Acts 27:37

KJV

And we were in all in the ship two hundred threescore and sixteen souls.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} we were {G2258} in all {G3956} in {G1722} the ship {G4143} two hundred {G1250} threescore {G1440} and sixteen {G1803} souls {G5590}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Altogether there were 276 of us on board the ship.

Berean Standard Bible

In all, there were 276 of us on board.

American Standard Version

And we were in all in the ship two hundred threescore and sixteen souls.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 27:37 provides a precise enumeration of the 276 individuals aboard the ship carrying Paul to Rome, a detail that underscores the magnitude of God's miraculous preservation in the face of an impending shipwreck. This specific count highlights the comprehensive nature of the divine promise given to Paul that no lives would be lost, setting the stage for the dramatic fulfillment of God's faithfulness amidst overwhelming peril.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Acts 27:37 is situated within the climactic narrative of Paul's perilous sea journey from Caesarea to Rome, where he is being transported as a prisoner to appeal to Caesar. The preceding verses detail a prolonged and violent storm, the "Euroclydon," which had driven the ship helplessly for many days, leading to the abandonment of all hope by the crew and passengers ([Acts 27:20](/acts/27-20 "Acts 27:20 - All Hope Abandoned")). Paul, however, had received a divine assurance from an angel that while the ship would be lost, every life on board would be spared ([Acts 27:22-24](/acts/27-22-24 "Acts 27:22-24 - Paul's Prophecy of Safety")). Just prior to this verse, Paul demonstrated remarkable leadership and faith by encouraging everyone to eat, promising their safety and partaking of food himself, thereby inspiring hope and obedience among the desperate company ([Acts 27:33-36](/acts/27-33-36 "Acts 27:33-36 - Paul Encourages Everyone to Eat")). The specific enumeration of "two hundred threescore and sixteen souls" serves to concretize the number of lives dependent on God's promise, making the subsequent miraculous survival of all ([Acts 27:44](/acts/27-44 "Acts 27:44 - All Reach Shore Safely")) even more profound.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The journey described in Acts 27 took place during the Roman Empire's control of the Mediterranean Sea. Maritime travel in antiquity was inherently dangerous, especially outside the calmer summer months. The "Euroclydon" ([Acts 27:14](/acts/27-14 "Acts 27:14 - The Euroclydon Storm")), a violent northeasterly gale, was a known hazard in the Mediterranean, particularly around the island of Crete. Ships were typically large merchant vessels, often carrying not just cargo but also a substantial number of passengers, including soldiers, prisoners, and other travelers. The presence of Roman soldiers and a centurion (Julius) indicates the official nature of Paul's transport. The custom of "souls" referring to individuals was a common idiom in both Greek and Hebrew cultures, emphasizing the human lives involved. The precise numbering in ancient texts often signifies the importance of the detail, lending credibility and historical accuracy to the account, especially in a context where such a large number of lives were miraculously preserved.
* **Key Themes:** This verse, within the broader narrative of [Acts 27](/acts/27 "Acts 27 - Paul's Voyage and Shipwreck"), contributes to several key themes. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Preservation and Sovereignty**, demonstrating God's meticulous care for every individual and His absolute control over natural forces. Despite the overwhelming danger, God's promise to Paul ensures the preservation of all 276 lives, showcasing His power to protect His people and even those associated with them for His servant's sake. This directly ties into the theme of **God's Faithfulness**, as the specific count foreshadows the complete fulfillment of Paul's prophecy given earlier in the chapter ([Acts 27:24](/acts/27-24 "Acts 27:24 - God's Promise to Paul")). It reinforces the reliability of God's word, even in seemingly impossible situations. Furthermore, the passage highlights **Paul's Authority and Influence**, even as a prisoner. His unwavering faith and the subsequent preservation of all lives undoubtedly bolstered his credibility and demonstrated the divine authority behind his words, positioning him as the true leader and source of hope amidst despair.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **all (Greek, _pâs'_):** This word, G3956, denotes completeness, including every single one. In the context of Acts 27:37, "in all" emphasizes that the count of 276 represents the *entire* company on board, leaving no one out. This highlights the comprehensive nature of God's promise of preservation—not just some, but *all* would be saved.
* **ship (Greek, _ploîon'_):** G4143 refers to a vessel or boat, typically one used for sailing on the sea. This word grounds the narrative in a concrete setting, emphasizing the physical vehicle that was subject to the storm's fury and the miraculous means through which the 276 "souls" were transported and ultimately preserved.
* **souls (Greek, _psychḗ'_):** G5590, often translated as "soul," here functions as a common idiom for "persons" or "individuals." By using "souls," the text emphasizes that the count is of living human beings, highlighting the preciousness of each life that God meticulously preserved. It underscores the personal nature of God's care, extending to every single person on board.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And we were in all":** This opening phrase establishes the total number of individuals present. The use of "we" includes Luke, the author, indicating his presence on the ship and lending an eyewitness quality to the account. "In all" specifies that the subsequent number represents the complete sum of people.
* **"in the ship":** This clause precisely locates the group, emphasizing that this count refers specifically to those confined within the vessel during the storm. It sets the scene for the impending shipwreck, where their survival would depend entirely on divine intervention.
* **"two hundred threescore and sixteen souls":** This is the precise numerical detail that is the core of the verse. "Two hundred threescore and sixteen" translates to 276. The term "souls" (Greek: _psychai_) is a common biblical idiom for "persons" or "individuals," highlighting that the count refers to living human beings. This exact figure makes the subsequent miraculous preservation of every single person profoundly impactful, demonstrating God's faithfulness to His promise.

#### Literary Devices
The most prominent literary device in Acts 27:37 is **Precise Enumeration**. The author, Luke, a meticulous historian, provides an exact number (276) of people on board the ship. This specific detail serves multiple purposes: it lends historical credibility to the narrative, emphasizing the factual nature of the events; it quantifies the scale of the miracle that follows, as every single one of these individuals is saved; and it highlights the comprehensive nature of God's promise to Paul that no lives would be lost. This numerical specificity transforms a general statement of survival into a powerful testament to God's meticulous care and unwavering faithfulness. The use of "souls" as a **Synecdoche** (a part representing the whole) for "persons" also subtly emphasizes the preciousness and individuality of each life preserved.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 27:37 serves as a powerful testament to God's meticulous sovereignty and faithfulness, even in the most dire circumstances. The precise enumeration of 276 souls underscores that God's promise of preservation, given to Paul, was not a vague assurance but a comprehensive guarantee covering every single individual on board. This detail highlights God's intimate knowledge and care for each life, demonstrating that His plans are precise and His word is utterly reliable. It teaches us that God is not only capable of intervening in grand, miraculous ways but also pays attention to the smallest details, ensuring the fulfillment of His purposes. The survival of all 276 people, against all odds, becomes a dramatic illustration of divine power overriding natural impossibility, reinforcing the principle that God's faithfulness is an anchor in life's storms.

* [Genesis 7:23](/genesis/7-23 "Genesis 7:23 - Noah and His Family Preserved in the Flood")
* [Psalm 107:28-30](/psalms/107-28-30 "Psalm 107:28-30 - God Delivers from Storms")
* [Matthew 10:30](/matthew/10-30 "Matthew 10:30 - God Knows Every Hair")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 27:37, with its precise count of 276 souls, offers a profound anchor for our faith in a world often characterized by chaos and uncertainty. It reminds us that God is intimately aware of every detail of our lives, even when we feel adrift in life's most formidable storms. Just as He knew the exact number of people on that ship and meticulously ensured their safety, He knows and cares for us individually, down to the very hairs on our heads. This passage encourages us to trust in God's unwavering promises and His protective hand, even when circumstances seem utterly hopeless and human reason dictates otherwise. It illustrates how God can use His faithful servants, like Paul, to bring hope, courage, and deliverance to those around them, irrespective of their status or the severity of their situation. In times of personal or collective crisis, we are called to anchor our hope not in our own strength or the world's wisdom, but in the steadfast faithfulness of God, knowing that He is able to bring us through, even when the odds are stacked against us. Our faith, like Paul's, can become a beacon of hope for others.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the precise number of 276 "souls" impact your understanding of God's attention to detail and His personal care for individuals?**
* **In what "storms" of life do you currently find yourself, and how can the story of Paul's shipwreck encourage you to trust in God's promise of preservation?**
* **How can your faith, like Paul's, serve as a source of hope and encouragement to those around you who may be facing despair?**
* **What specific promises of God can you cling to when circumstances seem to defy all hope, drawing strength from the faithfulness demonstrated in Acts 27?**

### FAQ
**Why is the exact number of people on the ship important?**

Answer: The exact number of 276 people is crucial for several reasons. First, it lends historical credibility and precision to Luke's account, emphasizing its factual nature. Second, and more significantly, it quantifies the magnitude of the miracle that follows. Paul had received a divine promise that while the ship would be lost, no lives would be ([Acts 27:22-24](/acts/27-22-24 "Acts 27:22-24 - Paul's Prophecy of Safety")). The precise count of 276 "souls" makes the subsequent survival of every single person, against all human expectation, a clear and undeniable fulfillment of God's word. It underscores God's meticulous care and comprehensive faithfulness, demonstrating that His promise extended to every individual on board, not just a select few. This detail transforms a general statement of survival into a powerful testament to divine power and reliability.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 27:37, with its precise enumeration of 276 souls miraculously preserved, foreshadows the comprehensive and meticulous nature of Christ's redemptive work. Just as God ensured the salvation of every single person on board that ship for Paul's sake, so too does Christ's atoning sacrifice secure the salvation of all who place their faith in Him. The ship, tossed by the storm, can be seen as a metaphor for humanity adrift in a world assailed by sin and death, with no hope of self-salvation. Yet, in the midst of this despair, God sends His Son, Jesus, the ultimate deliverer, who promises that none of those the Father gives Him will be lost ([John 6:39](/john/6-39 "John 6:39 - None Shall Be Lost")). Christ's work is not a partial rescue but a complete and total preservation of His elect, ensuring that every "soul" chosen by the Father will be brought safely to the eternal shore. His leadership in the face of spiritual storms, much like Paul's on the ship, offers the only true hope and assurance of salvation ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life")). The miraculous preservation of all 276 lives points to the greater miracle of spiritual preservation, where Christ, through His death and resurrection, conquers the ultimate storm of sin and death, bringing His people safely into the presence of God ([Romans 8:38-39](/romans/8-38-39 "Romans 8:38-39 - Nothing Can Separate Us from God's Love")).

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 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.