishing, as expressing a stronger desire than the sense of mere acquiescence which has come to be attached to "willing." The Apostle had, we have seen, from the outset gained the respect of the centurion Julius (Acts 27:1). The courage and thoughtfulness of the night that had just passed was likely to have turned that respect into something like admiration.

Commanded that they which could swim . . .--The order which was observed shows that the centurion kept his head clear, and had the power to enforce discipline. It was not the rush of a sauve qui peut. The swimmers were to plunge in first so as to get to the beach and be in readiness to help their comrades. St. Paul, who had thrice been shipwrecked, and had once passed a night and day in the open sea (2Corinthians 11:25), was probably among the former group, and the order itself may well have been suggested by him.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 43. - Desiring for willing, A.V.; stayed for kept, A.V.; overboard, and get first to the land for first into the sea, and get to land, A.V. To save Paul; διασῶσαι, and ver. 44 and Acts 28:1, 4; a word of very frequent medical use, employed six times by St. Luke, but only twice elsewhere in the New Testament (Matthew 14:26; 1 Peter 3:20). Swim; κοολυμβάω, here only in the Bible; though κολυμβήθρα, properly a swim-ruing-bath, rendered "pool" in the A.V., occurs five times in St. John's Gospel. The verb means "to dive" rather than "to swim." Both the verb and the noun are used frequently in medical language for "swimming in a bath," and ῤίπτειν σεαυτὸν (like ἀπορρίπτειν here) is the phrase for jumping into the bath.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Greek

But
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

the
ὁ (ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

centurion,
ἑκατοντάρχης (hekatontarchēs)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1543: A centurion of the Roman army. Or hekatontarchos hek-at-on'-tar-khos; from hekaton and archo; the captain of one hundred men.

wanting
βουλόμενος (boulomenos)
Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1014: To will, intend, desire, wish. Middle voice of a primary verb; to 'will, ' i.e. be willing.

to spare
διασῶσαι (diasōsai)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 1295: From dia and sozo; to save thoroughly, i.e. to cure, preserve, rescue, etc.

Paul’s [ life ],
Παῦλον (Paulon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3972: Paul, Paulus. Of Latin origin; Paulus, the name of a Roman and of an apostle.

thwarted
ἐκώλυσεν (ekōlysen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2967: To prevent, debar, hinder; with infin: from doing so and so. From the base of kolazo; to estop, i.e. Prevent.

their
αὐτοὺς (autous)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

plan.
βουλήματος (boulēmatos)
Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 1013: Will, counsel, purpose. From boulomai; a resolve.

He commanded
ἐκέλευσέν (ekeleusen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2753: To command, order, direct, bid. From a primary kello; 'hail'; to incite by word, i.e. Order.

those
τοὺς (tous)
Article - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

who could
δυναμένους (dynamenous)
Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1410: (a) I am powerful, have (the) power, (b) I am able, I can. Of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible.

swim
κολυμβᾶν (kolymban)
Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 2860: (properly: I dive, hence) I swim. From kolumbos; to plunge into water.

to jump overboard
ἀπορίψαντας (aporipsantas)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 641: To throw away from, throw overboard. From apo and rhipto; to hurl off, i.e. Precipitate.

first
πρώτους (prōtous)
Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 4413: First, before, principal, most important. Contracted superlative of pro; foremost.

[and] get
ἐξιέναι (exienai)
Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 1826: (originally: I shall go out), I go out (away), depart. From ek and eimi; to issue, i.e. Leave, escape.

to
ἐπὶ (epi)
Preposition
Strong's 1909: On, to, against, on the basis of, at.

land.
γῆν (gēn)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1093: Contracted from a primary word; soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe.

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NT Apostles: Acts 27:43 But the centurion desiring to save Paul (Acts of the Apostles Ac)