Bible Strands
Acts 27:12
Since the harbor was unsuitable to winter in, the majority decided to sail on, hoping that somehow they could reach Phoenix to winter there. Phoenix was a harbor in Crete facing both southwest and northwest.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Luke records the narrative of Paul’s voyage to Rome as the ship’s crew and passengers deliberate at Fair Havens. The majority of those aboard choose to depart despite Paul’s warning and the centurion’s prior hesitation.
The words — Ἀνευθέτου (aneuthetou) translates literally as “unsuitable” or “inadequate.” It modifies λιμένος (limenos), “harbor,” to describe why Fair Havens could not safely accommodate the ship through winter.
The thread — The decision to seek a better harbor follows their earlier arrival at Fair Havens near Lasea (Acts 27:8). Psalm 107:30 similarly contrasts human navigation with divine guidance toward a desired harbor.
Why it lands — The text states that the majority overruled prophetic warning to pursue a more favorable wintering location. It requires the reader to observe how collective desire shapes decisions even when the underlying conditions remain unchanged.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
And because the haven was not commodious to winter in, the more part advised to depart thence also, if by any means they might attain to Phenice, and there to winter; which is an haven of Crete, and lieth toward the south west and north west.
Cross-references
- Psalms 107:30 They rejoiced in the silence, and He guided them to the harbor they desired.
- Acts 27:8 After we had moved along the coast with difficulty, we came to a place called Fair Havens, near the town of Lasea.