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 27:30KJV
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Acts 27:30 (KJV)

What does Acts 27:30 mean?

Acts 27:30 describes how the sailors on Paul’s ship secretly tried to escape during a storm by pretending to lower anchors from the front of the ship, when in fact they were letting down the lifeboat to flee. The verse shows the sailors’ attempt to abandon the rest of those on board under the cover of a false pretense.

This moment happens as Paul and many others are being transported to Rome, caught in a violent storm at sea. The sailors, fearing for their own safety, plan to leave everyone else behind by pretending to do something helpful (lowering anchors) while actually preparing their own escape. The verse highlights the tension and desperation of the situation, as well as the importance of trust and honesty among those facing danger together.

The Greek behind Acts 27:30

  • "under colour" (προφάσει, prophasei): This Greek word means a pretense or an excuse. Here, it emphasizes that the sailors were not being honest about their intentions—they were acting as if they were helping, but were really trying to save themselves.
  • "shipmen" (ναῦται, nautai): This word refers specifically to the sailors or crew, not the soldiers or passengers. It clarifies that it was the trained seamen, the ones responsible for the ship’s operation, who tried to abandon ship.
  • "foreship" (πρῴρα, prōra): This means the front part of the ship. The detail shows the sailors’ attempt to make their actions look routine or necessary, since anchors would normally be handled at the front.

Why Acts 27:30 matters

  • Acts 27:30 clears up any confusion about who was trying to escape—the sailors, not the prisoners or soldiers—highlighting the risk to everyone else if the crew abandoned ship.
  • The verse reveals the depth of the crisis and the breakdown of trust, showing how fear can lead people to act selfishly even at the expense of others.
  • This detail sets up the following verses, where Paul warns the centurion and the soldiers, leading to decisive action that ultimately helps save everyone on board.

Where else these words appear

“foreship” Greek G4408 · used in 2 verses

  • Acts 27:41 And falling into a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the forepart stuck fast, and remained unmoveable, but the hinder part was broken with the violence of the waves.

“shipmen” Greek G3492 · used in 3 verses

  • Acts 27:27 But when the fourteenth night was come, as we were driven up and down in Adria, about midnight the shipmen deemed that they drew near to some country;
  • Revelation 18:17 For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off,

“boat” Greek G4627 · used in 3 verses

  • Acts 27:16 And running under a certain island which is called Clauda, we had much work to come by the boat:
  • Acts 27:32 Then the soldiers cut off the ropes of the boat, and let her fall off.

“anchors” Greek G45 · used in 4 verses

  • Acts 27:29 Then fearing lest we should have fallen upon rocks, they cast four anchors out of the stern, and wished for the day.
  • Acts 27:40 And when they had taken up the anchors, they committed themselves unto the sea, and loosed the rudder bands, and hoised up the mainsail to the wind, and made toward shore.
  • Hebrews 6:19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;