Acts 27:15

15 The ship was caught by the storm and could not head into the wind; so we gave way to it and were driven along.

Acts 27:15 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
15 And when the ship was caught, and could not bear up into the wind, we let her drive.
English Standard Version (ESV)
15 And when the ship was caught and could not face the wind, we gave way to it and were driven along.
New Living Translation (NLT)
15 The sailors couldn’t turn the ship into the wind, so they gave up and let it run before the gale.
The Message Bible (MSG)
15 They lost all control of the ship. It was a cork in the storm.
American Standard Version (ASV)
15 and when the ship was caught, and could not face the wind, we gave way [to it,] and were driven.
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
15 The wind carried the ship away, and we couldn't sail against the wind. We couldn't do anything, so we were carried along by the wind.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
15 Since the ship was caught and was unable to head into the wind, we gave way to it and were driven along.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
15 The ship was caught by the storm. We could not keep it sailing into the wind. So we gave up and were driven along.

Acts 27:15 Meaning and Commentary

Acts 27:15

And when the ship was caught
By the wind, snatched up by it, and forcibly carried away:

and could not bear up into the wind;
and against it, or look it in the face, as the word signifies; could not ply to windward, the wind being so high and the sea so strong:

we let her drive;
about the sea, at pleasure, it being in vain to attempt to get her forward against the wind, or to direct her course.

Acts 27:15 In-Context

13 When a gentle south wind began to blow, they saw their opportunity; so they weighed anchor and sailed along the shore of Crete.
14 Before very long, a wind of hurricane force, called the Northeaster, swept down from the island.
15 The ship was caught by the storm and could not head into the wind; so we gave way to it and were driven along.
16 As we passed to the lee of a small island called Cauda, we were hardly able to make the lifeboat secure,
17 so the men hoisted it aboard. Then they passed ropes under the ship itself to hold it together. Because they were afraid they would run aground on the sandbars of Syrtis, they lowered the sea anchor and let the ship be driven along.
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