Acts 16:11

What does Acts 16:11 mean?

A plain-English look at Acts 16:11 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Acts 16:11 means

They set sail from Troas, making a direct run to Samothrace and then to Neapolis the next day. The swift voyage hints at favorable conditions and God’s providential timing. Luke, a careful recorder, anchors the mission in real places and times, reinforcing that the gospel advances in history, not myth. The journey’s efficiency underscores their eagerness to obey the call. By noting intermediate stops, Luke shows the practical steps of mission: decisions become miles, miles become ministry. The sea that once separated continents now becomes the roadway for Christ’s message to enter a new region, soon to take root in Philippi.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Setting sail therefore from Troas, we made a straight course to Samothrace, and the day following to Neapolis;

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Therefore loosing from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, and the next day to Neapolis;

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Setting sail therefore from Troas, we made a straight course to Samothrace, and the day following to Neapolis;

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

So, from Troas we went straight by ship to Samothrace and the day after to Neapolis;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

having set sail, therefore, from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, on the morrow also to Neapolis,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And sailing from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, and the day following to Neapolis.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Having sailed therefore away from Troas, we went in a straight course to Samothracia, and on the morrow to Neapolis,

Context

Verse 11 begins the crossing into Macedonia after the team’s Spirit-led decision in verse 10. The itinerary places them on a direct path to Philippi, which they will reach in verse 12. These travel notices also signal the narrative’s precision and credibility. Next comes the strategic description of Philippi and the team’s initial days there, preparing for ministry that starts unconventionally at a riverside prayer gathering rather than a synagogue.

v.10And when he had seen the vision, straightway we sought to go forth into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel unto them.

v.11This passage

v.12and from thence to Philippi, which is a city of Macedonia, the first of the district, a Roman colony: and we were in this city tarrying certain days.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Acts 21:1

    And when it came to pass that we were parted from them and had set sail, we came with a straight course unto Cos, and the next day unto Rhodes, and from thence unto Patara:

  • Acts 16:8

    and passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas.

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