Acts 27:20 Meaning and Explanation
“And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →With sun and stars hidden for many days and the storm unabated, all hope of survival is lost.
What Does Acts 27:20 Mean?
For days neither sun by day nor stars by night break through the clouds — and without them the ancient sailors had no way to fix their position. The relentless storm presses on, and at last every last shred of hope of being saved is gone. This is the darkest point of the voyage.
Here is the human heart at the end of itself: no light to steer by, no strength left, no hope remaining. Yet it is precisely into such darkness that God's word of comfort is about to break (v. 22-24). When men have abandoned hope, God has not. 'Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning' (Psalm 30:5); the Lord is nearest when all earthly hope is gone.
Acts 27:20 in the Original Language
sozo (σῴζω), 'saved' -- to be rescued or delivered, here from the sea, the same verb Scripture uses for salvation of the soul.
Frequently Asked Questions About Acts 27:20
What does Acts 27:20 mean?
With sun and stars hidden for many days and the storm unabated, all hope of survival is lost.