28 They took soundings and found that the water was a hundred and twenty feet[1] deep. A short time later they took soundings again and found it was ninety feet[2] deep.

Other Translations of Acts 27:28

King James Version

28 And sounded, and found it twenty fathoms: and when they had gone a little further, they sounded again, and found it fifteen fathoms.

English Standard Version

28 So they took a sounding and found twenty fathoms.About 120 feet; a fathom (Greek orguia) was about 6 feet or 2 meters A little farther on they took a sounding again and found fifteen fathoms.About 90 feet (see previous note)

The Message

28 Sounding, they measured a depth of one hundred twenty feet, and shortly after that ninety feet.

New King James Version

28 And they took soundings and found it to be twenty fathoms; and when they had gone a little farther, they took soundings again and found it to be fifteen fathoms.

New Living Translation

28 They dropped a weighted line and found that the water was 120 feet deep. But a little later they measured again and found it was only 90 feet deep.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Acts 27:28

Commentary on Acts 27:21-29

(Read Acts 27:21-29)

They did not hearken to the apostle when he warned them of their danger; yet if they acknowledge their folly, and repent of it, he will speak comfort and relief to them when in danger. Most people bring themselves into trouble, because they do not know when they are well off; they come to harm and loss by aiming to mend their condition, often against advice. Observe the solemn profession Paul made of relation to God. No storms or tempests can hinder God's favour to his people, for he is a Help always at hand. It is a comfort to the faithful servants of God when in difficulties, that as long as the Lord has any work for them to do, their lives shall be prolonged. If Paul had thrust himself needlessly into bad company, he might justly have been cast away with them; but God calling him into it, they are preserved with him. They are given thee; there is no greater satisfaction to a good man than to know he is a public blessing. He comforts them with the same comforts wherewith he himself was comforted. God is ever faithful, therefore let all who have an interest in his promises be ever cheerful. As, with God, saying and doing are not two things, believing and enjoying should not be so with us. Hope is an anchor of the soul, sure and stedfast, entering into that within the veil. Let those who are in spiritual darkness hold fast by that, and think not of putting to sea again, but abide by Christ, and wait till the day break, and the shadows flee away.