Acts 27:42

And the soldiers' counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim out, and escape.

And {G1161} the soldiers {G4757}' counsel {G1012} was {G1096} to {G2443} kill {G615} the prisoners {G1202}, lest {G3361} any of them {G5100} should swim out {G1579}, and escape {G1309}.

At this point the soldiers’ thought was to kill the prisoners, so that none of them would swim off and escape.

The soldiers planned to kill the prisoners so none of them could swim to freedom.

And the soldiers’ counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim out, and escape.

Acts 27:42 KJV Commentary

Context

Acts 27:42 finds the Apostle Paul, a prisoner, aboard a ship bound for Rome. The vessel, carrying Paul and many other prisoners, along with soldiers and sailors, had been caught in a catastrophic storm known as Euroclydon. After many days adrift and facing imminent shipwreck, the ship finally ran aground near the island of Malta. The soldiers' immediate concern, as seen in this verse, was to prevent the prisoners under their charge from escaping. Under Roman law, a guard who allowed a prisoner to escape often faced the same penalty as the escaped prisoner, including death. This grave responsibility led to their drastic proposal.

The Soldiers' Desperate Counsel

The phrase "And the soldiers' counsel was to kill the prisoners" reveals the extreme measure they considered. Faced with a shipwreck and the possibility of their charges swimming to shore and fleeing, the soldiers, driven by fear of severe repercussions from Roman authorities, saw eliminating the prisoners as the most secure way to fulfill their duty and protect themselves. This desperate and brutal decision highlights the harsh realities of Roman military discipline and the high stakes involved in their mission.

Divine Intervention and Protection

While this verse presents a grim scenario, it sets the stage for a crucial act of divine intervention. Though not explicitly stated in this verse, the very next verse (Acts 27:43) reveals that the centurion, Julius, who had shown kindness to Paul earlier (Acts 27:3), intervened to save Paul's life. Because of his regard for Paul, the centurion forbade the soldiers' plan, thereby saving not only Paul but all the other prisoners as well. This act underscores God's sovereign protection over His servant, Paul, whose life was essential for the furtherance of the Gospel in Rome (Acts 23:11).

Key Themes and Messages

  • God's Providence: This verse, in conjunction with the subsequent action, powerfully illustrates how God orchestrates events, even through human desperation and potentially deadly situations, to fulfill His divine purpose.
  • The Value of a Righteous Individual: Paul's presence and the centurion's respect for him led to the preservation of many lives, demonstrating the impact one faithful person can have on those around them.
  • Human Desperation vs. Divine Plan: The soldiers' counsel represents a very human, pragmatic, and brutal solution to a dire problem, standing in stark contrast to God's overarching plan of salvation and preservation.

Linguistic Insight

The KJV word "counsel" in this verse translates the Greek term boulē (βουλὴ), which signifies a deliberate plan or purpose. It implies that this was not a spontaneous outburst but a calculated, albeit ruthless, decision reached after consideration of their perilous situation and their legal obligations.

Practical Application

Acts 27:42 reminds us that even in the most life-threatening or desperate circumstances, God remains in control. When human solutions are grim or seemingly hopeless, we can trust in God's ultimate plan and His ability to protect His people and fulfill His purposes. It encourages believers to have faith that God can work through unexpected means and individuals to bring about His will, even when danger is imminent.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Acts 12:19

    And when Herod had sought for him, and found him not, he examined the keepers, and commanded that [they] should be put to death. And he went down from Judaea to Caesarea, and [there] abode.

  • Ecclesiastes 9:3

    This [is] an evil among all [things] that are done under the sun, that [there is] one event unto all: yea, also the heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness [is] in their heart while they live, and after that [they go] to the dead.

  • Psalms 74:20

    Have respect unto the covenant: for the dark places of the earth are full of the habitations of cruelty.

  • Proverbs 12:10

    ¶ A righteous [man] regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked [are] cruel.

  • Luke 23:40

    But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?

  • Luke 23:41

    And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.

  • Mark 15:15

    ¶ And [so] Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged [him], to be crucified.

Add TrulyRandomVerse to your Home Screen for quick access!

← Back