And sounded, and found it twenty fathoms: and when they had gone a little further, they sounded again, and found it fifteen fathoms.

ACTS 27:28KJV
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Acts 27:28 (KJV)

What does Acts 27:28 mean?

Acts 27:28 describes how the sailors on Paul’s ship measured the depth of the sea as they approached land, first finding it to be twenty fathoms deep, and then, after traveling a bit farther, finding it to be fifteen fathoms. This showed they were getting closer to shore, which was important for their safety during a dangerous storm.

In this scene, Luke is narrating the events as Paul and others are sailing toward Rome and facing a violent storm. The sailors are using a common method of the time—lowering a weighted line into the water—to check how deep the sea is beneath them. The decreasing depth signals that land is near, which would have been both a warning and a hope for those on board.

The Greek behind Acts 27:28

  • "sounded" (ἐμβαλοῦντες, transliterated as embalon, from G1001): This Greek word refers to the act of taking a depth measurement by lowering a line into the water. It highlights the practical, nautical skill being used in the story.
  • "fathoms" (ὀργυιάς, transliterated as orguias, from G3712): This word means a unit of measure roughly equal to six feet, used for measuring water depth. Knowing the actual distance helps readers picture how quickly the ship was approaching land.
  • "gone further" (διαστήσαντες, transliterated as diastēsantes, from G1339): This word means to move forward or go a little farther. It shows the careful, step-by-step approach the sailors took as they neared the unknown shore.

Why Acts 27:28 matters

  • Acts 27:28 gives a vivid, historical detail that helps readers understand the real danger the ship faced as it neared land in a storm, making the story more immediate and believable.
  • The verse shows the sailors’ experience and caution, emphasizing their efforts to avoid shipwreck by carefully monitoring their approach to shore.
  • This detail sets up the tension for the following verses, where the ship’s safety and the lives of those on board hang in the balance, highlighting God’s care and the unfolding drama of Paul’s journey.

Where else these words appear

“gone” Greek G1339 · used in 3 verses

  • Luke 22:59 And about the space of one hour after another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this fellow also was with him: for he is a Galilaean.
  • Luke 24:51 And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.

“fifteen” Greek G1178 · used in 3 verses

  • John 11:18 Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off:
  • Galatians 1:18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days.

“further” Greek G1024 · used in 7 verses

  • Luke 22:58 And after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou art also of them. And Peter said, Man, I am not.
  • Acts 5:34 Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space;
  • Hebrews 2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

“twenty” Greek G1501 · used in 11 verses

  • Luke 14:31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?
  • 1 Corinthians 10:8 Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.
  • Revelation 5:8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.