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.

ACTS 27:40KJV
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Acts 27:40 (KJV)

What does Acts 27:40 mean?

Acts 27:40 describes how the sailors prepared their ship for a final attempt to reach land during a dangerous storm, by lifting the anchors, letting the ship drift with the sea, freeing the rudders, raising the mainsail to catch the wind, and steering toward the shore. This verse shows the crew’s urgent and coordinated effort to save everyone on board by making a direct run for land.

Paul is a prisoner on a ship headed for Rome, and the vessel has been caught in a violent storm for many days. In this moment, the sailors take practical steps to guide the ship toward safety, following Paul’s earlier advice and encouragement. The verse gives a detailed, almost step-by-step account of the sailors’ actions, highlighting both the danger they faced and their determination to survive.

The Greek behind Acts 27:40

  • ἀνήραντες (anērantes, “taken up”): This word refers to lifting or weighing up the anchors, a crucial move that allowed the ship to move freely again after being held in place.
  • εἴων (eiōn, “committed”): This Greek word carries the sense of letting the ship go or giving it over to the sea, showing the crew’s willingness to trust the ship’s movement to the forces of nature.
  • λύσαντες (lysantes, “loosed”): This means they untied or released the bands holding the rudders, allowing the ship to be steered again, which was essential for aiming toward the shore.
  • ἄρτεμον (artemon, “mainsail”): This word refers to a specific sail, likely the foresail or mainsail, which they raised to catch the wind and help direct the ship toward land.

Why Acts 27:40 matters

  • Acts 27:40 clears up any idea that the sailors were passive; instead, they took decisive and skillful action in a crisis, showing both their experience and their desperation.
  • The verse connects to the wider story of Paul’s journey to Rome, emphasizing the real dangers faced and the human efforts involved alongside God’s providence.
  • The detailed nautical terms and actions help the reader picture the scene vividly, showing Luke’s care in recording eyewitness details and making the story more relatable and dramatic.

Where else these words appear

“rudder” Greek G4079 · used in 2 verses

  • James 3:4 Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.

“up” Greek G4014 · used in 4 verses

  • Acts 27:20 And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away.
  • 2 Corinthians 3:16 Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away.
  • Hebrews 10:11 And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:

“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 27:30 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,
  • 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;

“loosed” Greek G447 · used in 4 verses

  • Acts 16:26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed.
  • Ephesians 6:9 And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.
  • Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.