And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, and cast out the wheat into the sea.

ACTS 27:38KJV
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Acts 27:38 (KJV)

What does Acts 27:38 mean?

Acts 27:38 describes how, after everyone on the ship had eaten enough food, the crew threw the wheat cargo overboard to make the ship lighter. This action was taken as a desperate measure to help the ship survive a violent storm at sea.

Paul and others were on a ship headed for Rome when they were caught in a terrible storm. The crew had already tried several ways to save the ship, and after eating, they decided to get rid of the valuable wheat cargo. This shows how serious the situation was—they were willing to lose their goods to try to save their lives.

The Greek behind Acts 27:38

  • "lightened" (ἐκούφισαν, ekouphisan): This Greek word means to make something lighter or less heavy. Here, it shows the crew's urgent attempt to keep the ship afloat by getting rid of extra weight.
  • "wheat" (σίτος, sitos): The word refers specifically to grain, likely wheat, which was valuable cargo. Throwing it out highlights the severity of the crisis—they gave up something important for survival.
  • "ship" (πλοῖον, ploion): The Greek word for ship is used here, reminding us that this was a large vessel, likely a grain ship, not a small boat.

Why Acts 27:38 matters

  • Acts 27:38 shows the extreme danger faced by Paul and everyone on board, making clear how desperate the situation had become.
  • The verse connects to the larger story of Paul's journey to Rome, showing how both natural forces and human decisions shaped the outcome.
  • Understanding the value of the wheat cargo helps readers see the real cost and risk involved in the crew's actions, emphasizing the seriousness of their predicament.

Where else these words appear

“enough” Greek G2880 · used in 2 verses

  • 1 Corinthians 4:8 Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings without us: and I would to God ye did reign, that we also might reign with you.

“wheat” Greek G4621 · used in 14 verses

  • Matthew 3:12 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.
  • Mark 4:28 For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear.
  • John 12:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.

“eaten” Greek G5160 · used in 16 verses

  • Matthew 3:4 And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.
  • John 4:8 (For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.)
  • Acts 27:34 Wherefore I pray you to take some meat: for this is for your health: for there shall not an hair fall from the head of any of you.

“ship” Greek G4143 · used in 64 verses

  • Matthew 4:21 And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them.
  • Mark 6:32 And they departed into a desert place by ship privately.
  • Acts 20:38 Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him unto the ship.