Atti 27:43

43 Ma il centurione, volendo salvar Paolo, li distolse da quel proposito, e comandò che quelli che sapevan nuotare si gettassero in mare per andarsene i primi a terra,

Atti 27:43 Meaning and Commentary

Acts 27:43

But the centurion, willing to save Paul
Not only because he was a Roman citizen, but because he perceived he was some extraordinary person; and chiefly because he was moved there unto by a superior influence, that Satan might not have his end; and that the will of God might be fulfilled, that he should go to Rome, and there bear a testimony of Christ.

Kept them from their purpose;
would not suffer them to execute their design, restrained them from it, and laid his commands upon them to the contrary.

And commanded that they which could swim, should cast themselves
first into the sea, and get to land;
which some restrain to the Roman soldiers, as if the centurion's speech was only directed to them; though it seems rather to have respect to the whole company, the mariners, who generally can swim, and the soldiers, as many of them as could, and the rest of the prisoners or passengers; though it may be, he might chiefly regard the soldiers, who were usually learned to swim, that they might the more readily pass rivers, in their marches, where they could find no bridges, that so he might be the sooner rid of them, and break their purpose.

Atti 27:43 In-Context

41 Ma essendo incorsi in un luogo che avea il mare d’ambo i lati, vi fecero arrenar la nave; e mentre la prua, incagliata, rimaneva immobile, la poppa si sfasciava per la violenza delle onde.

42 Or il parere de’ soldati era d’uccidere i prigionieri, perché nessuno fuggisse a nuoto.

43 Ma il centurione, volendo salvar Paolo, li distolse da quel proposito, e comandò che quelli che sapevan nuotare si gettassero in mare per andarsene i primi a terra,

44 e gli altri vi arrivassero, chi sopra tavole, e chi sopra altri pezzi della nave. E così avvenne che tutti giunsero salvi a terra.