Acts 27:41
And falling into a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the forepart stuck fast, and remained unmoveable, but the hinder part was broken with the violence of the waves.
Original Language Analysis
περιπεσόντες
falling
G4045
περιπεσόντες
falling
Strong's:
G4045
Word #:
1 of 24
to fall into something that is all around, i.e., light among or upon, be surrounded with
εἰς
into
G1519
εἰς
into
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
3 of 24
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τόπον
a place
G5117
τόπον
a place
Strong's:
G5117
Word #:
4 of 24
a spot (general in space, but limited by occupancy; whereas g5561 is a large but participle locality), i.e., location (as a position, home, tract, etc
διθάλασσον
where two seas met
G1337
διθάλασσον
where two seas met
Strong's:
G1337
Word #:
5 of 24
having two seas, i.e., a sound with a double outlet
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
9 of 24
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μὲν
G3303
μὲν
Strong's:
G3303
Word #:
11 of 24
properly, indicative of affirmation or concession (in fact); usually followed by a contrasted clause with g1161 (this one, the former, etc.)
ἔμεινεν
and remained
G3306
ἔμεινεν
and remained
Strong's:
G3306
Word #:
14 of 24
to stay (in a given place, state, relation or expectancy)
ἀσάλευτος
unmoveable
G761
ἀσάλευτος
unmoveable
Strong's:
G761
Word #:
15 of 24
unshaken, i.e., (by implication) immovable (figuratively)
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὑπὸ
with
G5259
ὑπὸ
with
Strong's:
G5259
Word #:
20 of 24
under, i.e., (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or means, through); (with the accusative case) of place (whither (
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
21 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Historical Context
This occurred in late October or early November AD 60 during Paul's voyage to Rome as a prisoner. Ancient ships were structurally vulnerable: the bow's tenon-and-mortise construction could lodge firmly in sand, while the stern's lighter construction shattered under wave assault.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's promise of deliverance (v. 24) coexist with physical hardship and material loss in your life?
- What does the precise fulfillment of both Paul's warning (v. 10) and God's promise (v. 24) teach about prophetic reliability?
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Analysis & Commentary
Falling into a place where two seas met—The nautical term (τόπον διθάλασσον, topon dithalasson) describes a reef or sandbar where currents converge. Archaeological research identifies this as Malta's St. Paul's Bay, where a muddy channel between Salmonetta promontory and the island creates exactly such conditions. The forepart stuck fast, and remained unmoveable, but the hinder part was broken—Luke's precise description reflects eyewitness detail: the ship's prow lodged in sand while the stern, exposed to wave action (τῆς βίας τῶν κυμάτων, the violence of the waves), disintegrated. This divinely orchestrated shipwreck fulfilled Paul's prophecy (v. 22) while demonstrating God's sovereignty over nature's forces—the ship destroyed, but all 276 souls saved (v. 37).