Acts 27 · Verse 4

Acts 27:4

And when we had launched from thence, we sailed under Cyprus, because the winds were contrary.

Acts 27:4, King James Version

Acts 27:4 in other translations

BSB	After putting out from there, we sailed to the lee of Cyprus because the winds were against us.
WEB	Putting to sea from there, we sailed under the lee of Cyprus, because the winds were contrary.
ASV	And putting to sea from thence, we sailed under the lee of Cyprus, because the winds were contrary.
YLT	And thence, having set sail, we sailed under Cyprus, because of the winds being contrary,
DARBY	And setting sail thence we sailed under the lee of Cyprus, because the winds were contrary.
BBE	And sailing again from there, we went on under cover of Cyprus, because the wind was against us.
Webster	And when we had lanched from thence, we sailed under Cyprus, because the winds were contrary.

What does Acts 27:4 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

4. when we had launched--"set sail." from thence, we sailed under Cyprus, because the winds were contrary--The wind blowing from the 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 Phoenicia.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes

Verse 4. We sailed under Cyprus. For an account of Cyprus, Acts 4:36. By sailing "under Cyprus" is meant that they sailed along its coasts; they kept near to it; they thus endeavoured 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 rendered less difficult and dangerous. They went between Cyprus and Asia Minor, leaving Cyprus to the left. 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 south-west, which thus prevented their pursuing a direct course. See the Map.

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Verse 4 We sailed under Cyprus - See on Act 4:36 (note).

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Acts 27:1-11

It was determined by the counsel of God, before it was determined by the counsel of Festus, that Paul should go to Rome; for God had work for him to do there. The course they steered, and the places they touched at, are here set down. And God here encourages those who suffer for him, to trust in him; for he can put it into the hearts of those to befriend them, from whom they least expect it. Sailors must make the…

Read the full comment on Acts 27:1-11 →

Acts 27:4 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

κἀκεῖθενkakeithenAnd from thereG2532

ἀναχθέντεςanachthenteshaving set sailG321

ὑπεπλεύσαμενhupepleusamenwe sailed underG5284

τὴνtēn<the>G3588

ΚύπρονKupronCyprusG2954

διὰdiabecause ofG1223

τὸto<the>G3588

τοὺςtoustheG3588

ἀνέμουςanemouswindsG417

εἶναιeinaibeingG1511

ἐναντίους,enantiouscontrary,G1727

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Acts 27:4

Acts 4:36
And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,
Acts 27:7
And when we had sailed slowly many days, and scarce were come over against Cnidus, the wind not suffering us, we sailed under Crete, over against Salmone;
Acts 21:16
There went with us also certain of the disciples of Cesarea, and brought with them one Mnason of Cyprus, an old disciple, with whom we should lodge.
Acts 11:19-20
Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only. And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus.
Acts 15:39
And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus;
Matthew 14:24
But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.
Acts 21:3
Now when we had discovered Cyprus, we left it on the left hand, and sailed into Syria, and landed at Tyre: for there the ship was to unlade her burden.
Mark 6:48
And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them.
Acts 13:4
So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Cyprus.
4:36; 11:19,20; 13:4; 15:39; 21:3,16
the winds.
Mt 14:24; Mr 6:48

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

Acts 27:3
And the next day we touched at Sidon. And Julius courteously entreated Paul, and gave him liberty to go unto his friends to refresh himself.
Acts 27:4
And when we had launched from thence, we sailed under Cyprus, because the winds were contrary.
Acts 27:5
And when we had sailed over the sea of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city of Lycia.

Read all of Acts 27

Acts 27:4 in other languages

Spanish Reina-Valera 1909	Y haciéndonos á la vela desde allí, navegamos bajo de Cipro, porque los vientos eran contrarios.
French Bible J.N. Darby 1885	Et étant partis de là, nous avons vogué à l’abri de Chypre, parce que les vents étaient contraires;
German Elberfelder 1871	Und von da fuhren wir ab und segelten unter Cypern hin, weil die Winde uns entgegen waren.
Latin Clementine Vulgate	Et inde cum sustulissemus, subnavigavimus Cyprum, propterea quod essent venti contrarii.