Acts 27 12

Acts 27:12 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.

Acts 27:12 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.

Acts 27:12 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.

Acts 27:12 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.

Acts 27:12 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.

Acts 27 verses

Acts 27 12 Meaning

Acts 27:12 describes a crucial decision point during Paul's voyage to Rome. The ship's current port, Fair Havens, on the island of Crete, was deemed unsuitable for wintering. Therefore, the majority aboard, including the centurion and the owner of the ship, advised sailing on, hoping to reach a more commodious and protected harbor named Phenice, also on Crete, which was well-situated to shelter from prevalent winds, specifically from the south-west and north-west. This counsel prioritized perceived practical comfort and safety over staying put, despite earlier warnings about the danger of further travel.

Acts 27 12 Context

Acts 27:12 occurs amidst Paul's perilous journey as a prisoner to Rome. Following an earlier storm-tossed leg of the journey, the ship had anchored at Fair Havens, a port on the south side of Crete. The Jewish Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), usually in late September or early October, had already passed (Acts 27:9), marking the onset of the dangerous winter sailing season in the Mediterranean. Ancient ships, lacking advanced navigational aids and propulsion, typically ceased long voyages and wintered in sheltered ports from late autumn to spring (usually November to March). Paul had already warned the ship's crew and the centurion that continuing the voyage would result in great loss (Acts 27:10). However, Fair Havens was not considered ideal for extended winter shelter. This verse highlights the practical decision-making of the ship's personnel and the centurion, who preferred to risk sailing a short distance further to a port perceived as more suitable and comfortable, relying on the prevailing wisdom of the sailors rather than Paul's prophetic insight. Their decision was driven by the perceived inadequacy of their current shelter and the allure of a better-equipped alternative.

Acts 27 12 Word analysis

• And because: A common conjunction, signaling a reason or consequence.
• the haven: (Greek: ho limēn - ὁ λιμήν) Refers to a port or harbor. This particular harbor is Fair Havens (Kaloi Limenes), mentioned in Acts 27:8. Its name ironically suggested good shelter, but its practicalities for winter were being questioned.
• was not commodious: (Greek: ouk euthetos ēn - οὐκ εὔθετος ἦν) Euthetos means "well-placed, convenient, suitable." Here, it signifies unsuitability, lacking the proper features for a prolonged winter stay, possibly due to inadequate size, provisioning, or protection from specific wind directions.
• to winter in: (Greek: paracheimasai - παραχειμάσαι) To spend the winter. In ancient navigation, this meant mooring the ship for several months, offloading cargo, and waiting for safer sailing conditions in spring. This decision was crucial for the ship's safety and crew's well-being.
• the more part: (Greek: hoi pleious - οἱ πλείους) "The majority." This indicates a democratic or collective decision-making process involving the centurion, the owner, and the pilot (Acts 27:11). It underscores a human-centered decision based on common opinion.
• advised: (Greek: parekaloun - παρεκάλουν) Imperfect tense of parakaleō, meaning "to urge, entreat, advise, exhort." It implies an active and persuasive recommendation.
• to depart thence: (Greek: anakhthenai ekeithen - ἀναχθῆναι ἐκεῖθεν) "To put to sea from there," "to set sail from that place." This refers to their intention to leave Fair Havens.
• if by any means: (Greek: ei pōs - εἰ πῶς) Expresses uncertainty or a hopeful contingency. "If perchance," "hoping that somehow." It indicates a hopeful endeavor rather than a guaranteed outcome.
• they might attain to: (Greek: dōnatos genomenoi katantēsai eis - δυνατοὶ γενόμενοι καταβῆναι εἰς) Literally "being able to come down to" or "arrive at." Signifies their desired destination and the effort to reach it.
• Phenice: (Greek: Phoinika - Φοίνικα) Another harbor on Crete, usually identified as Loutro. Known for being well-protected. Its name relates to the Phoenicians, skilled ancient mariners, perhaps hinting at a traditional suitability.
• which is an haven of Crete: (Greek: limena tēs Krētēs - λιμένα τῆς Κρήτης) Clarifies its location, emphasizing it was on the same large island, a short distance away.
• and lieth toward: (Greek: bleponta kata - βλέποντα κατά) Literally "looking toward," or "facing toward." Describes its geographical orientation.
• the south west and north west: (Greek: kata Liba kai kata Chōron - κατὰ Λίβα καὶ κατὰ Χῶρον) Refers to specific wind directions that the harbor protected against. Libs (southwest wind) and Chōros (northwest wind) are critical because ancient harbors were chosen based on their natural protection from prevailing winter gales. This description highlights Phenice's superior defensive position against adverse winds.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And because the haven was not commodious to winter in": This phrase encapsulates the central problem and the justification for their subsequent decision. Fair Havens, despite its name, lacked the qualities needed for a safe, prolonged winter anchorage. It was either too exposed, too small, or poorly equipped for provisions. The severity of winter storms meant a sheltered bay was paramount for survival.
• "the more part advised to depart thence": This indicates a consensus, a democratic decision made by the key people on board—the centurion (Roman authority), the shipowner (economic interest), and the pilot (nautical expertise). Their collective professional and experienced judgment favored moving, illustrating human confidence in practical navigation over a seemingly irrational prophetic warning. This echoes many biblical narratives where majority opinion based on earthly logic clashes with divine counsel.
• "if by any means they might attain to Phenice, which is an haven of Crete": This reveals their objective and hope. Phenice (Loutro) was geographically a more sheltered port on Crete. The phrasing "if by any means" subtly acknowledges the risk inherent in sailing further during this dangerous season, even for a short distance.
• "and lieth toward the south west and north west": This detailed geographic description of Phenice's orientation is crucial. Harbors in the Mediterranean are naturally protected by the land's contours from specific winds. A harbor facing these directions would be open to other winds but would offer excellent shelter from the dangerous Libs (south-west) and Chōros (north-west) winds, which were common and fierce winter gales. This specificity underscores the pragmatic and nautical logic behind their choice.

Acts 27 12 Bonus section

The mention of the south-west and north-west orientation of Phenice is highly significant. Ancient mariners were exceptionally astute in observing weather patterns and harbor geography. A "good" harbor was one that offered multi-directional shelter. The Roman engineer Vitruvius, in his architectural treatise, discusses the importance of designing structures and harbors considering prevailing winds, classifying them from cardinal directions. Sailors knew that a port open to a prevailing gale would mean certain destruction or damage to vessels, which often relied on anchor chains and lines for mooring. Thus, the detailed description of Phenice's protective orientation was a vital selling point for the majority. Furthermore, the decision-making process highlights the hierarchy and roles on such a ship: the pilot (helmsperson) and shipowner were professionals with a vested interest, while the centurion held ultimate authority as the Roman official overseeing the prisoner Paul. The collective disregard of Paul's warning (even as a prisoner) illustrates how spiritual discernment is often sidelined for what appears to be rational, earthly prudence. This event ultimately demonstrates God's sovereignty, as even a meticulously planned human decision leads to the circumstances through which God's larger plan for Paul to reach Rome unfolds.

Acts 27 12 Commentary

Acts 27:12 marks a critical juncture driven by the perceived necessity for practical convenience and comfort. The ship at Fair Havens faced the inevitability of winter's harsh embrace, a season known to render Mediterranean navigation perilous. The consensus of "the more part," heavily influenced by experienced mariners and the Roman centurion, highlights the default human tendency to rely on earthly wisdom and collective opinion when faced with uncertainty. Despite Paul's earlier warning in verse 10, which was deemed inconvenient or illogical, the majority chose a seemingly logical course of action: seeking a "better" harbor, Phenice, which offered superior natural protection from known strong winds like the south-west (Libs) and north-west (Chōros). This seemingly astute decision, based on the very real exigencies of ancient maritime safety, would paradoxically lead them into the eye of the hurricane, the very storm Paul had predicted. The verse underscores the common human preference for perceived comfort and the immediate alleviation of discomfort, even if it entails overriding or ignoring inconvenient divine counsel. It subtly sets the stage for the dramatic fulfillment of Paul's warning, demonstrating that even well-informed human plans can falter when disconnected from God's wisdom or revealed purpose.