Acts 27:42

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 27:42 captures a moment of extreme desperation during Paul's perilous sea voyage to Rome, where the Roman soldiers, fearing the escape of their prisoners in the event of shipwreck and the severe penalties they would face as a result, counselled to kill all the prisoners. This grim proposal highlights the harsh realities of Roman law and military discipline, setting the stage for a crucial divine intervention that ultimately preserves Paul and all those on board.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Acts 27:42 is situated at the climax of a harrowing sea journey, meticulously detailed by Luke, the author of Acts. Paul, under arrest, is being transported to Rome to appeal to Caesar. The ship, caught in a violent storm known as the [Euroclydon](/acts/27-14 "Acts 27:14 - The Euroclydon Storm"), has been adrift for many days, facing imminent destruction. Paul had previously warned against setting sail ([Acts 27:9-10](/acts/27-9-10 "Acts 27:9-10 - Paul's Warning")), and later, after an angelic visitation, assured everyone of their survival, though the ship would be lost ([Acts 27:21-26](/acts/27-21-26 "Acts 27:21-26 - Paul's Prophecy of Deliverance")). This verse immediately precedes the ship running aground and the centurion's pivotal intervention, making it a moment of acute tension before the promised deliverance. It underscores the severity of the situation and the human response to it, contrasting sharply with God's sovereign plan.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Roman military law was notoriously strict, especially concerning the custody of prisoners. A guard who allowed a prisoner to escape faced severe repercussions, often the same punishment as the escaped prisoner, which could include death. This draconian policy, known as *custodia militaris*, explains the soldiers' desperate "counsel" to kill their charges. They were not acting out of malice towards the prisoners per se, but out of a pragmatic, albeit brutal, concern for their own lives and futures under Roman authority. The journey itself, a sea voyage in the ancient world, was perilous, particularly during the stormy season (late autumn to early spring), which Paul had warned against ([Acts 27:9](/acts/27-9 "Acts 27:9 - The Fast was already over")). The ship's crew and soldiers would have been exhausted and terrified, further contributing to their extreme proposal.

* **Key Themes:** This verse, within the broader narrative of [Acts 27](/acts/27 "Acts 27 - Paul's Perilous Voyage to Rome"), contributes to several overarching themes. Firstly, it highlights **God's sovereign providence and protection** over His chosen servants, particularly Paul, whose life was essential for the spread of the Gospel to Rome and beyond ([Acts 23:11](/acts/23-11 "Acts 23:11 - The Lord's Promise to Paul")). Secondly, it showcases the **contrast between human desperation and divine intervention**, where human solutions are often brutal and short-sighted, while God's plan is for preservation and purpose. Thirdly, it subtly demonstrates the **impact of a righteous individual** (Paul) on those around him, as the centurion's regard for Paul ultimately saves everyone on board, a theme echoed in other biblical narratives where the righteous preserve the unrighteous (e.g., [Genesis 18:22-33](/genesis/18-22-33 "Genesis 18:22-33 - Abraham Intercedes for Sodom")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **counsel (Greek, _boulḗ'_):** From G1012, this term signifies a deliberate "volition," "advice," or "purpose." It implies that the soldiers' decision was not a spontaneous, emotional outburst but a calculated, albeit ruthless, plan reached after considering their perilous situation and their legal obligations under Roman law. It was a considered strategy to avoid the severe penalties for allowing prisoners to escape.
* **kill (Greek, _apokteínō'_):** From G615, this verb means "to kill outright" or "to destroy." Its use here underscores the absolute finality and brutality of the soldiers' proposed solution. They intended to eliminate the prisoners entirely to prevent any possibility of escape, demonstrating the extreme measures they were willing to take to protect themselves from Roman justice.
* **escape (Greek, _diapheúgō'_):** From G1309, this word means "to flee through" or "to escape." It directly addresses the soldiers' primary fear: that prisoners would successfully flee the shipwreck and disappear, leaving the soldiers liable. This fear was the driving force behind their counsel, highlighting the high stakes involved for the Roman guards.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the soldiers' counsel was to kill the prisoners":** This clause reveals the extreme and brutal solution proposed by the Roman soldiers. Faced with the imminent shipwreck, their primary concern was not the safety of the prisoners, but their own liability under Roman law if the prisoners escaped. To prevent this, they deliberated and concluded that killing the prisoners was the most effective, albeit horrific, course of action to secure their own safety from severe punishment.
* **"lest any of them should swim out":** This specifies the immediate fear and scenario the soldiers envisioned. They anticipated that some prisoners, being able to swim, would take advantage of the chaos of the shipwreck to reach shore and flee. This highlights the practical danger they perceived, as the ship was running aground near land, making escape a real possibility for those with swimming ability.
* **"and escape":** This final phrase articulates the ultimate consequence the soldiers sought to prevent. "Escape" here refers to successfully evading capture and disappearing, which would directly lead to the soldiers facing severe penalties, potentially death, under Roman military law. It underscores the high personal stakes involved for the guards.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary devices to heighten its dramatic impact. **Foreshadowing** is evident, as this grim counsel sets up the subsequent divine intervention through the centurion, emphasizing God's protective hand over Paul. The soldiers' **desperation** is palpable, conveyed through their extreme proposal, which serves as a stark **contrast** to Paul's calm assurance of survival, rooted in divine revelation. The phrase "kill the prisoners" is a form of **euphemism** or **understatement** in its concise brutality, masking the full horror of the act, yet its starkness effectively communicates the severity of the Roman legal consequences the soldiers faced. Furthermore, the scene itself is a **climax** of the storm narrative, bringing the human element of fear and self-preservation to the forefront before the resolution.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 27:42, while seemingly a dark moment, serves as a powerful testament to God's meticulous providence and His unwavering commitment to His purposes, especially through His chosen instruments. The soldiers' counsel, born out of human fear and the harsh realities of Roman law, stands in stark contrast to the divine plan for Paul's life and ministry. God's intervention, though not directly in this verse, immediately follows, demonstrating that even the most desperate human intentions cannot thwart His sovereign will. This passage beautifully illustrates how God can orchestrate events, even through the actions of those unaware of His grand design, to protect His people and advance His kingdom. It reminds us that God's purposes will prevail, often in ways that defy human logic or expectation, turning potential tragedy into a display of His power and faithfulness.

* [Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "Romans 8:28 - God Works All Things for Good")
* [Psalm 37:23-24](/psalms/37-23-24 "Psalm 37:23-24 - The Lord Upholds the Righteous")
* [Isaiah 43:1-2](/isaiah/43-1-2 "Isaiah 43:1-2 - God's Promise of Protection")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 27:42 presents a chilling reminder of human desperation and the lengths to which individuals will go when faced with dire consequences. Yet, within this grim scenario, a profound spiritual truth emerges: even when circumstances seem utterly hopeless and human solutions are brutal, God remains sovereignly in control. For believers, this passage offers immense encouragement to trust in God's overarching plan, even when our immediate situation appears chaotic or life-threatening. It challenges us to look beyond the immediate human threats and recognize that God can intervene through unexpected means and individuals, turning the tide of events to fulfill His divine will. This should foster a deeper faith that God's purposes for our lives will be accomplished, regardless of the obstacles or dangers we encounter. It calls us to pray for divine intervention in seemingly impossible situations and to remember that our ultimate safety and purpose rest in His hands, not in the schemes or fears of others.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do you typically react when faced with desperate or seemingly hopeless situations? Do you tend to rely on human solutions or seek divine intervention?**
* **Can you recall a time in your life when God intervened in an unexpected way to protect you or fulfill His purpose, despite human plans or threats?**
* **What does this passage teach you about the tension between human responsibility (the soldiers' duty) and divine sovereignty (God's plan for Paul)?**
* **How does the knowledge of God's ultimate control impact your ability to trust Him in the midst of fear or uncertainty?**

### FAQ

**Why did the soldiers want to kill the prisoners?**

Answer: The soldiers wanted to kill the prisoners primarily to prevent their escape. Under Roman military law, a guard who allowed a prisoner to escape faced severe penalties, often the same punishment as the escaped prisoner, which could include death. With the ship breaking apart near land, the soldiers feared that the prisoners would swim to shore and flee, making them liable for the prisoners' escape. Their "counsel" was a desperate, pragmatic, and brutal attempt to avoid these severe personal consequences.

**Was this a common practice in Roman times?**

Answer: While the specific act of killing prisoners to prevent escape during a shipwreck might not have been a documented "common practice," the underlying principle was deeply ingrained in Roman military discipline. The concept of *custodia militaris* (military custody) held guards strictly accountable for their charges. Famous examples, such as the jailer at Philippi being ready to take his own life after an earthquake opened the prison doors ([Acts 16:27](/acts/16-27 "Acts 16:27 - The Philippian Jailer's Despair")), illustrate the extreme consequences faced by guards whose prisoners escaped. Therefore, the soldiers' counsel, while shocking, was a logical, albeit extreme, response within the framework of Roman law and military accountability.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 27:42, though a narrative of human desperation and a near-tragedy, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the broader biblical narrative of God's redemptive plan. Just as Paul, a chosen vessel for the Gospel, was miraculously preserved from death by the centurion's intervention, so too is humanity, held captive by sin and facing spiritual death, preserved through the ultimate intervention of Christ. The soldiers' desperate counsel to kill the prisoners, a reflection of fallen humanity's brutal solutions, stands in stark contrast to God's divine counsel, which is always for life and salvation. The [Lamb of God, Jesus Christ](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), was "killed outright" not to prevent an escape, but to secure the ultimate escape for humanity from the bondage of sin and death ([Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14-15 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Jesus Frees from Fear of Death")). His sacrificial death on the cross was God's perfect plan to "set the captives free" ([Isaiah 61:1](/isaiah/61-1 "Isaiah 61:1 - The Spirit of the Lord is Upon Me"), quoted by Jesus in [Luke 4:18](/luke/4-18 "Luke 4:18 - Jesus' Nazareth Sermon")), not by destroying them, but by bearing their penalty. Thus, this verse subtly points to the greater salvation wrought by Christ, where God's ultimate purpose is not to condemn, but to redeem and preserve those destined for eternal life through faith in His Son ([John 3:16-17](/john/3-16-17 "John 3:16-17 - God So Loved the World")).

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 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.