Acts 27:43

Act 27:43. Ἀποῤῥίψαντας) viz. ἑαυτούς.

Bengel's Gnomon of the New Testament — English translation (T&T Clark, Edinburgh, 1860) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Act 27:43 . βουλόμενος : “desiring,” R.V.; the centurion had from the first, Act 27:3 , treated Paul with respect, and the respect had no doubt been deepened by the prisoner’s bearing in the hour of danger, and he would naturally wish to save the man to whom he owed his own safety, and that of the whole crew. διασῶσαι , even if he cared little for the rest he was determined “to save Paul to the end,” literally, so C. and H. There is no reason whatever to regard the words βουλ .… τὸν Π . as an interpolation. ἐκώλυσεν αὐτοὺς τοῦ β .: only here with this construction, accusative of person and genitive of thing, but similar usage in Xenophon, Polybius. For the resultative aorist, i.e. , the aorist of a verb whose present implies effort or intention, commonly denoting the success of the effort, cf. also Mat 27:20 , Act 7:36 , Burton, p. 21. τοὺς δυν . κολυμβᾷν : probably Paul was amongst the number; he had thrice been shipwrecked, and had passed a day and a night in the open sea, 2Co 11:25 (Felten, Plumptre). ἐξιέναι : four times in Acts, nowhere else in N.T., Act 13:42 , Act 17:15 , Act 20:7 . ἀποῤῥίψαντας : “should cast themselves overboard and get first to the land,” R.V., where they could help the others to safety, so Breusing, Goerne, Renan; A.V. not so expressive, ἀποῤῥίπτειν : here used reflexively, see instance in Wetstein.

The Expositor's Greek Testament, edited by W. Robertson Nicoll (1897–1910) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

God findeth even amongst his enemies them whose help he useth to preserve his.

Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain. Text via Bolls.life.

the centurion, &c.--Great must have been the influence of Paul over the centurion's mind to produce such an effect. All followed the swimmers in committing themselves to the deep, and according to the divine pledge and Paul's confident assurance given them, every soul got safe to land--yet without miracle. (While the graphic minuteness of this narrative of the shipwreck puts it beyond doubt that the narrator was himself on board, the great number of nautical phrases, which all critics have noted, along with the unprofessional air which the whole narrative wears, agrees singularly with all we know and have reason to believe of "the beloved physician"; see on Act 16:40).

Next: Acts Chapter 28

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Verse 43. Willing to save Paul, c.] Had one fallen, for the reasons those cruel and dastardly soldiers gave, so must all the rest. The centurion save that Paul vas not only an innocent, but an extraordinary and divine man and therefore, for his sake, he prevented the massacre; and, unloosing every man's bonds, he commanded those that could to swim ashore and escape. It is likely that all the soldiers escaped in this way, for it was one part of the Roman military discipline to teach the soldiers to swim.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

(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 (Act_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 (2Co_11:25), was probably among the former group, and the order itself may well have been suggested by him.

A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

43. But the centurion, willing to save] The Gk. word indicates an active desire, and not a mere willingness. Read (with R. V.) “desiring to save.” The centurion could not fail to feel that it was to the Apostle that the safety of the whole party was due, and he could hardly help feeling admiration for the prisoner, after all he had seen of him. From the first (see Act_27:3) he had been well disposed toward Paul, and the after events would not have lessened his regard. So to save him, he stops the design of his men, and saves the whole number of the prisoners.

kept them] Better, “hindered them” or (with R. V.) “stayed them.” The verb is a forcible word, and shews that the centurion was in full command of his men, and had not in the confusion lost his thoughtfulness and presence of mind.

they which could swim] This was the wisest course to adopt. Thus there would be a body ready on the shore to help those who only could float thither by the aid of something to which they were clinging. As St Paul had already been thrice shipwrecked and had been in the deep a night and a day (2Co_11:25) we may be sure that he was among those who were told off to swim ashore.

should cast themselves first into the sea, and get to land] [R. V. “should east themselves overboard and get first to the land”] What is represented in the A.V., by “into the sea” is merely the preposition compounded with the verb “to cast.” This the R. V. represents by “overboard,” and so brings the word “first” into its proper and emphatic position. The swimmers were to get into safety first of all, that then they might be in readiness to succour those who drifted to the land on the floating spars and planks.

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

And the rest, some on boards,.... Doors, tables, planks, or any such like things:

and some on broken pieces of the ship; or what came from it, as masts, beams, &c.

and so it came to pass that they escaped all safe to land; not one was lost, as Paul had foretold. And so it will be with the saints after their afflicted state in this life, who are safe by being in Christ, and by abiding in him and in the use of means; and though by reason of the many difficulties in the way, through the corruptions of their own hearts, the temptations of Satan, the hidings of God's face, various afflictions, and sometimes violent persecutions, they are scarcely saved, yet at last they are certainly saved: so it comes to pass that they get safe on the shores of eternal bliss and happiness; because they are ordained unto it, are the care of Christ, and the purchase of his blood; and are partakers of the blessings of grace, and have the Spirit, as an earnest of the heavenly inheritance; and when landed they are safe; sin will be no more; Satan will be under their feet; there will be no more afflictions of any kind; and they will be with the Lord, and for ever with him. This voyage of the apostle, and the saints with him, was an emblem of the passage of the people of God in this world to heaven: their number was but few; who besides Luke, and Aristarchus the Macedonian, were with him, is not known, Act 27:2. And so the number of the children of God, in anyone period of time, is but small in comparison of the rest of the world: the apostle and his companions had but very indifferent company, as other prisoners, a band of soldiers, and the sailors; Christ's church is as a rose in a field, a lily among thorns, vexed with the conversation of the wicked, being in a world which lies in wickedness; and which may very fitly be compared to the sea, for the waves of afflictions in it, and the restless and uneasy spirits of the men of it. Sailing at this time was dangerous, Act 27:9 as the saints' passage through this world always is, and especially now in these last and perilous days; partly through the aboundings of immorality on the one hand, and partly through the spread of error and heresy on the other. A great storm arose, Act 27:14 and there are many the Christian meets with in his voyage to heaven; and well it is for him that Christ is an hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest, and that he is built on such a foundation, which the most violent storms cannot move him from. There was no sight of sun or stars for many days, Act 27:20 and so it is sometimes with the people of God; the sun of righteousness is not seen by them, clouds interpose between him and them; and the stars, the ministers of the Gospel, are removed from them, and their eyes cannot behold their teachers, which make it a distressed time with them: yea, all hope of salvation was gone, Act 27:20 and such at times is the case of truly gracious souls; their hope, and their strength, they are ready to say, are perished from the Lord, and they are cut off from before his eyes: there was also a long abstinence from food, Act 27:21 which is sometimes the case in a spiritual sense, and is owing either to want of food, the word of the Lord being precious, there being a famine of hearing the word; or for want of appetite to it: and last of all, there was a design formed by the soldiers to kill Paul, and the prisoners, but were prevented by the centurion, Act 27:42. The sincere followers of Christ are accounted as sheep for the slaughter, and are killed all the day long in the intention of wicked men; who have always a good will to it, were they not restrained through the goodness of a civil government, and especially by the power and providence of God: however, at last, they get safe to their port and haven, where the wicked cease from troubling, and where the weary are at rest.

Next: Acts Chapter 28

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

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:

Ver. 43. Willing to save Paul] By whom he had been hitherto saved; and in whom he saw that goodness that could not but attract all hearts not congealed into steel and adamant. I read of a monster, who that night that his prince pardoned and released him, got out and slew him; this was Michael Balbus. (Zonaras in Annal.) Such another was bloody Bonner, active in bringing the Lord Cromwell (who had been his great patron) to an untimely death. In like sort dealt Bishop Watson by Mr Rough, and Bishop Bourn by Mr Bradford, who had saved their lives with the hazard of their own. William Parry was for burglary condemned to die, but saved by Queen Elizabeth’s pardon; this ungrateful man afterwards sought to requite her, by vowing her death, A. D. 1584, and was therefore worthily executed as a traitor; and indeed hanging was too good for him. (Speed.) The senate of Basil first tortured, and then burnt to ashes, a villain called Paulus Sutor, that murdered an old man that had done him many fatherlike courtesies, A.D. 1565, as judging, that to render evil for evil is brutish, but to render evil for good is devilish. (Lonicer.) Lycurgus the Lacedaemonian lawgiver would make no law against such, quod prodigiosa res esset beneficium non rependere, because it could not be imagined that any would be so unworthy as not to recompense one kindness with another. If this centurion should have done otherwise than he did in saving Paul, by whose prayers and for whoso sake he and his company had escaped, no time would have worn out his utter disgrace and infamy.

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

But the centurion, willing to save Paul - He had at first been disposed to treat Paul with kindness, Act 27:3. And his conduct on board the ship; the wisdom of his advice Act 27:10; the prudence of his conduct in the agitation and danger of the tempest; and not improbably the belief that he was under the divine protection and blessing, disposed him to spare his life.

Kept them from their purpose - Thus, for the sake of this one righteous man, the lives of all were spared. The instance here shows:

(1) That it is possible for a pious man, like Paul, so to conduct in the various trying scenes of life - the agitations, difficulties, and temptations of this world - as to conciliate the favor of the people of this world; and.(2) That important benefits often result to sinners from the righteous. Paul’s being on board was the means of saving the lives of many prisoners; and God often confers important blessings on the wicked for the sake of the pious relatives, friends, and neighbors with whom they are connected. Ten righteous men would have saved Sodom Gen 18:32; and Christians are in more ways than one the salt of the earth, and the light of the world, Mat 5:13-14. It is a privilege to be related to the friends of God - to be the children of pious parents, or to be connected with pious partners in life. It is a privilege to be connected with the friends of God in business; or to dwell near them; or to be associated with them in the various walks and dangers of life. The streams of blessings which flow to fertilize their lands, flow also to bless others; the dews of heaven which descend on their habitations, descend on all around; and the God which crowns them with loving-kindness, often fills the abodes of their neighbors and friends with the blessings of peace and salvation.

And commanded - Probably they were released from their chains.

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

The centurion, willing to save Paul; because Paul was a Roman citizen, whose death he durst not be accessory unto. It may be also, that this centurion, (if there were no more), as the Samaritan that was cleansed, did this in thankfulness unto Paul.

Should cast themselves first into the sea, and get to land; that they might be helpful to others in getting on shore.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

43. Willing—Determining.

To save Paul—It illustrates how unimpressible this company was, that of all the military none revolted from murdering their benefactor save Julius. He, probably, not only appreciated the apostle, but felt competent safely to assume the responsibility of risking the escape of the prisoners. And thus a second time we have the phenomenon of wicked men saved by a merit not their own.

They which could swim— Whether prisoners or not. The whole were now divided into two parts, the able to swim and the not able. The first go first, and the last remain until they see the result.

Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

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; diaswsai, and ver. 44 and Act_28:1, Act_28:4; a word of very frequent medical use, employed six times by St. Luke, but only twice elsewhere in the New Testament. (Mat_14:26 1Pe_3:20) Swim; koolumbaw, here only in the Bible; though kolumbhqra, 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 rJiptein seauton (like ajporriptein here) is the phrase for jumping into the bath.

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

43. “But the centurion, wishing to save Paul, prohibited them from the Counsel, and commanded those who were able to swim, first casting themselves overboard, to go out to the land,

William B. Godbey, Commentary on the New Testament (1896–1900) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

43, 44. But God had a purpose and a promise to fulfill, which did not admit of such a disposition of the prisoners, and the more cultivated nature of the centurion was the means of saving them. The incidents of the voyage had made an impression upon his mind most favorable to Paul, and he would not ignore the gratitude which he owed him. (43) " But the centurion, determined to save Paul, kept them from their purpose, and commanded those who could swim to cast themselves out and go first to land; (44) and the remainder, some on boards, and some on fragments of the ship. And thus it came to pass that all escaped safe to land. " Paul's last prediction was literally fulfilled, and his fellow-prisoners owed their lives to the centurion's partiality for him.

J. W. McGarvey (with Philip Y. Pendleton), Commentaries on the New Testament (The Fourfold Gospel, 1914; Acts; and the epistles) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

43. ὁ δὲ ἑκατοντάρχης βουλόμενος διασῶσαι, but the centurion, desiring to save. The centurion could not fail to see that it was to the Apostle that the safety of the whole party was due, and he could hardly help feeling admiration for the prisoner, after all he had seen of him. From the first (see Act 27:3) he had been well disposed toward Paul, and the after events would not have lessened his regard. So, to save him, he stops the design of his men, and saves the whole number of the prisoners.

ἐκώλυσεν αὐτούς, hindered them (Rev. Vers. stayed them). The verb is a forcible word, and shews that the centurion was in full command of his men, and had not in the confusion lost his thoughtfulness and presence of mind.

τοὺς δυναμένους κολυμβᾷν, those who could swim. This was the wisest course to adopt. Thus there would be a body ready on the shore to help those who only could float thither by the aid of something to which they were clinging. As St Paul had already been thrice shipwrecked and had been in the deep a night and a day (2Co 11:25) we may be sure that he was among those who were told off to swim ashore.

ἀπορρίψαντας πρώτους ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν ἐξιέναι, should cast themselves overboard [lit. off] and get first to land. The swimmers were to get into safety first of all, that then they might be in readiness to succour those who drifted to the land on the floating spars and planks.

For the active participle in this reflexive sense cf. Arrian Exped. Alex. lib. II. 4. 7, οἱ δὲ εἰς τὸν Κύδνον ποταμὸν λέγουσι ῥίψαντα νήξασθαι.

Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges (Cambridge University Press, 1896; 21 vols, various authors incl. Carr, Maclear, Plummer, Farrar, Lumby, Moule, M. R. James, Simcox) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

43.] ἀποῤῥίψαντας is reflective, sc. ἑαυτούς.

Henry Alford, The Greek Testament (1849–1861) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.