Acts 27:42 (KJV)

What does Acts 27:42 mean?

Acts 27:42 describes how the Roman soldiers, fearing that the prisoners might escape by swimming away after the shipwreck, decided among themselves that they should kill the prisoners to prevent any chance of escape. This verse highlights the soldiers’ harsh solution to the risk of losing their prisoners.

The scene takes place during Paul’s journey to Rome as a prisoner, when the ship he is on is wrecked near Malta. The soldiers are responsible for several prisoners, and Roman law often held guards personally accountable if prisoners escaped. Their plan to kill the prisoners shows the seriousness of their duty and the desperate situation during the shipwreck.

The Greek behind Acts 27:42

• βουλή (boulē; "counsel"): This word means a deliberate plan or decision, not just a casual thought. The soldiers’ “counsel” was a considered response to the crisis, showing they were acting out of perceived necessity, not impulse.
• ἀποκτείνωσιν (apokteinōsin; "to kill"): The Greek word here is direct and strong, meaning to put to death. The soldiers’ intent was not just to threaten but to actually carry out execution, emphasizing the danger the prisoners faced.
• διαφυγῇ (diaphygē; "escape"): This word carries the sense of slipping away or escaping from custody. The soldiers’ fear was not just about prisoners running off, but about them successfully evading Roman control, which could have severe consequences for the guards.

Why Acts 27:42 matters

• Acts 27:42 clarifies the real danger Paul and the other prisoners faced, not only from the sea but also from the soldiers assigned to guard them.
• This verse helps explain the tension and urgency in the events surrounding the shipwreck, setting up the actions of the centurion in the following verses.
• Understanding the soldiers’ reasoning gives insight into Roman military discipline and the risks faced by both prisoners and their guards during transport.