ACTS 27:43 — KING JAMES VERSION 0
“But the centurion, willing to save Paul, kept them from their purpose; and commanded that they which could swim should cast themselves first into the sea, and get to land:”
But the centurion wanted to bring Paul safely through and so he ordered that those who could swim should jump overboard first and get to land. - Julius, the centurion, 'wanted to bring Paul safely through' (sōzo diasōzo Paulos, sōzo diasōzo Paulos-'to save Paul through'). His intervention prevents the massacre. He 'orders that those who could swim should jump overboard first' (keleuō dynamai nechō aporipto prōtos, keleuō dynamai nechō aporipto prōtos-'commands those able to swim to jump in first'). Julius's action is not mercy alone but practical: let the strong escape first, then the weak and elderly. His respect for Paul (developed throughout the voyage) leads him to save the apostle.
Church Fathers on Acts 27:43
And the soldiers' counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim out, and escape. Acts 27:42 Again the devil tries to hinder the prophecy, and they had a mind to kill some, but the centurion suffered them not, that he might save Paul, so much was the centurion attached to him. But the centurion, willing to save Paul, kept them from their purpose; and commanded that they which could swim should cast themselves first into the sea, and get to land: and the rest,…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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