Paul and his companions spent the winter on the island of Malta. Ships began to sail again toward the middle of February. The centurion was able to secure passage on another Alexandrian ship, perhaps another grain ship, that had wintered in one of the Maltese ports. Valetta was the largest of these ports. Paul still had about210 miles to go before he reached Rome. [source][source][source]
Luke"s reference to the figurehead of this ship, from which it took its name, is unusual. This is the only ship"s name that he recorded in Acts. The twin brothers were Castor and Pollux who were two gods thought to guard the safety of sailors. They were the sons of Zeus and Leda, queen of Sparta, whom Zeus transformed into gods, according to Greek mythology. The constellation Gemini represents them, and anyone who saw it during a storm supposedly would have good luck. [1] Perhaps Luke mentioned them to contrast God"s real protection, as illustrated in the previous chapter and this one, with the protection the pagans superstitiously thought these gods provided. I can imagine Paul saying to Luke as they got ready to board this ship, "We have a better Protector than the twin brothers!"[source]
Context Summary
Acts 28:11-20 - Still Seeking His Own Kinsmen
Paul went toward Rome, as we have seen, under very different circumstances from those that he originally anticipated; but, after all, they gave him the greatest opportunity of his life. The things that befell him were for the furtherance of the gospel. In no other way could he have approached or touched such men as the centurion, or the members of Caesar's household, or Publius, or Nero himself.
It was very good of Julius to give Paul seven days' rest in the lovely bay of Puteoli, at the foot of Vesuvius. The little towns of Pompeii and Herculaneum were not yet overwhelmed. What teaching and what happy fellowship the little church now enjoyed! Forty-three miles from Rome, at Appii Forum, a body of Christians awaited the Apostle with greetings, and ten miles farther on, at the Three Taverns, was another group. If Paul had entertained fears about his reception, they were immediately dispelled. The Apostle thanked God and took courage.
How he had longed to see mighty Rome! He was now allowed to live in his own house, chained to a soldier. In these circumstances he was secure from the hatred and plottings of the Jews, who in every city had endangered his life and impeded his labors. [source]
Chapter Summary: Acts 28
1Paul, after his shipwreck, is kindly entertained on Malta 5The snake on his hand hurts him not 8He heals many diseases in the island 11They depart toward Rome 17He declares to the Jews the cause of his coming 24After his preaching some were persuaded, and some believed not 30Yet he preaches there two years
Greek Commentary for Acts 28:11
Which had wintered [παρακεχειμακοτι] Perfect active participle of παραχειμαζω paracheimazō to pass the winter. Old verb, in N.T. only Acts 27:12; Acts 28:11; 1 Corinthians 16:6; Titus 3:12. The locative case agreeing with πλοιωι ploiōi Navigation in the Mediterranean usually opened up in February (always by March), spring beginning on Feb. 9 (Page). [source]
Whose sign was the Twin Brothers [παρασημωι Διοσκουροις] The word παρασημωι parasēmōi can be either a substantive (as Revised Version has it) or an adjective “marked by the sign,” examples of both uses common in ancient Greek. Διοσκουροις Dioskourois is in apposition with παρασημωι parasēmōi The word means the twin sons (κουρος kouros or κορος koros) of Zeus (Διος Dios genitive of ευς Zeus) and Leda, viz., Castor and Pollux. The Attic used the dual, τω Διοσκορω tō Dioskorō Castor and Pollux were the tutelary deities of sailors whose figures were painted one on each side of the prow of the ship. This sign was the name of the ship. So they start in another grain ship of Alexandria bound for Rome. [source]
Sign [] Answering to the ship's name in modern times. It was the image of a god, a man, a beast, or of some other object, sculptured or painted on the prow. The figure of the guardian deity was affixed to the stern. [source]
Castor and Pollux [] Known as the twin brothers and the Dioscuri, or sons of Jove. They were regarded as tutelary deities of sailors. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Acts 28:11
Acts 27:12The more part advised [οι πλειονες ετεντο βουλην] Second aorist middle indicative of τιτημι tithēmi ancient idiom with βουλην boulēn to take counsel, give counsel. Lysias held a council of the officers of the ship on the issue raised by Paul. If by any means they could reach Phoenix and winter there (ει πως δυναιντο καταντησαντες εις Ποινικα παραχειμασαι ei pōs dunainto katantēsantes eis Phoinika paracheimasai). The optative δυναιντο dunainto (present middle of δυναμαι dunamai) here with ει ei is a condition of the fourth class with the notion of purpose implied and indirect discourse (Robertson, Grammar, p. 1021). “We vote for going on the chance that we may be able” (Page). Phoenix is the town of palms (John 12:13), the modern Lutro, the only town in Crete on the southern coast with a harbour fit for wintering, though Wordsworth and Page argue for Phineka which suits Luke‘s description better. The verb παραχειμαζω paracheimazō to winter, is from παρα para and χειμων cheimōn (see also Acts 28:11). Used in several Koiné{[28928]}š writers. Looking northeast and southeast There are two ways of interpreting this language. Λιπς Lips means the southwest wind and χωρος chōros the northwest wind. But what is the effect of κατα kata with these words? Does it mean “facing” the wind? If so, we must read “looking southwest and northwest.” But κατα kata can mean down the line of the wind (the way the wind is blowing). If so, then it is proper to translate “looking northeast and southeast.” This translation suits Lutro, the other suits Phoenike. Ramsay takes it to be Lutro, and suggests that sailors describe the harbour by the way it looks as they go into it (the subjectivity of the sailors) and that Luke so speaks and means Lutro which faces northeast and southeast. On the whole Lutro has the best of the argument. [source]
Acts 27:12If by any means they could reach Phoenix and winter there [ει πως δυναιντο καταντησαντες εις Ποινικα παραχειμασαι] The optative δυναιντο dunainto (present middle of δυναμαι dunamai) here with ει ei is a condition of the fourth class with the notion of purpose implied and indirect discourse (Robertson, Grammar, p. 1021). “We vote for going on the chance that we may be able” (Page). Phoenix is the town of palms (John 12:13), the modern Lutro, the only town in Crete on the southern coast with a harbour fit for wintering, though Wordsworth and Page argue for Phineka which suits Luke‘s description better. The verb παραχειμαζω paracheimazō to winter, is from παρα para and χειμων cheimōn (see also Acts 28:11). Used in several Koiné{[28928]}š writers. [source]
Acts 28:1Was called [καλειται] Present passive indicative retained in indirect discourse. Melita (Μελιτη Melitē). Not Μιλετενη Miletenē as only B reads, a clerical error, but retained in the text of Westcott and Hort because of B. Page notes that the island was Malta as is shown from the name, the location, the presence of a ship from Alexandria bound for Rome wintering there (Acts 28:11), and the mention of Syracuse as the next stop after leaving (Acts 28:12). [source]
Acts 28:1Melita [Μελιτη] Not Μιλετενη Miletenē as only B reads, a clerical error, but retained in the text of Westcott and Hort because of B. Page notes that the island was Malta as is shown from the name, the location, the presence of a ship from Alexandria bound for Rome wintering there (Acts 28:11), and the mention of Syracuse as the next stop after leaving (Acts 28:12). [source]
Acts 28:11Which had wintered [παρακεχειμακοτι] Perfect active participle of παραχειμαζω paracheimazō to pass the winter. Old verb, in N.T. only Acts 27:12; Acts 28:11; 1 Corinthians 16:6; Titus 3:12. The locative case agreeing with πλοιωι ploiōi Navigation in the Mediterranean usually opened up in February (always by March), spring beginning on Feb. 9 (Page). [source]
Acts 28:12Touching [καταχτεντες] First aorist passive participle of καταγω katagō to go down to land, just the opposite of ανηχτημεν anēchthēmen in Acts 28:11 from αναγω anagō go up to sea. [source]
1 Corinthians 16:6Or even winter [η και παραχειμασω] Future active of late verb παραχειμαζω paracheimazō See note on Acts 27:12; note on Acts 28:11; and note on Titus 3:12. He did stay in Corinth for three months (Acts 20:3), probably the coming winter. Whithersoever I go (ου εαν πορευωμαι hou ean poreuōmai). Indefinite local clause with subjunctive. As a matter of fact, Paul had to flee from a conspiracy in Corinth (Acts 20:3). [source]
Parse: Noun, Dative Masculine Plural
Root: Διόσκουροι
Sense: Castor and Pollux, were the twin sons on Jupiter and Leda, and were regarded as the tutelary divinities of sailors.
What are the major concepts related to Acts 28:11?
Greek Commentary for Acts 28:11
Perfect active participle of παραχειμαζω paracheimazō to pass the winter. Old verb, in N.T. only Acts 27:12; Acts 28:11; 1 Corinthians 16:6; Titus 3:12. The locative case agreeing with πλοιωι ploiōi Navigation in the Mediterranean usually opened up in February (always by March), spring beginning on Feb. 9 (Page). [source]
The word παρασημωι parasēmōi can be either a substantive (as Revised Version has it) or an adjective “marked by the sign,” examples of both uses common in ancient Greek. Διοσκουροις Dioskourois is in apposition with παρασημωι parasēmōi The word means the twin sons (κουρος kouros or κορος koros) of Zeus (Διος Dios genitive of ευς Zeus) and Leda, viz., Castor and Pollux. The Attic used the dual, τω Διοσκορω tō Dioskorō Castor and Pollux were the tutelary deities of sailors whose figures were painted one on each side of the prow of the ship. This sign was the name of the ship. So they start in another grain ship of Alexandria bound for Rome. [source]
Answering to the ship's name in modern times. It was the image of a god, a man, a beast, or of some other object, sculptured or painted on the prow. The figure of the guardian deity was affixed to the stern. [source]
Known as the twin brothers and the Dioscuri, or sons of Jove. They were regarded as tutelary deities of sailors. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Acts 28:11
Second aorist middle indicative of τιτημι tithēmi ancient idiom with βουλην boulēn to take counsel, give counsel. Lysias held a council of the officers of the ship on the issue raised by Paul. If by any means they could reach Phoenix and winter there (ει πως δυναιντο καταντησαντες εις Ποινικα παραχειμασαι ei pōs dunainto katantēsantes eis Phoinika paracheimasai). The optative δυναιντο dunainto (present middle of δυναμαι dunamai) here with ει ei is a condition of the fourth class with the notion of purpose implied and indirect discourse (Robertson, Grammar, p. 1021). “We vote for going on the chance that we may be able” (Page). Phoenix is the town of palms (John 12:13), the modern Lutro, the only town in Crete on the southern coast with a harbour fit for wintering, though Wordsworth and Page argue for Phineka which suits Luke‘s description better. The verb παραχειμαζω paracheimazō to winter, is from παρα para and χειμων cheimōn (see also Acts 28:11). Used in several Koiné{[28928]}š writers. Looking northeast and southeast There are two ways of interpreting this language. Λιπς Lips means the southwest wind and χωρος chōros the northwest wind. But what is the effect of κατα kata with these words? Does it mean “facing” the wind? If so, we must read “looking southwest and northwest.” But κατα kata can mean down the line of the wind (the way the wind is blowing). If so, then it is proper to translate “looking northeast and southeast.” This translation suits Lutro, the other suits Phoenike. Ramsay takes it to be Lutro, and suggests that sailors describe the harbour by the way it looks as they go into it (the subjectivity of the sailors) and that Luke so speaks and means Lutro which faces northeast and southeast. On the whole Lutro has the best of the argument. [source]
The optative δυναιντο dunainto (present middle of δυναμαι dunamai) here with ει ei is a condition of the fourth class with the notion of purpose implied and indirect discourse (Robertson, Grammar, p. 1021). “We vote for going on the chance that we may be able” (Page). Phoenix is the town of palms (John 12:13), the modern Lutro, the only town in Crete on the southern coast with a harbour fit for wintering, though Wordsworth and Page argue for Phineka which suits Luke‘s description better. The verb παραχειμαζω paracheimazō to winter, is from παρα para and χειμων cheimōn (see also Acts 28:11). Used in several Koiné{[28928]}š writers. [source]
Present passive indicative retained in indirect discourse. Melita (Μελιτη Melitē). Not Μιλετενη Miletenē as only B reads, a clerical error, but retained in the text of Westcott and Hort because of B. Page notes that the island was Malta as is shown from the name, the location, the presence of a ship from Alexandria bound for Rome wintering there (Acts 28:11), and the mention of Syracuse as the next stop after leaving (Acts 28:12). [source]
Not Μιλετενη Miletenē as only B reads, a clerical error, but retained in the text of Westcott and Hort because of B. Page notes that the island was Malta as is shown from the name, the location, the presence of a ship from Alexandria bound for Rome wintering there (Acts 28:11), and the mention of Syracuse as the next stop after leaving (Acts 28:12). [source]
Perfect active participle of παραχειμαζω paracheimazō to pass the winter. Old verb, in N.T. only Acts 27:12; Acts 28:11; 1 Corinthians 16:6; Titus 3:12. The locative case agreeing with πλοιωι ploiōi Navigation in the Mediterranean usually opened up in February (always by March), spring beginning on Feb. 9 (Page). [source]
First aorist passive participle of καταγω katagō to go down to land, just the opposite of ανηχτημεν anēchthēmen in Acts 28:11 from αναγω anagō go up to sea. [source]
Future active of late verb παραχειμαζω paracheimazō See note on Acts 27:12; note on Acts 28:11; and note on Titus 3:12. He did stay in Corinth for three months (Acts 20:3), probably the coming winter. Whithersoever I go (ου εαν πορευωμαι hou ean poreuōmai). Indefinite local clause with subjunctive. As a matter of fact, Paul had to flee from a conspiracy in Corinth (Acts 20:3). [source]
Comp. Acts 27:12; Acts 28:11; 1 Corinthians 16:6. The noun παραχειμασία wintering Acts 27:12. [source]