Acts 28 12

Acts 28:12 kjv

And landing at Syracuse, we tarried there three days.

Acts 28:12 nkjv

And landing at Syracuse, we stayed three days.

Acts 28:12 niv

We put in at Syracuse and stayed there three days.

Acts 28:12 esv

Putting in at Syracuse, we stayed there for three days.

Acts 28:12 nlt

Our first stop was Syracuse, where we stayed three days.

Acts 28 verses

Acts 28 12 Meaning

Acts 28:12 details a specific stop during Paul’s divinely purposed journey to Rome as a prisoner. It states that after sailing from Malta, they landed at Syracuse, a major port city on the island of Sicily, and remained there for three days before continuing their voyage. This verse signifies the precision of Luke’s historical account, highlighting the Providence of God guiding Paul through his arduous sea journey, even amidst constraints and the vagaries of ancient maritime travel.

Acts 28 12 Context

Acts chapter 28 concludes Luke's detailed account of the Apostle Paul's journey from Caesarea to Rome, initiated due to his appeal to Caesar as a prisoner (Acts 25:10-12). Following a severe shipwreck off the coast of Malta (Acts 27), Paul and his companions spent three months on the island, where Paul ministered (Acts 28:1-10). Acts 28:11 records their departure from Malta on another Alexandrian ship. Verse 12 then specifies their first stop at Syracuse, an ancient Greek city on Sicily's eastern coast, strategically located as a significant port for trade, especially grain shipments from Egypt to Rome. The stay of three days was a standard practice for ancient ships, allowing for necessary provisioning, repairs, or awaiting favorable winds for the next leg of the voyage towards Rhegium and then Puteoli, their entry port to the Italian mainland (Acts 28:13-14). This verse thus marks a critical point in Paul's journey, illustrating both the realities of ancient travel and the continued progress towards God's purpose for Paul to reach Rome.

Acts 28 12 Word analysis

• And (καὶ - kai): A simple conjunction, connecting this event to the previous narrative detail of leaving Malta (Acts 28:11). It maintains the flow of Luke's continuous historical account.
• landing (καταπλεύσαντες - katapleúsantes): A participle meaning "having sailed down," specifically implying arriving at a port or putting into harbor. It suggests a smooth and intended docking, contrasting with the forced landing during the shipwreck. The Greek conveys the action of completing a sea journey and reaching shore.
• at (εἰς - eis): A preposition meaning "into" or "to." In this context, it denotes movement toward and arrival at the specific location, Syracuse.
• Syracuse (Συρακοῦσας - Syrakoúsas): A prominent and powerful ancient Greek city on the southeastern coast of Sicily. It was famed for its strategic harbor, intellectual history (e.g., Archimedes), and importance as a naval and commercial hub. It served as a crucial stopover on the major grain route from Egypt to Italy. Luke’s inclusion of such geographical details attests to the historical accuracy and eyewitness nature of the "we" passages.
• we (implied in verb endings - ἐπεμείναμεν - epemeínamen): The first-person plural indicates that the narrator, Luke, was present, along with Paul and other companions. This confirms Acts 27-28 as part of the "we" sections of Acts, strengthening the reliability of the narrative as an eyewitness account.
• stayed (ἐπεμείναμεν - epemeínamen): "We remained," "we lingered." This verb signifies a deliberate and settled stay, not merely a fleeting pause. It suggests the ship needed to wait for some reason—perhaps for favorable winds, to take on supplies, or to complete official port procedures. It is an aorist active indicative verb, denoting a completed action in the past.
• there (implied in the context): The location of the staying is understood as Syracuse, already mentioned.
• three (τρεῖς - treis): A precise number indicating the exact duration of their stop. The specific detail of "three days" is characteristic of Luke's attention to precise facts in his historical record.
• days (ἡμέρας - heméras): The plural noun specifying the unit of time for their stay.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And landing at Syracuse": This phrase describes the act of safely arriving by ship at a significant historical port. It underscores the transition from open-sea travel to a more stationary position in a recognized hub of commerce and ancient civilization. It points to a continuation of God's leading, bringing them to this strategic place after the trials of shipwreck.
• "we stayed there three days": This part specifies the duration of their halt and reiterates the presence of Luke and Paul as part of the traveling company. The "three days" provides a concrete detail, signifying either a necessary waiting period for maritime conditions (e.g., wind changes, cargo operations) or adherence to port regulations. It emphasizes that this stop was more than just an immediate disembarkation and embarkation, suggesting a significant, though brief, pause in their journey.

Acts 28 12 Bonus section

• The "We" Passages: Acts 28:12 is part of the "we" sections in Acts (Acts 16:10-17, Acts 20:5-15, Acts 21:1-18, and Acts 27:1–28:16). These sections indicate the author, Luke, was an eyewitness and participant in these journeys alongside Paul, lending exceptional authenticity and detail to his narrative. This precise geographical and temporal notation (three days at Syracuse) reflects his careful record-keeping as a historian.
• Ancient Maritime Conditions: The need to "stay" for a specific duration (three days) in a major port like Syracuse was common. Ancient ships relied heavily on prevailing winds for efficient travel. Headwinds or dangerous storms would necessitate sheltering in port until conditions improved. It also allowed for trade, loading/unloading cargo, or essential maintenance of the vessel. This short verse paints a vivid picture of the challenges and realities of travel in the Greco-Roman world, where divine protection and human resilience were often tested by the elements.
• God's Unstoppable Purpose: The meticulous detailing of each stop (Malta, Syracuse, Rhegium, Puteoli) in the "we" passages not only attests to historical veracity but also subtly underscores the unstoppable nature of God's purpose for Paul. Despite shipwreck, viper bites, and being a prisoner, Paul consistently moves towards his God-given destination, Rome, demonstrating that no human or natural impediment can thwart the divine will (Acts 23:11).

Acts 28 12 Commentary

Acts 28:12 serves as a precise factual marker in the continuous, divinely guided journey of Paul to Rome. Far from a mere navigational detail, this verse demonstrates Luke’s meticulous historical method and reinforces the overarching theme of God's sovereignty over Paul's life and ministry. Their "three-day" stop at Syracuse, a bustling metropolis and key port on the vital grain route from Egypt to Rome, highlights the practicalities of ancient sea travel—waiting for opportune winds, necessary resupply, or processing official requirements. This short stay underscores that despite being a prisoner, Paul's progress towards Rome was unhindered in God's eyes, aligning with divine promises that he would testify in the imperial city. It's a reminder that even in seemingly mundane travel logs, God’s providential hand is at work, ensuring His purposes are fulfilled.