Acts 27:20

And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on [us], all hope that we should be saved was then taken away.

And {G1161} when neither {G3383} sun {G2246} nor {G3383} stars {G798} in {G1909} many {G4119} days {G2250} appeared {G2014}, and {G5037} no {G3756} small {G3641} tempest {G5494} lay on {G1945} us, all {G3956} hope {G1680} that we {G2248} should be saved {G4982} was {G4014} then {G3063} taken away {G4014}.

For many days neither the sun nor the stars appeared, while the storm continued to rage, until gradually all hope of survival vanished.

When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the great storm continued to batter us, we abandoned all hope of being saved.

And when neither sun nor stars shone upon us for many days, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was now taken away.

Commentary

Acts 27:20 KJV vividly portrays a moment of utter desperation during the Apostle Paul's perilous sea voyage to Rome. This verse encapsulates the crew and passengers' complete loss of hope as their ship endured a relentless storm.

Historical and Cultural Context

This verse is part of a dramatic narrative in Acts chapter 27, detailing Paul's journey as a prisoner to stand trial before Caesar. Ancient sea travel was inherently risky, especially during the stormy season. Ships relied heavily on celestial navigation; the absence of "sun nor stars in many days" meant they were completely disoriented and unable to determine their position or direction. This prolonged period of severe weather—the "no small tempest" (referring to the violent Euroclydon wind mentioned earlier in the chapter)—signified not just danger, but an exhausting, unending ordeal that stripped away any illusion of control or safety.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Profound Despair: The central theme is the complete abandonment of hope. When all natural indicators for survival (sun, stars) vanish and the storm persists for "many days," human resilience breaks. This is a powerful depiction of overwhelming hopelessness in the face of insurmountable odds.
  • Human Vulnerability: The verse highlights the fragility of human life and endeavors against the forces of nature. Despite the skill of the sailors, they were utterly at the mercy of the elements.
  • Setting the Stage for Divine Intervention: While the verse itself speaks of despair, it is crucial context for understanding the subsequent verses where Paul's prophetic assurance and God's faithfulness emerge amidst the crisis. The depth of despair underscores the miraculous nature of the deliverance that follows.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "no small tempest" uses a Greek idiom (ou tykhousa thuella) that intensifies the meaning, emphasizing a truly "extraordinary" or "exceedingly great" storm. The word "tempest" (Greek: thuella) denotes a violent gust or whirlwind. The phrase "all hope... was then taken away" uses the Greek word periaireo, which literally means "to take away completely" or "to remove all around," conveying an absolute and comprehensive loss of any expectation of rescue or survival. It wasn't just diminishing hope, but its utter removal.

Practical Application and Reflection

Acts 27:20 offers a relatable image for anyone who has faced circumstances where "all hope... was taken away." Whether it's a personal crisis, a health struggle, or a period of intense uncertainty, this verse acknowledges the reality of human despair. It reminds us that even in moments when we feel completely lost and disoriented, stripped of all natural indicators of a way forward, God's presence and plan can still be at work. While this verse focuses on the low point, it implicitly sets the stage for the truth that true hope ultimately rests not in circumstances, but in the God who can bring calm to any storm, physical or spiritual.

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Cross-References

  • Matthew 8:24 (5 votes)

    And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep.

  • Matthew 8:25 (5 votes)

    And his disciples came to [him], and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish.

  • Matthew 24:29 (5 votes)

    Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:

  • Isaiah 57:10 (4 votes)

    Thou art wearied in the greatness of thy way; [yet] saidst thou not, There is no hope: thou hast found the life of thine hand; therefore thou wast not grieved.

  • Ephesians 2:12 (4 votes)

    That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:

  • Jeremiah 2:25 (4 votes)

    Withhold thy foot from being unshod, and thy throat from thirst: but thou saidst, There is no hope: no; for I have loved strangers, and after them will I go.

  • 1 Thessalonians 4:13 (4 votes)

    ¶ But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.