VerseReels

Bible story · Acts 27–28

Paul’s Shipwreck

A terrible storm wrecks Paul’s ship, but God keeps everyone safe. A 2-minute animated story, told simply for children and families, with each verse from the King James Version.

Start the storyFor parents

1 of 8

Paul was a prisoner because he told people about Jesus. He was sent by ship to Rome, guarded by a Roman officer named Julius.

And when it was determined that we should sail into Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners unto one named Julius, a centurion of Augustus’ band.

Acts 27:1 KJV

2 of 8

Not long after they set sail, a terrible storm blew in, with a wind so strong that the sailors could not steer the ship.

But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon.

Acts 27:14 KJV

3 of 8

For many days they saw neither sun nor stars. The storm raged on, and everyone gave up hope of being saved.

And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away.

Acts 27:20 KJV

4 of 8

Then Paul stood up and said, “Cheer up! An angel of God stood by me last night and said, ‘Fear not, Paul. God has given you everyone who sails with you.’”

Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Cæsar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.

Acts 27:24 KJV

5 of 8

“So take courage,” Paul said, “for I believe God. It will happen just as he told me. No one will lose their life, only the ship.”

Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.

Acts 27:25 KJV

6 of 8

At last the ship ran aground near an island. The front got stuck fast, and the back was broken apart by the pounding waves.

And falling into a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the forepart stuck fast, and remained unmoveable, but the hinder part was broken with the violence of the waves.

Acts 27:41 KJV

7 of 8

Some swam to shore, and others floated on boards and broken pieces of the ship. All 276 people reached the land safely!

And the rest, some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship. And so it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land.

Acts 27:44 KJV

8 of 8

The island was called Malta. The people there were very kind. Because it was cold and raining, they built a fire and welcomed everyone.

And the barbarous people shewed us no little kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold.

Acts 28:2 KJV

The end

Next story: The Creation Story

What does this story teach?

  • God keeps his promises, even in the middle of a storm.
  • One person’s faith can encourage everyone around them.
  • God is with us when everything seems hopeless.
  • Kindness to strangers, like the people of Malta showed, matters to God.

Questions to talk about

Use these with your children after the story, at bedtime, at the table or in a class.

  1. Why was Paul on the ship to Rome?
  2. What did the angel tell Paul?
  3. How did everyone get to shore?
  4. How can you encourage someone who is afraid?

Read the story in the Bible

This retelling uses simple words for young readers. Read the full account in Acts 27–28, one verse per screen:

Acts 27 Acts 28

Frequently asked questions

Where is the story of Paul’s shipwreck in the Bible?

It is in Acts 27–28, near the end of the book of Acts. Luke, who wrote Acts, was on the ship too, which is why the story says “we.”

How many people were on Paul’s ship?

Acts 27:37 says there were 276 people on board, and Acts 27:44 says every one of them escaped safely to land.

Where did Paul’s ship wreck?

On the island of Malta, called Melita in the King James Version (Acts 28:1), in the Mediterranean Sea south of Sicily.

What happened to Paul on Malta?

A snake bit Paul as he put sticks on the fire, but he shook it off and was not hurt (Acts 28:3–6). He then prayed for sick people on the island and they were healed, before sailing on to Rome.

More Bible stories

See all 36 Bible stories