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Monday, July 21st, 2025
the Week of Proper 11 / Ordinary 16
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Read the Bible

Myles Coverdale Bible

Acts 27:43

But the vndercaptayne wyllinge to saue Paul, keped them from their purpose, and commaunded that they which coulde swymme, shulde cast them selues first in to the see, and escape vnto londe:

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Armies;   Julius;   Kindness;   Mariners (Sailors);   Paul;   Prophecy;   Soldiers;   Thompson Chain Reference - Delayed Blessings;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Ships;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Crete;   Euroclydon;   Julius;   Melita;   Ship;   Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Centurion;   Paul;   Salvation;   Soldier;   Charles Buck Theological Dictionary - Ordination;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Centurion;   Julius;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Centurion;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Commerce;   Prison, Prisoners;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Acts of the Apostles;   Italy;   Julius;   Nero;   Ships and Boats;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Will;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Julius ;   11 To Desire, Will, Purpose;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Melita;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Get;  

Parallel Translations

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.
King James Version (1611)
But the Centurion, willing to saue Paul, kept them from their purpose, and commanded that they which could swimme, should cast themselues first into the sea, and get to land:
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:
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,
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,
New Century Version
But Julius, the officer, wanted to let Paul live and did not allow the soldiers to kill the prisoners. Instead he ordered everyone who could swim to jump into the water first and swim 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;
New American Standard Bible (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,
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,
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.
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 dive into the water and head for shore.
Complete Jewish Bible
But the officer, wanting to save Sha'ul, kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to throw themselves overboard first and head for shore,
Darby Translation
But the centurion, desirous of saving Paul, hindered them of their purpose, and commanded those who were able to swim, casting themselves first [into the sea], to get out on land;
Easy-to-Read Version
But Julius the army officer wanted to let Paul live. So he did not allow the soldiers to kill the prisoners. He told the people who could swim to jump into the water and swim to land.
Geneva Bible (1587)
But the Centurion willing to saue Paul, stayed them from this counsell, and commaunded that they that coulde swimme, shoulde cast them selues first into the sea, and goe out to land:
George Lamsa Translation
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.
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;
Lexham English Bible
but the centurion, because he wanted to save Paul, prevented them from doing what they intended, and gave orders that those who were able to swim should jump in first to get to the land,
Literal Translation
But being minded to save Paul, the centurion kept them back from their purpose and commanded those able to swim, first casting themselves overboard, to go out on the 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;
Bible in Basic English
But the captain, desiring to keep Paul safe, kept them from their purpose, and gave orders that those who had knowledge of swimming were to go off the ship and get first to land:
Hebrew Names Version
But the centurion, desiring to save Sha'ul, stopped them from their purpose, and commanded that those who could swim should throw themselves overboard first to go to the land;
International Standard Version
but the centurion wanted to save Paul and prevented them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and get to land.
Etheridge Translation
and the centurion restrained them from this, because he was willing to save Paulos. And those who could cast forth to swim he commanded to be the first to swim, and to pass to the land.
Murdock Translation
But the centurion kept them from it, because he was desirous to preserve Paul. And those who were able to swim, he commanded to swim off first, and pass to the land.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
But the vnder captayne wyllyng to saue Paul, kept the from their purpose, & commaunded that they which coulde swymme, shoulde cast them selues first into the sea, and scape to lande:
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:
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 to the land;
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
But the centurion, being desirous to save Paul, hindered them from their purpose, and commanded those that could swim, throwing themselves into the sea, first to get away to land,
Weymouth's 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;
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
But the centurien wolde kepe Poul, and forbede it to be don. And he comaundide hem that miyte swymme, to go in to the see, and scape, and go out to the loond.
Update Bible Version
But the captain, 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;
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:
New English Translation
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 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 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.
New Life Bible
but the captain wanted to save Paul. He kept them from their plan. Calling out to those who could swim, he told them to jump into the sea and swim to shore.
New Revised Standard
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,
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
but, the centurion, being minded to bring Paul safely through, hindered them of their purpose, and ordered such as were able to swim, to cast themselves overboard and, get first to the land, -
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.
Revised Standard Version
but the centurion, wishing to save Paul, kept them from carrying out their purpose. He ordered those who could swim to throw themselves overboard first and make for the land,
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
But the vndercaptayne willinge to save Paul kept the from their purpose and commaunded that they yt could swyme shulde cast the selves first in to ye see and scape to londe.
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,
Mace New Testament (1729)
who had a mind to save Paul, prevented their design: and order'd all that could swim immediately to get off to shore,
Simplified Cowboy Version
but the centurion kept them from killing Paul. The centurion ordered everyone to abandon ship and swim for the shore.

Contextual Overview

21 And after longe abstinence, Paul stode forth in the myddes of the, and sayde: Syrs, ye shulde haue herkened vnto me, and not to haue lowsed from Candy, and not to haue broughte vs this harme and losse. 22 And now I exhorte you to be of good cheare, for there shal none of oure lyues perishe, but the shippe onely. 23 For this night stode by me the angell off God (whose I am, & who I serue) 24 & saide: Feare not Paul, thou must be broughte before the Emperoure. And lo, God hath geuen vnto the all the that sayle with the. 25 Wherfore syrs be of good cheare: for I beleue God, yt it shal come so to passe, as it was tolde me. 26 Howbeit we must be cast in to a certayne ylonde. 27 But whan the fourtenth night came, as we were caried in Adria aboute mydnight, ye shipmen demed that there appeared some countre vnto them, 28 and they cast out the leade, and founde it twetye feddoms: and wha they were gone a litle farther, they cast out the leade agayne, and founde fyftene feddoms. 29 Then fearinge lest they shulde fall on some rocke, they cast foure anckers out of the sterne, and wysshed for the daye. 30 Whan the shipmen were aboute to flye out of the shippe, and let downe the bote in to the see, (vnder a coloure as though they wolde cast ankers out of the fore shippe)

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

willing: Acts 27:3, Acts 27:11, Acts 27:31, Acts 23:10, Acts 23:24, Proverbs 16:7, 2 Corinthians 11:25

Reciprocal: Jeremiah 26:24 - that Jeremiah 40:5 - gave him Matthew 8:5 - a centurion Matthew 27:54 - the centurion Mark 15:39 - the centurion Luke 7:2 - centurion's Acts 10:1 - a centurion Acts 22:25 - the centurion Acts 28:16 - the centurion

Cross-References

Genesis 11:31
Then toke Terah Abra his sonne, & Lot his sonne Harans sonne, & Sarai his doughter in lawe, his sonne Abrams wife, & caried them wt him from Vr in Chaldea, to go in to the lande of Canaan. And they came to Haran, & dwelt there.
Genesis 24:29
And Rebecca had a brother called Laban. And Laban ranne to the man without by the well syde:
Genesis 27:4
and make me meate (soch as I loue) and brynge it me herein, that I may eate, yt my soule maye blesse the, before I dye.
Genesis 27:5
But Rebecca herde these wordes, that Isaac sayde vnto his sonne. And Esau wente his waye in to the felde, to hunte venyson, and to brynge it home.
Genesis 27:8
Now therfore my sonne, heare my voyce, what I commaunde the:
Genesis 27:13
Then sayde his mother vnto him: That curse be vpon me my sonne, folowe thou my voyce: go thy waye and fetch it me.
Genesis 28:7
and that Iacob obeyed his father and his mother, and was gone vnto Mesopotamia:
Genesis 28:10
As for Iacob, he departed from Bersaba, and wente vnto Haran
Proverbs 30:17
Who so laugheth his father to scorne, and setteth his mothers commaudement at naught: the rauens pycke out his eyes in the valley, and deuoured be he of the yongle Aegles.
Jeremiah 35:14
The wordes which Ionadab the sonne off Rechab comaunded his sonnes, yt they shulde drynke no wyne, are fast & surely kepte: for vnto this daye they drynke no wyne: but obeye their fathers comaundement. But as for me, I haue stode vp early, I haue spoke vnto you, & geuen you earnest warnynge: & yet haue ye not bene obediet vnto me.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

But the centurion, willing to save Paul,.... Not only because he was a Roman citizen, but because he perceived he was some extraordinary person; and chiefly because he was moved there unto by a superior influence, that Satan might not have his end; and that the will of God might be fulfilled, that he should go to Rome, and there bear a testimony of Christ.

Kept them from their purpose; would not suffer them to execute their design, restrained them from it, and laid his commands upon them to the contrary.

And commanded that they which could swim, should cast themselves first into the sea, and get to land; which some restrain to the Roman soldiers, as if the centurion's speech was only directed to them; though it seems rather to have respect to the whole company, the mariners, who generally can swim, and the soldiers, as many of them as could, and the rest of the prisoners or passengers; though it may be, he might chiefly regard the soldiers, who were usually learned to swim, that they might the more readily pass rivers, in their marches, where they could find no bridges, that so he might be the sooner rid of them, and break their purpose.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

But the centurion, willing to save Paul - He had at first been disposed to treat Paul with kindness, Acts 27:3. And his conduct on board the ship; the wisdom of his advice Acts 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 Genesis 18:32; and Christians are in more ways than one the salt of the earth, and the light of the world, Matthew 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.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Acts 27:43. 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.


 
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