Acts 27 5

Acts 27:5 kjv

And when we had sailed over the sea of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city of Lycia.

Acts 27:5 nkjv

And when we had sailed over the sea which is off Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city of Lycia.

Acts 27:5 niv

When we had sailed across the open sea off the coast of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we landed at Myra in Lycia.

Acts 27:5 esv

And when we had sailed across the open sea along the coast of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra in Lycia.

Acts 27:5 nlt

Keeping to the open sea, we passed along the coast of Cilicia and Pamphylia, landing at Myra, in the province of Lycia.

Acts 27 verses

Acts 27 5 Meaning

After embarking from Sidon, Paul's company continued their westward maritime journey, navigating a stretch of the open sea that lay along the southern coasts of Cilicia and Pamphylia, two Roman provinces in Asia Minor. Their sailing led them to the significant port city of Myra in Lycia, marking a key navigational waypoint and the end of the first leg of their voyage to Rome. This verse describes a necessary geographical progression, establishing the route and setting the stage for the next crucial phase of their travels and the events that would unfold at Myra.

Acts 27 5 Context

Acts chapter 27 details Paul's journey as a prisoner from Caesarea to Rome. Having been handed over to the Roman centurion Julius of the Augustan Cohort, Paul, Luke (the author), and Aristarchus embarked on a ship from Adramyttium, sailing north along the coast to Sidon (Acts 27:1-3). From Sidon, they set sail, but due to strong prevailing head-winds, they could not sail directly to their intended destination (likely facing west towards Rome). Instead, they took a protected route "under the lee of Cyprus" (Acts 27:4), using the island as shelter. Verse 5 describes the continuation of this leg of the journey, where they navigated further along the southern coast of Asia Minor. This strategic course, driven by the maritime conditions of the day, led them to Myra. The broader context of Paul's journey is one of divine providence ensuring his arrival in Rome, despite his imprisonment and the dangerous circumstances, fulfilling prophetic words given to Paul (Acts 23:11). Myra, being a major port, serves as a crucial point for transshipment, specifically setting up the transfer to the Alexandrian grain ship that would carry them the rest of the way to Italy.

Acts 27 5 Word analysis

• And when we had sailed across (διαπλεύσαντες / diapleúsantes):
  • This Greek participle (διαπλεύσαντες) signifies a completed action of "sailing across or through." It implies the successful traverse of a body of water, indicating the progress of their journey. Luke, as a meticulous writer and eyewitness, carefully notes their movements. The "we" is crucial, signifying Luke's continued presence with Paul, validating the narrative's firsthand nature.
• the open sea along the coast of (τὸ πέλαγος τὸ κατὰ / to pélagos to katà):
  • πέλαγος (pelagos) refers to the open sea, the deep water, rather than close coastal waters or harbors. The addition of τὸ κατὰ (to kata) which means "that which is near/along" clarifies their route. They were not sailing far out into the Mediterranean directly. Instead, they navigated the open waters adjacent to the coastline of Cilicia and Pamphylia. This combination accurately describes ancient Mediterranean sailing practices, where ships would often keep the land in sight for navigation and to seek shelter, especially when facing adverse winds or currents. This strategy allowed them to progress westward in conditions where direct open-sea passage would be difficult, possibly because of the prevailing northwesterly winds during the sailing season.
• Cilicia (Κιλικίαν / Kilikian):
  • A Roman province in southeast Asia Minor. This region held particular significance for Paul as it was his home province, where his native city of Tarsus was located (Acts 21:39). Sailing along its coast might have brought a mix of nostalgia or renewed determination for Paul. Historically, Cilicia was known for its pirates, though Rome had largely suppressed them by Paul's time. The coastline offered some natural harbors and coves.
• and Pamphylia (καὶ Παμφυλίαν / kai Pamphulian):
  • Another Roman province west of Cilicia, in south Asia Minor. Paul had previously traveled through Pamphylia during his first missionary journey (Acts 13:13-14), stopping in cities like Perga. Passing by these regions connects this forced journey to Paul's earlier voluntary missionary efforts, highlighting the continuous unfolding of God's plan for his life.
• we reached Myra in Lycia. (κατήλθομεν Μύρα τῆς Λυκίας / katēlthomen Múra tēs Lukías):
  • κατήλθομεν (katēlthomen) means "we came down/arrived," typically used for arriving at a port.
  • Myra (Μύρα / Mýra): A major port city located in the Roman province of Lycia, which lay west of Pamphylia. Myra was strategically important, especially as a transshipment point for large grain ships from Alexandria (Egypt) en route to Italy. This detail is crucial for the subsequent narrative, as it is here that Paul and his companions will transfer to an Alexandrian vessel (Acts 27:6). Myra's prominence ensured it would be a reliable place for a prisoner transport to find onward passage.
  • Lycia (Λυκίας / Lukías): A mountainous region forming a peninsula on the southwestern coast of Asia Minor. Its well-defended harbors, including Myra, were vital for maritime trade.

Acts 27 5 Bonus section

• The careful distinction between "open sea" and "along the coast" in the original Greek is a hallmark of Luke's precise writing, showcasing his understanding of geography and the context of the journey. It's not a contradiction but a nuanced description of navigating deep waters proximate to the coastline for practical reasons.
• The centurion's choice of ship and route from Sidon via Cyprus and then along Asia Minor points to a pragmatic approach to transport: safety over speed when adverse conditions existed. His primary responsibility was the delivery of his prisoners to Rome.
• The fact that Paul is traversing parts of the world he knew intimately from his missionary endeavors adds a profound layer of reflection for the reader. He is no longer sailing as a free evangelist, but as a prisoner—yet still fulfilling a divine mission. This tension between human captivity and divine liberty is a consistent theme in Paul's journey to Rome.

Acts 27 5 Commentary

Acts 27:5 describes the practicalities of a specific leg of a sea journey, a seemingly mundane detail that carries significant narrative and theological weight. The ship's path, hugging the coast of Cilicia and Pamphylia after leaving Cyprus, reveals an ancient maritime strategy dictated by prevailing winds (likely the strong summer northwesterlies) which would make a direct westward open-sea crossing difficult or impossible. By navigating the open sea along the coast, they could benefit from land breezes or calmer waters while still making progress.

The mention of Cilicia and Pamphylia subtly echoes Paul's past, provinces where he ministered and from which he hailed. Now, he passes by as a Roman prisoner, but his purpose—to stand before Caesar and witness for Christ in Rome (Acts 23:11)—remains steadfast under God's sovereign hand. The destination, Myra, is no arbitrary stop. It was a well-known major port city and a key hub for Egyptian grain ships bound for Italy. Luke’s accurate inclusion of this detail meticulously sets the stage for the dramatic and providential transfer to the Alexandrian ship in the very next verse. Thus, this brief geographical verse, grounded in accurate nautical and historical reality, reinforces Luke's reliability as an author and subtly highlights God's guidance, weaving the ordinary circumstances of travel into the extraordinary unfolding of His redemptive plan. It reminds us that even in what appears to be a forced detour or logistical necessity, God's sovereign purposes are being advanced, preparing the way for Paul to fulfill his mission.