Acts 27:12 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And because the harbor was not suitable to spend the winter in, the majority decided to put out to sea from there, on the chance that somehow they could reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete, facing both southwest and northwest, and spend the winter there.

NIV: Since the harbor was unsuitable to winter in, the majority decided that we should sail on, hoping to reach Phoenix and winter there. This was a harbor in Crete, facing both southwest and northwest.

NASB: The harbor was not suitable for wintering, so the majority reached a decision to put out to sea from there, if somehow they could reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete facing southwest and northwest, and spend the winter there.

CSB: Since the harbor was unsuitable to winter in, the majority decided to set sail from there, hoping somehow to reach Phoenix, a harbor on Crete facing the southwest and northwest, and to winter there.

NLT: And since Fair Havens was an exposed harbor — a poor place to spend the winter — most of the crew wanted to go on to Phoenix, farther up the coast of Crete, and spend the winter there. Phoenix was a good harbor with only a southwest and northwest exposure.

KJV: And because the haven was not commodious to winter in, the more part advised to depart thence also, if by any means they might attain to Phenice, and there to winter; which is an haven of Crete, and lieth toward the south west and north west.

NKJV: And because the harbor was not suitable to winter in, the majority advised to set sail from there also, if by any means they could reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete opening toward the southwest and northwest, and winter there.

Paul, Luke, and Aristarchus are on an Alexandrian ship headed to Rome. When they set sail from Myra on the southwestern coast of modern-day Turkey, the strong winds pushed them south to the southern coast of Crete. Crete is a long, skinny island that runs east-to-west. Along most of its southern shore are mountain ranges that protect ships from northern winds. For some reason, the ship's owner and pilot sailed past the protected port of Lasea and went on to Fair Havens (Acts 27:6–8). The storms are coming, and Fair Havens does not have sufficient shelter for the ship to moor for the winter.

Phoenix, however, boasts two natural ports separated by a stubby, flat peninsula. Most importantly, it is protected by mountain ranges on the west, north, and east. It's an ideal place to stay for the winter and is only 40 miles, or 65 kilometers, to the west.

Despite the short distance, getting there will not be easy. Just outside Fair Havens, the coastline turns sharply to the north. The mountains continue for only a brief stretch before opening into a flat plane perfectly shaped for funneling the northeast winds.

The owner and pilot of the ship want to go to Phoenix. Paul has traveled extensively and knows if they are caught in bad weather, they could lose the ship, cargo, and all personnel onboard (Acts 27:10). The centurion sides with the owner and the pilot (Acts 27:11). The ship sails west until it reaches the point and then turns northwest toward Phoenix. All goes well until it sails past the protective mountains. A strong northeast wind blows up and pushes the ship to the southwest. As the wind drives them toward the dangerous sandbar off the coast of Libya, the ship hits a violent storm (Acts 27:13–15). If Jesus hadn't told Paul he will get to Rome (Acts 23:11), 'he might be worried for his life.

Acts 27:9–12 turns from the description of the sea voyage Luke, Paul, and Aristarchus are taking to Paul's words of caution. The ship they boarded at Myra has seen nothing but contrary winds since they set sail. Now they're moored in Fair Havens, on the southern shore of Crete. Paul knows winter is coming and wants to stay where they are. The ship owner and pilot know this port isn't good shelter for winter and want to go on. The centurion chooses to trust the crew; he chooses poorly.

Acts 27 is an account of a famous sea voyage. Paul, Luke, and Aristarchus travel from Caesarea Maritima on their way to Rome. False charges and two years of imprisonment in Caesarea led Paul to appeal his case to a higher Roman court, and he is now on his way to that court. The chapter can be divided into seven paragraphs, alternating between descriptions of the sea voyage and Paul trying to keep everyone alive during a horrific storm. Eventually, they shipwreck on Malta. The ship and cargo are a complete loss, but no one dies.

Twice the Sanhedrin brought unfounded charges against Paul. In both cases, the ruling governor knew Paul was innocent but refused to let him go. Finally, Paul appealed his case to Caesar (Acts 24:22–27; 25:1–12). He, Luke, Aristarchus, and 273 others sail for Rome. But they shipwreck on a reef off the island of Malta. When they finally reach Rome, Paul will meet with Jewish leaders and tell them how Jesus fulfills the Old Testament prophecies of the Messiah. Some will believe and some won't. This leads Paul to resolve, once again, to focus his efforts on the Gentiles (Acts 28).

The summary of the book of Acts is provided in Jesus' words in Acts 1:8: ''But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.'' In Acts 2:1–13, the Christ-followers receive the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:14—7:60 describes the rapid growth of the church in Jerusalem. Chapters 8—12 find Jewish persecution inadvertently spreading the gospel throughout Judea and Samaria. And in chapters 13—28, Paul and his companions spread the good news throughout the Roman Empire.