Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Acts 27:4
And when we had launched from thence, we sailed under Cyprus, because the winds were contrary.
4. And when we had launched from thence ] R. V. “And putting to sea from thence.” “Launch” has become a little restricted in meaning in modern English, but compare, for the sense, Christ’s words to Peter (Luk 5:4), “Launch out into the deep.”
we sailed under Cyprus ] i.e. between Cyprus and the mainland, so as to have the shelter of the island on their left to protect them from the contrary winds. R. V. “under the lee of Cyprus.”
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
We sailed under Cyprus – For an account of Cyprus, see the notes on Act 4:36. By sailing under Cyprus is meant that they sailed along its coasts; they kept near to it; they thus endeavored to break off the violent winds. Instead of steering a direct course in the open sea, which would have exposed them to violent opposing winds, they kept near this large island, so that it was between them and the westerly winds. The force of the wind was thus broken, and the voyage was rendered less difficult and dangerous. They went between Cyprus and Asia Minor, leaving Cyprus to the left. A sailor would express the idea by saying that they sailed under the lee of Cyprus. Had it not been for the strong western winds, they would have left it on the right.
The winds were contrary – Were from the west, or southwest, which thus prevented their pursuing a direct course.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 4. We sailed under Cyprus] See Clarke on Ac 4:36.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Launched; or put to sea.
Cyprus; a noted island in the Mediterranean Sea, of which we read, Act 11:19; 13:4. Their nearest way from Sidon to Myra had been to have left Cyprus on the right hand, but by reason of the winds they were forced to go almost round about the island, leaving it on the left hand.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
4. when we had launched“setsail.”
from thence, we sailed underCyprus, because the winds were contraryThe wind blowing fromthe westward, probably with a touch of the north, which was adverse,they sailed under the lee of Cyprus, keeping it on their left,and steering between it and the mainland of Phoelignicia.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And when we had launched from thence,…. From Sidon:
we sailed under Cyprus, because the winds were contrary; that is, they sailed below the island of Cyprus; of which see Ac 4:36 whereas if the wind had been right for them, they would have sailed above the island; leaving it on the right hand, in a straight course to Myra; but now they were obliged to go below it, leaving it on the left hand, going in part about it, through the seas of Cilicia and Pamphylia to Lycia, as follows.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
We sailed under the lee of Cyprus ( ). First aorist active indicative of , to sail under. Cyprus was thus on the left between the ship and the wind from the northwest, under the protection of Cyprus.
Because the winds were contrary ( ). The articular infinitive after and the accusative of general reference () with predicate accusative (, facing them, in their very teeth if they went that way). The Etesian winds were blowing from the northwest so that they could not cut straight across from Sidon to Patara with Cyprus on the right. They must run behind Cyprus and hug the shore of Cilicia and Pamphylia.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
We sailed under [] . Rev., correctly, under the lee of : under the protection of the land.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “And when we had launched from thence
(kakeithen anachthentes) “And from there we put out to sea,” from Sidon we “set sail,”
2) “We sailed under Cypress (hupepleusamen ten Kupron) “We sailed close by Cyprus,” along the northeastern shore of the Island of Cyprus, to avoid the prevalent west winds, keeping Cyprus on their left, steering between it and the Phoenician mainland to the right as they sailed northward.
3) “Because the winds were contrary.” (dia to tous anemous linai enantious) “Because the winds had come to be contrary,” were high and shifting directions, blowing from the west to eastward, to make western sailing difficult.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
5.
UNDER THE LEE OF CYPRUS. Act. 27:4.
Act. 27:4
And putting to sea from thence, we sailed under the lee of Cyprus, because the winds were contrary.
Act. 27:4. . . . they put to sea again, running briskly north till above the upper coast of Cyprus, but having constantly to tack as soon as they steered west, the wind now being against them.
Having at last, however, reached that island, they ran as close as they could under its lee; their headway still slow; their poor daily advance being, as hitherto, won only by assiduous tacking. They would, thus, often run close in towards Asia Minor, in full sight of the glorious range of the Taurus mountains beyond whose snow peaks the thoughts of the apostle must often have wandered to the churches of the central tableland which he loved so dearly as his children in Christ and which he knew he would never see again. How were they faring? Had grievous wolves, entering in, troubled them? Would they quit them like men and, after all, be his crown of rejoicing in the day of the Lord Jesus?
972.
What is meant by the expression tacking?
973.
What do you suppose was in the mind of the apostle as they came in sight of the Taurus mountains?
Fuente: College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
(4) We sailed under Cyprus . . .Had the wind been favourable, the ship would naturally have taken the direct course from Sidon to Mysia, leaving Cyprus on the right, as in his previous voyage St. Paul had sailed from Patara to Tyre (Act. 21:1). As it was, the wind probably being from the north-west, they made for the channel between Cyprus and Cilicia, and, sailing close under the lee of the long, projecting east coast of the island from Salamis to the promontory of Dinaretium (Capo Andrea), were thus sheltered.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
4. Under Cyprus The premonitions of their hazardous voyage now begin to appear. From Sidon to Myra would, in the usual course, have Cyprus on the right hand, but so powerful is the west wind that they are glad to steer between Cyprus and the shore. This brings the island between the wind and the ship, enabling them to sail under protection of the Cyprian high lands; or, as the seamen say, “in the lee” of the island.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘And putting to sea from there, we sailed under the lee of Cyprus, because the winds were contrary.’
They then set sail again and because of the westerly winds sailed to the east of Cyprus, sailing in the lee of the island, the regular route at that time of year. But it is mentioned as the first indication that it was doubtful sailing weather.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Act 27:4-5 . . . ] We sailed under Cyprus , so that we remained near the shore (elevated above the level of the sea), because the (shifting) winds were contrary, and therefore made a withdrawal to a distance from the (northern) shore not advisable.
. .] along . Just so Act 27:7 , ; comp. Act 27:2 .
] or, as Lachmann, following B, reads, (it is neuter , yet the feminine form was also used, see Steph. Byz. s.v. ), was a seaport of Lycia, only twenty stadia from the coast (Strabo, xiv. p. 981). Forbig. Geogr. II. p. 256. The readings , or (A , Copt. Vulg. Fathers), and (31, Beda), are explained from want of acquaintance with that name of a town.
Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament Commentary
4 And when we had launched from thence, we sailed under Cyprus, because the winds were contrary.
Ver. 4. Because the winds, &c. ] The Straits of Magellan is such a place, that which way soever a man bendeth his course (saith one) he shall be sure to have the wind against him.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
4. ] sailed under , i.e. ‘ in the lee of ,’ Cyprus. “Ubi navis vento contrario cogitur a recto cursu decedere, ita ut tunc insula sit interposita inter ventum et navem, dicitur ferri infra insulam.” Wetst., who also says, “Si ventus favisset, alto se commisissent, et Cyprum ad dexteram partem reliquissent, ut Act 21:3 , nunc autem coguntur legere littus Cilici, inter Cyprum et Asiam.” With this explanation Mr. Smith agrees; and there can hardly be a doubt that it is the right one. The of Act 27:2 being to the west of Pamphylia (which was not in Asia, ch. Act 2:10 ), the direct course thither would have been S. of Cyprus ; but having the wind contrary, i.e. from the W. or N.W. (“the very wind which might have been expected in this part of the Mediterranean at this season (summer). Admiral de Saumarez writes, Aug. 19, 1798, ‘We have just gained sight of Cyprus, so invariably do the westerly winds prevail at this season.’ ” Smith, p. 27), they kept under shelter of Cyprus, i.e. between Cyprus and Cilicia; and so , having sailed the whole length of the sea off Cilicia and Pamphylia, they came to Myra. See the account of the reverse voyage, ch. Act 21:3 , where, the wind being nearly in the same quarter (see Act 27:1 , . ), the direct course was taken, and they left Cyprus at a distance (for so . seems to imply) on their left, in going to Tyre. On the , &c., it may be well to quote (from Smith) the testimony of M. de Pags, a French navigator, who, on his voyage from Syria to Marseilles, informs us that after making Cyprus, “the winds from the west, and consequently contrary, which prevail in these places during the summer, forced us to run to the north . We made for the coast of Caramania (Cilicia), in order to meet the northerly winds, which we found accordingly .”
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Act 27:4 . .: “we sailed under the lee of Cyprus,” R.V. So Wetstein with whom James Smith is in agreement, i.e. , to the east of the island, as was usual for ships westward bound, to avoid the prevalent west winds. Otherwise the direct course would have been to make for Patara in Lycia across the open sea to the south-west of Cyprus ( cf. Act 21:1-3 , where Paul makes a direct run from Patara to the Syrian coast (Ramsay, Goerne)).
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
sailed under: i.e. under the lee (of Cyprus). Greek. hopopleo. Only here and Act 27:7.
because. Greek. dia. App-104. Act 27:2.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
4. ] sailed under, i.e. in the lee of, Cyprus. Ubi navis vento contrario cogitur a recto cursu decedere, ita ut tunc insula sit interposita inter ventum et navem, dicitur ferri infra insulam. Wetst., who also says, Si ventus favisset, alto se commisissent, et Cyprum ad dexteram partem reliquissent, ut Act 21:3, nunc autem coguntur legere littus Cilici, inter Cyprum et Asiam. With this explanation Mr. Smith agrees; and there can hardly be a doubt that it is the right one. The of Act 27:2 being to the west of Pamphylia (which was not in Asia, ch. Act 2:10), the direct course thither would have been S. of Cyprus; but having the wind contrary, i.e. from the W. or N.W. (the very wind which might have been expected in this part of the Mediterranean at this season (summer). Admiral de Saumarez writes, Aug. 19, 1798, We have just gained sight of Cyprus, so invariably do the westerly winds prevail at this season. Smith, p. 27), they kept under shelter of Cyprus, i.e. between Cyprus and Cilicia; and so , having sailed the whole length of the sea off Cilicia and Pamphylia, they came to Myra. See the account of the reverse voyage, ch. Act 21:3, where, the wind being nearly in the same quarter (see Act 27:1, . ), the direct course was taken, and they left Cyprus at a distance (for so . seems to imply) on their left, in going to Tyre. On the , &c., it may be well to quote (from Smith) the testimony of M. de Pags, a French navigator, who, on his voyage from Syria to Marseilles, informs us that after making Cyprus, the winds from the west, and consequently contrary, which prevail in these places during the summer, forced us to run to the north. We made for the coast of Caramania (Cilicia), in order to meet the northerly winds, which we found accordingly.
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Act 27:4. , we sailed under) They were wishing to pass by the southern part of Cyprus: they passed the eastern part at no great distance. The here has the same force in the compound as in Act 27:7; Act 27:16.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
Cyprus: Act 4:36, Act 11:19, Act 11:20, Act 13:4, Act 15:39, Act 21:3, Act 21:16
the winds: Mat 14:24, Mar 6:48
Reciprocal: Act 27:7 – under
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
4
Act 27:4. To sail under means “to sail close by,” according to Thayer. They sailed near the shore of this island to shield them from the winds that were blowing against them.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Act 27:4. Sailed under Cyprus. The reason is given presently afterwards. The meaning is, that they sailed under the lee of Cyprus, or so as to place the island between themselves and the wind. To suppose that under means to the south of Cyprus, is a mere confusion of thought, arising probably from our habit of placing the north at the top of our maps and the south at the bottom. The natural course for this ship would have been on the south of Cyprus, towards the south-west corner of Asia Minor, the course followed inversely on St. Pauls return from his Last Missionary Expedition, on which occasion the sighting of Cyprus to the north is mentioned (Act 21:6).
Because the winds were contrary. Hence the wind was blowing hard from the north-west (see note above). This was a sufficient reason for standing to the north, and then following the coast of the mainland westwards. And this reason was, of course, freely mentioned among those who were on board the ship. But some other reasons doubtless weighed with those who had charge of the sailing of the ship, to bring about this determination. The current which, as mentioned above, sets northward along the Syrian coast, to the east of Cyprus, sets westward between that island and the Cilician and Pamphylian coast. Admiral Beaufort says (Karamania, p. 41), that from Syria to the Archipelago, there is a constant current to the westward. This would be favourable to the progress of the vessel. Moreover, the wind would draw more from the north when coming down from the high land above this coast. This is stated in our English Sailing Directory, pp. 241-243. Hence there would be comparatively smooth water here. This coast, too, had several good harbours. All these things were known to sailors accustomed to the navigation of the Levant.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
An account is here given of the very hazardous voyage which the apostle had from Cesarea towards Rome. He sails from Cesarea to Cyprus; from Cyprus to Cilicia to Crete; and having been long at sea, and the summer wearing away, and the great fast being past, that is, the anniversary of expiation, which was on the tenth day of September. After which the sea growing temptuous, the ancients left off sailing until March, because of the shortness of the days. St. Paul, forseeing the danger of the season, and being also to the lives of those that were in it, and advised them to venture no further till the sea was calmer; but the owner and governor of the ship (who was supposed to be better skilled in his own art) advising otherwise, the captain of the guard prefers his judgment before Paul’s, and so sets forward, but with great hazard, and greater loss, as the event declared.
From the whole we gather, That the fittest seasons ought to be observed and taken for every enterprise, both sacred and secular. Winter journeys by land, or voyages by sea, are unsafe, as well as uncomfortable. A season is beautiful for all things, and has a lustre upon it above all other parts of time. This winter voyage, about our October, was very hazardous and unseasonable; for the winds were boisterous and contrary, the days were short, the light little, the night long, the clouds thick, the weather dark, the storms raging; therefore the apostle advised to winter in the Fair Havens, knowing that the season for sailing was now past.
Fuente: Expository Notes with Practical Observations on the New Testament
4. “And having put to sea from that place, we sailed under the lee of Cyprus, because the winds were contrary.” As the proper course of the ship was westward, the contrary wind must have come from that quarter. With a favorable wind she would have passed to the south of Cyprus; but in tacking to make headway against a contrary wind, they necessarily passed to the east and north-east of that island, leaving it on the left. An additional reason for taking this tack may have been a desire to take advantage of a current which flows westward along the southern shore of Asia Minor, as far as the Archipelago, and greatly favors the progress of westward-bound vessels.
Fuente: McGarvey and Pendleton Commentaries (New Testament)
4, 5. They now avail themselves of the island Cyprus as a wind-break, sailing up near the western coast of Asia, landing again in the harbor, Myra of Lycia, where they finally disembark from the ship on which they had sailed.
Fuente: William Godbey’s Commentary on the New Testament
Verse 4
Under Cyprus; near its shore, so as to be under its shelter.
Fuente: Abbott’s Illustrated New Testament
Prevailing winds in the Mediterranean during spring and fall usually blow from west to east and often from the northwest. Consequently this ship sailed north up the east side of the island of Cyprus (cf. Act 21:3). Proceeding north it came to the coast of Cilicia and turned west passing Pamphylia and landing at Myra in Lysia, the southernmost region in the province of Asia. This was a 14-day journey by ship that spanned about 500 miles. [Note: Eckhard J. Schnabel, Early Christian Mission, 2:1266.]