And running under a certain island which is called Clauda, we had much work to come by the boat:

ACTS 27:16KJV
Know the Bible

Acts 27:16 (KJV)

What does Acts 27:16 mean?

Acts 27:16 describes how Paul and his companions, while sailing, passed close to a small island called Clauda and had a difficult time securing the ship’s lifeboat. The verse highlights the struggle and urgency the crew faced as they tried to manage the boat during a dangerous storm.

In this part of Acts, Luke is narrating the journey to Rome with Paul as a prisoner. The ship is caught in a violent storm, and the crew must act quickly to prevent further disaster. The mention of Clauda, a real island south of Crete, grounds the story in a specific location and shows the practical challenges faced during ancient sea travel.

The Greek behind Acts 27:16

  • The word for "under" is ὑποδραμόντες (hypodramontes, from G5295), which often means running close under the shelter of something. Here, it suggests the ship tried to use the island of Clauda as a shield from the storm.
  • The Greek for "had much work" is μόλις ἰσχύσαμεν (molis ischysamen, from G3433 and G2480), meaning they barely managed or had great difficulty. This emphasizes how hard it was for the crew to secure the boat.
  • The word for "boat" is σκάφης (skaphēs, from G4627), which refers to a small boat or lifeboat towed behind the main ship. The crew’s effort to "come by the boat" means they struggled to bring this lifeboat safely on board.

Why Acts 27:16 matters

  • Acts 27:16 clears up that ancient sea travel was extremely dangerous and required quick, skilled action, especially in storms.
  • The verse emphasizes the real, physical challenges faced by Paul and his companions, making the narrative vivid and relatable.
  • By naming Clauda and describing the struggle, Acts 27:16 connects the story to actual geography and shows Luke’s attention to detail as an eyewitness or careful historian.

Where else these words appear

“boat” Greek G4627 · used in 3 verses

  • Acts 27:30 And as the shipmen were about to flee out of the ship, when they had let down the boat into the sea, under colour as though they would have cast anchors out of the foreship,
  • Acts 27:32 Then the soldiers cut off the ropes of the boat, and let her fall off.

“much” Greek G3433 · used in 6 verses

  • Acts 14:18 And with these sayings scarce restrained they the people, that they had not done sacrifice unto them.
  • Acts 27:7 And when we had sailed slowly many days, and scarce were come over against Cnidus, the wind not suffering us, we sailed under Crete, over against Salmone;
  • Romans 5:7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.

“had” Greek G2480 · used in 29 verses

  • Matthew 5:13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
  • Luke 8:43 And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any,
  • Acts 15:10 Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?

“called” Greek G2564 · used in 138 verses

  • Matthew 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
  • Luke 7:39 Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.
  • Romans 9:26 And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God.