Greek Text · Translation · Interlinear · Discourse Structure

The Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 27ΠΡΑΞΕΙΣ ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΩΝ ΚΖ′

Each verse opens with the running Greek, an English translation, and a discourse note (its connective, relation, and role in the argument). Below follows the word-by-word breakdown in six tiers: gloss, case (color), parsing, syntax, semantic force, and a lexical note.

Case Nominative Genitive Dative Accusative Vocative Verb (no case) Indeclinable

Discourse notes head each verse: relation · connective · clause-flow. Indentation marks prominence — flush-left = main line of argument; indented = supporting / subordinate material.

1

Ὡς δὲ ἐκρίθη τοῦ ἀποπλεῖν ἡμᾶς εἰς τὴν Ἰταλίαν, παρεδίδουν τόν τε Παῦλον καί τινας ἑτέρους δεσμώτας ἑκατοντάρχῃ ὀνόματι Ἰουλίῳ σπείρης Σεβαστῆς.

When it was decided that we should sail to Italy, they handed over Paul and some other prisoners to a centurion named Julius of the Augustan Cohort.

Temporal settingὩς δέThe 'we' narrative resumes (cf. 21:18), embedding the narrator in the group. The aorist passive ἐκρίθη is impersonal; παρεδίδουν is an iterative imperfect marking the formal handover as the chapter's opening action.
Ὡςwhentemporal conjunction
δέnowcontinuative particle
ἐκρίθηit was decidedAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · κρίνωimpersonal passive main verb→ constative aorist (single administrative decision)κρίνω: 'judge/decide'; the pass. ἐκρίθη is impersonal — 'it was determined,' a Lukan administrative idiom (cf. 15:19; 16:4).
τοῦfor usGenitivearticle with articular infinitive (genitive of purpose)
ἀποπλεῖνto sail awayPres Act Inf · ἀποπλέωarticular infinitive (object of ἐκρίθη)→ progressive present (ongoing voyage in view)ἀποπλέω: 'sail away from'; compound ἀπό + πλέω; 4× in Acts (13:4; 14:26; 20:15; 27:1).
ἡμᾶςusAccusativeaccusative subject of infinitive
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (goal)
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
ἸταλίανItalyAccusativeaccusative of goal (with εἰς)Ἰταλία: Italy; the destination toward which the entire book of Acts has been moving (19:21; 23:11).
παρεδίδουνthey handed overImpf Act Indic 3 Pl · παραδίδωμιmain verb (coordinate)→ inceptive imperfect (beginning the formal handover)παραδίδωμι: 'hand over/deliver'; the same verb used of Jesus' passion (Mark 14:10), here official custody transfer.
τόνtheAccusativearticle
τεbothconnective particle (τε … καί, correlative)
ΠαῦλονPaulAccusativedirect object
καίandcorrelative conjunction (τε … καί)
τιναςsomeAccusativeattributive pronoun, direct object (coordinate)
ἑτέρουςotherAccusativeattributive adjectiveἕτερος: 'other (of a different kind)'; the distinction from ἄλλος is not always sharp, but here marks Paul's companions as distinct from Paul himself.
δεσμώταςprisonersAccusativedirect object (appositive to τινας ἑτέρους)δεσμώτης: 'prisoner' (from δεσμός, 'bond/chain'); contrast δέσμιος (one who is bound) — δεσμώτης more specifically denotes a prisoner in custody.
ἑκατοντάρχῃto a centurionDativedative of indirect objectἑκατοντάρχης: 'centurion,' commander of ~100 men; Luke's preferred form (also ἑκατόνταρχος); the centurion Julius acts with notable humanity throughout the chapter.
ὀνόματιby nameDativedative of reference (idiomatic name-introduction)
ἸουλίῳJuliusDativedative in apposition to ὀνόματι (name)Ἰούλιος: a Roman cognomen; Julius of the Cohors Augusta — possibly the Cohors Iulia Sebastene stationed in Syria.
σπείρηςof the cohortGenitivegenitive of identificationσπεῖρα: a Roman cohort (~600 men); in Acts frequently used of auxiliary cohorts in Judea.
ΣεβαστῆςAugustanGenitiveattributive genitive (title of cohort)Σεβαστή: Greek calque of Latin Augusta ('imperial, august'); Σεβαστή = Augusta. Several auxiliary units bore this honorific title.
2

ἐπιβάντες δὲ πλοίῳ Ἀδραμυττηνῷ μέλλοντι πλεῖν εἰς τοὺς κατὰ τὴν Ἀσίαν τόπους ἀνήχθημεν, ὄντος σὺν ἡμῖν Ἀρισταρχου Μακεδόνος Θεσσαλονικέως.

Having embarked on a ship of Adramyttium that was about to sail to the ports along the coast of Asia, we put out to sea, Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica, being with us.

Narrative continuationδέThree circumstantial participles (ἐπιβάντες, μέλλοντι, ὄντος) surround the main verb ἀνήχθημεν — a characteristically Lukan layered narrative style. The genitive absolute ὄντος σὺν ἡμῖν Ἀρισταρχου introduces a named companion.
ἐπιβάντεςhaving embarkedAor Act Ptc Nom Pl Masc · ἐπιβαίνωcircumstantial participle (antecedent action)→ constative aorist participleἐπιβαίνω: 'step onto/board'; nautical term for boarding a vessel (cf. 21:2).
δέandcontinuative particle
πλοίῳon a shipDativedative of means/vehicle (with ἐπιβάντες)πλοῖον: 'ship/vessel'; generic term; here specified by the adjective Ἀδραμυττηνῷ.
ἈδραμυττηνῷAdramyttianDativeattributive adjective (provenance of ship)Ἀδραμυττηνός: of Adramyttium, a port city in Mysia (NW Asia Minor) on the Adramyttene Gulf; ships registered there would be familiar with the Aegean coastal ports.
μέλλοντιabout toPres Act Ptc Dat Sg Masc · μέλλωattributive participle (modifying πλοίῳ)→ futuristic present (imminent departure)μέλλω: 'be about to'; signals immediate intention — the ship was preparing to depart for Asia.
πλεῖνto sailPres Act Inf · πλέωcomplementary infinitive (with μέλλοντι)πλέω: 'sail'; basic nautical verb; 6× in Acts.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (goal)
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle
κατὰalongpreposition + accusative (distributive/location along coast)
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
ἈσίανAsiaAccusativeaccusative (with κατά, distributive)Ἀσία: the Roman province of Asia (western Asia Minor), not the continent; its ports include Ephesus, Miletus, Troas.
τόπουςplaces/portsAccusativedirect object of πλεῖν εἰςτόπος: 'place'; here specifically coastal anchorages/ports.
ἀνήχθημενwe put out to seaAor Pass Indic 1 Pl · ἀνάγωmain verb→ constative aorist (departure as a single event)ἀνάγω: lit. 'lead up'; nautical technical term for 'put out to sea, set sail' (ἀνάγεσθαι εἰς τὴν θάλασσαν); passive used reflexively as a nautical idiom.
ὄντοςbeingPres Act Ptc Gen Sg Masc · εἰμίgenitive absolute (circumstantial)
σύνwithpreposition + dative (accompaniment)
ἡμῖνusDativedative of accompaniment
Ἀρισταρχουof AristarchusGenitivegenitive subject of genitive absoluteἈρίσταρχος: companion of Paul from Thessalonica; mentioned in 19:29; 20:4; Col 4:10; Phlm 24 — a consistent travel companion.
Μακεδόνοςa MacedonianGenitivegenitive in apposition (ethnic identification)Μακεδών: 'Macedonian'; the Roman province of Macedonia, including Thessalonica.
Θεσσαλονικέωςof ThessalonicaGenitivegenitive of origin (city identification)Θεσσαλονικεύς: 'a Thessalonian'; identifies Aristarchus' home city — Thessalonica, capital of the province of Macedonia.
3

τῇ τε ἑτέρᾳ κατήχθημεν εἰς Σιδῶνα· φιλανθρώπως τε ὁ Ἰούλιος τῷ Παύλῳ χρησάμενος ἐπέτρεψεν πρὸς τοὺς φίλους πορευθέντι ἐπιμελείας τυχεῖν.

The next day we put in at Sidon. And Julius treated Paul kindly, allowing him to go to his friends and receive care.

Narrative continuationτεA brief favorable note characterizes Julius' treatment of Paul: φιλανθρώπως and ἐπέτρεψεν establish his benevolent role. The phrase ἐπιμελείας τυχεῖν is an articular-infinitive idiom for 'to receive attention/care' (medical or hospitable).
τῇtheDativearticle (with implied ἡμέρᾳ)
τεandconnective particle
ἑτέρᾳnextDativedative of time (τῇ ἑτέρᾳ sc. ἡμέρᾳ)ἕτερος: here 'next/following' in the idiom τῇ ἑτέρᾳ (ἡμέρᾳ), 'on the following day.'
κατήχθημενwe put inAor Pass Indic 1 Pl · κατάγωmain verb→ constative aorist (single port call)κατάγω: 'lead down'; the nautical passive κατάγεσθαι = 'put in to port, come to harbor' — the standard idiom for arriving at an anchorage.
εἰςatpreposition + accusative (goal/destination)
ΣιδῶναSidonAccusativeaccusative of destinationΣιδών: the Phoenician port city of Sidon, ~110 km north of Caesarea; a natural first port of call on the northward route.
φιλανθρώπωςkindlyadverb (modifying χρησάμενος)φιλανθρώπως: 'humanely, with kindness to man'; φιλάνθρωπος and cognates in Luke-Acts signal the gracious treatment of outsiders (cf. 28:2). The adverb here is a Lukan evaluative commendation.
τεandconnective particle
theNominativearticle
ἸούλιοςJuliusNominativesubject
τῷtoDativearticle
ΠαύλῳPaulDativedative of advantage (indirect object of χρησάμενος)
χρησάμενοςhaving treatedAor Mid Ptc Nom Sg Masc · χράομαιcircumstantial participle (modal — manner of action)→ constative aorist participleχράομαι: 'deal with, treat'; with dative person and adverb of manner — 'treated Paul humanely.'
ἐπέτρεψενallowedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐπιτρέπωmain verb→ constative aorist (act of permission)ἐπιτρέπω: 'permit, allow'; a verb of permission governing the following dative + infinitive construction.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (movement toward)
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle
φίλουςfriendsAccusativeaccusative of goal (with πρός)φίλος: 'friend'; here almost certainly members of the Christian community at Sidon (Luke uses 'friends' as a social term overlapping with 'brothers').
πορευθέντιhaving goneAor Pass Ptc Dat Sg Masc · πορεύομαιdative circumstantial participle (agreeing with τῷ Παύλῳ)→ constative aorist participleπορεύομαι: 'go, travel'; a Lukan favorite (nearly 50× in Luke-Acts).
ἐπιμελείαςof careGenitivegenitive object of τυχεῖνἐπιμέλεια: 'care, attention'; hapax in NT; cognate ἐπιμελέομαι (Luke 10:34, the Good Samaritan) and ἐπιμελῶς (Luke 15:8). Possibly medical care given Paul's chronic ailment.
τυχεῖνto receiveAor Act Inf · τυγχάνωcomplementary infinitive (object of ἐπέτρεψεν)→ constative aorist infinitiveτυγχάνω: 'hit the mark, obtain, receive'; with genitive = 'obtain, be granted'; the idiom ἐπιμελείας τυχεῖν = 'receive attention/care.'
4

κἀκεῖθεν ἀναχθέντες ὑπεπλεύσαμεν τὴν Κύπρον διὰ τὸ τοὺς ἀνέμους εἶναι ἐναντίους,

From there we put out to sea and sailed under the lee of Cyprus, because the winds were contrary.

Narrative continuation (geographic progression)κἀκεῖθενThe particle κἀκεῖθεν (= καὶ ἐκεῖθεν) marks itinerary progress. The nautical term ὑπεπλεύσαμεν is significant: the prefix ὑπό indicates sailing under the shelter of (the eastern shore of) Cyprus to avoid headwinds — a detail consistent with prevailing NW winds in late summer.
κἀκεῖθενand from therecrasis (καὶ + ἐκεῖθεν); adverb of place + connectiveκἀκεῖθεν: crasis of καὶ ἐκεῖθεν, 'and from there'; a Lukan itinerary marker (cf. 13:21; 14:26; 16:12).
ἀναχθέντεςhaving put out to seaAor Pass Ptc Nom Pl Masc · ἀνάγωcircumstantial participle (antecedent action)→ constative aorist participleἀνάγω: nautical passive = 'put out to sea'; repeated from v.2 — a standard departure formula in Acts' sea-voyage narrative.
ὑπεπλεύσαμενwe sailed under the lee ofAor Act Indic 1 Pl · ὑποπλέωmain verb→ constative aorist (whole passage as single event)ὑποπλέω: 'sail under'; ὑπό + πλέω — the technical nautical term for running under the sheltered (leeward) side of a landmass to gain protection from opposing winds; hapax in NT.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
ΚύπρονCyprusAccusativeaccusative object of ὑπεπλεύσαμενΚύπρος: Cyprus; a large island SE of Asia Minor; here they sail down its eastern coast and across to Cilicia/Pamphylia, consistent with avoiding NW headwinds.
διὰbecause ofpreposition + accusative (causal)
τὸtheAccusativearticle with articular infinitive (causal)
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle (accusative subject of infinitive)
ἀνέμουςwindsAccusativeaccusative subject of εἶναιἄνεμος: 'wind'; a key word throughout ch. 27 (vv. 4, 7, 14, 15); the prevailing NW/W winds of the Mediterranean summer made westward sailing notoriously difficult.
εἶναιto bePres Act Inf · εἰμίinfinitive in articular construction (causal διὰ τό + inf.)
ἐναντίουςcontraryAccusativepredicate accusative (with εἶναι)ἐναντίος: 'opposite, contrary, against'; used of contrary winds — the standard Greek word for headwinds.
5

τό τε πέλαγος τὸ κατὰ τὴν Κιλικίαν καὶ Παμφυλίαν διαπλεύσαντες κατήλθομεν εἰς Μύρα τῆς Λυκίας.

And when we had sailed through the open sea off Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came down to Myra in Lycia.

Narrative continuation (itinerary)τεThe verse completes the first leg of the voyage with a place-name arrival formula. κατήλθομεν ('came down') reflects the geography — Myra lies in a coastal valley below high ground.
τόtheAccusativearticle
τεandconnective particle
πέλαγοςopen seaAccusativedirect object of διαπλεύσαντεςπέλαγος: 'open sea, deep'; distinct from θάλασσα (sea generally) — πέλαγος denotes the open, deep water far from shore; 2× in NT (here + Matt 18:6).
τὸtheAccusativearticle (with κατά phrase as attributive)
κατὰoffpreposition + accusative (location: the sea adjacent to)
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
ΚιλικίανCiliciaAccusativeaccusative with κατά (geographic location)Κιλικία: the Roman province of Cilicia in southern Asia Minor, east of Pamphylia; Paul's home territory (his native city Tarsus was in Cilicia).
καίandcoordinative conjunction
ΠαμφυλίανPamphyliaAccusativeaccusative (coordinate with Κιλικίαν, with κατά)Παμφυλία: a narrow coastal plain between Cilicia and Lycia in southern Asia Minor; previously visited by Paul (13:13; 14:24).
διαπλεύσαντεςhaving sailed acrossAor Act Ptc Nom Pl Masc · διαπλέωcircumstantial participle (antecedent action)→ constative aorist participleδιαπλέω: 'sail across/through'; διά + πλέω — the prefix marks the traversal of a body of open water; hapax in NT.
κατήλθομενwe came downAor Act Indic 1 Pl · κατέρχομαιmain verb→ constative aorist (arrival as single event)κατέρχομαι: 'come down, arrive'; used of arriving at a port or coastal town from the sea (also 18:5; 21:3) — the 'down' reflects arriving at a harbor below the surrounding terrain.
εἰςatpreposition + accusative (destination)
ΜύραMyraAccusativeaccusative of destinationΜύρα: the city of Myra in Lycia (SW Asia Minor); an important port for grain ships from Egypt — hence the Alexandrian grain ship found here in v.6.
τῆςofGenitivearticle
ΛυκίαςLyciaGenitivegenitive of identification (region)Λυκία: the region and later Roman province of Lycia in SW Asia Minor; Myra was its main port.
6

κἀκεῖ εὑρὼν ὁ ἑκατοντάρχης πλοῖον Ἀλεξανδρῖνον πλέον εἰς τὴν Ἰταλίαν ἐνεβίβασεν ἡμᾶς εἰς αὐτό.

There the centurion found an Alexandrian ship sailing to Italy and put us on board.

Narrative continuation (ship change)κἀκεῖThe centurion takes the initiative (εὑρών, ἐνεβίβασεν) — he is the decision-maker throughout. The Alexandrian grain ships were among the largest and most seaworthy vessels in the ancient Mediterranean; switching to one for the long westward crossing was strategically sound.
κἀκεῖand therecrasis (καὶ + ἐκεῖ); adverb of place + connectiveκἀκεῖ: crasis of καὶ ἐκεῖ, 'and there'; Lukan itinerary marker.
εὑρὼνhaving foundAor Act Ptc Nom Sg Masc · εὑρίσκωcircumstantial participle (antecedent action)→ constative aorist participleεὑρίσκω: 'find'; here the providential discovery of a suitable vessel — a key turn in the narrative.
theNominativearticle
ἑκατοντάρχηςcenturionNominativesubject
πλοῖονa shipAccusativedirect object of εὑρών
ἈλεξανδρῖνονAlexandrianAccusativeattributive adjective (origin of ship)Ἀλεξανδρῖνος: 'of Alexandria'; the great Alexandrian grain fleet carried Egyptian grain to Italy — some of history's largest merchant ships. An Alexandrian ship appears again in 28:11.
πλέονsailingPres Act Ptc Acc Sg Neut · πλέωattributive participle (modifying πλοῖον)→ progressive present (ongoing voyage)πλέω: 'sail'; the ship was mid-voyage to Italy — possibly storm-driven into Myra.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (destination)
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
ἸταλίανItalyAccusativeaccusative of destination
ἐνεβίβασενhe put on boardAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐμβιβάζωmain verb→ constative aorist (single act of transfer)ἐμβιβάζω: 'put on board, embark'; a causative — the centurion causes others to board; hapax in NT.
ἡμᾶςusAccusativedirect object
εἰςonpreposition + accusative (goal — onto the ship)
αὐτόitAccusativeaccusative pronoun (anaphoric, referring to πλοῖον)
7

ἐν ἱκαναῖς δὲ ἡμέραις βραδυπλοοῦντες καὶ μόλις γενόμενοι κατὰ τὴν Κνίδον, μὴ προσεῶντος ἡμᾶς τοῦ ἀνέμου, ὑπεπλεύσαμεν τὴν Κρήτην κατὰ Σαλμώνην,

We sailed slowly for many days and arrived with difficulty off Cnidus; and since the wind did not allow us to go further, we sailed under the lee of Crete off Salmone.

Narrative continuation (navigation difficulty)δέThe verse stresses difficulty at every point: ἱκαναῖς ἡμέραις (many days), βραδυπλοοῦντες (sailing slowly), μόλις (with difficulty), and the genitive absolute μὴ προσεῶντος ἡμᾶς τοῦ ἀνέμου (the wind not permitting us). The itinerary is historically precise: Cnidus, then Cape Salmone at the NE tip of Crete.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (time within)
ἱκαναῖςmanyDativeattributive adjective (modifying ἡμέραις)ἱκανός: 'sufficient, considerable, many'; Lukan idiom ἐν ἱκαναῖς ἡμέραις = 'over many days' (cf. 9:23, 43).
δέandcontinuative particle
ἡμέραιςdaysDativedative of time (extent of time within)
βραδυπλοοῦντεςsailing slowlyPres Act Ptc Nom Pl Masc · βραδυπλοέωcircumstantial participle (attendant manner)→ progressive present (ongoing slow progress)βραδυπλοέω: 'sail slowly'; βραδύς ('slow') + πλοέω ('sail'); hapax in NT. A vivid word for the grueling westward slog against headwinds.
καίandcoordinative conjunction
μόλιςwith difficultyadverb of mannerμόλις: 'with difficulty, scarcely, barely'; used 4× in Acts (27:7, 8, 16; 14:18); intensifies the nautical hardship.
γενόμενοιhaving arrivedAor Mid Ptc Nom Pl Masc · γίνομαιcircumstantial participle (κατά + place = 'being off, coming abreast of')→ constative aorist participleγίνομαι + κατά: an idiom for 'come abreast of, arrive off' a geographic point — nautical usage.
κατὰoffpreposition + accusative (geographic: abreast of)
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
ΚνίδονCnidusAccusativeaccusative with κατά (geographic)Κνίδος: the city and peninsula of Cnidus at the SW tip of Asia Minor (modern Turkish Datça); a major landmark where ships heading west would normally cross toward the island of Cos or Rhodes.
μὴnotnegation (with genitive absolute)
προσεῶντοςallowingPres Act Ptc Gen Sg Masc · προσεάωgenitive absolute (causal)→ progressive present (ongoing prohibition by wind)προσεάω: 'allow to proceed, permit'; a rare compound (πρός + ἐάω); hapax in NT. The genitive absolute μὴ προσεῶντος ἡμᾶς τοῦ ἀνέμου = 'the wind not permitting us to proceed.'
ἡμᾶςusAccusativeaccusative object of προσεῶντος
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
ἀνέμουwindGenitivegenitive subject of genitive absolute
ὑπεπλεύσαμενwe sailed under the lee ofAor Act Indic 1 Pl · ὑποπλέωmain verb→ constative aoristὑποπλέω: repeated from v.4; sailing under the sheltered S coast of Crete to continue westward while blocked from the NW route.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
ΚρήτηνCreteAccusativeaccusative object of ὑπεπλεύσαμενΚρήτη: the large island of Crete; sailing along its southern coast provided shelter from the prevailing NW winds.
κατὰoffpreposition + accusative (geographic: abreast of)
ΣαλμώνηνSalmoneAccusativeaccusative with κατά (geographic landmark)Σαλμώνη: Cape Salmone (modern Cape Sideros), the NE promontory of Crete; rounding this cape they came under the shelter of the island's southern coast.
8

μόλις τε παραλεγόμενοι αὐτὴν ἤλθομεν εἰς τόπον τινὰ καλούμενον Καλοὺς Λιμένας, ᾧ ἐγγὺς πόλις ἦν Λασαία.

And coasting along it with difficulty, we came to a place called Fair Havens, near which was the city of Lasea.

Narrative continuationτεμόλις again (v.7) underscores difficult sailing along Crete's southern coast. The double name Καλοὶ Λιμένες ('Fair Havens' / 'Beautiful Harbors') is a geographic name confirmed by modern identification with Limenas Kalous in south-central Crete, near ancient Lasea.
μόλιςwith difficultyadverb of mannerμόλις: repeated from v.7; the third occurrence in two verses hammers home the laborious progress.
τεandconnective particle
παραλεγόμενοιcoasting alongPres Mid Ptc Nom Pl Masc · παραλέγομαιcircumstantial participle (manner)→ progressive present (ongoing coasting)παραλέγομαι: 'coast along, sail past'; παρά + λέγω (nautical 'to sail along the coast close to shore'); this is the technical Greek term for coastal sailing; hapax in NT.
αὐτήνitAccusativedirect object (referring to Κρήτην)
ἤλθομενwe cameAor Act Indic 1 Pl · ἔρχομαιmain verb→ constative aorist (arrival)
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (destination)
τόπονa placeAccusativeaccusative of destination
τινὰsome/certainAccusativeattributive indefinite pronoun
καλούμενονcalledPres Pass Ptc Acc Sg Neut · καλέωattributive participle (naming clause)
ΚαλοὺςFairAccusativepredicate accusative (name in naming clause)καλός: 'beautiful, fair'; part of the place name Καλοὶ Λιμένες = Fair/Beautiful Havens.
ΛιμέναςHavensAccusativepredicate accusative (second element of place name)λιμήν: 'harbor, haven'; pl. Λιμένες. The site is identified with modern Limenas Kalous on the south coast of Crete, confirmed by ancient anchor-stones found there.
near whichDativedative of proximity (with ἐγγύς)
ἐγγύςnearadverb of place (+ dative of proximity)
πόλιςcityNominativesubject (of ἦν)
ἦνwasImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίexistential verb→ stative imperfect
ΛασαίαLaseaNominativepredicate nominative (name)Λασαία: an ancient Cretan city near Fair Havens; otherwise unattested in classical sources but confirmed archaeologically. The spelling varies (Ἀλασσα, Λασσία in some MSS).
9

Ἱκανοῦ δὲ χρόνου διαγενομένου καὶ ὄντος ἤδη ἐπισφαλοῦς τοῦ πλοὸς διὰ τὸ καὶ τὴν νηστείαν ἤδη παρεληλυθέναι, παρῄνει ὁ Παῦλος

Since much time had passed and the voyage was now dangerous — the Fast had already gone by — Paul advised them,

Temporal pivot (danger warning)δέTwo genitive absolutes (Ἱκανοῦ χρόνου διαγενομένου; ὄντος ἐπισφαλοῦς τοῦ πλοός) establish the danger, clinched by the parenthetical note on the Fast (Yom Kippur, late September/October). The imperfect παρῄνει ('was advising') signals Paul's ongoing counsel; the verse is incomplete without v.10.
ἹκανοῦmuchGenitiveattributive adjective (modifying χρόνου, genitive absolute)ἱκανός: 'sufficient, considerable, much'; same word as v.7 (ἱκαναῖς ἡμέραις); characteristically Lukan.
δέnowtransitional particle
χρόνουtimeGenitivegenitive subject of genitive absolute
διαγενομένουhaving passedAor Mid Ptc Gen Sg Masc · διαγίνομαιgenitive absolute (temporal)→ constative aorist participle (time elapsed)διαγίνομαι: 'pass through, elapse'; of time passing; 3× in Acts (25:13; 27:9; 28:11).
καίandcoordinative conjunction
ὄντοςbeingPres Act Ptc Gen Sg Masc · εἰμίgenitive absolute (second, parallel)→ stative present
ἤδηalready/nowtemporal adverb
ἐπισφαλοῦςdangerousGenitivepredicate genitive (with ὄντος)ἐπισφαλής: 'dangerous, precarious'; ἐπί + σφαλερός ('likely to slip/fall'); hapax in NT. The rare term heightens the danger.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
πλοὸςvoyageGenitivegenitive subject (of ὄντος)πλόος (contracted πλοῦς): 'voyage, sailing'; the nautical noun from πλέω; the voyage is the subject of the predicate adjective ἐπισφαλοῦς.
διὰbecausepreposition + accusative (causal)
τὸtheAccusativearticle with articular infinitive (causal διὰ τό)
καίevenascensive particle
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
νηστείανFastAccusativeaccusative subject of infinitiveνηστεία: 'fasting'; here the definite article (τὴν νηστείαν) identifies the specific Jewish fast = Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement), which falls in late September/early October. Sailing was considered dangerous after the Fast (Vegetius: 'the sea is closed' from mid-September).
ἤδηalreadytemporal adverb
παρεληλυθέναιto have passedPerf Act Inf · παρέρχομαιarticular infinitive (object of διὰ τό)→ intensive perfect (the Fast is now past — a threshold crossed)παρέρχομαι: 'pass by, pass'; the perfect emphasizes the completed passing: the seasonal window is closed.
παρῄνειwas advisingImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · παραινέωmain verb→ conative imperfect (attempting/urging advice)παραινέω: 'advise, exhort, warn'; a rare compound (παρά + αἰνέω); hapax in Gospels/Acts, though 1× in Paul (Acts 27:22). The imperfect παρῄνει suggests sustained counsel.
theNominativearticle
ΠαῦλοςPaulNominativesubject
10

λέγων αὐτοῖς· Ἄνδρες, θεωρῶ ὅτι μετὰ ὕβρεως καὶ πολλῆς ζημίας οὐ μόνον τοῦ φορτίου καὶ τοῦ πλοίου ἀλλὰ καὶ τῶν ψυχῶν ἡμῶν μέλλειν ἔσεσθαι τὸν πλοῦν.

saying to them, 'Men, I can see that the voyage will be with damage and great loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives.'

Direct speech (prophetic warning)λέγωνPaul addresses the group formally (Ἄνδρες) and issues a prophecy of disaster. θεωρῶ ὅτι is not a divine revelation but practical assessment (contrast v.23–24 where the angel speaks); the irony is that the centurion ignores this human wisdom, and then the divine word overrules even the coming disaster. The tricolon (φορτίου / πλοίου / ψυχῶν) builds in gravity.
λέγωνsayingPres Act Ptc Nom Sg Masc · λέγωcircumstantial participle (indirect discourse introducer)→ progressive present
αὐτοῖςto themDativedative of indirect object
ἌνδρεςMenVocativevocative (direct address)ἀνήρ: 'man, sir'; the plural vocative Ἄνδρες is Paul's standard formal address to a mixed audience (cf. 27:21, 25; 13:16; 17:22).
θεωρῶI see/perceivePres Act Indic 1 Sg · θεωρέωmain verb of speech clause→ gnomic/stative present (present perception)θεωρέω: 'observe, perceive'; not a divine vision here but practical assessment — 'I can see that…' The same word is used of direct visual observation.
ὅτιthatconjunction (introducing indirect statement after θεωρῶ)
μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (attendant circumstances)
ὕβρεωςinjury/damageGenitivegenitive of attendant circumstance (with μετά)ὕβρις: in classical Greek 'arrogance/hubris'; in nautical/commercial contexts 'damage, injury, violence'; here clearly 'damage' (to ship and cargo) rather than moral hubris. 3× in NT (2 Cor 12:10; Acts 27:10, 21).
καίandcoordinative conjunction
πολλῆςgreatGenitiveattributive adjective
ζημίαςlossGenitivegenitive of attendant circumstance (with μετά)ζημία: 'loss, damage, forfeit'; a commercial/legal term; 4× in NT (Acts 27:10, 21; Phil 3:7, 8). Paul is using the vocabulary of a trading loss to describe the disaster.
οὐnotnegation
μόνονonlyadverb (οὐ μόνον … ἀλλὰ καί correlative)
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
φορτίουcargoGenitivegenitive of specification (what the loss will concern)φορτίον: 'load, cargo'; a commercial term; used of ship's cargo (27:10) and figuratively of burdens (Matt 11:30; 23:4; Gal 6:5). The grain cargo of an Alexandrian ship was enormously valuable.
καίandcoordinative conjunction
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
πλοίουshipGenitivegenitive of specification (coordinate)
ἀλλὰbutadversative conjunction (οὐ μόνον … ἀλλὰ καί)
καίalsoascensive conjunction
τῶνofGenitivearticle
ψυχῶνlivesGenitivegenitive of specification (climactic third member)ψυχή: 'soul, life'; here clearly 'lives' in the sense of physical survival — the climax of the tricolon (cargo → ship → lives), each more costly than the last.
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of possession
μέλλεινis about to bePres Act Inf · μέλλωindirect statement infinitive (after ὅτι)→ futuristic present (imminent disaster)μέλλω: 'be about to'; with εἶναι = 'will be, is about to be' — Paul forecasts the voyage as imminently catastrophic.
ἔσεσθαιto beFut Mid Inf · εἰμίcomplementary infinitive (with μέλλειν, or as substitute — alternate reading: μέλλειν ἔσεσθαι = indirect future)→ future (predictive)
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
πλοῦνvoyageAccusativeaccusative subject of infinitive (μέλλειν ἔσεσθαι)πλόος/πλοῦς: repeated from v.9; the voyage is the subject of the infinitive predicate.
11

ὁ δὲ ἑκατοντάρχης τῷ κυβερνήτῃ καὶ τῷ ναυκλήρῳ ἐπείθετο μᾶλλον ἢ τοῖς ὑπὸ Παύλου λεγομένοις.

But the centurion was persuaded more by the pilot and the ship-owner than by what Paul was saying.

Adversative (rejected counsel)δέThe centurion defers to the professional maritime experts — the κυβερνήτης (helmsman/pilot) and the ναύκληρος (ship-owner/master) — rather than to Paul. The imperfect ἐπείθετο signals ongoing persuasion; the comparison (μᾶλλον ἤ) is explicit. This rejection of Paul's warning sets up the fulfillment in vv.21–26.
theNominativearticle
δέbutadversative particle
ἑκατοντάρχηςcenturionNominativesubject
τῷtheDativearticle
κυβερνήτῃpilotDativedative of agent/person persuaded byκυβερνήτης: 'helmsman, pilot, captain'; from κυβερνάω ('steer'); the officer responsible for navigation; 2× in NT (here + Rev 18:17). The English 'govern' and 'cybernetics' derive from this root.
καίandcoordinative conjunction
τῷtheDativearticle
ναυκλήρῳship-ownerDativedative (coordinate with κυβερνήτῃ)ναύκληρος: 'ship-owner, ship-master'; ναῦς ('ship') + κλῆρος ('lot/portion') — the man who owned the ship or was its commercial master; 2× in NT (here + NT-absent in other books; Rev 18:17 has κυβερνήτης). The ναύκληρος would have had a strong financial incentive to reach Puteoli before season's end.
ἐπείθετοwas persuadedImpf Pass Indic 3 Sg · πείθωmain verb→ progressive imperfect (continuing deference)πείθω: 'persuade'; passive 'be persuaded, trust'; the imperfect emphasizes the centurion's sustained reliance on the nautical experts.
μᾶλλονmorecomparative adverb
thancomparative particle (μᾶλλον ἤ)
τοῖςthe thingsDativearticle (substantivizing the participle)
ὑπὸbypreposition + genitive (agency)
ΠαύλουPaulGenitivegenitive of agent
λεγομένοιςbeing saidPres Pass Ptc Dat Pl Neut · λέγωsubstantival participle (object of ἐπείθετο; the things being said)→ progressive present (Paul's ongoing counsel)
12

ἀνευθέτου δὲ τοῦ λιμένος ὑπάρχοντος πρὸς παραχειμασίαν οἱ πλείονες ἔθεντο βουλὴν ἀναχθῆναι ἐκεῖθεν, εἴ πως δύναιντο καταντήσαντες εἰς Φοίνικα παραχειμάσαι λιμένα τῆς Κρήτης βλέποντα κατὰ λίβα καὶ κατὰ χῶρον.

Since the harbor was not suitable for wintering, the majority decided to put out to sea from there, if somehow they could reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete facing southwest and northwest, and winter there.

Explanatory / decisionδέThe genitive absolute ἀνευθέτου τοῦ λιμένος ὑπάρχοντος gives the reason; the nautical detail of the harbor's aspect (βλέποντα κατὰ λίβα καὶ κατὰ χῶρον — SW and NW) is a precise navigational description. Phoenix (modern Phineka or Loutrό) offered superior winter anchorage.
ἀνευθέτουunsuitableGenitivepredicate genitive (genitive absolute with ὑπάρχοντος)ἀνεύθετος: 'unsuitable, inconvenient'; ἀν- (neg.) + εὔθετος ('well-placed'); hapax in NT. Fair Havens was too open for safe winter anchorage.
δέandcontinuative particle
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
λιμένοςharborGenitivegenitive subject of genitive absolute
ὑπάρχοντοςbeingPres Act Ptc Gen Sg Masc · ὑπάρχωgenitive absolute (causal)→ stative presentὑπάρχω: 'be, exist'; a Lukan idiom for εἰμί, often with a predicate adjective.
πρὸςforpreposition + accusative (purpose)
παραχειμασίανwinteringAccusativeaccusative of purpose (with πρός)παραχειμασία: 'wintering over'; para- + χεῖμα ('winter'); hapax in NT. The related verb παραχειμάζω appears in vv.12, 28:11; 1 Cor 16:6; Tit 3:12.
οἱtheNominativearticle
πλείονεςmajorityNominativesubject (comparative adjective used substantivally)πλείων: 'more, greater'; οἱ πλείονες = 'the majority, most' — a decision by majority, overriding Paul's advice.
ἔθεντοdecidedAor Mid Indic 3 Pl · τίθημιmain verb→ constative aorist (moment of decision)τίθημι: 'set, place'; middle βουλὴν τίθεσθαι = 'lay a plan, decide' — an idiom for deliberative decision-making.
βουλὴνa planAccusativedirect object (idiomatic: βουλὴν τίθεσθαι = decide)βουλή: 'will, plan, counsel, decision'; βουλὴν τίθεσθαι is an idiom for formal deliberative resolution.
ἀναχθῆναιto put out to seaAor Pass Inf · ἀνάγωinfinitive (object/content of βουλήν)→ constative aorist infinitiveἀνάγω (nautical passive): repeated departure formula; the third use in the chapter.
ἐκεῖθενfrom thereadverb of place
εἴifconditional particle (optative condition — hope, not certainty)
πωςsomehowindefinite particle (εἴ πως = 'if somehow'; expresses uncertain hope)
δύναιντοthey might be ablePres Mid Opt 3 Pl · δύναμαιverb in optative condition (εἴ πως + optative = tentative hope)→ potential optative
καταντήσαντεςhaving arrivedAor Act Ptc Nom Pl Masc · καταντάωcircumstantial participle (condition for the infinitive)→ constative aorist participleκαταντάω: 'arrive at, reach'; a Lukan word (13× in Acts); of arriving at a destination.
εἰςatpreposition + accusative (destination)
ΦοίνικαPhoenixAccusativeaccusative of destinationΦοῖνιξ: Phoenix; a harbor on the SW coast of Crete, identified with modern Loutró (or Fineka); its double-aspect harbor provided shelter from both SW (λίψ) and NW (χῶρος) winds.
παραχειμάσαιto winterAor Act Inf · παραχειμάζωcomplementary infinitive (with δύναιντο)→ constative aorist infinitiveπαραχειμάζω: 'winter over'; para + χειμάζω ('expose to winter storm') — to spend the winter season in harbor.
λιμέναa harborAccusativeaccusative in apposition to Φοίνικα
τῆςofGenitivearticle
ΚρήτηςCreteGenitivegenitive of identification
βλέπονταlooking toward / facingPres Act Ptc Acc Sg Masc · βλέπωattributive participle (describing the harbor's orientation)→ stative presentβλέπω: 'look, face'; of a harbor's aspect (βλέπω κατά + direction = 'face toward') — a nautical usage for harbor orientation. This is the standard way ancient pilots described harbor aspects.
κατὰtowardpreposition + accusative (direction/bearing)
λίβαthe southwestAccusativeaccusative of direction (wind point = compass bearing)λίψ: the SW wind / SW direction (the African wind); a loan from Latin Libs; one of the classical Greek wind names. Phoenix faced SW (λίψ) and NW (χῶρος), making it sheltered from the dangerous N and NE storms.
καίandcoordinative conjunction
κατὰtowardpreposition + accusative (direction, second bearing)
χῶρονthe northwestAccusativeaccusative of direction (wind point)χῶρος: the NW wind / NW direction; a Latinism from Caurus (NW wind); rare in Greek (also ἀργέστης for NW); hapax in NT. The double aspect (SW and NW) describes a harbor protected on its exposed sides.
13

Ὑποπνεύσαντος δὲ νότου δόξαντες τῆς προθέσεως κεκρατηκέναι, ἄραντες ἆσσον παρελέγοντο τὴν Κρήτην.

When a gentle south wind sprang up, thinking they had obtained their purpose, they weighed anchor and sailed close along Crete.

Temporal / false securityδέThe south wind (νότος) seemed to confirm the decision — a dramatic irony. The perf. κεκρατηκέναι ('to have gained/obtained') expresses their confidence; the gentle breeze is about to be shattered by the Euraquilo. ἆσσον is a comparative adverb meaning 'closer' (or possibly a toponym).
Ὑποπνεύσαντοςhaving sprung up gentlyAor Act Ptc Gen Sg Masc · ὑποπνέωgenitive absolute (temporal)→ constative aorist participle (onset of favorable wind)ὑποπνέω: 'blow gently, spring up softly'; ὑπό + πνέω — the prefix suggests a light, moderate wind (not ὑπεκπνέω which is stronger); hapax in NT.
δέandcontinuative particle
νότουsouth windGenitivegenitive subject of genitive absoluteνότος: the south wind; one of the four cardinal winds in Greek meteorology; a south wind was favorable for westward progress along Crete's southern coast.
δόξαντεςthinkingAor Act Ptc Nom Pl Masc · δοκέωcircumstantial participle (causal: because they thought)→ constative aorist participleδοκέω: 'think, suppose'; here the false confidence — they supposed their plan was working.
τῆςtheirGenitivearticle (with προθέσεως)
προθέσεωςpurpose/intentionGenitivegenitive object of κεκρατηκέναιπρόθεσις: 'purpose, intention, plan'; πρό + θέσις (θεσία from τίθημι); here 'their stated intention' (to reach Phoenix). The same word is used of God's eternal purpose in Rom 8:28; 9:11 — a pointed contrast.
κεκρατηκέναιto have obtainedPerf Act Inf · κρατέωperfect infinitive in indirect statement (after δόξαντες)→ intensive perfect (accomplished purpose)κρατέω: 'seize, hold, obtain'; perfect infinitive emphasizes their conviction that the goal was in hand — pride before disaster.
ἄραντεςhaving weighed anchorAor Act Ptc Nom Pl Masc · αἴρωcircumstantial participle (antecedent action: temporal)→ constative aorist participleαἴρω: 'lift, raise'; nautically 'weigh anchor' (αἴρω τὴν ἄγκυραν); the idiom αἴρω ἄγκυραν is attested.
ἆσσονmore closely / closeadverb (comparative — 'closer to the shore')ἆσσον: comparative of ἄγχι ('near'); 'closer, nearer'; possibly also a place name (a headland called Assus or similar), though the adverbial reading is simpler. Hapax in NT.
παρελέγοντοwere coasting alongImpf Mid Indic 3 Pl · παραλέγομαιmain verb→ progressive imperfect (ongoing coastal sailing)παραλέγομαι: nautical term repeated from v.8 — coasting closely along Crete's southern shoreline.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
ΚρήτηνCreteAccusativedirect object of παρελέγοντο
14

μετ᾿ οὐ πολὺ δὲ ἔβαλεν κατ᾿ αὐτῆς ἄνεμος τυφωνικὸς ὁ καλούμενος Εὐρακύλων·

But not long after, a typhonic wind called Euraquilo beat down from it.

Sudden adversative (catastrophic turn)μετ᾿ οὐ πολύ δέThe pivotal verse of the chapter. μετ᾿ οὐ πολύ ('not long after') marks the swift reversal of fortune. The wind's name Εὐρακύλων is probably a hybrid: Εὖρος (East wind) + Aquilo (Latin: North wind) = Northeaster. The word τυφωνικός ('typhonic') evokes violent, cyclonic fury. ἔβαλεν κατ᾿ αὐτῆς = 'struck down against it (the island)' — or 'came down from it' — vivid violence.
μετ᾿afterpreposition + accusative (time: after)
οὐnotnegation
πολύlong/muchAccusativeaccusative of extent of time (μετ᾿ οὐ πολύ = shortly after)
δέbutadversative particle
ἔβαλενbeat down / struckAor Act Indic 3 Sg · βάλλωmain verb→ constative aorist (sudden violent onset)βάλλω: 'throw, hurl, beat against'; ἔβαλεν κατ᾿ αὐτῆς = 'hurled down against it'; of violent wind striking — a vivid, almost violent verb choice.
κατ᾿down/againstpreposition + genitive (hostile motion downward against)
αὐτῆςit (Crete)Genitivegenitive object of κατά (referring to Crete or the region)
ἄνεμοςwindNominativesubject
τυφωνικὸςtyphonicNominativepredicate adjective (with ἄνεμος)τυφωνικός: 'of a typhoon, whirlwind-like'; from τυφών (a violent whirlwind, a 'typhoon'); hapax in NT. In Greek meteorology τυφών denoted a violently rotating or descending wind — a katabatic northeaster off the mountains of Crete would fit this description.
theNominativearticle
καλούμενοςcalledPres Pass Ptc Nom Sg Masc · καλέωattributive participle (name-introduction formula)
ΕὐρακύλωνEuraquiloNominativepredicate nominative (proper name of wind)Εὐρακύλων: the NE gale; probably a hybrid of Greek Εὖρος (East wind) + Latin Aquilo (North wind), giving 'Northeaster.' Some MSS read Εὐροκλύδων ('east + wave'); the best-attested text is Εὐρακύλων. This is a hapax legomenon in the NT and one of the most famous nautical words in ancient literature. The katabatic NE wind off the Cretan mountains is consistent with the modern Gregale or Bora of the E. Mediterranean.
15

συναρπασθέντος δὲ τοῦ πλοίου καὶ μὴ δυναμένου ἀντοφθαλμεῖν τῷ ἀνέμῳ ἐπιδόντες ἐφερόμεθα.

When the ship was caught and unable to face into the wind, we gave way to it and were driven along.

Narrative continuation (storm drives ship)δέThe genitive absolute (συναρπασθέντος τοῦ πλοίου) and the participle ἀντοφθαλμεῖν ('face into, look in the eye of') are the chapter's most vivid nautical language. ἐπιδόντες (giving way, surrendering) and the passive ἐφερόμεθα (we were driven/carried) mark the complete loss of control — a helpless drifting before the storm.
συναρπασθέντοςhaving been seizedAor Pass Ptc Gen Sg Masc · συναρπάζωgenitive absolute (temporal/causal)→ constative aorist participle (violent seizure)συναρπάζω: 'seize completely, snatch up'; σύν + ἁρπάζω ('snatch, seize violently'); of a ship being caught in a storm and carried away; used elsewhere in Acts of Paul being seized by crowds (6:12; 19:29). The suddenness and violence of the gale's grip on the ship is captured in this verb.
δέandcontinuative particle
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
πλοίουshipGenitivegenitive subject of genitive absolute
καίandcoordinative conjunction (second genitive absolute)
μὴnotnegation (with participle)
δυναμένουbeing ablePres Mid Ptc Gen Sg Masc · δύναμαιgenitive absolute (second, negative — coordinate with first)→ progressive present
ἀντοφθαλμεῖνto face into the windPres Act Inf · ἀντοφθαλμέωcomplementary infinitive (with δυναμένου)ἀντοφθαλμέω: 'look in the eye, face directly'; ἀντί + ὀφθαλμός ('eye') — lit. 'eye-to-eye'; as a nautical technical term: 'sail into the wind, point into the wind'; hapax in NT. The word personalizes the confrontation with the storm: the ship cannot 'look the wind in the eye.'
τῷtheDativearticle
ἀνέμῳwindDativedative of direct object (with ἀντοφθαλμεῖν)
ἐπιδόντεςgiving wayAor Act Ptc Nom Pl Masc · ἐπιδίδωμιcircumstantial participle (manner — of yielding to the wind)→ constative aorist participleἐπιδίδωμι: 'give over, yield'; ἐπί + δίδωμι; used nautically of 'giving the ship to the wind' — i.e., running before it; the decision to stop fighting the wind and let the storm drive them.
ἐφερόμεθαwe were drivenImpf Pass Indic 1 Pl · φέρωmain verb→ progressive imperfect (ongoing drifting under storm)φέρω: 'carry, bear'; passive ἐφερόμεθα = 'we were carried along, driven by the wind'; the passive voice vividly portrays helplessness — the ship (and all aboard) are subjects of the storm's power.
16

νησίον δέ τι ὑποδραμόντες καλούμενον Καῦδα μόλις ἴσχύσαμεν περικρατεῖς γενέσθαι τῆς σκάφης,

Running under the lee of a small island called Cauda, we were barely able to get the ship's boat under control.

Narrative continuation (emergency measures)δέCauda (or Clauda) was a small island 40 km SW of Crete; its southern shelter allowed the crew to attempt emergency procedures. The dinghy (σκάφη) was normally towed — in heavy seas it was dangerous and had to be hauled aboard. μόλις ('barely') recurs for the fourth time (vv.7, 8, 16).
νησίονsmall islandAccusativedirect object of ὑποδραμόντεςνησίον: diminutive of νῆσος ('island'); 'a little island'; the small island of Cauda / Gavdos SW of Crete.
δέandcontinuative particle
τιa certainAccusativeattributive indefinite pronoun
ὑποδραμόντεςrunning under the lee ofAor Act Ptc Nom Pl Masc · ὑποτρέχωcircumstantial participle (manner/means of gaining shelter)→ constative aorist participleὑποτρέχω: 'run under'; ὑπό + τρέχω; the nautical term for running under the shelter of an island or headland — cf. ὑποπλέω (vv.4, 7); hapax in NT.
καλούμενονcalledPres Pass Ptc Acc Sg Neut · καλέωattributive participle (naming formula)
ΚαῦδαCaudaAccusativepredicate accusative (name)Καῦδα: the island of Cauda (Latin Clauda; modern Greek Gavdos); ~40 km SW of Crete's western tip; a temporary shelter from the NE storm.
μόλιςbarelyadverb of mannerμόλις: fourth occurrence in the chapter; the cumulative repetition paints a picture of unrelenting difficulty.
ἴσχύσαμενwe were ableAor Act Indic 1 Pl · ἰσχύωmain verb→ constative aorist (single accomplished act)ἰσχύω: 'be strong, be able, prevail'; here with infinitive = 'were able to.' A word of physical exertion and effort.
περικρατεῖςin control ofNominativepredicate adjective (with γενέσθαι)περικρατής: 'having full mastery, in control of'; περί + κρατέω; hapax in NT. The crew struggled to regain control of the dinghy.
γενέσθαιto becomeAor Mid Inf · γίνομαιcomplementary infinitive (with ἴσχύσαμεν)→ constative aorist infinitive
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
σκάφηςdinghy/boatGenitivegenitive object of περικρατεῖςσκάφη: 'skiff, dinghy, ship's boat'; the small boat towed behind a ship and used for going ashore; in heavy seas it had to be hauled aboard or it would be swamped and lost. Related to σκάφος and the English 'skiff.'
17

ἣν ἄραντες βοηθείαις ἐχρῶντο ὑποζωννύντες τὸ πλοῖον· φοβούμενοί τε μὴ εἰς τὴν Σύρτιν ἐκπέσωσιν, χαλάσαντες τὸ σκεῦος οὕτως ἐφέροντο.

After hoisting it up they used cables to undergird the ship; and fearing that they might run aground on the Syrtis, they lowered the sea anchor, and so were driven along.

Narrative continuation (emergency measures)ἣν (anaphoric) + coordinateThree emergency measures are described: (1) hauling up the dinghy; (2) undergirding the ship with ὑποζωννύντες (passing ropes under the hull — 'frapping'); (3) lowering σκεῦος (sea anchor or the ship's tackle). The Syrtis (τὴν Σύρτιν) = the dangerous shallows off N. Africa (Libya). ὑποζώννυμι is a hapax in the NT.
ἣνitAccusativedirect object (relative pronoun, anaphoric for σκάφην)
ἄραντεςhaving hoistedAor Act Ptc Nom Pl Masc · αἴρωcircumstantial participle (antecedent action — hauling up the dinghy)→ constative aorist participleαἴρω: 'lift, raise, hoist'; cf. v.13 where αἴρω = weigh anchor; here = hoist the dinghy aboard.
βοηθείαιςwith cables/supportsDativedative of meansβοήθεια: 'help, aid'; plural here refers concretely to ropes, cables, or tackle used to undergird the hull — 'supporting cables.' NT elsewhere uses it abstractly ('help/assistance'); here technical maritime usage.
ἐχρῶντοthey usedImpf Mid Indic 3 Pl · χράομαιmain verb→ progressive imperfect (ongoing emergency work)χράομαι: 'use, employ'; with dative instrument — 'they were making use of (the cables).'
ὑποζωννύντεςundergirdingPres Act Ptc Nom Pl Masc · ὑποζώννυμιcircumstantial participle (attendant circumstance / purpose)→ progressive present (ongoing operation)ὑποζώννυμι: 'gird underneath'; ὑπό + ζώννυμι ('gird, bind'); the nautical technical term for 'frapping' — passing heavy cables under the hull of a ship to hold it together in heavy seas; hapax in NT. This practice is well-attested in ancient seamanship (Plato, Plutarch).
τὸtheAccusativearticle
πλοῖονshipAccusativedirect object of ὑποζωννύντες
φοβούμενοίfearingPres Mid Ptc Nom Pl Masc · φοβέομαιcircumstantial participle (causal)→ progressive present (ongoing fear)
τεandconnective particle
μὴlestnegation (introducing negative purpose/fear clause)
εἰςontopreposition + accusative (movement toward danger)
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
ΣύρτινSyrtisAccusativeaccusative of goal (feared destination)Σύρτις: the Syrtis; specifically Syrtis Major (modern Gulf of Sidra, Libya) — a notoriously shallow, sandy sea-bed area off the N. African coast, greatly feared by ancient mariners (Strabo, Virgil). The singular with the article = the greater Syrtis.
ἐκπέσωσινthey might fall into / run agroundAor Act Subj 3 Pl · ἐκπίπτωsubjunctive in negative purpose clause (μὴ + subj. after verb of fearing)→ constative aorist subjunctiveἐκπίπτω: 'fall out, be driven off course, run aground'; ἐκ + πίπτω; the nautical meaning 'be driven aground' or 'fall/drift off course.' Used in v.29, 32 as well.
χαλάσαντεςhaving loweredAor Act Ptc Nom Pl Masc · χαλάωcircumstantial participle (antecedent action)→ constative aorist participleχαλάω: 'lower, let down, slacken'; used of lowering the dinghy (v.30), Paul in the basket (9:25), nets (Luke 5:4, 5). Here: lowering the sea-anchor or the ship's gear to slow the drift.
τὸtheAccusativearticle
σκεῦοςtackle/equipmentAccusativedirect object of χαλάσαντεςσκεῦος: lit. 'vessel, implement, equipment'; here plural (σκεῦος used collectively) = ship's tackle, rigging, or sea anchor. Some interpret this as the ship's topsail or a drag-anchor deployed to slow the ship's drift. 'Sea anchor/drag' is the most nautically coherent reading.
οὕτωςthus/soadverb of manner
ἐφέροντοthey were drivenImpf Pass Indic 3 Pl · φέρωmain verb→ progressive imperfect (ongoing helpless drift)φέρω: passive repeated from v.15 — the same helpless passive voice. All emergency measures completed, they are still simply 'carried along' by the storm.
18

σφοδρῶς δὲ χειμαζομένων ἡμῶν τῇ ἑξῆς ἐκβολὴν ἐποιοῦντο,

Since we were being violently storm-tossed, the next day they began throwing the cargo overboard,

Narrative continuation (second day measures)δέThe genitive absolute χειμαζομένων ἡμῶν ('while we were being storm-battered') characterizes ongoing distress. ἐκβολὴν ἐποιοῦντο is an elegant periphrasis for 'they were jettisoning cargo' — the commercial and practical decision to sacrifice the grain to save the ship.
σφοδρῶςviolentlyadverb of mannerσφοδρῶς: 'violently, intensely'; from σφοδρός ('vehement, violent'); hapax in NT. An intensifying adverb matching the extremity of the storm.
δέandcontinuative particle
χειμαζομένωνbeing storm-tossedPres Pass Ptc Gen Pl Masc · χειμάζωgenitive absolute (temporal/causal)→ progressive present (ongoing storm battering)χειμάζω: 'expose to winter storm, toss in storm'; passive = 'be storm-tossed'; from χεῖμα ('winter storm'); hapax in NT. The word connects weather (storm) and season (winter).
ἡμῶνusGenitivegenitive subject of genitive absolute
τῇtheDativearticle (with implied ἡμέρᾳ)
ἑξῆςnextadverb (τῇ ἑξῆς sc. ἡμέρᾳ = 'on the following day')ἑξῆς: 'next, following'; τῇ ἑξῆς (supply ἡμέρᾳ) = 'on the next day'; a Lukan idiom (cf. Luke 7:11; 9:37; Acts 21:1; 25:17).
ἐκβολὴνa jettisoningAccusativedirect object (of the idiom ἐκβολὴν ποιεῖσθαι = jettison)ἐκβολή: 'throwing out, jettison'; ἐκ + βολή (from βάλλω); the technical term for jettisoning cargo at sea to lighten a storm-threatened ship; hapax in NT. The practice was recognized in ancient maritime law (Rhodian Sea Law).
ἐποιοῦντοthey were making/doingImpf Mid Indic 3 Pl · ποιέωmain verb (idiomatic: ἐκβολὴν ποιεῖσθαι = jettison cargo)→ progressive imperfect (ongoing work of jettisoning)ποιέω + noun as object = idiom for performing the action named; middle voice emphasizes their own active stake in the outcome.
19

καὶ τῇ τρίτῃ αὐτόχειρες τὴν σκευὴν τοῦ πλοίου ἔρριψαν.

And on the third day they threw the ship's tackle overboard with their own hands.

Narrative continuation (third day: tackle jettisoned)καίThe intensification continues: first the cargo (v.18), now the ship's own tackle (σκευή) — equipment essential for future voyaging. αὐτόχειρες ('with their own hands') suggests officers and passengers alike, including the narrator. This is the last ditch measure before total despair.
καίandcoordinative conjunction
τῇtheDativearticle
τρίτῃthirdDativedative of time (τῇ τρίτῃ sc. ἡμέρᾳ = on the third day)τρίτος: 'third'; the day count (second day v.18, third day v.19) mirrors ancient storm narratives.
αὐτόχειρεςwith their own handsNominativepredicate nominative / adverbial (in apposition to subject; = 'themselves by hand')αὐτόχειρ: 'acting with one's own hand'; αὐτός + χείρ; hapax in NT. The word intensifies the desperation — even the most important equipment is being flung overboard by any hands available.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
σκευὴνtackle/equipmentAccusativedirect objectσκευή: 'tackle, equipment, gear'; the ship's rigging and tackle — everything not nailed down; the noun is related to σκεῦος (v.17); distinct from the cargo (φορτίον) already jettisoned; hapax in NT.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
πλοίουshipGenitivegenitive of possession
ἔρριψανthey threwAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ῥίπτωmain verb→ constative aorist (decisive act of desperation)ῥίπτω: 'throw, fling, hurl'; a more violent verb than βάλλω — the tackle is hurled overboard, not carefully lowered. Used again in v.29 (anchors), 43 (swimming), 44 (planks).
20

μήτε δὲ ἡλίου μήτε ἄστρων ἐπιφαινόντων ἐπὶ πλείονας ἡμέρας χειμῶνός τε οὐκ ὀλίγου ἐπικειμένου, λοιπὸν περιῃρεῖτο ἐλπὶς πᾶσα τοῦ σῴζεσθαι ἡμᾶς.

When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and the storm was not slight, all hope of our being saved was at last taken away.

Climax of despairδέThe darkest moment: no navigation (no sun or stars for several days), no abating of the storm, and — in the most theologically weighted phrase — ἐλπὶς πᾶσα … περιῃρεῖτο ('all hope was being stripped away'). The imperfect περιῃρεῖτο is poignant — hope not suddenly gone but progressively eroding. This sets the stage for Paul's divine reassurance.
μήτεneithercorrelative negative conjunction (μήτε … μήτε)
δέandcontinuative particle
ἡλίουsunGenitivegenitive subject of genitive absoluteἥλιος: 'sun'; with ἄστρων as twin subjects of the genitive absolute — no celestial navigation available.
μήτεnorsecond member of μήτε … μήτε
ἄστρωνstarsGenitivegenitive subject (coordinate with ἡλίου)ἄστρον: 'star, constellation'; ancient navigation relied heavily on stars for position-fixing (particularly Polaris for latitude); overcast skies made celestial navigation impossible.
ἐπιφαινόντωνappearingPres Act Ptc Gen Pl Neut · ἐπιφαίνωgenitive absolute (temporal; negated by μήτε)→ progressive present (ongoing absence)ἐπιφαίνω: 'shine upon, appear'; of heavenly bodies appearing in the sky — used in the NT also of God's grace appearing (Tit 2:11; 3:4; Luke 1:79).
ἐπὶforpreposition + accusative (time: for a period of)
πλείοναςmany/moreAccusativeattributive adjective (comparative = 'several, a good number of')πλείων: 'more, several'; ἐπὶ πλείονας ἡμέρας = 'for several days'; the exact number of storm days is not specified until v.27 (fourteen nights).
ἡμέραςdaysAccusativeaccusative of extent of time
χειμῶνόςstormGenitivegenitive subject of genitive absolute (second)χειμών: 'winter, stormy weather, storm'; cf. χειμάζω (v.18); the word encompasses both the season and the weather it brings.
τεandconnective particle
οὐκnotnegation (litotes: οὐκ ὀλίγου = 'no small' = very great)
ὀλίγουsmallGenitivepredicate genitive (with ἐπικειμένου; litotes: 'not slight' = severe)ὀλίγος: 'little, small, slight'; the litotes οὐκ ὀλίγου = 'no small' = 'very considerable' — a rhetorical understatement that amplifies the severity. A Lukan stylistic feature.
ἐπικειμένουpressing uponPres Mid Ptc Gen Sg Masc · ἐπίκειμαιgenitive absolute (temporal/causal — second absolute)→ progressive present (storm pressing continuously)ἐπίκειμαι: 'lie upon, press upon'; of the storm bearing down relentlessly; a vivid word for oppressive, unrelenting weight.
λοιπὸνfinally/at lastadverb (temporal: 'finally, from now on, at last')λοιπόν: 'finally, henceforth'; adverbial use of the adjective λοιπός ('remaining'); here = 'at this point, finally.'
περιῃρεῖτοwas being stripped awayImpf Pass Indic 3 Sg · περιαιρέωmain verb→ progressive imperfect (gradual erosion of hope)περιαιρέω: 'take away, strip off'; περί + αἴρω; used of removing the veil (2 Cor 3:16); here of hope being stripped away progressively — a poignant imperfect describing the draining of all hope.
ἐλπὶςhopeNominativesubjectἐλπίς: 'hope'; theologically significant in Acts and Paul; here 'all hope was removed' sets the stage for divine deliverance — the nadir before the turning point of Paul's angelic vision.
πᾶσαallNominativeattributive adjective (universal: every last bit of hope)
τοῦofGenitivearticle with articular infinitive
σῴζεσθαιbeing savedPres Pass Inf · σῴζωarticular infinitive (genitive: of our being saved — content/object of hope)→ progressive present (ongoing deliverance hoped for)σῴζω: 'save, rescue'; here physical rescue, though the word carries its full theological resonance in Luke-Acts. The passive σῴζεσθαι = 'to be saved/rescued.'
ἡμᾶςusAccusativeaccusative subject of infinitive
21

Πολλῆς τε ἀσιτίας ὑπαρχούσης τότε σταθεὶς ὁ Παῦλος ἐν μέσῳ αὐτῶν εἶπεν· Ἔδει μέν, ὦ ἄνδρες, πειθαρχήσαντάς μοι μὴ ἀνάγεσθαι ἀπὸ τῆς Κρήτης κερδῆσαί τε τὴν ὕβριν ταύτην καὶ τὴν ζημίαν.

Since they had been without food for a long time, Paul then stood up in their midst and said, 'Men, you should have listened to me and not have set sail from Crete and incurred this damage and loss.

Temporal pivot (Paul's speech — turning point)τε (with Πολλῆς ἀσιτίας)Paul now commands the center. The genitive absolute (ἀσιτίας ὑπαρχούσης) grounds the timing — prolonged fasting in the storm. σταθεὶς ἐν μέσῳ αὐτῶν echoes Luke's apostolic preaching formula (Acts 2:14; 17:22). Paul's opening rebuke (Ἔδει … μὴ ἀνάγεσθαι) is notable for its vocabulary echo of v.10: ὕβριν and ζημίαν reappear, pointing back to the dismissed warning.
Πολλῆςmuch/longGenitiveattributive adjective (modifying ἀσιτίας, genitive absolute)
τεandconnective particle
ἀσιτίαςof fasting/going without foodGenitivegenitive subject of genitive absoluteἀσιτία: 'abstaining from food, fasting'; ἀ- (neg.) + σῖτος ('grain/food'); here involuntary — storm conditions made preparation of food impossible; hapax in NT (the adjective ἄσιτος appears in v.33).
ὑπαρχούσηςbeing/existingPres Act Ptc Gen Sg Fem · ὑπάρχωgenitive absolute (temporal/causal)→ progressive present
τότεthentemporal adverb
σταθεὶςstandingAor Pass Ptc Nom Sg Masc · ἵστημιcircumstantial participle (antecedent action; solemn standing to speak)→ constative aorist participleἵστημι: passive σταθείς = 'having taken his stand'; a formal rhetorical posture — standing to address a crowd (cf. Acts 2:14; 17:22; Luke 19:8).
theNominativearticle
ΠαῦλοςPaulNominativesubject
ἐνinpreposition + dative (location)
μέσῳmidstDativedative of place
αὐτῶνof themGenitivegenitive of reference (ἐν μέσῳ αὐτῶν = in their midst)
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb→ constative aorist
Ἔδειit was necessaryImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · δεῖmain verb of Paul's speech (impersonal)→ unfulfilled past obligation (imperfect of unmet duty)δεῖ: 'it is necessary'; the imperfect ἔδει = 'it was necessary' — used for obligations that were not fulfilled; a mild rebuke form: 'you should have…'
μένindeedparticle (anticipatory μέν, sometimes without a δέ counterpart — emphasis on the following point)
Oexclamatory particle (with vocative)
ἄνδρεςmenVocativevocative (direct address)
πειθαρχήσαντάςhaving obeyedAor Act Ptc Acc Pl Masc · πειθαρχέωcircumstantial participle (conditional: if you had obeyed…)→ constative aorist participle (unfulfilled condition)πειθαρχέω: 'obey authority'; πείθ(ω) + ἄρχω — 'obey those in authority'; in Acts used of obeying God (5:29) and Roman authority; here of heeding Paul's counsel.
μοιmeDativedative of person obeyed
μὴnotnegation (with ἀνάγεσθαι)
ἀνάγεσθαιto set sailPres Pass Inf · ἀνάγωcomplementary infinitive (with ἔδει: 'it was necessary not to set sail')→ progressive present infinitiveἀνάγω (passive, nautical): repeated from vv.2, 4, 12 — 'put out to sea'; Paul's rebuke recalls the exact decision he opposed.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (origin/departure point)
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
ΚρήτηςCreteGenitivegenitive of origin
κερδῆσαίto gain/incurAor Act Inf · κερδαίνωepexegetic infinitive (specifying the result avoided: 'and so gain/incur')→ constative aorist infinitiveκερδαίνω: 'gain, profit'; here ironically used for suffering a loss — 'gaining' damage, a sarcastic twist. The commercial verb applied to suffering a commercial disaster.
τεandconnective particle (correlative with καί)
τὴνthisAccusativearticle
ὕβρινdamageAccusativedirect object of κερδῆσαίὕβρις: repeated from v.10; the echo is deliberate — Paul's vocabulary from v.10 recurs verbatim, highlighting the fulfilled warning.
ταύτηνthisAccusativedemonstrative adjective (emphatic — 'this very damage')
καίandcoordinative conjunction
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
ζημίανlossAccusativedirect object (coordinate with ὕβριν)ζημία: repeated from v.10 — the lexical echo confirms the fulfillment of Paul's warning.
22

καὶ τὰ νῦν παραινῶ ὑμᾶς εὐθυμεῖν· ἀποβολὴ γὰρ ψυχῆς οὐδεμία ἔσται ἐξ ὑμῶν πλὴν τοῦ πλοίου.

And now I urge you to take courage; for there will be no loss of life among you, only the ship.

Turning point (divine assurance)καίThe pivot from rebuke to assurance. παραινῶ ὑμᾶς εὐθυμεῖν is a formal παράκλησις — a call to courage. The central promise of the chapter: οὐδεμία ἔσται ἀποβολὴ ψυχῆς ('no loss of life') — a stunning reversal of v.10 ('loss of our lives' ζημία … τῶν ψυχῶν). Only the ship will be lost.
καίandcoordinative conjunction
τὰtheAccusativearticle (with νῦν — τὰ νῦν = 'the present situation, now')
νῦνnowadverb (τὰ νῦν = 'as for the present, now')
παραινῶI urge/advisePres Act Indic 1 Sg · παραινέωmain verb→ gnomic/performative present (the very act of urging)παραινέω: repeated from v.9; now Paul advises courage, not caution — the same verb marks the contrast.
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativeaccusative subject of infinitive
εὐθυμεῖνto be of good couragePres Act Inf · εὐθυμέωcomplementary infinitive (content of παραινῶ)→ progressive present (ongoing encouragement needed)εὐθυμέω: 'be of good cheer/courage'; εὖ + θυμός ('spirit, courage'); 2× in NT (here + v.36); the cognate adjective εὔθυμος in v.36; a uniquely Lukan word in the NT.
ἀποβολὴlossNominativesubjectἀποβολή: 'throwing away, loss'; ἀπό + βολή (from βάλλω); 2× in NT (here + Rom 11:15 where it = 'rejection'). The nautical context gives it the technical sense of 'loss' parallel to ζημία and ἐκβολή.
γάρforcausal particle (ground for the exhortation)
ψυχῆςof lifeGenitivegenitive of specification (what is not lost)ψυχή: 'life'; echoing v.10 where loss of ψυχαί was feared — now that fear is definitively countered.
οὐδεμίαnoneNominativepredicate adjective / quantifier (modifying ἀποβολή)
ἔσταιwill beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (predictive future)→ predictive future (divine guarantee)
ἐξamongpreposition + genitive (partitive: from among)
ὑμῶνyouGenitivegenitive of group (partitive)
πλὴνexceptadversative particle (exception: only the ship)πλήν: 'except, but, however'; here as a preposition of exception: 'except for the ship.' A Lukan lexeme (frequent in Luke and Acts).
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
πλοίουshipGenitivegenitive of exception (with πλήν)
23

παρέστη γάρ μοι ταύτῃ τῇ νυκτὶ τοῦ θεοῦ, οὗ εἰμι [ἐγώ], ᾧ καὶ λατρεύω, ἄγγελος

For this very night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me,

Ground (divine basis for the assurance)γάρThe source of Paul's confidence: an angelic vision in the night. The double relative clause (οὗ εἰμι … ᾧ καὶ λατρεύω) is a confessional self-identification before a pagan audience — 'the God to whom I belong and to whom I offer sacred service.' λατρεύω is the cultic worship term. The ἄγγελος is placed last for emphasis.
παρέστηstood besideAor Act Indic 3 Sg · παρίστημιmain verb→ constative aorist (single visitation)παρίστημι: 'stand beside, present oneself'; the word used of angels appearing (Luke 1:19; 2:9); and of being present before a judge or authority (Acts 23:33; 27:24).
γάρforcausal particle (grounds v.22)
μοιto meDativedative of indirect object / proximity (stood beside me)
ταύτῃthisDativedemonstrative adjective (modifying νυκτί)
τῇtheDativearticle
νυκτίnightDativedative of time (ταύτῃ τῇ νυκτί = this very night)νύξ: 'night'; the vision came during the storm-ridden night — a theophanic timing consistent with OT angel appearances.
τοῦofGenitivearticle
θεοῦGodGenitivegenitive of relationship (angel of God)
οὗwhoseGenitivegenitive relative pronoun (in the relative clause: whose I am)
εἰμιI amPres Act Indic 1 Sg · εἰμίverb in relative clause (confessional: 'whose I am')→ stative present (permanent belonging)
ἐγώINominativeemphatic subject pronoun (bracketed in some editions as secondary)
whomDativedative relative pronoun (in the second relative clause: whom I serve)
καίalsoascensive particle
λατρεύωI serve/worshipPres Act Indic 1 Sg · λατρεύωverb in relative clause (confessional: cultic service)→ gnomic/stative present (ongoing devotion)λατρεύω: 'serve, worship'; the technical term for cultic/religious service (sacrifice, priestly duties); used of worship of God (Rom 1:9; Phil 3:3; Heb 9:14). Paul declares his covenantal allegiance before the pagan audience.
ἄγγελοςangelNominativesubject (placed last for emphasis)ἄγγελος: 'messenger, angel'; the delayed subject creates suspense — the audience hears whose angel before they hear that an angel came.
24

λέγων· Μὴ φοβοῦ, Παῦλε· Καίσαρί σε δεῖ παραστῆναι, καὶ ἰδοὺ κεχάρισταί σοι ὁ θεὸς πάντας τοὺς πλέοντας μετά σου.

saying, 'Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar, and behold, God has graciously granted you all who are sailing with you.'

Direct speech (angel's words — double promise)λέγωνThe angel's speech has two parts: (1) Μὴ φοβοῦ — the classic OT angel greeting ('Do not fear'); (2) Καίσαρί σε δεῖ παραστῆναι — the divine necessity (δεῖ) of Paul reaching Rome; (3) God's gift (κεχάρισταί) of all co-passengers. The perfect κεχάρισταί ('has graciously given') denotes a completed divine act with present effect. The promise is unconditional and comprehensive.
λέγωνsayingPres Act Ptc Nom Sg Masc · λέγωcircumstantial participle (introducing direct speech)
Μὴdo notnegation (with present imperative = stop fearing)
φοβοῦbe afraidPres Mid Impv 2 Sg · φοβέομαιnegative command (Μὴ + pres. impv. = cease the ongoing fear)→ progressive present imperative (command to stop ongoing fear)φοβέομαι: 'fear'; Μὴ φοβοῦ is the quintessential OT angelophany formula (Gen 15:1; 26:24; Dan 10:12, 19; Luke 1:13, 30; 2:10) — the angel's greeting formula identifying the messenger as divine.
ΠαῦλεPaulVocativevocative (personal address by name — uncommon in angel speeches, emphasizing Paul's specific calling)
Καίσαρίbefore CaesarDativedative of indirect object / reference (stand before Caesar)Καῖσαρ: Caesar — the reigning emperor (Nero, ~AD 59–60); the appeal to Caesar in 25:11 set this divine necessity in motion.
σεyouAccusativeaccusative subject of infinitive
δεῖit is necessaryPres Act Indic 3 Sg · δεῖimpersonal verb (divine necessity)→ gnomic/divine present (the standing divine decree)δεῖ: 'it is necessary'; the divine δεῖ in Luke-Acts signals divinely ordained necessity — God's plan that cannot be thwarted (cf. Luke 9:22; 24:7; Acts 23:11).
παραστῆναιto stand beforeAor Act Inf · παρίστημιcomplementary infinitive (object of δεῖ)→ constative aorist infinitive (goal of the whole journey)παρίστημι: repeated from v.23 (stood beside); here 'stand before, appear before (a judge)' — a legal/judicial term.
καίandcoordinative conjunction
ἰδοὺbeholddiscourse particle (attention-getting; introduces the gift)ἰδού: 'look, behold'; a Lukan discourse marker introducing a significant new element; derives from ἴδε (imperative of ὁράω).
κεχάρισταίhas graciously grantedPerf Mid/Pass Indic 3 Sg · χαρίζομαιmain verb of second clause→ intensive perfect (God's decision is made and stands)χαρίζομαι: 'bestow as a gift of grace, grant freely'; from χάρις; the perfect κεχάρισταί emphasizes that God has already given — the act is complete and the gift is certain. A theologically loaded word: God's χάρις in action.
σοιto youDativedative of recipient (indirect object of κεχάρισταί)
theNominativearticle
θεόςGodNominativesubject
πάνταςallAccusativedirect object (the gift: all 276 lives)πᾶς: 'all'; the comprehensive promise — no exceptions. This is unconditional divine grace extended through Paul's presence.
τοὺςthoseAccusativearticle (substantivizing the participle)
πλέονταςsailingPres Act Ptc Acc Pl Masc · πλέωsubstantival participle (those sailing with you = all passengers)→ progressive present
μετάwithpreposition + genitive (accompaniment)
σουyouGenitivegenitive of accompaniment
25

διὸ εὐθυμεῖτε, ἄνδρες· πιστεύω γὰρ τῷ θεῷ ὅτι οὕτως ἔσται καθ᾿ ὃν τρόπον λελάληταί μοι.

So take courage, men, for I believe God that it will be exactly as I have been told.

Inference (exhortation to courage grounded in faith)διόThe inferential διό draws the conclusion from the angelic promise. εὐθυμεῖτε (imperative) echoes εὐθυμεῖν (v.22) — forming an inclusion around the angelic speech. Paul's personal confession πιστεύω τῷ θεῷ is a public faith declaration before non-Christians — one of the most direct statements of Pauline faith in Acts. The perfect λελάληταί ('has been spoken to me') grounds assurance in the completed divine word.
διόthereforeinferential conjunctionδιό: 'wherefore, therefore'; a strong inferential — the conclusion drawn from the angelic promise.
εὐθυμεῖτεtake couragePres Act Impv 2 Pl · εὐθυμέωimperative (command to sustained courage)→ progressive present imperative (ongoing encouragement required)εὐθυμέω: repeated from v.22 (infinitive there, imperative here); the inclusion around the angelic speech.
ἄνδρεςmenVocativevocative (direct address; third use in the speech: vv.10, 21, 25)
πιστεύωI believePres Act Indic 1 Sg · πιστεύωmain verb of explanatory clause→ gnomic/stative present (Paul's settled faith)πιστεύω: 'believe, trust'; the fundamental NT faith verb; here with dative τῷ θεῷ = 'believe/trust God' (personal trust), not merely belief that a proposition is true.
γάρforcausal particle (grounds the exhortation)
τῷtheDativearticle
θεῷGodDativedative of person trusted (πιστεύω + dative = trust in someone)
ὅτιthatconjunction (introducing indirect statement after πιστεύω)
οὕτωςthus/exactly soadverb of manner (emphatic: 'exactly as told')
ἔσταιit will beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (predictive future)→ predictive future (divine certainty)
καθ᾿according topreposition + accusative (standard/manner)
ὃνwhichAccusativeaccusative relative pronoun (with τρόπον: κατὰ τρόπον = 'in the manner that')
τρόπονmanner/wayAccusativeaccusative (καθ᾿ ὃν τρόπον = 'in exactly the way that')τρόπος: 'manner, way, mode'; καθ᾿ ὃν τρόπον = 'in the way that, exactly as'; a formula of precision.
λελάληταίhas been spokenPerf Pass Indic 3 Sg · λαλέωrelative clause verb→ intensive perfect (the word spoken stands as final)λαλέω: 'speak'; the perfect passive emphasizes the abiding authority of the divine word — it has been spoken and its effect continues. 'Exactly as has been told to me' — God's word is the ground of Paul's faith.
μοιto meDativedative of indirect object
26

εἰς νῆσον δέ τινα δεῖ ἡμᾶς ἐκπεσεῖν.

But we must run aground on some island.

Concession/addition (partial bad news within the good)δέA short sentence completing the angelic oracle: shipwreck is inevitable (δεῖ — divine necessity), but the island destination is unnamed. This controlled disclosure — all will be saved, but the ship will be lost and they will be wrecked on an island — is the full shape of the divine promise.
εἰςon/ontopreposition + accusative (destination of wrecking)
νῆσονislandAccusativeaccusative of destination (with ἐκπεσεῖν)νῆσος: 'island'; the unnamed island is revealed in 28:1 as Malta (Μελίτη).
δέbutadversative particle
τιναsome/a certainAccusativeattributive indefinite pronoun (the island is deliberately unnamed)
δεῖit is necessaryPres Act Indic 3 Sg · δεῖimpersonal main verb (divine necessity)→ gnomic present (standing divine decree)δεῖ: the divine necessity repeated from v.24 — even the shipwreck is within God's providential plan.
ἡμᾶςusAccusativeaccusative subject of infinitive
ἐκπεσεῖνto run agroundAor Act Inf · ἐκπίπτωcomplementary infinitive (object of δεῖ)→ constative aorist infinitiveἐκπίπτω: 'fall out, run aground, be driven ashore'; repeated from v.17 where the same verb was used of the feared Syrtis grounding — now the certain island is the divinely planned destination.
27

Ὡς δὲ τεσσαρεσκαιδεκάτη νὺξ ἐγένετο διαφερομένων ἡμῶν ἐν τῷ Ἀδρίᾳ, κατὰ μέσον τῆς νυκτὸς ὑπενόουν οἱ ναῦται προσάγειν τινὰ αὐτοῖς χώραν.

When the fourteenth night came, as we were being driven across the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors suspected that land was drawing near to them.

Temporal setting (fourteenth night: land sensed)Ὡς δέThe 'fourteenth night' (v.33 confirms the fourteen-day count) marks the resumption of narrative after Paul's speech. The Ἀδρία here denotes the broader ancient 'Adriatic' (including the modern Ionian Sea). ὑπενόουν ('were suspecting') is an imperfect of dawning suspicion — the sailors' instinct before any evidence.
Ὡςwhentemporal conjunction
δέandcontinuative particle
τεσσαρεσκαιδεκάτηfourteenthNominativepredicate nominative (with ἐγένετο — 'the fourteenth night arrived')τεσσαρεσκαιδέκατος: 'fourteenth'; a compound ordinal (τέσσαρες + καί + δέκα + ordinal suffix); the fourteen days of drifting is historically plausible given the distances and prevailing winds.
νύξnightNominativesubject
ἐγένετοcame/arrivedAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb→ constative aorist (temporal marker: the night arrived)
διαφερομένωνbeing driven acrossPres Pass Ptc Gen Pl Masc · διαφέρωgenitive absolute (temporal circumstance — while being carried along)→ progressive present (ongoing drift)διαφέρω: 'carry through, be driven across'; διά + φέρω — the passive 'be driven, carried across'; nautically = being blown across a body of water.
ἡμῶνus/weGenitivegenitive subject of genitive absolute
ἐνinpreposition + dative (location: on the sea)
τῷtheDativearticle
ἈδρίᾳAdriaticDativedative of placeἈδρίας: 'Adriatic'; in antiquity the term encompassed both the Adriatic proper and the Ionian Sea (the sea between Italy, Greece, and Libya). The drift from Cauda to Malta is approximately 800 km over 14 days — consistent with storm-driven drift.
κατὰabout/aroundpreposition + accusative (approximation of time)
μέσονmiddle/midnightAccusativeaccusative of time (κατὰ μέσον τῆς νυκτός = about midnight)
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
νυκτόςnightGenitivegenitive of time (of the night: midnight)
ὑπενόουνwere suspectingImpf Act Indic 3 Pl · ὑπονοέωmain verb→ inceptive imperfect (beginning to suspect)ὑπονοέω: 'suspect, surmise, conjecture'; ὑπό + νοέω ('think'); used 3× in Acts (13:25; 25:18; 27:27); the imperfect captures the sailors' dawning suspicion — experience/smell/sound of breakers.
οἱtheNominativearticle
ναῦταιsailorsNominativesubjectναύτης: 'sailor'; from ναῦς ('ship'); the professional crew.
προσάγεινto be drawing nearPres Act Inf · προσάγωinfinitive in indirect statement (after ὑπενόουν)→ progressive present (land approaching or they approaching land)προσάγω: 'bring toward, draw near'; here intransitive 'draw near' — the land is drawing nearer to them, or they to land; the ambiguity of the phrase is nautically interesting.
τινὰsomeAccusativeattributive pronoun (indefinite)
αὐτοῖςto themDativedative of reference (drawing near to them)
χώρανlandAccusativeaccusative subject of infinitive (indirect statement: land is drawing near)χώρα: 'land, country, territory'; here the sailors' intuition that land is near — likely from the sound of breakers or changed wave patterns.
28

καὶ βολίσαντες εὗρον ὀργυιὰς εἴκοσι· βραχὺ δὲ διαστήσαντες καὶ πάλιν βολίσαντες εὗρον ὀργυιὰς δεκαπέντε·

And taking soundings they found twenty fathoms; a little farther on, they took soundings again and found fifteen fathoms.

Narrative continuation (soundings confirm shoaling)καίTwo soundings in rapid succession (20 fathoms, then 15 fathoms = ~37m, ~27m) confirm they are over a rapidly shoaling seabed. βολίσαντες and ὀργυιάς are rare NT nautical terms. The shoaling confirms the sailors' fear and triggers the anchoring in v.29. The depth sequence is historically accurate for the approach to Malta.
καίandcoordinative conjunction
βολίσαντεςhaving taken soundingsAor Act Ptc Nom Pl Masc · βολίζωcircumstantial participle (antecedent action)→ constative aorist participleβολίζω: 'take soundings, heave the lead'; from βολή ('a throw, cast'); the nautical technical term for casting a lead-weighted line to measure depth; hapax in NT. One of the chapter's most distinctive technical terms.
εὗρονfoundAor Act Indic 3 Pl · εὑρίσκωmain verb→ constative aorist (result of sounding)
ὀργυιὰςfathomsAccusativeaccusative of measure (depth measurement)ὀργυιά: 'fathom'; the unit of depth = one outstretched arm-span (~1.85 m / ~6 feet); derived from ὀρέγω ('stretch out'); hapax in NT. 20 ὀργυιαί = ~37 m / 120 feet.
εἴκοσιtwentynumeral (indeclinable)
βραχύa littleAccusativeaccusative of extent (a short distance further)βραχύς: 'short, brief, small'; adverbial accusative βραχύ = 'a short distance, a little further.'
δέandcontinuative particle
διαστήσαντεςhaving moved onAor Act Ptc Nom Pl Masc · διΐστημιcircumstantial participle (antecedent action — moving farther)→ constative aorist participleδιΐστημι: 'separate, move apart, advance a distance'; intransitive: 'having advanced a little further'; 3× in Luke-Acts (Luke 22:59; 24:51; Acts 27:28).
καίandcoordinative conjunction
πάλινagainadverb (repetition)
βολίσαντεςhaving taken soundingsAor Act Ptc Nom Pl Masc · βολίζωcircumstantial participle (repeated action)→ constative aorist participleβολίζω: second occurrence; the repetition mirrors the urgency of the double check.
εὗρονfoundAor Act Indic 3 Pl · εὑρίσκωmain verb→ constative aorist
ὀργυιὰςfathomsAccusativeaccusative of measure
δεκαπέντεfifteennumeral (indeclinable)δεκαπέντε: 15 fathoms = ~27 m — the rapid shoaling (from 20 to 15 fathoms in a short distance) confirms the dangerous approach to a shelving coastline.
29

φοβούμενοί τε μὴ που κατὰ τραχεῖς τόπους ἐκπέσωμεν, ἐκ πρύμνης ῥίψαντες ἀγκύρας τέσσαρας ηὔχοντο ἡμέραν γενέσθαι.

Fearing that we might run aground on rocky ground, they let down four anchors from the stern and prayed for day to come.

Narrative continuation (emergency anchoring)τεFour stern anchors (πρύμνη = stern) — unusual but historically attested for holding a ship head-on to a lee shore while maintaining the ability to run for the beach. ηὔχοντο ἡμέραν γενέσθαι — 'they prayed for day to come' — a vivid human moment: veterans of the sea, reduced to prayer. The 'we' narrator includes himself.
φοβούμενοίfearingPres Mid Ptc Nom Pl Masc · φοβέομαιcircumstantial participle (causal)→ progressive present
τεandconnective particle
μὴlestnegation (fear clause: μὴ + subj.)
πουsomewhereindefinite adverb of place
κατὰon/againstpreposition + accusative (motion against)
τραχεῖςrocky/roughAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying τόπους)τραχύς: 'rough, rugged'; of rocky terrain or sea-bed; nautically 'rocky shoals'; 2× in NT (here + Luke 3:5).
τόπουςplacesAccusativeaccusative of goal (with κατά + ἐκπέσωμεν)
ἐκπέσωμενwe might run agroundAor Act Subj 1 Pl · ἐκπίπτωsubjunctive in fear clause (μὴ + subj.)→ constative aorist subjunctiveἐκπίπτω: third occurrence (v.17, 26, 29); the verb for being driven aground — here the specific feared outcome.
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (point of origin — from the stern)
πρύμνηςsternGenitivegenitive of origin (from the stern)πρύμνη: 'stern, poop deck'; the rear of the ship; 2× in this chapter (vv.29, 41) and once more at Acts 27:41; rare in NT. Stern-anchoring was a recognized ancient tactic to keep the bow facing the beach for a controlled run.
ῥίψαντεςhaving thrownAor Act Ptc Nom Pl Masc · ῥίπτωcircumstantial participle (antecedent action: dropping anchors)→ constative aorist participleῥίπτω: 'throw, cast, drop'; repeated from v.19 (tackle thrown overboard) — same urgency.
ἀγκύραςanchorsAccusativedirect objectἄγκυρα: 'anchor'; 4× in NT (Acts 27:29, 30, 40; Heb 6:19 metaphorically). Four anchors from the stern was unusual but well-attested — it held the ship with bow pointing toward shore.
τέσσαραςfourAccusativeattributive numeral
ηὔχοντοwere prayingImpf Mid Indic 3 Pl · εὔχομαιmain verb→ progressive imperfect (fervent ongoing prayer through the night)εὔχομαι: 'pray, wish, vow'; 7× in NT; here of the sailors' desperate prayer — even hardened professional sailors reduced to prayer at the moment of greatest danger.
ἡμέρανdayAccusativeaccusative subject of infinitive (of what they prayed for)
γενέσθαιto comeAor Mid Inf · γίνομαιinfinitive in indirect petition (object of ηὔχοντο)→ constative aorist infinitiveγίνομαι: 'become, come'; ἡμέραν γενέσθαι = 'for day to come' — they needed daylight to attempt the beach run.
30

τῶν δὲ ναυτῶν ζητούντων φυγεῖν ἐκ τοῦ πλοίου καὶ χαλασάντων τὴν σκάφην εἰς τὴν θάλασσαν προφάσει ὡς ἐκ πρῴρης ἀγκύρας μελλόντων ἐκτείνειν,

And as the sailors were seeking to escape from the ship and had lowered the dinghy into the sea under pretense of laying out anchors from the bow,

Narrative complication (sailors' attempted desertion)δέThe sailors — the only ones who know how to handle the ship — attempt to desert. The pretext (προφάσει) of laying out bow anchors is transparent to Paul. If they escape, the passengers and prisoners are doomed. The genitive absolute (ζητούντων φυγεῖν) is left pending; the main clause follows in v.31.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle
δέandcontinuative particle
ναυτῶνsailorsGenitivegenitive subject of genitive absolute
ζητούντωνseekingPres Act Ptc Gen Pl Masc · ζητέωgenitive absolute (temporal/circumstantial)→ progressive present (ongoing attempt)
φυγεῖνto flee/escapeAor Act Inf · φεύγωcomplementary infinitive (object of ζητούντων)→ constative aorist infinitiveφεύγω: 'flee'; here the sailors' cowardly desertion under cover of a pretext — abandoning ship and the passengers.
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (origin/source: leaving the ship)
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
πλοίουshipGenitivegenitive of separation
καίandcoordinative conjunction
χαλασάντωνhaving loweredAor Act Ptc Gen Pl Masc · χαλάωgenitive absolute (coordinate action: lowering the dinghy)→ constative aorist participleχαλάω: repeated from v.17 — same verb for lowering (the σκεῦος there, the σκάφη here).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
σκάφηνdinghyAccusativedirect objectσκάφη: repeated from v.16 — the same dinghy that was hauled aboard with such difficulty; now lowered again as an escape vehicle.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (destination)
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
θάλασσανseaAccusativeaccusative of destination
προφάσειunder pretenseDativedative of manner (false pretext)πρόφασις: 'pretext, excuse, stated reason'; πρό + φαίνω ('show beforehand'); here the false cover story; 6× in NT — often in the sense of a disingenuous motive or false excuse (cf. Phil 1:18; 1 Thess 2:5).
ὡςas ifcomparative particle (introducing the pretext: 'as though')
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive
πρῴρηςthe bowGenitivegenitive of origin (from the bow)πρῴρα: 'bow, prow'; the front of the ship; opposite of πρύμνη (stern, v.29); 2× in NT (here + v.41).
ἀγκύραςanchorsAccusativedirect object (of μελλόντων ἐκτείνειν: about to let out anchors)
μελλόντωνabout toPres Act Ptc Gen Pl Masc · μέλλωgenitive absolute (within the pretext clause: 'as if about to lay out')→ futuristic present
ἐκτείνεινto let out/lay outPres Act Inf · ἐκτείνωcomplementary infinitive (with μελλόντων)ἐκτείνω: 'stretch out, extend, lay out'; here of laying out or extending anchor cables from the bow — the plausible pretext for having the dinghy in the water.
31

εἶπεν ὁ Παῦλος τῷ ἑκατοντάρχῃ καὶ τοῖς στρατιώταις· Ἐὰν μὴ οὗτοι μείνωσιν ἐν τῷ πλοίῳ, ὑμεῖς σωθῆναι οὐ δύνασθε.

Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, 'Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved.'

Asyndeton (urgent warning)asyndetonPaul acts with decisive authority: his conditional (ἐάν + aorist subjunctive) warns the military personnel. The irony is that the passengers need the sailors to survive — and Paul needs all of them to fulfill the promise. The future σωθῆναι repeats the key verb of salvation from v.20 and v.22.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb→ constative aorist
theNominativearticle
ΠαῦλοςPaulNominativesubject
τῷtheDativearticle
ἑκατοντάρχῃcenturionDativedative of indirect object
καίandcoordinative conjunction
τοῖςtheDativearticle
στρατιώταιςsoldiersDativedative of indirect object (coordinate)στρατιώτης: 'soldier'; the Roman soldiers accompanying the prisoners; they are the ones with weapons and authority to act.
Ἐὰνunlessconditional conjunction (ἐὰν μή = unless; third-class condition)
μήnotnegation (with ἐάν: ἐάν μή = unless)
οὗτοιthese menNominativesubject of conditional clause (the sailors)
μείνωσινremain/stayAor Act Subj 3 Pl · μένωverb in third-class conditional (ἐάν + subj.)→ constative aorist subjunctiveμένω: 'remain, stay'; the sailors must remain aboard — their nautical expertise is essential for the beach run.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (location)
τῷtheDativearticle
πλοίῳshipDativedative of place
ὑμεῖςyouNominativeemphatic subject (you soldiers and centurion)
σωθῆναιto be savedAor Pass Inf · σῴζωcomplementary infinitive (with δύνασθε)→ constative aorist infinitiveσῴζω: 'save'; the third occurrence of the σῴζ- vocabulary in the chapter (vv.20, 22, 31) — the driving concern is physical survival.
οὐnotnegation
δύνασθεyou are ablePres Mid Indic 2 Pl · δύναμαιmain verb (apodosis of conditional)→ gnomic present (expressing impossibility)
32

τότε ἀπέκοψαν οἱ στρατιῶται τὰ σχοινία τῆς σκάφης καὶ εἴασαν αὐτὴν ἐκπεσεῖν.

Then the soldiers cut the ropes of the dinghy and let it fall away.

Consequential action (soldiers obey; escape foiled)τότεSwift, decisive action: the soldiers cut the ropes. This is the soldiers' only active contribution to the rescue — and they do it at Paul's word, not the centurion's. The dinghy drifts away, eliminating both the escape option and the pretext. The sailors are now committed to stay and do their duty.
τότεthentemporal adverb
ἀπέκοψανcut offAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀποκόπτωmain verb→ constative aorist (swift decisive act)ἀποκόπτω: 'cut off, sever'; ἀπό + κόπτω ('cut'); used metaphorically in Gal 5:12; here literally — severing the tow/painter of the dinghy.
οἱtheNominativearticle
στρατιῶταιsoldiersNominativesubject
τὰtheAccusativearticle
σχοινίαropesAccusativedirect objectσχοινίον: 'rope, cord'; from σχοῖνος ('rush plant used for ropes'); the ropes by which the dinghy was tethered (painter/tow lines); 2× in NT (here + John 2:15 — Jesus' whip).
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
σκάφηςdinghyGenitivegenitive of possession
καίandcoordinative conjunction
εἴασανlet/allowedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐάωmain verb (coordinate)→ constative aoristἐάω: 'allow, permit, let'; here 'let it fall away' — they allowed the dinghy to drift off and be lost.
αὐτήνitAccusativeaccusative subject of infinitive
ἐκπεσεῖνto fall awayAor Act Inf · ἐκπίπτωcomplementary infinitive (with εἴασαν)→ constative aorist infinitiveἐκπίπτω: fourth occurrence in the chapter (vv.17, 26, 29, 32) — here not of the ship but of the dinghy drifting away.
33

Ἄχρι δὲ οὗ ἡμέρα ἤμελλεν γίνεσθαι παρεκάλει ὁ Παῦλος ἅπαντας μεταλαβεῖν τροφῆς λέγων· Τεσσαρεσκαιδεκάτην σήμερον ἡμέραν προσδοκῶντες ἄσιτοι διατελεῖτε μηθὲν προσλαβόμενοι.

Just before day was about to break, Paul urged all of them to take some food, saying, 'Today is the fourteenth day that you have been waiting in suspense and going without food, having eaten nothing.

Narrative continuation (Paul urges eating)δέPaul's pastoral action: urging food intake (practically necessary for the physical exertion ahead — swimming to shore). The phrase Τεσσαρεσκαιδεκάτην … ἄσιτοι διατελεῖτε confirms the fourteen-day duration and the ἀσιτία of v.21. προσδοκῶντες ('waiting anxiously') adds the psychological dimension of the ordeal.
Ἄχριuntiltemporal conjunction (Ἄχρι δὲ οὗ = until the time when)
δέandcontinuative particle
οὗwhichGenitivegenitive relative pronoun (Ἄχρι οὗ = until which time)
ἡμέραdayNominativesubject
ἤμελλενwas about toImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · μέλλωmain verb (temporal clause)→ progressive imperfect (imminence approaching)
γίνεσθαιto come/breakPres Mid Inf · γίνομαιcomplementary infinitive (with ἤμελλεν)
παρεκάλειwas urgingImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · παρακαλέωmain verb→ progressive imperfect (sustained encouragement)παρακαλέω: 'urge, exhort, comfort'; the primary NT word for pastoral exhortation; Paul's sustained urging through the pre-dawn darkness.
theNominativearticle
ΠαῦλοςPaulNominativesubject
ἅπανταςallAccusativedirect object (universally inclusive)ἅπας: 'all, every'; stronger than πᾶς in some usages; Paul's care extends to every single person on board — 276 individuals.
μεταλαβεῖνto take/partake ofAor Act Inf · μεταλαμβάνωcomplementary infinitive (object of παρεκάλει)→ constative aorist infinitiveμεταλαμβάνω: 'receive, take a share of, partake'; μετά + λαμβάνω; used of sharing food (Heb 12:10; 2 Tim 2:6); the practical concern: food for strength.
τροφῆςof foodGenitivegenitive object of μεταλαβεῖν (partitive genitive: partake of food)τροφή: 'nourishment, food'; from τρέφω ('nourish, feed'); used in v.36 as well; the basic sustenance needed before the physical ordeal of abandoning ship.
λέγωνsayingPres Act Ptc Nom Sg Masc · λέγωcircumstantial participle (manner — introducing direct speech)
ΤεσσαρεσκαιδεκάτηνfourteenthAccusativeattributive adjective (ordinal, modifying ἡμέραν)
σήμερονtodaytemporal adverb
ἡμέρανdayAccusativeaccusative of time (extent: for fourteen days)
προσδοκῶντεςwaiting anxiouslyPres Act Ptc Nom Pl Masc · προσδοκάωcircumstantial participle (manner/attendant condition)→ progressive present (sustained tense expectation)προσδοκάω: 'wait for, expect, be in suspense'; πρός + δοκάω; used of expectant waiting — here the anxious waiting for rescue or death.
ἄσιτοιwithout food/fastingNominativepredicate adjective (with διατελεῖτε: 'continue fasting')ἄσιτος: 'without food'; ἀ- (neg.) + σῖτος; related to ἀσιτία (v.21); hapax in NT adjective form. The combined picture (14 days + fasting) explains the physical state of all on board.
διατελεῖτεyou have continuedPres Act Indic 2 Pl · διατελέωmain verb of Paul's speech→ progressive present (the unbroken state continuing)διατελέω: 'continue through, persist'; διά + τελέω; with a participle or adjective = 'continue to be/do'; hapax in NT.
μηθὲνnothingAccusativedirect object (of προσλαβόμενοι)
προσλαβόμενοιhaving takenAor Mid Ptc Nom Pl Masc · προσλαμβάνωcircumstantial participle (attendant manner — 'having eaten nothing')→ constative aorist participleπροσλαμβάνω: 'take to oneself, take/eat'; middle = 'take for oneself, eat'; the word used of eating in vv.33–36 links the food-episode as a unit.
34

διὸ παρακαλῶ ὑμᾶς μεταλαβεῖν τροφῆς· τοῦτο γὰρ πρὸς τῆς ὑμετέρας σωτηρίας ὑπάρχει· οὐδενὸς γὰρ ὑμῶν θρὶξ ἀπὸ τῆς κεφαλῆς ἀπολεῖται.

Therefore I urge you to take some food; it will help you survive. For not a hair of anyone's head will perish.

Inference (practical exhortation + promise)διόδιό draws the conclusion from the fourteen-day fasting. The proverbial 'not a hair of your head will be lost' (οὐδενὸς θρὶξ ἀπολεῖται) is a Hebraic idiom for complete safety (1 Sam 14:45; 2 Sam 14:11; Luke 12:7; 21:18) — Paul grounds his practical advice in the divine promise of v.22–24.
διόthereforeinferential conjunction
παρακαλῶI urgePres Act Indic 1 Sg · παρακαλέωmain verb (performative present — the very act of urging)→ performative presentπαρακαλέω: repeated from v.33 (narrated), now in direct speech — Paul's formal παράκλησις.
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativeaccusative subject of infinitive
μεταλαβεῖνto take/eatAor Act Inf · μεταλαμβάνωcomplementary infinitive (object of παρακαλῶ)→ constative aorist infinitiveμεταλαμβάνω: repeated from v.33.
τροφῆςof foodGenitivegenitive object of μεταλαβεῖν
τοῦτοthisNominativesubject (proleptic — 'this [eating]')
γάρforcausal particle (explaining why they should eat)
πρὸςfor/towardpreposition + genitive (advantage: πρός τινος = contributes to/serves for)πρός + genitive: 'serves for, conduces to'; an idiomatic construction for beneficial purpose; πρὸς τῆς σωτηρίας = 'is for the advantage of/contributes to your salvation/survival.'
τῆςyourGenitivearticle
ὑμετέραςyourGenitiveattributive possessive adjectiveὑμέτερος: 'your' (plural possessive adjective); emphatic form of genitive pronoun.
σωτηρίαςsalvation/survivalGenitivegenitive of objective interest (with πρός)σωτηρία: 'salvation, rescue, preservation'; here primarily physical survival; but in Luke-Acts the word always carries theological weight — the same God who saves spiritually is now providing physical rescue.
ὑπάρχειserves/isPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ὑπάρχωmain verb→ gnomic present
οὐδενὸςof no oneGenitivegenitive (possessive: of no one among you)
γάρforcausal particle (second — grounding in the divine promise)
ὑμῶνof youGenitivegenitive of group (partitive: of any of you)
θρίξa hairNominativesubjectθρίξ (gen. τριχός): 'hair (of the head)'; a proverbial measure of the smallest possible loss; the idiom 'not a hair will perish' = 'complete safety guaranteed' (1 Sam 14:45 LXX; Luke 12:7; 21:18).
ἀπόfrompreposition + genitive (separation)
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
κεφαλῆςheadGenitivegenitive of separation (a hair from the head)
ἀπολεῖταιwill perish/be lostFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἀπόλλυμιmain verb (predictive future — the divine promise)→ predictive future (guaranteeing complete safety)ἀπόλλυμι: 'destroy, perish, be lost'; middle = 'perish'; the future ἀπολεῖται is the divine guarantee — not even a hair will perish, all the more the 276 souls.
35

εἴπας δὲ ταῦτα καὶ λαβὼν ἄρτον εὐχαρίστησεν τῷ θεῷ ἐνώπιον πάντων καὶ κλάσας ἤρξατο ἐσθίειν.

And having said these things, he took bread, and giving thanks to God in front of all, he broke it and began to eat.

Narrative continuation (the breaking of bread)δέThe four verbs (λαβών — εὐχαρίστησεν — κλάσας — ἤρξατο ἐσθίειν) precisely mirror the Eucharistic/Supper language of Luke 22:19 and Acts 2:46; 20:11. This is not necessarily a celebration of the Lord's Supper (the audience is mixed pagan/Jewish/Christian), but the resonance is unmistakable and surely intentional. Paul acts as host and patron.
εἴπαςhaving saidAor Act Ptc Nom Sg Masc · λέγωcircumstantial participle (antecedent action)→ constative aorist participle
δέandcontinuative particle
ταῦταthese thingsAccusativedirect object
καίandcoordinative conjunction
λαβὼνhaving takenAor Act Ptc Nom Sg Masc · λαμβάνωcircumstantial participle (antecedent action — the bread taken)→ constative aorist participleλαμβάνω: 'take'; the first of the four Eucharistic-parallel actions: λαβών — εὐχαρίστησεν — κλάσας — ἤρξατο ἐσθίειν.
ἄρτονbreadAccusativedirect objectἄρτος: 'bread, loaf'; the κλάσις ἄρτου (breaking of bread) is Luke's idiom for the Lord's Supper (Acts 2:42, 46; 20:7, 11; Luke 24:35). The deliberate use here creates rich intertextual resonance.
εὐχαρίστησενgave thanksAor Act Indic 3 Sg · εὐχαριστέωmain verb (the thanksgiving over the bread)→ constative aorist (single act of thanksgiving)εὐχαριστέω: 'give thanks'; εὖ + χάρις; the word from which 'Eucharist' derives; Paul's public thanksgiving to God before a pagan audience — a witness to his faith.
τῷtoDativearticle
θεῷGodDativedative of indirect object (gave thanks to God)
ἐνώπιονbefore/in front ofpreposition + genitive (witness: in the presence of)ἐνώπιον: 'in the presence of, before'; a Lukan favorite (35× in Luke, 13× in Acts); the public nature of the thanksgiving is emphasized — it is a testimony before all 276.
πάντωνallGenitivegenitive of specification (in the presence of all)
καίandcoordinative conjunction
κλάσαςhaving brokenAor Act Ptc Nom Sg Masc · κλάωcircumstantial participle (antecedent action — the breaking)→ constative aorist participleκλάω: 'break (bread)'; the technical term for the breaking of bread at table, always used of bread (Matt 14:19; 26:26; Luke 24:30; Acts 2:46; 20:11). The κλάσις ἄρτου formula is consistently Lukan.
ἤρξατοbeganAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἄρχωmain verb (inceptive: began to eat)→ inceptive aorist (beginning of eating)ἄρχω: 'begin'; middle ἤρξατο + inf. = 'began to'; a common Lukan construction.
ἐσθίεινto eatPres Act Inf · ἐσθίωcomplementary infinitive (with ἤρξατο)→ progressive present infinitiveἐσθίω: 'eat'; the practical conclusion — Paul's example prompts the others (v.36).
36

εὔθυμοι δὲ γενόμενοι πάντες καὶ αὐτοὶ προσελάβοντο τροφῆς.

Then all of them were encouraged and ate some food themselves.

Consequence (the group encouraged)δέεὔθυμοι echoes εὐθυμεῖν (v.22) and εὐθυμεῖτε (v.25) — completing the ring around Paul's exhortation. Paul's example works: all 276 are encouraged and eat. The combination of divine promise + human action (eating for strength) models faith active in obedience.
εὔθυμοιencouraged/cheerfulNominativepredicate adjective (with γενόμενοι)εὔθυμος: 'of good cheer, encouraged'; related to εὐθυμέω (vv.22, 25); hapax in NT (adjective form); Paul's word of hope has taken effect — the transformation of spirit is real.
δέandcontinuative particle
γενόμενοιhaving becomeAor Mid Ptc Nom Pl Masc · γίνομαιcircumstantial participle (attendant circumstance)→ constative aorist participle (transformation of spirit)
πάντεςallNominativesubject (universal — all 276)
καίalso/tooascensive particle (they also)
αὐτοίthey themselvesNominativeemphatic pronoun (καὶ αὐτοί = they too; everyone following Paul's example)
προσελάβοντοtook/ateAor Mid Indic 3 Pl · προσλαμβάνωmain verb→ constative aorist (the eating)προσλαμβάνω: repeated from v.33 — the very word Paul used for 'eating' is now fulfilled in their action.
τροφῆςof foodGenitivegenitive object (partitive: some food)
37

ἤμεθα δὲ αἱ πᾶσαι ψυχαὶ ἐν τῷ πλοίῳ διακόσιαι ἑβδομήκοντα ἕξ.

We were in all two hundred and seventy-six souls on the ship.

Parenthetical narrative note (total persons on board)δέThe number 276 is text-critically robust (read by א A B and others; some MSS have ὡς 'about 76' or 275). The word ψυχαί ('souls') for persons is a Hebraism (ψυχή = נֶפֶשׁ = 'person'); it also echoes the earlier concern for losing ψυχαί (v.10, 22) — all 276 persons will be saved.
ἤμεθαwe wereImpf Mid Indic 1 Pl · εἰμίmain verb→ stative imperfect
δέandcontinuative particle
αἱtheNominativearticle (αἱ πᾶσαι = 'all the [souls]' — articular total)
πᾶσαιallNominativeattributive adjective (αἱ πᾶσαι = the total number of)
ψυχαίsouls/personsNominativesubject (= persons)ψυχή: 'soul, life, person'; used as a counting unit for persons (a Hebraism); each ψυχή matters — all 276 will be saved.
ἐνonpreposition + dative (location on ship)
τῷtheDativearticle
πλοίῳshipDativedative of place
διακόσιαιtwo hundredNominativenumeral (predicate/in apposition to ψυχαί)διακόσιοι: 'two hundred'; the first element of the compound numeral 276.
ἑβδομήκονταseventynumeral (indeclinable)
ἕξsixnumeral (indeclinable)ἕξ: 'six'; together: 200 + 70 + 6 = 276. The precision of the number is historically remarkable and its text-critical strength (best MSS) supports its authenticity.
38

κορεσθέντες δὲ τροφῆς ἐκούφιζον τὸ πλοῖον ἐκβαλλόμενοι τὸν σῖτον εἰς τὴν θάλασσαν.

When they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship by throwing the wheat into the sea.

Narrative continuation (final lightening — grain jettisoned)δέAfter eating, the remaining grain cargo is jettisoned. ἐκούφιζον (imperfect: they were lightening) and ἐκβαλλόμενοι (present participle: throwing out) depict ongoing work. Jettisoning the grain after eating it (v.38) confirms the sequence: they ate what they could, then threw the rest. The lightened ship draws less water for the beach run.
κορεσθέντεςhaving eaten their fillAor Pass Ptc Nom Pl Masc · κορέννυμιcircumstantial participle (temporal: after satisfying hunger)→ constative aorist participleκορέννυμι: 'satiate, satisfy'; passive = 'eat one's fill, be satisfied'; 2× in NT (here + 1 Cor 4:8, ironic). The word suggests they ate until satisfied — a contrast with fourteen days without food.
δέandcontinuative particle
τροφῆςof foodGenitivegenitive object (with κορεσθέντες: satisfied with food)
ἐκούφιζονwere lighteningImpf Act Indic 3 Pl · κουφίζωmain verb→ progressive imperfect (ongoing work of lightening)κουφίζω: 'lighten, make light'; from κοῦφος ('light in weight'); hapax in NT. The final practical step before the beach run: maximum draft reduction.
τὸtheAccusativearticle
πλοῖονshipAccusativedirect object
ἐκβαλλόμενοιthrowing outPres Mid Ptc Nom Pl Masc · ἐκβάλλωcircumstantial participle (manner/means of lightening)→ progressive present (ongoing throwing)ἐκβάλλω: 'throw out, cast out'; cf. ἐκβολή (v.18) — a different word but same root; the final jettisoning.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
σῖτονwheat/grainAccusativedirect objectσῖτος: 'grain, wheat'; this was the principal cargo of the Alexandrian grain ship — its value in Rome was enormous. Jettisoning it is the final commercial sacrifice, consistent with Paul's earlier warning about ζημία τοῦ φορτίου (v.10).
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (destination)
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
θάλασσανseaAccusativeaccusative of destination
39

Ὅτε δὲ ἡμέρα ἐγένετο, τὴν γῆν οὐκ ἐπεγίνωσκον, κόλπον δέ τινα κατενόουν ἔχοντα αἰγιαλόν, εἰς ὃν ἐβουλεύοντο εἰ δύναιντο ἐξῶσαι τὸ πλοῖον.

When day came, they did not recognize the land, but they noticed a bay with a beach onto which they planned to run the ship ashore if they could.

Temporal setting (dawn — the beach plan)Ὅτε δέDawn brings partial information: land is visible but unidentifiable. The crew spots a bay with a beach (κόλπον … αἰγιαλόν) — ideal for the planned beaching (ἐξῶσαι τὸ πλοῖον = run the ship onto the beach). The optative δύναιντο marks uncertainty about success.
Ὅτεwhentemporal conjunction
δέandcontinuative particle
ἡμέραdayNominativesubject
ἐγένετοcame/brokeAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb of temporal clause→ constative aorist (daybreak as event)
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
γῆνlandAccusativedirect object of ἐπεγίνωσκον
οὐκnotnegation
ἐπεγίνωσκονwere recognizingImpf Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐπιγινώσκωmain verb→ progressive imperfect (failure to recognize — they tried and could not)ἐπιγινώσκω: 'recognize, know fully'; they could see land but could not identify it — they had been blown off course into unknown waters (Malta was not on their planned route).
κόλπονa bayAccusativedirect object of κατενόουνκόλπος: 'bay, gulf, fold, bosom'; here a bay or inlet with a sandy beach — the bay of St. Paul's Bay, Malta is the traditional identification.
δέbutadversative particle
τιναa certainAccusativeattributive indefinite pronoun
κατενόουνthey noticedImpf Act Indic 3 Pl · κατανοέωmain verb (coordinate)→ progressive imperfect (careful observation)κατανοέω: 'consider carefully, notice, observe'; κατά + νοέω ('perceive'); used of careful observation (Matt 7:3; Luke 12:24, 27; Acts 7:31, 32; 11:6).
ἔχονταhavingPres Act Ptc Acc Sg Masc · ἔχωattributive participle (modifying κόλπον)→ stative present
αἰγιαλόνa beachAccusativedirect object (of ἔχοντα: having a beach)αἰγιαλός: 'beach, shore, strand'; sandy shore; repeated in v.40 — the crucial feature for running the ship aground safely; 6× in NT (Matt 13:2, 48; John 21:4; Acts 27:39, 40; 28:2 v.l.).
εἰςontopreposition + accusative (goal: onto the beach)
ὅνwhichAccusativeaccusative relative pronoun (referring to αἰγιαλόν)
ἐβουλεύοντοwere planningImpf Mid Indic 3 Pl · βουλεύομαιmain verb→ progressive imperfect (deliberating)βουλεύομαι: 'deliberate, plan, decide'; middle = plan for oneself; the crew deliberates the beach-run maneuver.
εἰwhether/ifconjunction (indirect question: whether they could)
δύναιντοthey couldPres Mid Opt 3 Pl · δύναμαιoptative in indirect question (εἰ + optative = indirect deliberation)→ potential optative (uncertain hope)
ἐξῶσαιto drive/run agroundAor Act Inf · ἐξωθέωcomplementary infinitive (with δύναιντο)→ constative aorist infinitiveἐξωθέω: 'push out, drive aground'; ἐξ + ὠθέω ('push, shove'); the nautical term for intentionally driving a ship onto a beach; hapax in NT in this form.
τὸtheAccusativearticle
πλοῖονshipAccusativedirect object
40

καὶ τὰς ἀγκύρας περιελόντες εἴων εἰς τὴν θάλασσαν, ἅμα ἀνέντες τὰς ζευκτηρίας τῶν πηδαλίων καὶ ἐπάραντες τὸν ἀρτέμωνα τῇ πνεούσῃ κατεῖχον εἰς τὸν αἰγιαλόν.

So they cast off the anchors and left them in the sea, while at the same time loosening the lashings of the steering oars; and hoisting the foresail to the wind, they made for the beach.

Narrative continuation (the final run for the beach)καίThis verse is the most technically dense in the chapter: four simultaneous nautical actions. τὰς ἀγκύρας περιελόντες = cutting away the stern anchors; εἴων εἰς τὴν θάλασσαν = leaving them in the sea (not hauling them — there's no time); ἀνέντες τὰς ζευκτηρίας τῶν πηδαλίων = slackening the lashings of the steering oars (they had been tied amidships during the storm; now freed to steer); ἐπάραντες τὸν ἀρτέμωνα = hoisting the foresail (the only remaining sail) to catch the wind for the final run. ἀρτέμων and ζευκτηρία are NT hapax legomena.
καίandcoordinative conjunction
τὰςtheAccusativearticle
ἀγκύραςanchorsAccusativedirect object of περιελόντεςἄγκυρα: repeated from vv.29, 30 — now the four stern anchors are sacrificed to the sea.
περιελόντεςhaving cut awayAor Act Ptc Nom Pl Masc · περιαιρέωcircumstantial participle (antecedent action — cutting anchor cables)→ constative aorist participleπεριαιρέω: 'take away from around, remove'; the same verb as v.20 (ἐλπὶς περιῃρεῖτο) — now it is the anchors that are removed. Here: cutting the anchor cables.
εἴωνleft/letImpf Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐάωmain verb→ progressive imperfect (letting them stay in the sea)ἐάω: 'let, allow'; same verb as v.32 (dinghy cut away); here the anchors are left in the sea — there is no time to recover them.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (into/onto the sea)
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
θάλασσανseaAccusativeaccusative of destination
ἅμαat the same timetemporal adverb (marking simultaneous actions)ἅμα: 'at the same time, together'; the simultaneous release of steering oars and setting of the foresail as one coordinated maneuver.
ἀνέντεςhaving loosened/slackenedAor Act Ptc Nom Pl Masc · ἀνίημιcircumstantial participle (simultaneous action with ἐπάραντες)→ constative aorist participleἀνίημι: 'release, loosen, slacken'; of releasing tension in ropes/lashings; 4× in NT (Acts 16:26; 27:40; Eph 6:9; Heb 13:5); here: slackening the steering-oar lashings.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle
ζευκτηρίαςlashingsAccusativedirect object of ἀνέντεςζευκτηρία: 'lashing, band, fastening'; from ζεύγνυμι ('yoke, join'); the rope or band securing the steering oar(s) amidships during a storm; hapax in NT. In heavy weather ancient steering oars were lashed fast; now they are released for the critical beach run.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle
πηδαλίωνsteering oarsGenitivegenitive of possessionπηδάλιον: 'steering oar, rudder'; 2× in NT (here + James 3:4 — the rudder metaphor); ancient ships used a pair of large steering oars (not a rudder) mounted at the stern.
καίandcoordinative conjunction
ἐπάραντεςhaving hoistedAor Act Ptc Nom Pl Masc · ἐπαίρωcircumstantial participle (coordinate simultaneous action)→ constative aorist participleἐπαίρω: 'lift up, hoist'; ἐπί + αἴρω; of hoisting a sail; used also of lifting eyes/hands (Luke 16:23; 1 Tim 2:8).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
ἀρτέμωναforesail/artemonAccusativedirect object of ἐπάραντεςἀρτέμων: the artemon — a small foresail or sprit-sail set at the bow; hapax in NT. The identity of ἀρτέμων has been debated: it may be the foresail (set on the foremast), a small storm staysail, or the bowsprit sail. The consensus is a small sail to give the ship steerage and momentum for the beach run without overpowering it.
τῇto theDativearticle
πνεούσῃblowingPres Act Ptc Dat Sg Fem · πνέωsubstantival participle (the blowing [wind] — dative: to the wind)→ progressive presentπνέω: 'blow'; of wind blowing; τῇ πνεούσῃ = 'to the prevailing wind' — they set the foresail to catch the wind and drive them toward the beach.
κατεῖχονwere heading/making forImpf Act Indic 3 Pl · κατέχωmain verb→ progressive imperfect (ongoing steering toward the beach)κατέχω: 'hold down, keep, hold course'; nautically κατέχω εἰς = 'hold course toward, head for'; hapax in this nautical sense in NT.
εἰςtowardpreposition + accusative (direction/goal)
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
αἰγιαλόνbeachAccusativeaccusative of goal (the intended landing point)αἰγιαλός: repeated from v.39 — the beach that was identified at dawn is now the final destination.
41

περιπεσόντες δὲ εἰς τόπον διθάλασσον ἐπέκειλαν τὴν ναῦν· καὶ ἡ μὲν πρῷρα ἐρείσασα ἔμεινεν ἀσάλευτος, ἡ δὲ πρύμνη ἐλύετο ὑπὸ τῆς βίας τῶν κυμάτων.

But striking a shoal where two seas met, they ran the ship aground. The bow stuck and remained immovable, but the stern was being broken up by the violence of the waves.

Narrative climax (the actual shipwreck)δέThe shipwreck itself: περιπεσόντες εἰς τόπον διθάλασσον — 'falling into a place washed on both sides by the sea' (a sandbar between two channels). ἐπέκειλαν (ran aground, a technical nautical term) is a hapax. The contrasting ἡ μέν … ἡ δέ construction (bow/stern) vividly depicts the ship being torn apart. ἀσάλευτος ('immovable') and ἐλύετο ('was breaking up') form an antithesis.
περιπεσόντεςfalling into/strikingAor Act Ptc Nom Pl Masc · περιπίπτωcircumstantial participle (attendant action — striking the shoal)→ constative aorist participleπεριπίπτω: 'fall into, encounter'; περί + πίπτω; used of running into a shoal; also used of 'falling among thieves' (Luke 10:30) and 'falling into trials' (James 1:2). Here the technical nautical sense: 'run into/onto.'
δέandcontinuative particle
εἰςontopreposition + accusative (contact with)
τόπονa placeAccusativeaccusative of goal/contact
διθάλασσονwashed on both sides by the seaAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying τόπον)διθάλασσος: 'surrounded by sea on both sides, with sea on each side'; δίς + θάλασσα; descriptive of a shoal or bar between two water channels; hapax in NT. The identification with St. Paul's Bay, Malta is supported by its geography — a sandbar between two channels.
ἐπέκειλανran agroundAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐπικέλλωmain verb→ constative aorist (the moment of grounding)ἐπικέλλω: 'run aground, beach'; a nautical technical term for intentionally or accidentally running a ship onto shore or a shoal; hapax in NT. One of the chapter's most precise nautical terms.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
ναῦνshipAccusativedirect objectναῦς: 'ship'; the basic Greek word for ship (from which 'nautical' derives); this is the only occurrence of ναῦς in the NT (πλοῖον is used elsewhere in the chapter). The switch to the classical word at the climactic moment may be stylistic elevation.
καίandcoordinative conjunction
theNominativearticle (with μέν — ἡ μέν … ἡ δέ antithesis)
μένon the one handparticle (ἡ μέν … ἡ δέ contrast)
πρῷραbow/prowNominativesubject (first member of antithesis)πρῷρα: 'bow, prow'; repeated from v.30; the front section of the ship.
ἐρείσασαhaving struck fastAor Act Ptc Nom Sg Fem · ἐρείδωcircumstantial participle (causal — having become fixed)→ constative aorist participleἐρείδω: 'press against, fix fast, stick'; of the bow being lodged firmly in the sand/shoal; hapax in NT.
ἔμεινενremainedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · μένωmain verb (first clause of antithesis)→ constative aorist (the bow's fixed state)
ἀσάλευτοςimmovableNominativepredicate adjective (with ἔμεινεν)ἀσάλευτος: 'unmovable, unshaken'; ἀ- (neg.) + σαλεύω ('shake, agitate'); 2× in NT (here + Heb 12:28 of the unshaken kingdom). The bow is immovably stuck fast in the sandbar.
theNominativearticle (second member of ἡ μέν … ἡ δέ)
δέbutadversative particle
πρύμνηsternNominativesubject (second member of antithesis)πρύμνη: repeated from v.29; the stern — now exposed to the full force of the waves.
ἐλύετοwas breaking upImpf Pass Indic 3 Sg · λύωmain verb (second clause of antithesis)→ progressive imperfect (progressive destruction)λύω: 'loose, release, break up'; passive ἐλύετο = 'was being broken apart, disintegrating'; the imperfect captures the gradual destruction of the stern by wave action.
ὑπόbypreposition + genitive (agent of destruction)
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
βίαςviolence/forceGenitivegenitive of agency/causeβία: 'force, violence'; of the violent force of the waves battering the exposed stern; used also in Acts 5:26; 21:35; 24:7 of physical force.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle
κυμάτωνwavesGenitivegenitive of specification (the waves' force)κῦμα: 'wave'; 4× in NT (Matt 8:24; 14:24; Mark 4:37; Acts 27:41); the relentless wave action against the exposed stern.
42

τῶν δὲ στρατιωτῶν βουλὴ ἐγένετο ἵνα τοὺς δεσμώτας ἀποκτείνωσιν, μή τις ἐκκολυμβήσας διαφύγῃ·

The soldiers planned to kill the prisoners, so that none of them might swim away and escape.

Crisis (soldiers' plan to kill prisoners)δέRoman law held soldiers responsible with their own lives for any prisoner who escaped (cf. Acts 12:19; 16:27). The soldiers' plan is legally rational but morally brutal — and it would have killed Paul and nullified the divine promise. Julius intervenes in v.43.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle
δέandcontinuative particle
στρατιωτῶνsoldiersGenitivegenitive of possession (the soldiers' plan)
βουλὴplan/counselNominativesubjectβουλή: 'counsel, plan, decision'; cf. v.12 (βουλὴν ἔθεντο — the majority's plan). Now the soldiers form their own βουλή — but Julius overrules them.
ἐγένετοarose/was formedAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb→ constative aorist (the decision was made)
ἵναthat/in order toconjunction (introducing purpose/content of the plan)
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle
δεσμώταςprisonersAccusativedirect object of ἀποκτείνωσινδεσμώτης: repeated from v.1 — the prisoners handed over at the start are now in danger at the end.
ἀποκτείνωσινthey might killAor Act Subj 3 Pl · ἀποκτείνωsubjunctive in ἵνα clause (purpose/content)→ constative aorist subjunctiveἀποκτείνω: 'kill'; the soldiers' plan — to execute all prisoners to prevent escape.
μήlestnegation (introducing negative purpose clause)
τιςanyoneNominativeindefinite pronoun, subject of negative clause
ἐκκολυμβήσαςhaving swum outAor Act Ptc Nom Sg Masc · ἐκκολυμβάωcircumstantial participle (conditional: having swum away)→ constative aorist participleἐκκολυμβάω: 'swim out/away'; ἐκ + κολυμβάω ('swim'); hapax in NT. The soldiers feared a prisoner could swim to shore and escape in the chaos.
διαφύγῃmight escapeAor Act Subj 3 Sg · διαφεύγωsubjunctive in negative purpose clause (μή + subj.)→ constative aorist subjunctiveδιαφεύγω: 'escape, flee through'; διά + φεύγω; 2× in NT (here + Acts 16:27 — the similar prison-escape scenario).
43

ὁ δὲ ἑκατοντάρχης βουλόμενος διασῴσαι τὸν Παῦλον ἐκώλυσεν αὐτοὺς τοῦ βουλήματος, ἐκέλευσέν τε τοὺς δυναμένους κολυμβᾶν ἀπορρίψαντας πρώτους ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν ἐξιέναι,

But the centurion, wishing to save Paul, kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and make for the land,

Adversative (Julius saves Paul — and all)δέJulius' decisive intervention (ἐκώλυσεν αὐτοὺς τοῦ βουλήματος) is motivated by his desire to save Paul specifically (βουλόμενος διασῴσαι τὸν Παῦλον). The larger irony: Julius saves Paul to save Paul's life, and in saving Paul he fulfills the divine promise of v.24 that all will be saved. The salvation of all flows through Julius' care for one.
theNominativearticle
δέbutadversative particle
ἑκατοντάρχηςcenturionNominativesubject
βουλόμενοςwishing/wantingPres Mid Ptc Nom Sg Masc · βούλομαιcircumstantial participle (causal: because he wanted to save Paul)→ progressive presentβούλομαι: 'wish, want, intend'; the centurion's motivation is explicitly stated — personal concern for Paul.
διασῴσαιto save/bring safely throughAor Act Inf · διασῴζωcomplementary infinitive (object of βουλόμενος)→ constative aorist infinitiveδιασῴζω: 'save completely, bring safely through'; διά + σῴζω; intensive compound; 8× in NT, several times in this chapter and 28:1, 4; the prefix emphasizes complete deliverance.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
ΠαῦλονPaulAccusativedirect object of διασῴσαι
ἐκώλυσενprevented/keptAor Act Indic 3 Sg · κωλύωmain verb→ constative aorist (decisive act of prevention)κωλύω: 'hinder, prevent, stop'; with genitive of the thing prevented (τοῦ βουλήματος).
αὐτοὺςthemAccusativedirect object
τοῦfrom theGenitivearticle (with βουλήματος — genitive after κωλύω)
βουλήματοςplan/intentionGenitivegenitive of what is prevented (genitive after κωλύω)βούλημα: 'will, intention, plan'; from βούλομαι; 3× in NT (Acts 27:43; Rom 9:19; 1 Pet 4:3). The soldiers' βουλή (v.42) is now overridden as Julius prevents their βούλημα.
ἐκέλευσένordered/commandedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · κελεύωmain verb (coordinate)→ constative aorist (authoritative command)κελεύω: 'command, order'; a word of military authority; Julius' command supersedes the soldiers' plan.
τεandconnective particle
τοὺςthoseAccusativearticle (substantivizing the participle)
δυναμένουςbeing ablePres Mid Ptc Acc Pl Masc · δύναμαιsubstantival participle (those who were able to swim)→ progressive present
κολυμβᾶνto swimPres Act Inf · κολυμβάωcomplementary infinitive (with δυναμένους)κολυμβάω: 'swim'; 2× in NT (here + John 21:7 — Peter swimming to shore); the cognate ἐκκολυμβάω was in v.42.
ἀπορρίψανταςhaving thrown themselvesAor Act Ptc Acc Pl Masc · ἀπορρίπτωcircumstantial participle (temporal: after jumping into the sea)→ constative aorist participleἀπορρίπτω: 'throw oneself off/away'; ἀπό + ῥίπτω; reflexive use — 'throwing themselves overboard'; hapax in NT.
πρώτουςfirstAccusativepredicate adjective (modifying the swimmers — 'to go first')
ἐπίto/ontopreposition + accusative (goal: to the land)
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
γῆνlandAccusativeaccusative of goal
ἐξιέναιto go out/make forPres Act Inf · ἐξέρχομαι/ἔξειμιcomplementary infinitive (with ἐκέλευσέν — commanded to make for land)→ progressive present infinitiveἔξειμι or ἐξέρχομαι: 'go out, proceed to land'; here the order is to make for the shore — the swimmers go first to help those who cannot swim.
44

καὶ τοὺς λοιποὺς οὓς μὲν ἐπὶ σανίσιν οὓς δὲ ἐπί τινων τῶν ἀπὸ τοῦ πλοίου· καὶ οὕτως ἐγένετο πάντας διασωθῆναι ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν.

And the rest were to come on planks or on pieces of the ship. And so it came about that all were brought safely to land.

Narrative conclusion (fulfillment of the divine promise)καίThe chapter's climax: καὶ οὕτως ἐγένετο πάντας διασωθῆναι ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν. The word οὕτως ('thus') connects this outcome to the divine word of v.24–25. πάντας ('all') fulfills the angel's promise that all 276 would be saved (v.22, 24). The aorist infinitive διασωθῆναι (from διασῴζω, the intensive compound of v.43) marks the complete, comprehensive salvation of all — passengers, sailors, soldiers, and prisoners alike.
καίandcoordinative conjunction
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle
λοιποὺςrest/othersAccusativedirect object (the non-swimmers — implied object of ἐκέλευσέν from v.43)λοιπός: 'remaining, rest'; τοὺς λοιποὺς = 'the rest' (those who could not swim).
οὓςsomeAccusativerelative pronoun (distributive: οὓς μέν … οὓς δέ = some … others)
μένon the one handparticle (οὓς μέν … οὓς δέ distributive)
ἐπίonpreposition + dative (means of floating: on planks)
σανίσινplanksDativedative of means (floating on planks)σανίς: 'plank, board'; from the ship's decking or sides; 2× in NT (here + Rev 21:19 — different word); the ship is breaking apart, and its planks become life-rafts.
οὓςothersAccusativerelative pronoun (second member: οὓς δέ)
δέandparticle (second member of distributive)
ἐπίonpreposition + genitive (means: on some of the pieces)
τινωνsomeGenitivegenitive (partitive: some of the pieces from the ship)
τῶνof thoseGenitivearticle (partitive genitive with ἀπό phrase)
ἀπόfrompreposition + genitive (source: pieces from the ship)
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
πλοίουshipGenitivegenitive of source (wreckage from the ship)πλοῖον: final occurrence in the chapter; the ship that began the voyage in v.2 is now destroyed, its pieces serving as life-rafts.
καίandcoordinative conjunction
οὕτωςthus/soadverb (connective: 'and so it came about' — divine fulfillment marker)οὕτως: 'thus, in this way'; the word signals that what follows is the fulfillment of the promise — 'and thus it came about.' The divine word (vv.23–25) is fulfilled exactly (cf. v.25: οὕτως ἔσται καθ᾿ ὃν τρόπον λελάληταί μοι).
ἐγένετοit came aboutAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (ἐγένετο + infinitive = 'it came about that')→ constative aorist (the fulfillment as a completed event)γίνομαι: 'become, happen, come about'; the Lukan formula καὶ ἐγένετο + infinitive/clause is a Septuagintal idiom (ויהי) used throughout Luke-Acts for significant narrative events.
πάνταςallAccusativeaccusative subject of infinitive (πάντας = all 276)πᾶς: 'all'; the universal fulfillment — not one of the 276 perished (cf. v.22: ἀποβολὴ γὰρ ψυχῆς οὐδεμία ἔσται ἐξ ὑμῶν).
διασωθῆναιto be brought safely to landAor Pass Inf · διασῴζωinfinitive (subject of ἐγένετο: it came about that all were saved)→ constative aorist passive (complete comprehensive salvation)διασῴζω: 'bring safely through, save completely'; the intensive prefix διά marks completeness — all 276 are not merely saved but brought completely and safely through. The final word of the chapter's action is σῴζω — salvation, the great Lukan theme.
ἐπίontopreposition + accusative (goal: to the land)
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
γῆνlandAccusativeaccusative of goal (arrival at land — Malta)γῆ: 'land, earth'; the final word-group — all 276 persons safely on land, the divine promise fulfilled.