Acts 27:28

KJV

And sounded, and found [it] twenty fathoms: and when they had gone a little further, they sounded again, and found [it] fifteen fathoms.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} sounded {G1001}, and found {G2147} it twenty {G1501} fathoms {G3712}: and {G1161} when they had gone {G1339} a little further {G1024}, they sounded {G1001} again {G3825}, and {G2532} found {G2147} it fifteen {G1178} fathoms {G3712}.

Complete Jewish Bible

So they dropped a plumbline and found the water one hundred and twenty feet deep. A little farther on, they took another sounding and found it ninety feet.

Berean Standard Bible

They took soundings and found that the water was twenty fathoms deep. Going a little farther, they took another set of soundings that read fifteen fathoms.

American Standard Version

and they sounded, and found twenty fathoms; and after a little space, they sounded again, and found fifteen fathoms.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 27:28 captures a critical moment during Paul's perilous sea voyage to Rome, as the ship's crew, caught in a violent storm, desperately attempts to ascertain their depth. Twice they "sounded" the waters, first finding it to be twenty fathoms deep, and then, after moving a short distance, discovering the depth had rapidly decreased to fifteen fathoms. This swift reduction in depth served as an alarming indicator of imminent danger, signaling that the ship was quickly approaching shallow waters or submerged obstacles, thereby intensifying the crew's fear of running aground in the darkness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the dramatic narrative of Paul's journey to Rome as a prisoner, recounted in Acts 27. The preceding verses detail the severe storm, Euroclydon, that had battered their ship for days, stripping away all hope of survival as they drifted without sight of sun or stars ([Acts 27:13-20](/acts/27-13-20 "Acts 27:13-20 - The Tempest at Sea")). The crew had already jettisoned cargo and the ship's tackle in a desperate effort to lighten the vessel and keep it afloat. The immediate context of verse 28 is the sailors' attempt to anchor the ship to prevent it from being driven onto rocks during the night, as they perceived the approach of land ([Acts 27:27](/acts/27-27 "Acts 27:27 - Approaching Land")). The act of sounding the depth is a practical, immediate response to their dire situation, an attempt to gain vital information in the face of overwhelming natural forces and the threat of shipwreck.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Seafaring in the ancient world, particularly in the Mediterranean, was fraught with peril, especially during the stormy seasons. Ships were typically wooden vessels, heavily reliant on sails and oars, and navigation was primarily by sight of land or celestial bodies. Without modern navigational instruments, "sounding" the depth with a lead line was a crucial and common practice for sailors approaching unknown coasts or navigating in poor visibility. A "fathom" (Greek: _orguiá_) was a standard unit of depth, equivalent to six feet, representing the average span of a man's outstretched arms. The rapid decrease from twenty fathoms (120 feet) to fifteen fathoms (90 feet) over a short distance would have been an unmistakable and terrifying sign to experienced mariners that they were rapidly nearing dangerously shallow waters, likely indicating submerged reefs or a rocky coastline. This practice underscores the practical ingenuity and resourcefulness required for survival in an era where human skill and observation were paramount in the face of nature's power.

* **Key Themes:** Acts 27:28 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Acts and this specific narrative. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Imminent Danger and Human Helplessness**. The decreasing depth readings underscore the escalating peril and the crew's desperate situation, emphasizing the limits of human ability against a raging storm. Secondly, it subtly sets the stage for the theme of **Divine Providence and Sovereignty**. While the sailors are diligently employing their skills, the narrative simultaneously foreshadows the shipwreck that God has already revealed to Paul will occur, yet with the divine promise that no lives will be lost ([Acts 27:22-26](/acts/27-22-26 "Acts 27:22-26 - Paul's Prophecy of Deliverance")). This juxtaposition of human effort and divine control is a recurring motif in Acts, demonstrating that even amidst chaos and human limitations, God's plan prevails. Finally, it speaks to the theme of **Practical Wisdom and Diligence**, as the sailors, despite their despair, continue to exercise prudence and employ their navigational knowledge to mitigate the immediate threat.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **sounded (Greek, _bolízō_):** from βολίς; to heave the lead:--sound. This term refers to the ancient maritime practice of using a lead line, a rope with a lead weight attached, to measure the depth of the water. The act of "sounding" was vital for navigation, especially in low visibility or when approaching land, as it provided crucial information about the seabed and potential hazards. The repetition of this action in the verse ("sounded, and... sounded again") underscores the crew's increasing anxiety and the urgency of their situation as they sought to confirm their rapidly changing depth.
* **found (Greek, _heurískō_):** a prolonged form of a primary, which (together with another cognate form) is used for it in all the tenses except the present and imperfect; to find (literally or figuratively):--find, get, obtain, perceive, see. In this context, "found" indicates the successful ascertainment of the depth through the sounding process. It implies a discovery of a critical piece of information, which, in this case, confirms their perilous proximity to land or shoals. The term carries a sense of revelation, as the hidden danger beneath the waves is now "found" or perceived.
* **fathoms (Greek, _orguiá_):** from ὀρέγομαι; a stretch of the arms, i.e. a fathom:--fathom. This unit of measurement, approximately six feet, was derived from the average span of a man's outstretched arms. The specific depths of "twenty fathoms" (120 feet) and "fifteen fathoms" (90 feet) are precise details that convey the rapid and significant decrease in water depth. For ancient mariners, this rapid change was a clear and immediate warning of impending shipwreck, as it indicated a sudden rise in the seabed, making collision with the bottom or a rocky shore highly probable.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And sounded, and found [it] twenty fathoms:"** This clause describes the initial action taken by the sailors. In their desperate situation, perceiving land approaching in the darkness, they deployed a lead line to measure the water's depth. The result, twenty fathoms, indicates a significant depth, suggesting they were still in relatively deep water but perhaps closer to shore than they had been. This first measurement serves as a baseline for their subsequent, more alarming discovery.
* **"and when they had gone a little further, they sounded again, and found [it] fifteen fathoms."** This second clause highlights the rapid and alarming change in depth. After moving only "a little further" (Greek: _brachýs_), the crew repeated the sounding process, only to discover the depth had decreased by five fathoms, from twenty to fifteen. This swift reduction in depth over a short distance was a dire warning. It confirmed their worst fears: they were rapidly approaching a coastline or submerged rocks, making a shipwreck imminent. The repetition of the sounding action underscores the crew's diligence and their growing apprehension.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several **Literary Devices** to heighten the dramatic tension and convey the urgency of the situation. **Repetition** is evident in the phrase "sounded, and found... sounded again, and found," which emphasizes the crew's relentless efforts and the critical nature of their observations. This repetition also serves to highlight the rapid change in depth, underscoring the escalating danger. The specific numerical details of "twenty fathoms" and "fifteen fathoms" provide **Precision and Realism**, grounding the narrative in tangible, verifiable facts that would have been immediately understood by ancient mariners as clear indicators of peril. This precision also functions as a form of **Foreshadowing**, subtly hinting at the inevitable shipwreck that will occur, as the decreasing depth signals their unavoidable collision with land. The entire scene is imbued with **Suspense**, as the reader is made aware of the crew's increasing alarm and the impending disaster, even as Paul's earlier prophecy of safety hangs in the balance.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 27:28, while seemingly a straightforward navigational detail, profoundly illustrates the intersection of human diligence and divine sovereignty. The sailors' desperate but skilled efforts to measure the depth reflect humanity's innate drive to survive and exercise prudence in the face of overwhelming odds. Yet, this human activity occurs within the larger framework of God's predetermined plan for Paul and the safety of all on board. The rapidly decreasing depth, a clear sign of impending doom from a human perspective, is precisely the scenario through which God will demonstrate His faithfulness to Paul's prophetic word, ultimately leading to the shipwreck but with no loss of life. This passage reminds us that God's providence often works *through* or *alongside* human actions, not always by overriding them, but by orchestrating circumstances to fulfill His purposes.

* [Psalm 107:23-30](/psalms/107-23-30 "God's Deliverance from Storms")
* [Jonah 1:4-6](/jonah/1-4-6 "The Storm Sent by God")
* [Matthew 8:23-27](/matthew/8-23-27 "Jesus Calms the Storm")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 27:28 serves as a powerful reminder for believers to practice vigilance and discernment in their own lives. Just as the sailors diligently measured the depth to assess their immediate danger, we are called to be attentive to the "depths" of our spiritual, relational, and practical circumstances. Are there "warning signs" of decreasing spiritual depth, relational strain, or impending crisis that we might be ignoring? This verse encourages us to "sound" our lives, honestly evaluating our trajectory and seeking wisdom from God's Word and trusted counsel when we perceive ourselves drifting into dangerous waters. Furthermore, it offers profound comfort: even when our human efforts are at their peak and danger seems overwhelming, God's sovereign hand is still at work. We are to exercise our prudence and responsibility, taking practical steps to navigate life's storms, while simultaneously placing our ultimate trust in God's guiding hand, knowing that He is faithful to His promises, even when the "shipwreck" seems inevitable. Our diligence is not in vain, but it is ultimately God's power that brings about our deliverance.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "depths" in your life (spiritual, relational, financial, etc.) might need to be "sounded" for warning signs?**
* **How can you practice greater vigilance and discernment in recognizing potential dangers or areas of decline?**
* **In what ways can you balance diligent human effort with complete trust in God's providence when facing overwhelming challenges?**
* **How does the sailors' fear in this passage relate to your own fears when facing uncertain or perilous situations, and how can Paul's faith encourage you?**

### FAQ

**What is a "fathom" and why was the change in depth significant?**

Answer: A "fathom" (Greek: _orguiá_) is an ancient unit of depth, equivalent to six feet, or the average span of a man's outstretched arms. The change from twenty fathoms (120 feet) to fifteen fathoms (90 feet) over a short distance was extremely significant because it indicated a rapid and alarming decrease in water depth. For ancient mariners, this was a clear and immediate warning sign that they were quickly approaching shallow waters, submerged rocks, or a coastline. Such a rapid change meant that a shipwreck was imminent, as the ship was in danger of running aground or striking an underwater obstacle. This detail underscores the extreme peril the ship and its passengers faced.

**How does this verse relate to Paul's earlier prophecy about the voyage?**

Answer: This verse directly relates to Paul's earlier prophecy in [Acts 27:22-26](/acts/27-22-26 "Acts 27:22-26 - Paul's Prophecy of Deliverance") where he assured the terrified crew and passengers that while the ship would be lost, no lives would perish. The decreasing depth readings in [Acts 27:28](/acts/27-28 "Acts 27:28 - Sounding the Depths") confirm the first part of Paul's prophecy – that the ship was indeed heading for destruction. The sailors' frantic efforts to measure the depth and their subsequent decision to cast out anchors ([Acts 27:29](/acts/27-29 "Acts 27:29 - Casting Anchors")) are human responses to the very danger that Paul had foretold. Thus, the verse highlights the unfolding of God's plan through natural circumstances and human actions, setting the stage for the miraculous preservation of life amidst the inevitable shipwreck.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Acts 27:28 describes a practical navigational maneuver during a desperate storm, it resonates with profound Christ-centered themes, particularly concerning God's sovereignty over chaos and His faithfulness to His people. Just as the sailors' diligent efforts to "sound" the depths revealed an escalating danger, foreshadowing the ship's destruction, so too does the Old Testament often reveal humanity's increasing spiritual peril and inability to save itself from the "depths" of sin. Christ's advent, however, marks the ultimate divine intervention. He is the one who truly "sounds" the depths of human depravity, not to confirm our doom, but to bring salvation. His journey to the cross, culminating in His death and resurrection, is the ultimate act of God's providence, ensuring that though humanity was "shipwrecked" by sin, no lives would be ultimately lost for those who trust in Him. He is our anchor in the storms of life, the one who calms the raging seas of sin and death ([Mark 4:39](/mark/4-39 "Mark 4:39 - Jesus Calms the Storm")) and guides us safely to the eternal shore, fulfilling the promise of deliverance that echoes through passages like the one in Acts. Paul's assurance that no lives would be lost, despite the inevitable shipwreck ([Acts 27:22](/acts/27-22 "Acts 27:22 - Paul's Assurance")), ultimately points to Christ, who is our life ([Colossians 3:4](/colossians/3-4 "Colossians 3:4 - Christ Our Life")) and our hope of glory ([Colossians 1:27](/colossians/1-27 "Colossians 1:27 - Christ in You, the Hope of Glory")), securing our salvation even when all earthly hopes seem lost.

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.