Acts 27:15

15 and when the ship was caught and could not face 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 And when the south wind blew gently, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, they weighed anchor and sailed along Crete, close inshore.
14 But soon a tempestuous wind, called the northeaster, struck down from the land;
15 and when the ship was caught and could not face the wind, we gave way to it and were driven.
16 And running under the lee of a small island called Cauda, we managed with difficulty to secure the boat;
17 after hoisting it up, they took measures to undergird the ship; then, fearing that they should run on the Syr'tis, they lowered the gear, and so were driven.
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.