Acts 27 8

Acts 27:8 kjv

And, hardly passing it, came unto a place which is called The fair havens; nigh whereunto was the city of Lasea.

Acts 27:8 nkjv

Passing it with difficulty, we came to a place called Fair Havens, near the city of Lasea.

Acts 27:8 niv

We moved along the coast with difficulty and came to a place called Fair Havens, near the town of Lasea.

Acts 27:8 esv

Coasting along it with difficulty, we came to a place called Fair Havens, near which was the city of Lasea.

Acts 27:8 nlt

We struggled along the coast with great difficulty and finally arrived at Fair Havens, near the town of Lasea.

Acts 27 verses

Acts 27 8 Meaning

The verse describes passing Crete, a significant island in the Mediterranean. It indicates a strategic decision to sail along the coast, suggesting a need for safety or calmer waters due to the advanced season. The phrase "called Fair Havens" highlights a specific, established harbor on the island.

Acts 27 8 Context

Chapter Context: Acts chapter 27 details Paul's tumultuous sea voyage to Rome. Having appealed to Caesar, he is a prisoner entrusted to a centurion named Julius. This particular verse occurs after they have set sail from Myra and are navigating along the coast of Crete. The broader context of this section is the perilous journey, emphasizing God's protection and Paul's unwavering faith amidst dangerous circumstances. The voyage is undertaken at an unsuitable time of year for sailing, increasing the risks.

Historical/Cultural Context: In the 1st century, sailing in the Mediterranean was common but fraught with danger, especially outside the summer months. The Jewish calendar observed several religious feasts that could influence travel plans. The political climate under Roman rule meant that maritime travel was essential for communication, trade, and the movement of troops and prisoners. Crete was a significant island with a history known for its windswept coasts, making careful navigation crucial.

Acts 27 8 Word Analysis

• καὶ (kai): A coordinating conjunction meaning "and" or "also." It links the preceding action to the present one.
• παραπλεόντων (parapleonτων): From παραπλέω (parapleō), meaning "to sail past" or "to sail along the coast of." This verb implies skirting the coastline for proximity and safety, rather than sailing out into open water.
• τὴν Κρήτην (tēn Krētēn): "Crete," the accusative case for the proper noun, referring to the large island south of Greece. It was known for its Minoan civilization and later as a Roman province.
• κατὰ (kata): A preposition with various meanings, here "along" or "by" or "opposite." In this context, it indicates movement in proximity to the coast.
• Σαλαμῶνα (Salamōna): "Salmone," an ancient port city on the eastern tip of Crete. This provides a geographical marker for their location and direction of travel.
• ἣν (hēn): A relative pronoun, feminine accusative singular, meaning "which" or "where." It introduces a relative clause describing Fair Havens.
• εἶχον (eichon): The imperfect tense of ἔχω (echō), meaning "to have" or "to possess." It implies that they were either in possession of or located near a place described next.
• παρεθέμεθα (parethemetʰa): Aorist middle indicative of πάρεiμι (pareimi), often translated as "to put in" or "to lodge" or "to pass by." Here, combined with the location, it strongly suggests they put in or docked there for shelter.
• πόλιν (polin): Accusative singular of πόλις (polis), meaning "city."
• fnamea Λιμένας (Limenas): Accusative singular of Λιμήν (Limēn), meaning "harbor" or "port."
• καλουμένην (kaloumenēn): Present passive participle of καλέω (kaleō), meaning "called" or "named." It modifies "harbor."

Words-Group by Words-Group Analysis

• "passing along the coast of Crete": This phrase "παραπλεόντων τὴν Κρήτην κατὰ Σαλαμῶνα" highlights the careful, close sailing to the shoreline. It was a safer method than venturing far offshore, especially with unfavorable winds or at a time of year when storms were more frequent. Salmone serves as a geographical indicator of their easternmost progress along Crete's coast.
• "called Fair Havens": The description of this place as "Fair Havens" (καλουμεν τὴν Λιμένας) indicates a recognized location suitable for anchoring. Its naming suggests a favorable or opportune place to dock, although as the subsequent verse notes, it wasn't ideal for wintering.

Acts 27 8 Bonus Section

The name "Fair Havens" (Καλοὺς Λιμένας - Kalous Limenas) suggests a harbor that offered good anchorage. Ancient mariners named ports based on their usability. This particular harbor's location was on the south coast of Crete, near Matala. Despite its descriptive name, it was a somewhat exposed location compared to other potential harbors. The decision to stay at Fair Havens, even for a short time, sets the stage for the dilemma of whether to risk continuing the voyage to a more suitable harbor for the winter (Phoenice) or remaining in the less ideal but safer, albeit temporary, Fair Havens. This reflects the themes of seeking safety and the consequences of choices made in the face of uncertainty, common to maritime narratives in Scripture.

Acts 27 8 Commentary

The voyage is proceeding cautiously along Crete's coastline. The ship puts in at a harbor named "Fair Havens" which, despite its appealing name, is noted as not being conveniently situated for winter anchoring. This is a critical observation because the apostle Paul, recognizing the dangers of the sea at that season, would later advocate for staying put rather than pressing onward to Phoenice. The centurion's decision-making process regarding the next harbor reveals the pragmatic considerations of maritime travel, which are informed by the experiences and knowledge of the ship's master and owners, though Paul's divine insight also plays a crucial role.