Acts 27:20

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} when neither {G3383} sun {G2246} nor {G3383} stars {G798} in {G1909} many {G4119} days {G2250} appeared {G2014}, and {G5037} no {G3756} small {G3641} tempest {G5494} lay on {G1945} us, all {G3956} hope {G1680} that we {G2248} should be saved {G4982} was {G4014} then {G3063} taken away {G4014}.

Complete Jewish Bible

For many days neither the sun nor the stars appeared, while the storm continued to rage, until gradually all hope of survival vanished.

Berean Standard Bible

When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the great storm continued to batter us, we abandoned all hope of being saved.

American Standard Version

And when neither sun nor stars shone upon us for many days, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was now taken away.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 27:20 vividly captures a moment of profound despair during Paul's perilous sea voyage to Rome, depicting the complete loss of hope among the crew and passengers. After many days without any celestial navigation, enduring a relentless and severe tempest, all expectation of survival or rescue was utterly extinguished, leaving them at the mercy of the elements.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within Luke's detailed account of Paul's journey as a prisoner to Rome, beginning in [Acts 27:1](/acts/27-1 "Acts 27 - Paul's Voyage to Rome"). The narrative meticulously describes the ship's departure, the initial challenges, and the fateful decision to sail past Fair Havens despite Paul's warning (cf. [Acts 27:9-10](/acts/27-9-10 "Acts 27:9-10 - Paul's Warning")). The "no small tempest" mentioned in this verse is the dreaded Euroclydon, a violent northeasterly wind described earlier in [Acts 27:14](/acts/27-14 "Acts 27:14 - The Euroclydon Storm"). Verse 20 marks the absolute nadir of the crew's morale, immediately preceding Paul's divine assurance of safety and his subsequent leadership in the crisis (cf. [Acts 27:21-26](/acts/27-21-26 "Acts 27:21-26 - Paul's Prophecy and Encouragement")). It serves as the dark backdrop against which God's faithfulness and Paul's prophetic gift shine most brightly.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient sea travel was inherently dangerous, especially outside the calmer summer months. The Mediterranean Sea was notorious for sudden, violent storms. Ships of this era, though robust, were vulnerable to prolonged gales. Navigation relied heavily on observing the sun during the day and stars at night to determine direction and position. The absence of "sun nor stars in many days" meant the sailors were completely disoriented, unable to chart a course or even know their general location. This was not merely an inconvenience but a terrifying reality that rendered their maritime skills useless. The "tempest" (Euroclydon) was a specific, well-known type of cyclonic storm in the Mediterranean, characterized by its ferocity and unpredictability, making survival unlikely for any vessel caught in its grip for an extended period.

* **Key Themes:** [Acts 27](/acts/27 "Acts 27 - Paul's Perilous Voyage") as a whole explores several profound themes, to which verse 20 contributes significantly. One major theme is **Divine Sovereignty amidst Human Helplessness**. Despite the sailors' expertise and the ship's capabilities, they were utterly at the mercy of the elements, highlighting human vulnerability against the forces of nature. The verse underscores **Profound Despair**, showing how prolonged suffering and the loss of all natural indicators for survival can completely erode human resilience and hope. This deep despair then sets the stage for the contrasting theme of **God's Faithfulness and Deliverance**, particularly through His chosen instrument, Paul. The narrative demonstrates that even when "all hope that we should be saved was then taken away," God's purposes for Paul and those with him would prevail, as foreshadowed by the angel's message in [Acts 27:23-24](/acts/27-23-24 "Acts 27:23-24 - God's Assurance to Paul").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **hope (Greek, _elpís'_):** From a primary word meaning "to anticipate, usually with pleasure"; expectation (abstractly or concretely) or confidence. In this context, _elpís_ refers to the complete absence of any positive expectation or confidence in their survival. It signifies not just diminishing hope, but its utter eradication, leaving behind only dread.
* **appeared (Greek, _epiphaínō'_):** From _epí_ (upon) and _phaínō_ (to shine); to shine upon, i.e., become (literally) visible or (figuratively) known. The sun and stars, which normally "shine upon" the earth and "appear" to guide, were conspicuously absent, symbolizing the loss of any guiding light or clear path forward.
* **taken away (Greek, _periairéō'_):s** From _perí_ (around) and _hairéomai_ (to take); to remove all around, i.e., unveil, cast off (anchor); figuratively, to expiate. Here, it conveys a complete and comprehensive removal of hope, as if it was stripped away from every side, leaving no vestige behind.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared":** This clause emphasizes the prolonged and absolute lack of celestial navigation. For days on end, the sky remained overcast, preventing any sight of the sun by day or the stars by night. This condition was critical for ancient mariners, as it meant they were completely lost, unable to determine direction, position, or the passage of time accurately. The "many days" suggests an extended period of relentless, disorienting darkness and storm.
* **"and no small tempest lay on [us]":** This phrase describes the continuous, overwhelming force of the storm. The Greek idiom "no small" (οὐ μικρὸς) is a **litotes**, meaning "a very great" or "extraordinary" tempest. The word "tempest" (_cheimṓn_) refers to a violent storm, often accompanied by pouring rain, signifying the extreme severity and duration of the gale. The phrase "lay on us" (_epíkeimai_) vividly portrays the oppressive, relentless pressure and burden of the storm, pressing down upon the ship and its occupants without respite.
* **"all hope that we should be saved was then taken away":** This climactic statement encapsulates the psychological and emotional state of everyone on board. The combination of prolonged disorientation, the unrelenting, severe storm, and the sheer exhaustion from the ordeal led to a complete abandonment of any expectation of survival. "All hope" (_pâs elpís_) signifies that no one, regardless of their experience or resilience, held onto any belief that they would be delivered from their perilous situation. The phrase "taken away" (_periairéō_) underscores the absolute and comprehensive nature of this loss of hope.

#### Literary Devices
Luke employs several **literary devices** to convey the utter desperation of the situation. The use of **litotes** in "no small tempest" (οὐ μικρὸς χεῖμων) serves to emphasize the extraordinary magnitude and severity of the storm, rather than merely stating it was large. This indirect affirmation heightens the dramatic effect. **Symbolism** is evident in the absence of "sun nor stars," which are not just navigational aids but also ancient symbols of guidance, light, and order. Their disappearance symbolizes the complete loss of direction, clarity, and any sense of control or future. The relentless "tempest" itself acts as a powerful **metaphor** for overwhelming, uncontrollable forces that strip away human agency and instill profound fear. The cumulative effect of these descriptions evokes a strong sense of **pathos**, drawing the reader into the emotional experience of the beleaguered travelers and emphasizing their complete and utter despair.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 27:20 serves as a stark reminder of human vulnerability and the limits of human ingenuity when confronted with overwhelming natural forces. The complete loss of hope described here is a common human experience, whether in physical peril or spiritual distress. Theologically, this verse highlights the concept of divine timing and intervention, as it sets the stage for God's miraculous deliverance through Paul. It underscores that true hope is not rooted in favorable circumstances or human capability, but in the steadfast character and promises of God, who often reveals His power most clearly when all human hope has vanished. This deep despair becomes the canvas upon which God paints His faithfulness.

* [Psalm 107:23-30](/psalms/107-23-30 "God Delivers from Storms")
* [Romans 15:13](/romans/15-13 "The God of Hope")
* [2 Corinthians 1:8-10](/2_corinthians/1-8-10 "Deliverance from Despair")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 27:20 offers a profoundly relatable image for anyone who has experienced a season where "all hope... was taken away." Whether facing a relentless personal crisis, a health struggle with no apparent end, or a period of intense uncertainty and disorientation, this verse acknowledges the raw reality of human despair. It reminds us that there are moments in life when all our usual guides (like the sun and stars) disappear, and the "tempest" seems unending, pressing down on us with no relief. In such times, our natural resilience breaks, and we can feel utterly lost and without a way forward. However, the narrative context of this verse implicitly points to a greater truth: even in our lowest moments, when we are stripped of all natural indicators of a way forward, God's presence and sovereign plan can still be at work. Our hope is not ultimately in our circumstances, but in the God who can speak peace to any storm, whether physical or spiritual, and who often uses our deepest despair to magnify His deliverance.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **When have you experienced a "tempest" in your life that felt relentless, where "all hope... was taken away"?**
* **How did the absence of "sun nor stars" (i.e., familiar guides or clear paths) impact your sense of direction and hope in that situation?**
* **What does this verse teach us about the nature of despair, and how might acknowledging it honestly be a first step toward finding true hope?**

### FAQ
**What was the "tempest" mentioned in Acts 27:20?**

Answer: The "tempest" (Greek: _cheimṓn_) refers to the violent and unrelenting storm that struck Paul's ship. Earlier in [Acts 27:14](/acts/27-14 "Acts 27:14 - The Euroclydon"), this specific storm is named the Euroclydon, a fierce northeasterly wind common in the Mediterranean. The phrase "no small tempest" is a literary device called litotes, emphasizing that it was an extraordinarily severe and dangerous storm, not merely a minor squall. Its prolonged duration and intensity, combined with the lack of celestial navigation, led to the utter despair of everyone on board.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 27:20, with its depiction of absolute despair and the loss of all hope in the face of an overwhelming storm, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate hope found in Christ. Just as the travelers on the ship were without any natural means of salvation, humanity, adrift in the storm of sin and death, is utterly helpless without divine intervention. The "taken away" hope of the sailors mirrors the spiritual hopelessness of a world separated from God, where there is no "sun nor stars" to guide them to eternal life ([Ephesians 2:12](/ephesians/2-12 "Ephesians 2:12 - Without Hope and Without God")). Christ, however, is the "bright and morning star" ([Revelation 22:16](/revelation/22-16 "Revelation 22:16 - Jesus, the Bright Morning Star")) and the "light of the world" ([John 8:12](/john/8-12 "John 8:12 - Jesus, the Light of the World")), who appears in our darkest storms. He is the one who calms the raging seas, both literally, as seen in [Mark 4:39](/mark/4-39 "Mark 4:39 - Jesus Calms the Storm"), and figuratively, bringing peace to our troubled souls. The deliverance from the shipwreck, though physical, points to the spiritual salvation offered through Jesus, who is our true "hope" ([Colossians 1:27](/colossians/1-27 "Colossians 1:27 - Christ in You, the Hope of Glory")) and the anchor for our souls, firm and secure ([Hebrews 6:19](/hebrews/6-19 "Hebrews 6:19 - Hope as an Anchor for the Soul")). In Him, even when "all hope" seems lost, a new and living hope springs forth, guaranteed by His resurrection ([1 Peter 1:3](/1_peter/1-3 "1 Peter 1:3 - A Living Hope Through Resurrection")).

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

Matthew 8:24

And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep.

Matthew 8:25

And his disciples came to [him], and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish.

Matthew 24:29

Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:

Isaiah 57:10

Thou art wearied in the greatness of thy way; [yet] saidst thou not, There is no hope: thou hast found the life of thine hand; therefore thou wast not grieved.

Ephesians 2:12

That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:

Jeremiah 2:25

Withhold thy foot from being unshod, and thy throat from thirst: but thou saidst, There is no hope: no; for I have loved strangers, and after them will I go.

1 Thessalonians 4:13

¶ But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.