27:36 27:36

Acts 27:37

27:38 27:38

Bible Versions

And we were in all in the ship two hundred threescore and sixteen souls.
And {G1161} we were {G2258} in all {G3956} in {G1722} the ship {G4143} two hundred {G1250} threescore {G1440} and sixteen {G1803} souls {G5590}.
Altogether there were 276 of us on board the ship.
In all, there were 276 of us on board.
And we were in all in the ship two hundred threescore and sixteen souls.

Acts 27:37 states a crucial detail in the dramatic account of Paul’s perilous sea journey to Rome: "And we were in all in the ship two hundred threescore and sixteen souls." This verse precisely quantifies the number of individuals on board the ship, setting the stage for the miraculous survival that follows.

Context of Acts 27:37

This verse is situated within the narrative of Paul's journey to Rome as a prisoner, facing an appeal before Caesar. The voyage was plagued by an intense and prolonged storm, known as Euroclydon (Acts 27:14), which caused the ship to drift helplessly for many days. By this point in the chapter, all hope of survival had been abandoned by the crew and passengers (Acts 27:20). However, Paul, having received a divine assurance from an angel, had previously declared that while the ship would be lost, no lives would be (Acts 27:22-24). Just prior to verse 37, Paul encouraged everyone to eat, promising their safety and demonstrating remarkable leadership and faith amidst despair (Acts 27:33-36). The enumeration of 276 "souls" provides a concrete figure against which the later fulfillment of God's promise can be measured, underscoring the magnitude of the miracle when all these people eventually survive the shipwreck.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Preservation: The precise number highlights God's meticulous care for every individual. Despite the overwhelming danger of the storm and the impending shipwreck, God's promise to Paul ensured the preservation of all 276 lives. This demonstrates God's power to protect His people and even those around them for His servant's sake.
  • God's Faithfulness: This specific count foreshadows the complete fulfillment of Paul's prophecy given earlier in the chapter (Acts 27:24). It reinforces the reliability of God's word, even in seemingly impossible situations.
  • Paul's Authority and Influence: Even as a prisoner, Paul emerges as the true leader on board, his words carrying divine authority and bringing hope to a desperate company. His faith and the subsequent preservation of all lives undoubtedly bolstered his credibility among the sailors and soldiers.

Linguistic Insights

The term "souls" (Greek: psychai) is a common biblical idiom referring to living persons or individuals. It emphasizes that the count is of people, not just cargo or crew members, highlighting the preciousness of each life preserved by divine intervention.

Practical Application

Acts 27:37 reminds us that God is intimately aware of every detail of our lives, even when we feel adrift in life's storms. Just as He knew the exact number of people on that ship and ensured their safety, He knows and cares for us individually. This passage encourages us to trust in God's promises and His protective hand, even when circumstances seem hopeless. It also illustrates how God can use His faithful servants to bring hope and deliver His message of salvation and deliverance to those around them, irrespective of their status or situation. In times of crisis, we can anchor our hope in the unwavering faithfulness of God, knowing that He is able to bring us through.

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.

  • Acts 2:41

    Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added [unto them] about three thousand souls.

  • Acts 7:14

    Then sent Joseph, and called his father Jacob to [him], and all his kindred, threescore and fifteen souls.

  • Romans 13:1

    ¶ Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

  • 1 Peter 3:20

    Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.
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