Acts 27:38

KJV

And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, and cast out the wheat into the sea.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} when they had eaten {G5160} enough {G2880}, they lightened {G2893} the ship {G4143}, and cast out {G1544} the wheat {G4621} into {G1519} the sea {G2281}.

Complete Jewish Bible

After they had eaten all they wanted, they lightened the ship by dumping the grain into the sea.

Berean Standard Bible

After the men had eaten their fill, they lightened the ship by throwing the grain into the sea.

American Standard Version

And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, throwing out the wheat into the sea.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 27:38 captures a pivotal moment of desperate pragmatism during Paul's shipwreck voyage, where the crew and passengers, having finally eaten to regain strength, made the critical decision to jettison their valuable cargo of wheat into the sea. This drastic measure was taken to lighten the ship, increasing its buoyancy and maneuverability, as they prepared for an inevitable grounding on an unknown shore, hoping to preserve lives even at the cost of significant material loss.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Acts 27 details a harrowing sea voyage from Caesarea to Rome, fraught with peril. Prior to verse 38, Paul had warned against continuing the journey, but his advice was ignored ([Acts 27:9-11](/acts/27-9-11 "Paul's Warning Against Sailing")). A violent storm, the "Euroclydon," then struck, driving the ship for days, stripping away all hope of survival ([Acts 27:14-20](/acts/27-14-20 "The Storm Euroclydon")). Paul, having received a divine assurance, encouraged everyone that no lives would be lost, though the ship would be destroyed ([Acts 27:21-26](/acts/27-21-26 "Paul's Prophecy of Safety")). Verse 38 immediately follows Paul's urging for everyone to eat after a long fast, a communal meal that restored their physical and mental fortitude, preparing them for the next crucial steps towards survival. This act of jettisoning the cargo is the final, desperate human effort before the ship runs aground in [Acts 27:39-41](/acts/27-39-41 "The Shipwreck at Malta").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Sea travel in the ancient Mediterranean was inherently dangerous, especially outside the sailing season (typically late autumn to early spring). Large grain ships, like the one carrying Paul, were vital for supplying Rome, which relied heavily on imports from Egypt and North Africa. Wheat (`sîtos`) was the most common and valuable bulk cargo, serving as the staple food for the Roman Empire. Jettisoning such a valuable commodity represented a monumental financial loss for the ship's owners and merchants. The act demonstrates the extreme measures taken when human life was at stake, highlighting the pragmatic, albeit costly, decisions made by ancient mariners to preserve their vessel and its occupants when facing certain destruction. This ship was likely a large Alexandrian grain ship, capable of carrying hundreds of passengers and a massive cargo, making the decision to cast out the wheat even more significant.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully illustrates several key themes prevalent in [Acts 27](/acts/27 "Acts 27 - The Perilous Voyage"): **Divine Providence and Human Responsibility** is central, as God's promise of safety ([Acts 27:24](/acts/27-24 "God's Promise to Paul")) does not negate the need for human action and wise decision-making. The crew's pragmatic response of "lightening the ship" underscores the theme of **Sacrifice for Survival**, where valuable possessions are willingly forfeited to preserve life. It also highlights **Leadership in Crisis**, as Paul's calm assurance and practical advice (like encouraging them to eat in [Acts 27:33-36](/acts/27-33-36 "Paul Encourages Everyone to Eat")) directly precede and enable the crew's decisive actions. Finally, the scene emphasizes **Hope Amidst Desperation**, as the act of preparing the ship for grounding, rather than simply giving up, signals a renewed determination to survive, fueled by Paul's prophetic words.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **enough (Greek, _korénnymi'_):** This verb means "to cram, i.e., glut or sate." In the context of Acts 27:38, it signifies that the crew and passengers had eaten sufficiently to be "full" or "satisfied" after a prolonged period of fasting due to the storm's severity. This physical replenishment was crucial for their renewed strength and ability to undertake the strenuous task of lightening the ship.
* **lightened (Greek, _kouphízō'_):** Derived from a word meaning "light in weight," this verb specifically means "to unload" or "to make light." It describes the deliberate act of reducing the ship's weight to increase its buoyancy and raise its draft, making it less likely to run aground on shallow reefs and more manageable as they approached land. This was a standard procedure for ships in distress nearing a coast.
* **cast out (Greek, _ekbállō'_):** This verb, formed from "out of" (ek) and "to throw" (ballō), means "to eject" or "to cast forth." Here, it denotes the forceful and decisive action of throwing the wheat overboard. It implies a complete and irreversible removal of the cargo, emphasizing the urgency and finality of their decision to sacrifice their valuable freight for the sake of survival.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And when they had eaten enough":** This clause signifies the completion of a crucial step in their survival strategy. After 14 days of involuntary fasting due to the storm's intensity and their despair, Paul had encouraged everyone to eat, assuring them of God's provision. Their eating "enough" indicates a restoration of physical strength and morale, essential for the arduous tasks that lay ahead. It marks a turning point from passive endurance to active preparation.
* **"they lightened the ship":** This phrase describes the primary objective of their subsequent actions. To "lighten" the ship meant to reduce its overall weight. This was a critical maneuver to prevent the ship from sinking or breaking apart upon impact with the seabed or rocks. A lighter ship would float higher in the water, reducing its draft and making it less vulnerable to unseen underwater obstacles as they neared the shore.
* **"and cast out the wheat into the sea":** This specifies the method by which they lightened the ship. The "wheat" was the ship's primary cargo, representing significant economic value. Casting it "into the sea" was a desperate and irreversible act of jettisoning. This emphasizes the extreme nature of their situation; the value of human life and the ship's structural integrity far outweighed the considerable financial loss of the cargo. It was a final, calculated risk to improve their chances of survival.

#### Literary Devices
The narrative in Acts 27:38 employs several literary devices. **Pragmatism** is evident in the crew's actions; despite Paul's divine assurance, they take practical, human steps to ensure survival, illustrating that faith does not negate responsibility. The act of "casting out the wheat" serves as powerful **Symbolism**, representing the necessity of shedding burdens or material possessions when faced with existential threats, highlighting a universal principle of sacrifice for preservation. The **Pacing** of the narrative is also significant; the verse immediately follows the communal meal, creating a sense of urgency and decisive action, moving quickly from physical restoration to critical preparation for the imminent grounding. This rapid progression underscores the high stakes and the crew's renewed determination.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 27:38 beautifully illustrates the interplay between divine sovereignty and human responsibility. While God had miraculously promised Paul that no lives would be lost, this promise did not exempt the crew and passengers from taking practical, even desperate, measures to ensure their survival. Their actions of eating to regain strength and then jettisoning the valuable wheat were not acts of doubt in God's promise, but rather acts of faith-filled obedience and wise stewardship in the face of danger. God's miraculous intervention often works through human effort and wise decisions, not in spite of them. This passage teaches that divine providence often unfolds through human agency, requiring us to act prudently and decisively, even when the outcome is divinely assured.

* [Philippians 2:12-13](/philippians/2-12-13 "Work out your salvation with fear and trembling")
* [James 2:17](/james/2-17 "Faith without works is dead")
* [Proverbs 21:31](/proverbs/21-31 "The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the LORD.")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 27:38 offers a profound metaphor for navigating the storms of life. Just as the sailors had to make the difficult decision to "lighten the ship" by casting out their valuable cargo, we too often face situations where we must shed burdens, distractions, or even cherished possessions that, while seemingly valuable, are ultimately hindering our journey or threatening our well-being. This might involve letting go of excessive worries, unhealthy relationships, unproductive habits, or even a relentless pursuit of material wealth that weighs down our spirit. The "wheat" in our lives could be anything that prevents us from moving forward, from trusting God fully, or from prioritizing what truly matters. This verse challenges us to discern what is truly essential for our spiritual and emotional survival and to be willing to make costly sacrifices for the sake of greater preservation—our faith, our relationships, our peace, and our eternal hope. It reminds us that sometimes, the most courageous act is to release what we cling to, trusting that God will guide us safely to shore.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "wheat" (burdens, possessions, anxieties, unhealthy attachments) might I need to cast out of my life to "lighten my ship" and navigate my current challenges more effectively?**
* **How does this passage encourage me to balance trust in God's providence with my own practical efforts and wise decision-making?**
* **In what areas of my life am I holding onto something valuable that is actually hindering my progress or spiritual well-being?**

### FAQ

**Why did they cast out the wheat if Paul had already promised that no lives would be lost?**

Answer: Paul's promise in [Acts 27:22-25](/acts/27-22-25 "Paul's Prophecy of Safety") assured them of divine protection for their lives, but it did not guarantee the preservation of the ship or its cargo. The act of casting out the wheat was a practical, necessary measure to increase the ship's chances of surviving the imminent grounding and to ensure the safety of those on board. Even with a divine promise, God often works through human agency and wise decisions. The sailors were still responsible for taking all reasonable steps to secure their safety. Lightening the ship made it more buoyant and less likely to break apart when it hit the shore, directly contributing to the fulfillment of God's promise by enabling a safer disembarkation. This demonstrates that faith and human effort are not mutually exclusive but often work in tandem in God's plan.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Acts 27:38 describes a physical act of salvation from shipwreck, it powerfully foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice made by Christ for the salvation of humanity. Just as the valuable wheat was cast into the sea to preserve lives, Jesus, the "bread of life" ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "Jesus, the Bread of Life")), willingly offered Himself as the ultimate sacrifice, shedding His own life to redeem humanity from the shipwreck of sin and death. He "emptied himself" ([Philippians 2:7](/philippians/2-7 "Christ Emptied Himself")), casting aside His divine prerogatives to become human and bear the weight of our sin. His death was the ultimate "jettisoning" – a costly, self-sacrificial act that lightened the burden of sin and guilt for all who believe, enabling us to safely reach the shore of eternal life. The temporary physical salvation in Acts 27:38 points to the eternal spiritual salvation secured by the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")).

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

Jonah 1:5

Then the mariners were afraid, and cried every man unto his god, and cast forth the wares that [were] in the ship into the sea, to lighten [it] of them. But Jonah was gone down into the sides of the ship; and he lay, and was fast asleep.

Matthew 6:25

¶ Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?

Matthew 16:26

For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

Acts 27:18

And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next [day] they lightened the ship;

Acts 27:19

And the third [day] we cast out with our own hands the tackling of the ship.

Hebrews 12:1

¶ Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset [us], and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

Job 2:4

And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life.