Acts 27:10

KJV

And said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives.

KJV (with Strong's)

And said {G3004} unto them {G846}, Sirs {G435}, I perceive {G2334} that {G3754} this voyage {G4144} will be {G3195}{G1510} with {G3326} hurt {G5196} and {G2532} much {G4183} damage {G2209}, not {G3756} only {G3440} of the lading {G5414} and {G2532} ship {G4143}, but {G235} also {G2532} of our {G2257} lives {G5590}.

Complete Jewish Bible

“Men, I can see that our voyage is going to be a catastrophe, not only with huge losses to the cargo and the ship but with loss of our lives as well.”

Berean Standard Bible

“Men, I can see that our voyage will be filled with disaster and great loss, not only to ship and cargo, but to our own lives as well.”

American Standard Version

and said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that the voyage will be with injury and much loss, not only of the lading and the ship, but also of our lives.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In Acts 27:10, the Apostle Paul, a prisoner en route to Rome, issues a stark and prophetic warning to the ship's crew and centurion. Despite being a captive, Paul, guided by divine insight, foresees that continuing their perilous voyage will result in significant "hurt and much damage," not only to the ship's cargo and the vessel itself but, most gravely, to the lives of all on board. This declaration underscores Paul's spiritual discernment and compassionate concern for others, even as it sets the stage for the dramatic events of the impending shipwreck.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Acts 27:10 is situated at a critical juncture in Paul's journey to Rome, following his appeals to Caesar. The preceding verses (Acts 27:1-9) describe the challenging conditions of their sea voyage, particularly the onset of the dangerous sailing season, marked by treacherous winds and the approaching Fast (Day of Atonement). Luke explicitly notes in [Acts 27:9](/acts/27-9 "Acts 27:9 - Dangerous Sailing Season") that "sailing was now dangerous." Paul's warning in verse 10 directly precedes the fateful decision by the centurion and shipmaster to disregard his counsel and push on, leading inevitably to the shipwreck detailed in the subsequent narrative. This verse functions as a pivotal moment, highlighting Paul's prophetic foresight and establishing the dramatic tension for the events that follow, culminating in the miraculous preservation of life.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Mediterranean Sea was notoriously perilous for sailing during the late autumn and winter months, generally from mid-September to mid-March. The period after the Fast (Yom Kippur, which usually falls in September or early October) was considered particularly hazardous due to strong northerly and easterly winds. Ancient ships were not designed for heavy seas, lacking modern navigational tools and robust construction. Shipowners and masters often prioritized reaching a more convenient winter harbor over safety, sometimes underestimating the risks. Paul's journey was under Roman authority, with a centurion in charge, meaning his advice, though potentially divinely inspired, carried less weight than that of experienced sailors or military commanders in a practical maritime decision. The concept of "lading" (cargo) and "ship" represented significant financial investment, making their potential loss a severe economic concern, secondary only to the loss of "lives."
* **Key Themes:** Paul's warning in [Acts 27:10](/acts/27-10 "Acts 27:10 - Paul's Warning of Disaster") contributes to several overarching themes in Acts and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it emphasizes **Divine Foresight and Warning**, showcasing God's ability to reveal future dangers through His servants, even when human wisdom fails. Paul's "perception" is more than mere observation; it carries the weight of spiritual insight. Secondly, it highlights the **Consequences of Disregarding Counsel**, as the centurion and shipmaster's decision to ignore Paul's warning directly leads to the predicted disaster (cf. [Acts 27:11-20](/acts/27-11-20 "Acts 27:11-20 - The Storm and Shipwreck")). This underscores a recurring biblical theme that neglecting divinely-given wisdom often results in severe repercussions. Finally, it foreshadows the theme of **Divine Preservation amidst Peril**, setting up the dramatic contrast between the predicted "hurt and much damage" to the vessel and cargo, and the miraculous preservation of all lives, as later affirmed by Paul in [Acts 27:22-24](/acts/27-22-24 "Acts 27:22-24 - Paul's Assurance of Safety") and fulfilled in [Acts 27:44](/acts/27-44 "Acts 27:44 - All Saved Ashore").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **perceive (Greek, _theōréō'_):** From G2334, this verb means "to be a spectator of, i.e. discern." While it can refer to physical sight or observation, in this context, coupled with Paul's prophetic role, it strongly implies a deeper, spiritual discernment or insight into future events. Paul is not merely guessing; he is apprehending a truth revealed to him, allowing him to "see" the impending disaster with an understanding beyond natural human foresight.
* **hurt (Greek, _hýbris'_):** From G5196, this term, often translated as "insolence" or "outrage" in other contexts (referring to arrogant behavior), here denotes "insolence (as over-bearing), i.e. insult, injury." In a maritime context, it specifically refers to violent damage, injury, or loss, particularly of a physical or material nature. It speaks to the destructive force of the impending storm, implying a severe and aggressive impact.
* **damage (Greek, _zēmía'_):** From G2209, this word signifies "detriment" or "loss." It is a broader term than _hýbris_, often referring to financial or material loss, but also encompassing any form of disadvantage or suffering. Coupled with "hurt" (_hýbris_), it amplifies the severity of Paul's warning, indicating not just physical injury or violent impact, but also the comprehensive and costly detriment that will befall the voyage, encompassing both property and lives.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And said unto them, Sirs,"**: Paul addresses the centurion, the shipmaster, and the owner, likely the key decision-makers on board. His address, "Sirs" (Greek: _andres_, G435, meaning "men" or "gentlemen"), is respectful yet authoritative, indicating the gravity of his message and his earnest desire to be heard by those in charge.
* **"I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage,"**: This is the core of Paul's warning. His "perception" (_theōréō_) is not a casual observation but a divinely-imparted insight. He declares that the continuation of their "voyage" (_plóos_) will inevitably lead to "hurt" (_hýbris_, violent injury) and "much damage" (_polýs_ G4183, _zēmía_ G2209, extensive loss). This phrase establishes the certainty and severity of the impending disaster.
* **"not only of the lading and ship,"**: Paul specifies the material losses. The "lading" (_phórtos_, G5414) refers to the cargo, which was likely valuable, and the "ship" (_ploîon_, G4143) itself represented a significant investment. This part of the warning speaks to the economic and physical destruction of their assets.
* **"but also of our lives."**: This final clause elevates the warning to its most critical level. Paul emphasizes that the impending disaster will not merely be a financial or material setback, but will directly imperil the "lives" (_psychḗ_, G5590, soul/life) of everyone on board. This highlights Paul's profound concern for human life, transcending the value of property, and sets the stage for the miraculous preservation that will follow.

#### Literary Devices
Luke employs several **literary devices** in this verse to underscore the significance of Paul's warning. **Foreshadowing** is prominent, as Paul's precise prediction of "hurt and much damage" to the "lading and ship" and "our lives" directly anticipates the shipwreck and the subsequent events of the chapter. The phrase "not only... but also" serves as a form of **climax** or **escalation**, building from the loss of material possessions to the ultimate, most precious loss: human life, thereby intensifying the dramatic tension. There is also a subtle **irony** at play, as the experienced sailors and centurion, who should be experts in maritime safety, dismiss the warning of a prisoner, only to find his "perception" to be tragically accurate. This highlights a **contrast** between worldly wisdom and divine revelation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Paul's warning in Acts 27:10 serves as a powerful theological statement about God's sovereign knowledge and His willingness to communicate truth, even through unexpected channels. It underscores the biblical principle that genuine wisdom often comes from discerning God's will rather than relying solely on human experience or expediency. The refusal to heed Paul's divinely-inspired counsel leads directly to the predicted disaster, illustrating the consequences of human self-reliance and the rejection of prophetic warnings. Yet, even in the midst of impending destruction, Paul's concern for "our lives" foreshadows God's ultimate plan of preservation, demonstrating His mercy and faithfulness even when His warnings are initially ignored. This narrative thread reinforces the theme of God's providential care over His people and His purposes, even through trials.

* [Proverbs 1:33](/proverbs/1-33 "Proverbs 1:33 - Heeding Wisdom") - "But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil."
* [Isaiah 30:1-2](/isaiah/30-1-2 "Isaiah 30:1-2 - Relying on Human Counsel") - "Woe to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin: That walk to go down into Egypt, and have not asked at my mouth; to strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, and to trust in the shadow of Egypt!"
* [Acts 27:21](/acts/27-21 "Acts 27:21 - Paul's Reminder") - "But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 27:10 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers regarding the nature of wisdom, the importance of discernment, and the consequences of our choices. In a world that often prioritizes convenience, material gain, or conventional wisdom, Paul's warning reminds us that true foresight often comes from a spiritual source. We are challenged to cultivate a posture of humility and openness to divine guidance, whether it comes through the "still small voice" of the Holy Spirit, the counsel of trusted spiritual mentors, or the clear teachings of Scripture. Do we, like the centurion and shipmaster, sometimes dismiss warnings that seem inconvenient or counter-intuitive to our plans, only to face greater "hurt and much damage"? This verse calls us to examine our priorities: do we value material possessions and comfort over spiritual wisdom and the safety of ourselves and others? By heeding wise counsel, especially that which aligns with God's revealed will, we can often avoid unnecessary peril and experience His preservation in our own "voyages" through life.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **When have I, like the centurion and shipmaster, disregarded wise counsel (especially spiritual counsel) in favor of what seemed more convenient or logical, only to experience negative consequences?**
* **How can I cultivate a greater sensitivity to divine warnings or insights, whether they come through personal conviction, Scripture, or the advice of godly individuals?**
* **What "lading and ship" (material possessions, plans, comforts) might I be prioritizing over the "lives" (spiritual well-being, safety, relationships) of myself or others, in ways that could lead to "hurt and much damage"?**

### FAQ
**Was Paul's warning in Acts 27:10 a prophecy, or just a good guess based on experience?**

Answer: While Paul had extensive experience with sea travel and shipwrecks (as noted in [2 Corinthians 11:25](/2_corinthians/11-25 "2 Corinthians 11:25 - Paul's Shipwrecks")), his warning in Acts 27:10 appears to be more than just an educated guess; it carries the weight of a prophetic utterance. The Greek word _theōréō_ (G2334) for "perceive" can imply a deeper, spiritual discernment rather than mere observation. The precision of his prediction, encompassing not only the loss of the ship and cargo but also the threat to "our lives," suggests a divine revelation. This is further supported by the subsequent events of the chapter, where Paul later receives an angelic assurance confirming the preservation of all lives ([Acts 27:23-24](/acts/27-23-24 "Acts 27:23-24 - Angelic Assurance to Paul")), indicating that his initial warning was indeed divinely inspired.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 27:10, with Paul's prophetic warning of impending "hurt and much damage" to both property and lives, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in several profound ways. Just as Paul, the faithful servant, perceived and declared the coming danger, so Jesus Christ, the ultimate Prophet and Revealer of God's truth, continually warned humanity of the profound spiritual "damage" and "loss" inherent in sin and separation from God. His warnings, such as those concerning the narrow gate ([Matthew 7:13-14](/matthew/7-13-14 "Matthew 7:13-14 - The Narrow Gate")) or the cost of discipleship ([Luke 14:25-33](/luke/14-25-33 "Luke 14:25-33 - The Cost of Discipleship")), were not mere human observations but divine insights into the true state of the human soul and the eternal consequences of unheeded counsel. Furthermore, while Paul predicted material loss and a threat to physical lives, Christ's mission was to address the ultimate "damage" to our spiritual lives, offering Himself as the "Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). He suffered the ultimate "hurt and much damage" on the cross, not for His own transgression, but to prevent the eternal "loss" of our souls, thereby becoming the preserver of our spiritual lives. His resurrection is the ultimate demonstration of God's power to deliver from the gravest peril, fulfilling the promise of life even when all hope seems lost, just as all lives were miraculously preserved on Paul's voyage.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Amos 3:7

Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.

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.

Acts 27:26

Howbeit we must be cast upon a certain island.

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.

Acts 27:44

And the rest, some on boards, and some on [broken pieces] of the ship. And so it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land.

Daniel 2:30

But as for me, this secret is not revealed to me for [any] wisdom that I have more than any living, but for [their] sakes that shall make known the interpretation to the king, and that thou mightest know the thoughts of thy heart.

Psalms 25:14

The secret of the LORD [is] with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.