Acts 27 2

Acts 27:2 kjv

And entering into a ship of Adramyttium, we launched, meaning to sail by the coasts of Asia; one Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us.

Acts 27:2 nkjv

So, entering a ship of Adramyttium, we put to sea, meaning to sail along the coasts of Asia. Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, was with us.

Acts 27:2 niv

We boarded a ship from Adramyttium about to sail for ports along the coast of the province of Asia, and we put out to sea. Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica, was with us.

Acts 27:2 esv

And embarking in a ship of Adramyttium, which was about to sail to the ports along the coast of Asia, we put to sea, accompanied by Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica.

Acts 27:2 nlt

Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica, was also with us. We left on a ship whose home port was Adramyttium on the northwest coast of the province of Asia; it was scheduled to make several stops at ports along the coast of the province.

Acts 27 verses

Acts 27 2 Meaning

Acts 27:2 details the commencement of the apostle Paul's sea voyage as a prisoner to Rome, along with fellow believers, Dr. Luke, the author, and Aristarchus. Having boarded an Adramyttium-bound vessel, they set sail with the immediate intention of navigating along the coast of the Roman province of Asia, which would allow them to transfer to another ship for the direct journey to Rome. The verse underscores the companionship Paul had in his arduous journey, highlighting Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica, as a faithful traveling companion.

Acts 27 2 Context

Acts chapter 27 describes Paul's journey by sea to Rome as a prisoner, fulfilling both his long-held desire and a divine prophecy (Acts 19:21, 23:11). Paul had appealed to Caesar after being unjustly imprisoned and tried by the Roman governors Felix and Festus in Judea (Acts 24-26). His appeal mandated his transport to Rome for the emperor's judgment.

Verse 2 specifically details the initial leg of this perilous journey. The preceding verse (Acts 27:1) establishes that Paul, along with certain other prisoners, was committed to a centurion named Julius, belonging to the Augustan Cohort, for transport to Italy. This particular ship was not a direct express transport to Rome but a local vessel involved in coastal trade within the Roman province of Asia. The strategy for Julius and his charges was likely to use this vessel to reach a major port, like Myra, where they could transfer to one of the larger Alexandrian grain ships that sailed directly to Italy, often laden with wheat for Rome. This intermediate journey along the coast was therefore a practical necessity in Roman maritime travel. Paul’s companions, Luke (the narrator) and Aristarchus, joined him voluntarily, signifying their unwavering loyalty and commitment.

Acts 27 2 Word analysis

• And entering (ἀναβάντες - anabantes): A participle, meaning "having gone up on board." This indicates a physical action of boarding the ship. It marks the commencement of the voyage and further affirms Luke's presence as part of the "we" group, implying direct involvement.
• into a ship (πλοῖον - ploion): A general term for a vessel or ship. It was likely a merchant vessel, not a dedicated transport ship for prisoners. These were the most common means of travel for long distances by sea.
• of Adramyttium (Ἀδραμυττηνόν - Adramyttēnon): An adjective signifying "belonging to Adramyttium." Adramyttium was a coastal city in Mysia, a region within the Roman province of Asia (modern-day Turkey). This detail indicates the ship's port of registry or its intended initial destination. Such vessels typically engaged in cabotage, sailing along the coast, transferring cargo and passengers.
• we launched (ἀνήχθημεν - anechthēmen): "We put out to sea," "we set sail." This marks the official departure. The first-person plural "we" (from anachtho, meaning 'to lift up', specifically referring to anchors, thus 'to set sail') explicitly includes Luke, the author, confirming his direct participation in this journey and providing a meticulous eyewitness account.
• meaning to sail by the coasts of Asia (μέλλοντες παραπλεῖν τοὺς κατὰ τὴν Ἀσίαν τόπους - mellontes paraplein tous kata tēn Asian topous): This phrase specifies the ship's initial purpose and route.
  • meaning to (μέλλοντες - mellontes): Future participle, expressing intent or purpose. It was the ship's predetermined course, which served their immediate goal of finding a more direct ship to Rome.
  • sail by the coasts (παραπλεῖν - paraplein): To "sail alongside" or "coast along." This indicates the ship would stay relatively close to the shoreline, typical for vessels involved in regional trade, enabling frequent stops.
  • of Asia (Ἀσίαν - Asian): Refers specifically to the Roman province of Asia Minor, not the continent. This province was a major center for commerce and travel, as well as early Christianity.
• one Aristarchus (Ἀρίσταρχος - Aristarchos): The name of a specific individual, introduced here as a traveling companion. He is mentioned elsewhere as a loyal associate of Paul, even accompanying him during times of tribulation (Acts 19:29, Col 4:10, Phm 1:24).
• a Macedonian of Thessalonica (Μακεδὼν Θεσσαλονικεύς - Makedōn Thessalonikeus): His geographical origin identifies him. Macedonia was a Roman province, and Thessalonica was one of its major cities, a place where Paul had established a significant church (Acts 17, 1 and 2 Thessalonians). This highlights his identity as a Hellenistic Jew or Gentile Christian from a prominent Pauline mission field, indicating a strong tie to Paul.
• being with us (σὺν ἡμῖν ὄντος - syn hēmin ontos): Emphasizes his presence and voluntary association with Paul and Luke on this challenging journey. It conveys loyalty and solidarity in Paul's difficult situation as a prisoner, possibly even implying he accompanied Paul officially or informally to minister to him.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And entering into a ship of Adramyttium": This phrase establishes the immediate, physical starting point of the sea journey, detailing the specific type and origin of the initial vessel used for coastal transport. It wasn't the final ship, but a crucial leg of the overall journey, emphasizing the pragmatic details of Roman travel.
• "we launched, meaning to sail by the coasts of Asia": This sequence highlights the action of departure ("we launched") and explicitly states the ship's intended initial route and purpose. It reveals that the direct path to Rome was not immediately available; they embarked on a coastal voyage in Asia Minor, likely aiming to find a larger vessel heading west. This shows divine orchestration, even when human plans appear indirect.
• "one Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us": This group identifies a specific, significant companion of Paul. His presence emphasizes the critical role of faithful companionship in times of hardship and imprisonment, illustrating that Paul was not alone, but supported by loyal fellow believers, ready to share in his suffering and serve.

Acts 27 2 Bonus section

• The journey Paul took was not an easy passage directly to Rome, which highlights the common realities of travel in the ancient world where one often relied on whatever commercial vessels were available for parts of a journey. The indirect route along the coast of Asia Minor suggests that direct sailings from Caesarea Maritima (where Paul was imprisoned) to Italy were not frequent or immediately accessible. This necessitates a "hop-skip-and-a-jump" approach to find a suitable Roman grain ship or official transport at a larger port.
• Aristarchus, mentioned here, is also identified as Paul's "fellow prisoner" in Colossians 4:10. This could suggest that he was also arrested or voluntarily entered a form of captivity to accompany Paul, or simply that his solidarity with Paul was so deep that he was considered a "prisoner" by choice or by association. This profound level of commitment demonstrates an extraordinary example of Christian fellowship and selfless service.
• Luke, by including himself (the "we" pronoun), not only authenticates his account but also implies he willingly shared in Paul's hardships. As a physician, his skills might have been invaluable during a long and dangerous sea journey, not only for Paul but potentially for other passengers and the crew. His detailed record of the voyage shows a historian's meticulous observation combined with a disciple's loyalty.

Acts 27 2 Commentary

Acts 27:2 is a concise verse rich in details that provide crucial insight into the unfolding narrative of Paul's journey to Rome. It marks the commencement of a long and perilous voyage, underscoring the divine sovereignty over Paul's path, despite its initial detours. The choice of an Adramyttium ship, rather than a direct Roman transport, highlights the pragmatic reality of ancient maritime travel where connections and transfers were common. This seemingly indirect start foreshadows God's purpose, as these unforeseen circumstances would later position Paul to minister to many. The inclusion of "we" firmly grounds the account in Luke's eyewitness testimony, ensuring the reliability and detail of the subsequent events.

The specific mention of Aristarchus from Thessalonica serves multiple purposes. Firstly, it reiterates the loyalty of Paul's companions who voluntarily accompanied him even into imprisonment, embodying true fellowship in tribulation. This companionship was a source of encouragement for Paul and a testament to the strong bonds formed through gospel ministry. Secondly, it provides a sense of continuity from Paul's earlier missionary journeys, demonstrating the enduring impact of his ministry. The presence of companions like Aristarchus and Luke illustrates that Christian life, especially in service, is rarely solitary but thrives on mutual support and commitment. Their unwavering presence despite the dangers and uncertainties ahead sets a powerful example for believers to stand by and minister to one another, especially those facing trials for their faith.