Acts 27:18

18 As we labored exceedingly with the storm, the next day they began to throw things overboard.

Acts 27:18 Meaning and Commentary

Acts 27:18

And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest
Sometimes being lifted up as it were to the heavens, and then presently sinking down, as if they were going into the bottom of the sea; such a condition at sea is described to the life by the Psalmist, in ( Psalms 107:25-27 ) .

the next day they lightened the ship;
of its burden, its lading, the goods and merchandise that were in it; as the mariners did in the ship in which Jonah was, ( Jonah 1:5 ) the Ethiopic version renders it, "they cast the goods into the sea"; the Arabic version, the "merchandise".

Acts 27:18 In-Context

16 Running under the lee of a small island called Clauda, we were able, with difficulty, to secure the boat.

17 When they had hoisted it up, they used cables to help reinforce the ship. Fearing that they would run aground on the Syrtis sand bars, they lowered the sea anchor, and so were driven.

18 As we labored exceedingly with the storm, the next day they began to throw things overboard.

19 On the third day, they threw out the ship's tackle with their own hands.

20 When neither sun nor stars shone on us for many days, and no small tempest pressed on us, all hope that we should be saved was now taken away.