Acts 27:15

KJV

And when the ship was caught, and could not bear up into the wind, we let [her] drive.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} when the ship {G4143} was caught {G4884}, and {G2532} could {G1410} not {G3361} bear up into {G503} the wind {G417}, we let her drive {G1929}{G5342}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The ship was caught up and unable to face the wind, so we gave way to it and were driven along.

Berean Standard Bible

Unable to head into the wind, the ship was caught up. So we gave way and let ourselves be driven along.

American Standard Version

and when the ship was caught, and could not face the wind, we gave way to it, and were driven.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 27:15 vividly describes a critical moment in Paul's perilous sea voyage to Rome, where the ship, caught by the powerful Euroclydon storm, became utterly unmanageable. Despite the crew's experience, the vessel could no longer withstand the wind's force, compelling them to abandon all attempts at navigation and surrender to the storm's overwhelming power, allowing the ship to be driven wherever the tempest carried it. This verse encapsulates the crew's complete loss of control and the raw, unyielding force of nature.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Acts 27:15 is situated within the dramatic narrative of Paul's journey as a prisoner to Rome, a journey fraught with divine intervention and human peril. The immediate preceding verses establish the setting: Paul and his companions had sailed from Fair Havens, Crete, against Paul's explicit warning (Acts 27:9-10), only to be overtaken by a violent northeasterly tempest, the "Euroclydon" (Acts 27:14). This verse marks the point of no return for the ship's navigability, following the initial struggle against the storm and the desperate measures taken to secure the ship (Acts 27:16-17). It sets the stage for the subsequent days of despair and Paul's divinely inspired reassurance (Acts 27:21-26), leading ultimately to the shipwreck and miraculous survival of all on board (Acts 27:41-44).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The voyage described in Acts 27 takes place in the dangerous autumn sailing season (after the Day of Atonement, typically September/October), when Mediterranean storms were common and severe. Roman ships of this era were large cargo vessels, often carrying hundreds of people and substantial freight, but they were still vulnerable to extreme weather, lacking modern navigational aids or powerful engines. The "Euroclydon" (or "Euraquilo") was a notorious cyclonic storm from the northeast, capable of driving ships helplessly before it. The crew's actions—first attempting to "bear up into the wind" and then "letting her drive"—reflect standard ancient seafaring responses to an unmanageable storm: either trying to head into the wind to maintain control or, failing that, running before it with minimal sail to avoid capsizing, hoping to ride out the gale. Paul's status as a prisoner, yet his eventual spiritual authority over the ship's company, adds a unique dimension to this historical account.
* **Key Themes:** Acts 27:15 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Acts and the broader biblical narrative. It powerfully illustrates **human helplessness** in the face of overwhelming natural forces, contrasting sharply with the **sovereignty of God** who ultimately controls the elements and human destiny. The crew's surrender to the storm ("we let her drive") underscores the theme of **desperate surrender** when human effort is exhausted, foreshadowing the divine intervention that will preserve Paul and all aboard. This event also highlights the theme of **divine providence** in Paul's life, as God's plan to bring Paul to Rome to testify before Caesar (Acts 23:11) remains steadfast, even amidst extreme peril. The storm, therefore, serves not as an obstacle to God's plan, but as a dramatic backdrop against which His faithfulness is demonstrated, ultimately leading to the safe arrival of Paul and his companions, as promised in [Acts 27:22-26](/acts/27-22-26 "Acts 27:22-26 - Paul's Prophecy of Deliverance").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **caught (Greek, _synarpázō'_):** From G4884, meaning "to snatch together, i.e. seize." This word conveys a sudden, forceful, and inescapable capture of the ship by the wind, indicating that the vessel was violently overpowered without any means of resistance or escape.
* **bear up into (Greek, _antophthalméō'_):** From G503, meaning "to face." In a nautical context, this signifies the inability of the ship to head into the wind, to resist its direct force, or to make any headway against it. The ship could not "look the wind in the face" or stand against its might.
* **let her drive (Greek, _epidídōmi'_ and _phérō'_):** From G1929 and G5342. G1929 (_epidídōmi_) means "to give over (by hand or surrender)," and G5342 (_phérō_) means "to 'bear' or carry (in a very wide application, literally and figuratively, as follows):--be, bear, bring (forth), carry, come, + let her drive, be driven, endure, go on, lay, lead, move, reach, rushing, uphold." The combination indicates a complete abandonment of active navigation, a passive yielding to the storm's overwhelming force, allowing the ship to be carried wherever the wind pushed it, having surrendered all control.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And when the ship was caught":** This phrase immediately establishes the ship's predicament. The Greek verb `synarpázō` (caught) emphasizes the suddenness and violence of the wind's seizure of the vessel. It was not a gentle nudge but a forceful, overwhelming grip, rendering the ship helpless and at the mercy of the storm. This signifies the point where human control was decisively lost.
* **"and could not bear up into the wind":** This clause further elaborates on the ship's inability to maneuver. The phrase `antophthalméō` (bear up into) literally means "to face" or "to look in the eye," implying that the ship could not face the wind's direct force. It was impossible to steer against the gale or maintain any course, indicating a complete loss of directional control and the futility of any further attempts at navigation.
* **"we let [her] drive":** This final clause describes the crew's desperate and involuntary response to their utter helplessness. Having exhausted all means of resistance and realizing the impossibility of maintaining control, they surrendered the ship to the storm's power. The phrase `epidídōmi pherō` (let her drive) conveys the passive act of yielding, allowing the ship to be carried along by the wind without any active steering, a stark admission of defeat and a profound moment of despair.

#### Literary Devices
Acts 27:15 employs several literary devices to convey the drama and desperation of the scene. The entire verse functions as a powerful **Metaphor** for human helplessness in the face of overwhelming forces, whether natural or spiritual. The ship represents human agency and control, while the wind symbolizes an irresistible, chaotic power. The phrase "could not bear up into the wind" uses **Personification**, subtly attributing an active, confrontational will to the wind that the ship is unable to "face." The concise, declarative sentences create a sense of **Pacing** that mirrors the suddenness and relentlessness of the storm, building tension. Furthermore, the progression from being "caught" to "could not bear up" to "let her drive" illustrates a narrative arc of increasing desperation and ultimate **Surrender**, highlighting the futility of human resistance against a superior force.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 27:15, though describing a physical storm, carries profound theological implications. It serves as a vivid illustration of human limitations and the necessity of surrendering to a higher power when faced with circumstances beyond our control. The crew's inability to "bear up into the wind" and their subsequent decision to "let her drive" powerfully portray the futility of human strength and ingenuity when confronted with the overwhelming forces of nature—or, by extension, the overwhelming trials of life. This moment of utter helplessness sets the stage for God's divine intervention through Paul, emphasizing that even when all seems lost, God's sovereign plan prevails. It reminds us that our ultimate security and direction do not rest in our ability to control circumstances, but in God's unwavering providence, which guides us even through the most turbulent seas.

* [Psalm 107:23-30](/psalms/107-23-30 "Psalm 107:23-30 - God's Deliverance from Storms")
* [Isaiah 43:2](/isaiah/43-2 "Isaiah 43:2 - God's Presence in Trials")
* [Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "Romans 8:28 - God Works All Things for Good")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 27:15 offers a timeless metaphor for the storms of life that inevitably come upon us. There are moments when, despite our best efforts, planning, and skill, we find ourselves "caught" by overwhelming circumstances—a sudden illness, a financial crisis, a relational breakdown, or a profound loss. Like the ship, we may find we "cannot bear up into the wind," meaning our usual strategies, our strength, or our will are insufficient to overcome the force bearing down on us. In such moments, the verse prompts us to consider the wisdom of "letting her drive"—not as an act of passive resignation, but as a recognition of our limits and an invitation to surrender control to God. This surrender is not weakness; it is an act of profound trust, acknowledging that there are forces greater than ourselves and a God who is sovereign over all. It encourages us to release our grip on what we cannot control, allowing God to steer us through the tempest, even if the path is not what we would have chosen. This often leads to a deeper reliance on His providence and a discovery of His faithfulness in ways we might never have experienced had we remained in control.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "storms" in your life currently make you feel "caught" or unable to "bear up into the wind"?**
* **In what areas of your life might God be calling you to "let her drive," surrendering control to Him?**
* **How does the idea of God's sovereignty bring comfort or challenge to your understanding of helplessness?**

### FAQ
**What does "could not bear up into the wind" mean for the ship?**

Answer: In nautical terms, "could not bear up into the wind" means the ship was unable to head into the wind, to resist its direct force, or to make any headway against it. The wind was so powerful that the crew could not steer the ship to face the wind's direction or to move against it. This signifies a complete loss of directional control, rendering the ship at the mercy of the storm's force.

**Why did the crew "let her drive" instead of continuing to fight the storm?**

Answer: The phrase "we let her drive" indicates a desperate and involuntary surrender. Having exhausted all means of resistance and realizing the futility of their efforts to navigate or control the ship against the overwhelming force of the Euroclydon, the sailors were forced to abandon their attempts. "Letting her drive" meant allowing the ship to be carried wherever the storm dictated, often with minimal sail to prevent capsizing. This was a last resort, an admission that the ship was unmanageable and their only option was to ride out the storm passively, hoping for survival. This act underscores their profound despair and the limits of human power in the face of such a tempest.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 27:15, though a narrative of human helplessness in a literal storm, powerfully foreshadows and illuminates the Christian's experience of life's spiritual tempests and the ultimate sovereignty of Christ. Just as the ship was "caught" and "could not bear up into the wind," so too are believers often overwhelmed by the "winds" of sin, suffering, and worldly pressures, finding their own strength insufficient to navigate. The crew's desperate surrender to "let her drive" finds its spiritual parallel in the call to surrender our lives and our control to Jesus Christ. He is not merely a passive observer but the Lord who commands the winds and the waves (as seen in [Mark 4:35-41](/mark/4-35-41 "Mark 4:35-41 - Jesus Calms the Storm")). In Christ, our "letting go" is not a surrender to chaos, but a surrender *to* the One who holds all things together ([Colossians 1:16-17](/colossians/1-16-17 "Colossians 1:16-17 - Christ's Supremacy Over Creation")). He is our anchor in the storm, our pilot through the darkest waters, and the ultimate fulfillment of God's providential care. Even when we feel utterly adrift, the presence of Christ in our lives ensures that our ultimate destination, like Paul's, is secure in God's eternal purpose, for He has promised to never leave us nor forsake us ([Hebrews 13:5](/hebrews/13-5 "Hebrews 13:5 - God's Promise to Never Leave Us")).

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

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;

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.