Acts 27:16
And running under a certain island which is called Clauda, we had much work to come by the boat:
Original Language Analysis
ὑποδραμόντες
running under
G5295
ὑποδραμόντες
running under
Strong's:
G5295
Word #:
4 of 12
to run under, i.e., (specially), to sail past
καλούμενον
which is called
G2564
καλούμενον
which is called
Strong's:
G2564
Word #:
5 of 12
to "call" (properly, aloud, but used in a variety of applications, directly or otherwise)
ἰσχύσαμεν
we had
G2480
ἰσχύσαμεν
we had
Strong's:
G2480
Word #:
8 of 12
to have (or exercise) force (literally or figuratively)
γενέσθαι
G1096
γενέσθαι
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
10 of 12
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
Historical Context
Clauda (or Cauda) is a small island about 7.5 miles long, 23 miles south of Crete. Its eastern side provided temporary lee shelter from the northeaster. The ship's boat (skiff) was essential for ferrying people and supplies to shore, and later for the crew's attempted escape (27:30). Losing it would have been catastrophic.
Questions for Reflection
- How has God preserved seemingly small resources during your 'storms' that later proved essential?
- What does the crew's desperate struggle to secure the boat teach about practical faithfulness during crisis?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Running under a certain island which is called Clauda—The small island (modern Gavdos) 23 miles south of Crete provided brief shelter (its lee side). We had much work to come by the boat (μόλις ἰσχύσαμεν περικρατεῖς γενέσθαι τῆς σκάφης, molis ischysamen perikrateis genesthai tēs skaphēs)—'with difficulty we got control of the ship's boat.' The skiff, normally towed behind, was waterlogged and nearly lost. Securing it required all hands in violent seas. This detail shows Luke's eyewitness accuracy—an invented story wouldn't include such mundane nautical crisis. The preserved boat later saved all 276 lives (27:30-32, 44), showing God's providence in small mercies during great trials.