Acts 28:13
And from thence we fetched a compass, and came to Rhegium: and after one day the south wind blew, and we came the next day to Puteoli:
Original Language Analysis
ὅθεν
And from thence
G3606
ὅθεν
And from thence
Strong's:
G3606
Word #:
1 of 15
from which place or source or cause (adverb or conjunction)
περιελθόντες
we fetched a compass
G4022
περιελθόντες
we fetched a compass
Strong's:
G4022
Word #:
2 of 15
to come all around, i.e., stroll, vacillate, veer
κατηντήσαμεν
and came
G2658
κατηντήσαμεν
and came
Strong's:
G2658
Word #:
3 of 15
to meet against, i.e., arrive at (literally or figuratively)
εἰς
to
G1519
εἰς
to
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
4 of 15
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
6 of 15
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
μετὰ
after
G3326
μετὰ
after
Strong's:
G3326
Word #:
7 of 15
properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)
ἡμέραν
day
G2250
ἡμέραν
day
Strong's:
G2250
Word #:
9 of 15
day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of
νότου
the south wind
G3558
νότου
the south wind
Strong's:
G3558
Word #:
11 of 15
the south(-west) wind; by extension, the southern quarter itself
δευτεραῖοι
the next day
G1206
δευτεραῖοι
the next day
Strong's:
G1206
Word #:
12 of 15
secondary, i.e., (specially) on the second day
ἤλθομεν
and we came
G2064
ἤλθομεν
and we came
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
13 of 15
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
Historical Context
Puteoli (modern Pozzuoli) near Naples served as Rome's primary grain port before Ostia's development. Egyptian grain ships regularly docked there. The Appian Way connected Puteoli to Rome, making it the natural disembarkation point for prisoners and travelers heading to the capital.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you maintain faith that God controls 'winds and waves' affecting your circumstances?
- What role do seemingly random events (like wind direction) play in accomplishing God's purposes?
Analysis & Commentary
We fetched a compass—This nautical term (περιελόντες, perielontes) means 'tacking' or sailing a circuitous route due to contrary winds. From Syracuse they reached Rhegium (modern Reggio Calabria) at Italy's southern tip. After a day, the south wind blew (ἐπιγενομένου νότου, epigenomenou notou), providing favorable conditions for the 180-mile journey north to Puteoli.
This detailed maritime description reflects Luke's physician-precision and establishes chronology. God's providential care extends to weather patterns—the south wind arrived exactly when needed, enabling Paul's progress toward Rome and his destiny to testify before Caesar (23:11).