15 Bible Verses about Ships

Most Relevant Verses

John 6:23

(However, meanwhile, some other [small] boats had come from Tiberias [i.e., a small town on the west side of the lake] near where they had eaten bread after the Lord had given thanks).

John 21:3-8

Simon Peter said to [the rest of] them, "I am going fishing." The others replied to him, "We will go with you, too." [So], they went out and got into their boat but did not catch anything that night. Now as the day was dawning Jesus was [seen] standing on the shore, but the disciples did not know it was Jesus. [Note: Probably because it was not light enough yet]. So, Jesus said to them, "Young fellows, you have not [caught] any fish yet, have you?" They answered Him, "No, [we have not]."read more.
Then He said to them, "Throw your net over the right side of the boat and you will catch some [fish]. So, they threw [the net out] but they were not able to pull it in because of so many fish. So, that disciple whom Jesus loved [i.e., probably the apostle John] said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" When Simon Peter heard it was the Lord, he wrapped his outer robe around him, (for he [had taken it off and] was wearing only his underclothing) and jumped into the lake. But the other disciples came [to shore] in their little boat, dragging their net full of fish (for they were only about a hundred yards from land).

Acts 27:3

The next day we stopped at Sidon [i.e., a seaport on the northwest coast of Palestine]. Julius treated Paul with kindness, [even] giving him the opportunity to meet his friends [there] and receive help [from them].

Acts 28:11

After three months we set sail on a ship that had spent the winter on the island [of Melita]. This ship had originated from Alexandria and was designated as "Twin Brothers" [Note: The ship may have been named this because of its prow containing the figures of the mythical twin gods of sailors, Castor and Pollux].

Acts 27:16-32

Then, sailing on the sheltered side of a small island named Cauda, we experienced difficulty in trying to secure the ship's life-boat. And when they [finally] got the boat hoisted up, they slung [rope] cables underneath [and around] the hull [of the ship to reinforce it]. Then, fearing the ship would run aground on the [shifting], shallow sandbar [called] Syrtis, they lowered their [navigation] gear [Note: This may have been sails, rigging, etc.] and so were driven [as a derelict by the wind]. As we were being severely battered by the storm, they began the next day to throw the cargo overboard [i.e., to lighten the ship].read more.
On the third day, they handed [the rest of] the ship's gear to each other, and threw it overboard [Note: This was perhaps furniture, rigging, sails, baggage, etc.]. When they could see neither the sun nor the stars for many days [due to the storm], and with the wind blowing furiously on them, they gave up all hope of [ever] being saved. When they had gone without food for a long time, Paul stood in the middle of the crew and spoke, "Men, you should have listened to me and not sailed for Crete and thereby have to experience such suffering and loss. But, now I want to encourage you to cheer up, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only the ship [will be lost]. For an angel from God, to whom I belong and whom I serve, appeared to me last night, saying, 'Do not be afraid Paul, for you must appear before Caesar, and look, God will grant you [the safety of] all these men aboard ship [along] with yourself.' So men, cheer up, for I believe God, that everything will turn out just as I was told it would. But we must be washed onto the shore of a certain island." When the fourteenth night came, and while we were being tossed around [helplessly] in the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the crew suspected they were nearing land. So, they tested for depth and found [they were in] feet [of water]. Then a little later they tested again and found it to be 90 Feet. So, fearing the possibility of being run aground on a rocky shore, they dropped four anchors from the stern and longed for daylight [to come]. The crew had [by now] lowered the life-boat into the water, pretending to be dropping anchors from the bow, [but were in reality] attempting to abandon ship. Paul said to the military officer [Julius] and to his soldiers, "Unless these men stay aboard the ship, none of you will be saved." So, the soldiers cut the ropes securing the life-boat and let it drift away.

Acts 27:29

So, fearing the possibility of being run aground on a rocky shore, they dropped four anchors from the stern and longed for daylight [to come].

Acts 27:40

[Finally] they cut the ropes, dropping the anchors into the water and at the same time they released the oars used for steering. Then they hoisted the bow-sail to the wind and headed [straight] for the beach.

Acts 27:17

And when they [finally] got the boat hoisted up, they slung [rope] cables underneath [and around] the hull [of the ship to reinforce it]. Then, fearing the ship would run aground on the [shifting], shallow sandbar [called] Syrtis, they lowered their [navigation] gear [Note: This may have been sails, rigging, etc.] and so were driven [as a derelict by the wind].

Acts 27:32

So, the soldiers cut the ropes securing the life-boat and let it drift away.

Acts 27:1-44

And when it was decided that we should sail for Italy, they transferred Paul and certain other prisoners to the custody of a military officer named Julius, of the Augustan battalion. We boarded a ship [originating] from Adramyttium which was ready to sail [from here in Caesarea], heading out to sea for parts of the coast of [the province of] Asia. Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica, went with us. The next day we stopped at Sidon [i.e., a seaport on the northwest coast of Palestine]. Julius treated Paul with kindness, [even] giving him the opportunity to meet his friends [there] and receive help [from them].read more.
We headed out to sea from there and sailed along the sheltered side of Cyprus because the wind was against us. When we had sailed across the sea, off [the coast of] Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, [a town] of Lycia. There Julius, the military officer, arranged [passage] for us on a ship, [originating] from Alexandria, [and] bound for Italy, and put us on board. When we had sailed slowly for many days [and] had trouble passing Cnidus because of an unfavorable wind, we sailed on the sheltered side of Crete and on past Salmone. After making our way along the coast [of Crete] with difficulty, we arrived at a place called Fair Harbors [i.e., the principal seaport of the island], which was near the town of Lasea. After much time had passed, the voyage became more dangerous because it was [now] past the Day of Atonement [Note: This would have been around September or October, when a sea voyage involved rough sailing]. So, Paul began warning the people [aboard ship], saying, "Sirs, I can see that this voyage will result in suffering and much loss, not only to the ship and its cargo, but also to our [very] lives." But the military officer paid more attention to the captain and to the owner of the ship than to what Paul was saying. And, because the harbor was not suitable for staying in all winter, most of those on board were in favor of putting out to sea from there. They were hoping to reach Phoenix, [another] harbor on [the island of] Crete, which faced northwest and southwest, and [then] to spend the winter there. When the south wind began to blow gently, they raised anchor, thinking this was the opportunity they had hoped for, [then] sailed close to the coastline of [southern] Crete. But a short time later, a violent northeasterly wind they called "Euraquilo" swept down, and when the ship was caught [by it], we were not able to face the wind, so had to give in and allow the ship to drift. Then, sailing on the sheltered side of a small island named Cauda, we experienced difficulty in trying to secure the ship's life-boat. And when they [finally] got the boat hoisted up, they slung [rope] cables underneath [and around] the hull [of the ship to reinforce it]. Then, fearing the ship would run aground on the [shifting], shallow sandbar [called] Syrtis, they lowered their [navigation] gear [Note: This may have been sails, rigging, etc.] and so were driven [as a derelict by the wind]. As we were being severely battered by the storm, they began the next day to throw the cargo overboard [i.e., to lighten the ship]. On the third day, they handed [the rest of] the ship's gear to each other, and threw it overboard [Note: This was perhaps furniture, rigging, sails, baggage, etc.]. When they could see neither the sun nor the stars for many days [due to the storm], and with the wind blowing furiously on them, they gave up all hope of [ever] being saved. When they had gone without food for a long time, Paul stood in the middle of the crew and spoke, "Men, you should have listened to me and not sailed for Crete and thereby have to experience such suffering and loss. But, now I want to encourage you to cheer up, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only the ship [will be lost]. For an angel from God, to whom I belong and whom I serve, appeared to me last night, saying, 'Do not be afraid Paul, for you must appear before Caesar, and look, God will grant you [the safety of] all these men aboard ship [along] with yourself.' So men, cheer up, for I believe God, that everything will turn out just as I was told it would. But we must be washed onto the shore of a certain island." When the fourteenth night came, and while we were being tossed around [helplessly] in the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the crew suspected they were nearing land. So, they tested for depth and found [they were in] feet [of water]. Then a little later they tested again and found it to be 90 Feet. So, fearing the possibility of being run aground on a rocky shore, they dropped four anchors from the stern and longed for daylight [to come]. The crew had [by now] lowered the life-boat into the water, pretending to be dropping anchors from the bow, [but were in reality] attempting to abandon ship. Paul said to the military officer [Julius] and to his soldiers, "Unless these men stay aboard the ship, none of you will be saved." So, the soldiers cut the ropes securing the life-boat and let it drift away. As it was dawning, Paul urged the crew to eat something, saying, "You have been waiting for fourteen days [for the weather to break] and you have continued to fast [all that time], eating nothing [at all]. I urge you to eat some food; it will be for your own good, for not one hair from anyone's head will be lost." And when he had said this he took bread, gave thanks to God for it in front of everyone, then broke it and began to eat. Then they were all encouraged and they themselves took something to eat also. (The total number of us aboard the ship was And when they had eaten sufficiently, they began lightening the ship [so it would float higher] by throwing their wheat overboard. When it got daylight they saw an island they did not recognize, but noticed [it had] a particular bay with a [suitable] beach. So, they discussed whether it would be possible to run the ship aground on the beach. [Finally] they cut the ropes, dropping the anchors into the water and at the same time they released the oars used for steering. Then they hoisted the bow-sail to the wind and headed [straight] for the beach. Landing where two [strong] currents met, the ship ran aground, its bow lodging [in the sand] while its stern began to break up from the driving surf. [Meanwhile] the soldiers had decided to kill the prisoners so that none of them would swim away and escape. But the military officer, wanting to save Paul [from being killed], prevented them from doing this. [Instead] he ordered those who could swim to jump overboard and be the first to reach land. The rest [he reasoned] could reach shore by floating on planks or other debris from the ship. And so it happened that all of them escaped safely to land.

James 3:4

Look, even though ships are huge and are driven by strong winds, still their direction can be governed by a very small rudder, wherever the pilot desires to sail.

Acts 27:2

We boarded a ship [originating] from Adramyttium which was ready to sail [from here in Caesarea], heading out to sea for parts of the coast of [the province of] Asia. Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica, went with us.

Acts 27:6

There Julius, the military officer, arranged [passage] for us on a ship, [originating] from Alexandria, [and] bound for Italy, and put us on board.

From Thematic Bible


Ophir » Jehoshaphat » Sends » Ships » Shipwrecked

Ships » Were often wrecked

2 Corinthians 11:25

I was beaten with rods three times. I was stoned once. I suffered shipwreck three times and spent a night and a day in the open water.

Acts 27:41-44

Landing where two [strong] currents met, the ship ran aground, its bow lodging [in the sand] while its stern began to break up from the driving surf. [Meanwhile] the soldiers had decided to kill the prisoners so that none of them would swim away and escape. But the military officer, wanting to save Paul [from being killed], prevented them from doing this. [Instead] he ordered those who could swim to jump overboard and be the first to reach land. read more.
The rest [he reasoned] could reach shore by floating on planks or other debris from the ship. And so it happened that all of them escaped safely to land.

Ships » Employed in » Trading

Ships » Employed in » War

Ships » Employed in » Fishing

Matthew 4:21

[As] Jesus went from there He saw two [other] brothers, James and John, the sons of Zebedee. They were in the boat with their father Zebedee, repairing their nets. He called them,

Luke 5:4-9

And when He had finished talking, He said to Simon, "Launch out into deeper water and lower your nets for a catch [of fish]." Simon replied, "Master, we worked all night, but did not catch anything. But I will lower the nets if you say so." And when they had done this, they gathered in a large number of fish [until] their nets began to break. read more.
So, they motioned to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. When they came, they filled both boats until they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw this, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Go away from me, Lord, because I am a sinful man." For he and those who were with him were amazed at the [huge] quantity of fish they had caught.

John 21:3-8

Simon Peter said to [the rest of] them, "I am going fishing." The others replied to him, "We will go with you, too." [So], they went out and got into their boat but did not catch anything that night. Now as the day was dawning Jesus was [seen] standing on the shore, but the disciples did not know it was Jesus. [Note: Probably because it was not light enough yet]. So, Jesus said to them, "Young fellows, you have not [caught] any fish yet, have you?" They answered Him, "No, [we have not]." read more.
Then He said to them, "Throw your net over the right side of the boat and you will catch some [fish]. So, they threw [the net out] but they were not able to pull it in because of so many fish. So, that disciple whom Jesus loved [i.e., probably the apostle John] said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" When Simon Peter heard it was the Lord, he wrapped his outer robe around him, (for he [had taken it off and] was wearing only his underclothing) and jumped into the lake. But the other disciples came [to shore] in their little boat, dragging their net full of fish (for they were only about a hundred yards from land).

Ships » Employed in » Carrying passengers

Acts 27:2

We boarded a ship [originating] from Adramyttium which was ready to sail [from here in Caesarea], heading out to sea for parts of the coast of [the province of] Asia. Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica, went with us.

Acts 28:11

After three months we set sail on a ship that had spent the winter on the island [of Melita]. This ship had originated from Alexandria and was designated as "Twin Brothers" [Note: The ship may have been named this because of its prow containing the figures of the mythical twin gods of sailors, Castor and Pollux].

Ships » Mentioned in scripture » Of chittim

Ships » Worked by mariners or sailors

Ships » The seams of, were calked

Ships » Parts of, mentioned » The sails

Ships » Parts of, mentioned » The oars

Ships » Parts of, mentioned » The mast

Ships » Navigated » The ocean

Ships » Antiquity of, among the jews

Ships » Mentioned in scripture » Of tarshish

Ships » Parts of, mentioned » The tackling

Acts 27:19

On the third day, they handed [the rest of] the ship's gear to each other, and threw it overboard [Note: This was perhaps furniture, rigging, sails, baggage, etc.].

Ships » Endangered by » Storms

Mark 4:37-38

[Then] a violent windstorm arose [on the lake] and huge waves began splashing into the boat until it began to fill with water. Jesus was sleeping on a pillow in the stern of the boat. They awakened Him, shouting, "Teacher, do you not care that we are sinking?"

Ships » Parts of, mentioned » The hinder part or stern

Acts 27:29

So, fearing the possibility of being run aground on a rocky shore, they dropped four anchors from the stern and longed for daylight [to come].

Acts 27:41

Landing where two [strong] currents met, the ship ran aground, its bow lodging [in the sand] while its stern began to break up from the driving surf.

Ships » Parts of, mentioned » The forepart or foreship

Acts 27:30

The crew had [by now] lowered the life-boat into the water, pretending to be dropping anchors from the bow, [but were in reality] attempting to abandon ship.

Acts 27:41

Landing where two [strong] currents met, the ship ran aground, its bow lodging [in the sand] while its stern began to break up from the driving surf.

Ships » Parts of, mentioned » The anchors

Acts 27:29

So, fearing the possibility of being run aground on a rocky shore, they dropped four anchors from the stern and longed for daylight [to come].

Acts 27:40

[Finally] they cut the ropes, dropping the anchors into the water and at the same time they released the oars used for steering. Then they hoisted the bow-sail to the wind and headed [straight] for the beach.

Ships » Parts of, mentioned » The boats

Acts 27:30

The crew had [by now] lowered the life-boat into the water, pretending to be dropping anchors from the bow, [but were in reality] attempting to abandon ship.

Acts 27:32

So, the soldiers cut the ropes securing the life-boat and let it drift away.

Ships » Often impelled by oars

John 6:19

And when the disciples had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the [surface of the] water. They became afraid as Jesus got closer to their boat.

Ships » Commanded by a master

Acts 27:11

But the military officer paid more attention to the captain and to the owner of the ship than to what Paul was saying.

Ships » Mentioned in scripture » Of tyre

Ships » Course of, through the midst of the sea, wonderful

Ships » Probably originated from the ark made by noah

Ships » Illustrative » (wrecked,) of departure from the faith

1 Timothy 1:19

holding on to [your] faith and a good conscience. Some people have rejected these things, resulting in the "shipwreck" of their faith [i.e., their spiritual life was ruined].

Ships » Illustrative » Of industrious women

Ships » Mentioned in scripture » Of chaldea

Ships » Described as » Gallant

Ships » Described as » Strong

Ships » Navigated » Rivers

Ships » Generally made of the fir tree

Ships » Solomon built a navy of

Ships » Guided in their course by pilots » Eze 27:8

Ships » Generally impelled by sails

Acts 27:2-7

We boarded a ship [originating] from Adramyttium which was ready to sail [from here in Caesarea], heading out to sea for parts of the coast of [the province of] Asia. Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica, went with us. The next day we stopped at Sidon [i.e., a seaport on the northwest coast of Palestine]. Julius treated Paul with kindness, [even] giving him the opportunity to meet his friends [there] and receive help [from them]. We headed out to sea from there and sailed along the sheltered side of Cyprus because the wind was against us. read more.
When we had sailed across the sea, off [the coast of] Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, [a town] of Lycia. There Julius, the military officer, arranged [passage] for us on a ship, [originating] from Alexandria, [and] bound for Italy, and put us on board. When we had sailed slowly for many days [and] had trouble passing Cnidus because of an unfavorable wind, we sailed on the sheltered side of Crete and on past Salmone.

Ships » Sometimes made of bulrushes

Ships » Parts of, mentioned » The rudder-bands

Acts 27:40

[Finally] they cut the ropes, dropping the anchors into the water and at the same time they released the oars used for steering. Then they hoisted the bow-sail to the wind and headed [straight] for the beach.

Ships » Endangered by » Quicksands

Acts 27:17

And when they [finally] got the boat hoisted up, they slung [rope] cables underneath [and around] the hull [of the ship to reinforce it]. Then, fearing the ship would run aground on the [shifting], shallow sandbar [called] Syrtis, they lowered their [navigation] gear [Note: This may have been sails, rigging, etc.] and so were driven [as a derelict by the wind].

Ships » Endangered by » Rocks

Acts 27:29

So, fearing the possibility of being run aground on a rocky shore, they dropped four anchors from the stern and longed for daylight [to come].

Ships » Navigated » Lakes

Luke 5:1-2

Now it happened while Jesus was standing on the shore of Lake Genneseret [i.e., Lake Galilee] that the crowd was pushing closer to Him to hear God's message. He saw two boats [tied up] along the shore of the lake, for the fishermen had left them [there] and were washing their nets [i.e., on the beach].

Ships » Course of frequently directed by the heavenly bodies

Acts 27:20

When they could see neither the sun nor the stars for many days [due to the storm], and with the wind blowing furiously on them, they gave up all hope of [ever] being saved.

Ships » When damaged were sometimes undergirded with cables

Acts 27:17

And when they [finally] got the boat hoisted up, they slung [rope] cables underneath [and around] the hull [of the ship to reinforce it]. Then, fearing the ship would run aground on the [shifting], shallow sandbar [called] Syrtis, they lowered their [navigation] gear [Note: This may have been sails, rigging, etc.] and so were driven [as a derelict by the wind].

Ships » Soundings usually taken for, in dangerous places

Acts 27:28

So, they tested for depth and found [they were in] feet [of water]. Then a little later they tested again and found it to be 90 Feet.

Ships » Usually distinguished by signs or figure heads

Acts 28:11

After three months we set sail on a ship that had spent the winter on the island [of Melita]. This ship had originated from Alexandria and was designated as "Twin Brothers" [Note: The ship may have been named this because of its prow containing the figures of the mythical twin gods of sailors, Castor and Pollux].

Ships » Often the property of individuals

Acts 27:11

But the military officer paid more attention to the captain and to the owner of the ship than to what Paul was saying.

Ships » Mentioned in scripture » Of adramyttium

Acts 27:2

We boarded a ship [originating] from Adramyttium which was ready to sail [from here in Caesarea], heading out to sea for parts of the coast of [the province of] Asia. Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica, went with us.

Ships » Mentioned in scripture » Of alexandria

Acts 27:6

There Julius, the military officer, arranged [passage] for us on a ship, [originating] from Alexandria, [and] bound for Italy, and put us on board.

Ships » Parts of, mentioned » The hold or between the sides

Ships » Parts of, mentioned » The rudder or helm

James 3:4

Look, even though ships are huge and are driven by strong winds, still their direction can be governed by a very small rudder, wherever the pilot desires to sail.

Ships » Described as » Large

James 3:4

Look, even though ships are huge and are driven by strong winds, still their direction can be governed by a very small rudder, wherever the pilot desires to sail.

Ships » The hinder part of, occupied by the passengers

Ships » Governed and directed by the helm

James 3:4

Look, even though ships are huge and are driven by strong winds, still their direction can be governed by a very small rudder, wherever the pilot desires to sail.

Ships » Described as » Swift

Topics on Ships

Ships For Trading

Revelation 18:19

And they threw dust on their heads, and lamented and cried out loud, saying, 'It is too bad for the great city, from which all ocean shipping companies got rich on her wealth! For in a single hour she was wasted.

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