Devine Scripture

Acts 27:8

What does Acts 27:8 mean?

A plain-English look at Acts 27:8 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Acts 27:8 means

They labor along Crete’s coast and reach a place called Fair Havens, near Lasea. The very phrase “with difficulty” underscores the mounting strain. Fair Havens offers some shelter, but mariners judged it inconvenient to winter there. The verse frames the practical choice facing them: accept an imperfect haven and delay, or risk sailing a bit farther for a better port. The geography is not incidental; it sets the moral and practical test of patience versus ambition. In the tension between safety and progress, the voices of expertise, profit, and prudence will soon compete with Paul’s counsel.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

and with difficulty coasting along it we came unto a certain place called Fair Havens; nigh whereunto was the city of Lasea.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And, hardly passing it, came unto a place which is called The fair havens; nigh whereunto was the city of Lasea.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

and with difficulty coasting along it we came unto a certain place called Fair Havens; nigh whereunto was the city of Lasea.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And sailing down the side of it, as well as we were able, we came to a certain place named Fair Havens, near which was the town of Lasea.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and hardly passing it, we came to a certain place called `Fair Havens,' nigh to which was the city <FI>of<Fi> Lasaea.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And with much ado sailing by it, we came into a certain place, which is called Good-havens, nigh to which was the city of Thalassa.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and coasting it with difficulty we came to a certain place called Fair Havens, near to which was [the] city of Lasaea.

Context

After a slow and strenuous approach along Crete, the ship reaches Fair Havens. This becomes the decision point because the sailing season is turning dangerous. The next verses will mark time—“much time was spent”—and introduce Paul’s warning about loss if they proceed. The juxtaposition of a harbor named Fair Havens and the crew’s dissatisfaction with it heightens the irony: a safe, if inconvenient, refuge is at hand, yet they will seek something more favorable and, in doing so, sail toward disaster.

v.7And when we had sailed slowly many days, and were come with difficulty over against Cnidus, the wind not further suffering us, we sailed under the lee of Crete, over against Salmone;

v.8This passage

v.9And when much time was spent, and the voyage was now dangerous, because the Fast was now already gone by, Paul admonished them,

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