And whereas it was not a commodious haven to winter in, the greatest part gave counsel to sail thence, if by any means they might reach Phenice, to winter there, which is a haven of Crete, looking towards the southwest and northwest.
ανευθετου δε του λιμενος υπαρχοντος προς παραχειμασιαν οι πλειους εθεντο βουλην αναχθηναι κακειθεν ει πως δυναιντο καταντησαντες εις φοινικα παραχειμασαι λιμενα της κρητης βλεποντα κατα λιβα και κατα χωρον
6 Church Fathers comment on this verse
But they were in haste, and seeing the inconvenience of the place, they wished to winter in Phoenix. See, even the place shows that he had not spoken by conjecture, for it was inconvenient. Rather, those who advised sailing farther were speaking by conjecture. But no benefit came from this. On the contrary, they were caught in a storm and threw out the ship’s cargo.
Paul, being a prophet, announced the danger that would arise on the ship. But although he exhorted them, he did not persuade them to winter on Crete. Therefore fate did not lead them to this, but their own will.
When the ship stopped in the bay of Fair Havens, the season was already late. The fast of the Day of Atonement had already passed, on the tenth day of the month Tishri, in the second half of September. The winter months, dangerous for navigation, had arrived. Paul had gained considerable experience in sea journeys during his apostolic travels. He advised them to spend the winter in Fair Havens. But this bay was unsuitable for wintering. Therefore the centurion, trusting the helmsman and the ship's master more, agreed to the advice of others. They wished, if possible, to reach the harbor of Phoenix for the winter. It lay on the same shore of Crete, but capes jutting into the sea protected it better from the southwest and northwest winds.
Therefore, when a south wind blew, harmless for sailing, they set out and sailed close by Crete. But soon afterward a hurricane arose and began to drive the ship over the waves of the sea. All the usual means in such cases were used to keep the ship afloat and wait out the storm, but without success. For many days neither sun nor stars were visible because of the violent storm. At last all hope of salvation disappeared.
But nearby was the harbor of Phoenix, the usual winter station of Alexandrian ships. Therefore the captain of the ship was determined to winter there, especially since under ordinary circumstances only a few hours of sailing were needed. The centurion Julius agreed with the captain, and the ship did in fact set out.
The harbor, or bay, called Fair Havens was not suitable for wintering. Even so, this was the lesser evil compared with setting out on another stormy voyage. Paul therefore advised choosing the lesser evil in order to avoid the greater. At a convenient time they could move to a more suitable harbor on the island and winter there. Many agreed that Fair Havens was unsuitable for wintering. They advised trying to reach the harbor of Phoenix, though without waiting for a proper time, as Paul advised. This was because of the southwest and northwest winds then blowing, which opposed the ship's course. The harbor city of Phoenix lay on the same southern shore of Crete as Fair Havens. But capes projecting into the sea protected the harbor from the winds better than at Fair Havens.
The direction of the ship belonged to the helmsman and the master, with whom the centurion agreed. But because navigation was difficult, the other sailors also began to give their opinions. Many of them said they should go down to the harbor of Phoenix. It was protected from the western winds then blowing, ZW and NW, by mountainous capes jutting southward into the sea. Besides, it was more spacious there than at Fair Havens. For this reason they could live through the whole cold season there, which in that region usually does not last long. The wind itself seemed to support this opinion, for for a time it became favorable for sailing to the named place. So the travelers sailed successfully, but only for a very short time.
Not in vain did the writer of Acts note without approval that the centurion acted thus. Although he respected Paul generally, in this case he first inclined toward those whom it was natural to hear. Then he inclined toward those whom he could have ignored, yet their opinion was accepted for execution.
Passages read together with this verse.
Greek text, 29 words with lemma, transliteration and Strong’s number. Tap to expand.
THEOSIS