Acts 27:15

15 Since the ship was caught and could not be turned head-on into the wind, we gave way to it and were driven.

Acts 27:15 Meaning and Commentary

Acts 27:15

And when the ship was caught
By the wind, snatched up by it, and forcibly carried away:

and could not bear up into the wind;
and against it, or look it in the face, as the word signifies; could not ply to windward, the wind being so high and the sea so strong:

we let her drive;
about the sea, at pleasure, it being in vain to attempt to get her forward against the wind, or to direct her course.

Acts 27:15 In-Context

13 When a moderate south wind began to blow, they thought they could achieve their purpose; so they weighed anchor and began to sail past Crete, close to the shore.

14 But soon a violent wind, called the northeaster, rushed down from Crete.

15 Since the ship was caught and could not be turned head-on into the wind, we gave way to it and were driven.

16 By running under the lee of a small island called Cauda we were scarcely able to get the ship's boat under control.

17 After hoisting it up they took measures to undergird the ship; then, fearing that they would run on the Syrtis, they lowered the sea anchor and so were driven.