Show Bible Commentary For A Bible Verse

Click here to show/hide instructions.

Selected Verse: Acts 27:39 - Strong Concordance

Verse	Translation	Text
Ac 27:39	Strong Concordance	And [1161] when [3753] it was [1096] day [2250], they knew [1921] not [3756] the land [1093]: but [1161] they discovered [2657] a certain [5100] creek [2859] with [2192] a shore [123], into [1519] the which [3739] they were minded [1011], if [1487] it were possible [1410], to thrust in [1856] the ship [4143].
	King James	And when it was day, they knew not the land: but they discovered a certain creek with a shore, into the which they were minded, if it were possible, to thrust in the ship.

Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse

Open All | Close All Open All | Close All

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
when it was day they knew not the land--This has been thought surprising in sailors accustomed to that sea. But the scene of the wreck is remote from the great harbor, and possesses no marked features by which it could be recognized, even by a native if he came unexpectedly upon it [SMITH], not to speak of the rain pouring in torrents (Act 28:2), which would throw a haze over the coast even after day broke. Immediately on landing they knew where they were (Act 28:1). discovered a creek with a shore--Every creek of course, must have a shore; but the meaning is, a practicable shore, in a nautical sense, that is, one with a smooth beach, in contradistinction to a rocky coast (as Act 27:41 shows). into which they were minded, if . . . possible, to thrust the ship--This was their one chance of safety.

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

when it was day they knew not the land--This has been thought surprising in sailors accustomed to that sea. But the scene of the wreck is remote from the great harbor, and possesses no marked features by which it could be recognized, even by a native if he came unexpectedly upon it [SMITH], not to speak of the rain pouring in torrents (Act 28:2), which would throw a haze over the coast even after day broke. Immediately on landing they knew where they were (Act 28:1).

discovered a creek with a shore--Every creek of course, must have a shore; but the meaning is, a practicable shore, in a nautical sense, that is, one with a smooth beach, in contradistinction to a rocky coast (as Act 27:41 shows).

into which they were minded, if . . . possible, to thrust the ship--This was their one chance of safety.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
They knew not the land - They had been driven with a tempest, without being able to make any observation, and it is probable that they were entire strangers to the coast and to the whole island, A certain creek with a shore - Greek: a certain bosom κόλπος kolpos or bay. By its having a shore is probably meant that it had a level shore, or one that was convenient for landing. It was not a high bluff of rocks, but was accessible. Kuinoel thinks that the passage should be construed, "they found a certain shore, having a bay," etc. Were minded - Were resolved.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]

They knew not the land - They had been driven with a tempest, without being able to make any observation, and it is probable that they were entire strangers to the coast and to the whole island,

A certain creek with a shore - Greek: a certain bosom κόλπος kolpos or bay. By its having a shore is probably meant that it had a level shore, or one that was convenient for landing. It was not a high bluff of rocks, but was accessible. Kuinoel thinks that the passage should be construed, "they found a certain shore, having a bay," etc.

Were minded - Were resolved.

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]
Bay (κόλπον) See on bosom, Luk 6:38. Shore (αἰγιαλὸν) See on Mat 13:2. Better, as Rev., beach. They were minded (ἐβουλεύσαντο) Better, as Rev., took counsel. See on Mat 1:19.

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]

Bay (κόλπον)

See on bosom, Luk 6:38.

Shore (αἰγιαλὸν)

See on Mat 13:2. Better, as Rev., beach.

They were minded (ἐβουλεύσαντο)

Better, as Rev., took counsel. See on Mat 1:19.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]
They did not know the land - Which they saw near them: having a level shore.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]

They did not know the land - Which they saw near them: having a level shore.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
They knew not the land - And therefore knew neither the nature of the coast, nor where the proper port lay. A - creek with a shore - Κολπον, Sinum, a bay, with a shore; a neck of land perhaps on either side, running out into the sea, and this little bay or gulf between them; though some think it was a tongue of land, running out into the sea, having the sea on both sides, at the point of which these two seas met, Act 27:41. There is such a place as this in the island of Malta, where, tradition says, Paul was shipwrecked; and which is called la Cale de St. Paul. See Calmet.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826

They knew not the land - And therefore knew neither the nature of the coast, nor where the proper port lay.

A - creek with a shore - Κολπον, Sinum, a bay, with a shore; a neck of land perhaps on either side, running out into the sea, and this little bay or gulf between them; though some think it was a tongue of land, running out into the sea, having the sea on both sides, at the point of which these two seas met, Act 27:41. There is such a place as this in the island of Malta, where, tradition says, Paul was shipwrecked; and which is called la Cale de St. Paul. See Calmet.

Top