“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;”
We made slow headway for many days and had difficulty arriving off Cnidus. The wind did not allow us to hold our course, so we sailed under the lee of Crete, opposite Salmone. - 'Slow headway' (dysxereō, dysxereō-'with difficulty, with hardship') marks the struggle. The winds prevent direct passage; the ship must navigate 'under the lee of Crete' (hypopleō...tēn Krētēn, hypopleō...tēn Krētēn), seeking shelter. The phrase 'opposite Salmone' (kata Salmōnēn, kata Salmōnēn) gives the precise lee position where the ship shelters. Luke's technical language reflects actual nautical practice.
Church Fathers on Acts 27:7
And when we had sailed slowly many days, and scarce had come over against Cnidus, the wind not suffering us, we sailed under Crete, over against Salmone; and, hardly passing it, came unto a place which is called the fair havens; near whereunto was the city of Lasea. Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them. Acts 27:7-9 By the fast here, I suppose he means that of the Jews. For they departed…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS
Publish a reflection on this verse
No reflections on this verse yet. Be the first to write one!