Acts 27:39

they knew not the land We are not from this to suppose that none of the sailors were acquainted with the island of Malta, but that the point of the land close to which they were was unrecognised by them. When they were close in shore, and amid stormy weather, this could very well happen, as they were a long way distant from the usual harbour.

but they discovered a certain creek with a shore Better (with R. V.) "they perceived a certain bay with a beach." The word is used to signify such a sandy beach as might allow a ship to be run aground upon it without the danger of her immediately coming to pieces.

into the which they were minded, if it were possible, to thrust in the ship Better (with R. V.) "and they took counsel whether they could drive the ship upon it," i.e. they saw that the beach was such that they had a chance of landing there, and they discussed the best way of doing so, in their present maimed condition.