Acts 27:42
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
And the soldiers' counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim out, and escape.
American King James Version (AKJV)
And the soldiers' counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim out, and escape.
American Standard Version (ASV)
And the soldiers counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them'should swim out, and escape.
Basic English Translation (BBE)
Then the armed men were for putting the prisoners to death, so that no one would get away by swimming.
Webster's Revision
And the soldiers' counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim out, and escape.
World English Bible
The soldiers' counsel was to kill the prisoners, so that none of them would swim out and escape.
English Revised Version (ERV)
And the soldiers' counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim out, and escape.
Clarke's Acts 27:42 Bible Commentary
The soldiers' counsel was to kill the prisoners - What blood-thirsty, cowardly villains must these have been! Though, through the providence of God, those poor men had escaped a watery grave, and had borne all the anxiety and distresses of this disastrous voyage, as well as the others, now that there is a likelihood of all getting safe to land that could swim, lest these should swim to shore, and so escape, those men, whose trade was in human blood, desired to have them massacred! We have not many traits in the histories of the most barbarous nations that can be a proper counterpart to this quintessence of humano-diabolic cruelty.
Barnes's Acts 27:42 Bible Commentary
And the soldiers' counsel ... - Why they gave this advice is not known. It was probably, however, because the Roman military discipline was very strict, and if they escaped it would be charged on them that it had been done by the negligence and unfaithfulness of the soldiers. They therefore proposed to kill them, though contrary to all humanity, justice, and laws; presuming, probably, that it would be supposed that they had perished in the wreck. This is a remarkable proof that people can be cruel even when experiencing the tender mercy of God, and that the most affecting scenes of divine goodness will not mitigate the natural ferocity and cruelty of those who delight in blood.
Wesley's Acts 27:42 Bible Commentary
27:42 The counsel - Cruel, unjust, ungrateful.