And putting out to sea from there we sailed under the lee of Cyprus, because the winds were against us.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The text highlights that they sailed "under the lee of Cyprus" because the winds were against them. This wasn't just a detour; it was a deliberate maneuver to use the island's shelter from the unfavorable wind, showing how even in difficult journeys, there are strategic ways to navigate adversity.
And putting out to sea from there we sailed under the lee of Cyprus, because the winds were against us.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul and the others, now prisoners on a ship bound for Italy, had just left Sidon where Paul received a kindness from the centurion Julius. Because the prevailing winds were unfavorable for their westward journey, they sailed close to the eastern shore of Cyprus, using the island to shield them from the harsh wind. This strategic detour meant they would have to navigate along the coast of Asia Minor rather than taking the more direct route.
Ever feel like you're trying to move forward, but the 'winds' of life just aren't cooperating? This verse shows us how to navigate.
Paul's journey to Rome wasn't a straight shot. Here, the ship's captain has to make a crucial decision:
Adapting to the Elements
Instead of taking the direct western route towards Italy (which would leave Cyprus to their right), the ship sails under the lee of Cyprus. This means they hugged the eastern and southern coasts of the island, using it as a shield against the unfavorable winds. The scholars point out that the prevailing winds at this time of year (late August) were often westerly. So, to make progress west, they had to sail north around Cyprus first, effectively going out of their way.
The Principle of Prudent Progress
This isn't about giving up; it's about wisdom. Just as sailors use land to block harsh winds, we can use circumstances or even perceived setbacks as opportunities to gain strategic advantage. It's about making the best progress possible when the conditions aren't ideal, rather than stubbornly pushing against a gale force wind and risking disaster.
Paul was a prisoner, and the ship's captain was in charge. Yet, God's purposes were unfolding perfectly, even with contrary winds.
While the text focuses on the practical navigation of the ship, the larger context of Acts reveals a divine orchestration.
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God's Unseen Hand
Paul's ultimate destination was Rome, a fact determined not by the ship's captain or the Roman authorities, but by God. The commentary notes that 'it was determined by the counsel of God... that Paul should go to Rome; for God had work for him to do there.' This journey, fraught with difficulty, was a necessary step in God's plan for Paul to testify in Rome.
Trust When Direction Changes
Even when Paul's journey took unexpected turns due to the wind, his ultimate safety and arrival were guaranteed by God's sovereign will. This teaches us that even when our circumstances force us off our intended path, God can still be working His purposes out through us. We can trust that His plans are not derailed by unfavorable winds, but can even use them to guide us where He intends.
The detour under Cyprus wasn't just a navigational choice; it highlights how even in Paul's divinely ordained journey to Rome, human decisions and unpredictable weather forced them to adapt, demonstrating God's ability to work through difficult circumstances.
c. AD 57-59
Paul's Appeal to Caesar
Following his arrest in Jerusalem and subsequent trials in Caesarea, Paul appeals to Emperor Nero, initiating his journey to Rome under Roman guard.
Late August AD 59
Departure from Sidon
Paul and his companions set sail from Sidon, a port city where Julius, the centurion, kindly allows Paul to visit friends and receive provisions.
Late August AD 59— this verse
Sailing under the Lee of Cyprus
The ship deviates from the direct westward route to Italy, sailing north along the eastern coast of Cyprus to find shelter from unfavorable westerly winds.
Early September AD 59
Reaching Myra
After navigating the seas off Cilicia and Pamphylia, the ship arrives at Myra, a port city in Lycia, where they transfer to an Alexandrian grain ship bound for Italy.
Mid-September AD 59
Struggling Towards Fair Havens
Facing strong headwinds, the ship makes slow progress, eventually reaching Fair Havens on the island of Crete, a place deemed unsuitable for winter anchorage.
Late September AD 59
Shipwreck near Malta
Ignoring Paul's warning, the crew attempts to reach Phoenix, a more sheltered harbor on Crete, but encounters a violent storm and is shipwrecked on the island of Malta.
Early AD 60
Arrival in Rome
After their rescue and a subsequent journey, Paul finally arrives in Rome, where he lives under house arrest for two years, continuing to preach the gospel.
This passage speaks to how even when people try to act wisely and seek counsel, they might still end up doing the opposite of what God intends, much like Paul's ship taking a detour due to contrary winds instead of the direct route.
Proverbs 3:5-6This verse highlights the importance of trusting in the Lord, even when the winds of life are against us and our intended path is obstructed, mirroring the crew's need to navigate difficult circumstances.
Romans 8:28Even when circumstances seem unfavorable, like sailing against the wind, this verse assures believers that God is working all things for good, a truth Paul would have clung to during this challenging voyage.
Psalm 107:23-30This psalm vividly describes sailors in distress who cry out to the Lord and are delivered from storms, paralleling the perilous sea journey Paul and his companions faced and their eventual reliance on divine intervention.
henryActs 27:1-11: "And when it was determined that we should sail into Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners unto one named Julius, a centurion of Augustus' band."
27:1-11 It was determined by the counsel of God, before it was determined by the counsel of Festus, that Paul should go to Rome; for God had work for him to do there. The course they steered, and the places they touched at, are here set down. And God here encourages those who suffer for him, to trust in him; for he can p…
pulpitActs 27:4: "And when we had launched from thence, we sailed under Cyprus, because the winds were contrary."
Verse 4. - Putting to sea (ἀνάχθεντες, see ver. 3, note) for when we had launched, A.V.; under the lee of for under, A.V. We sailed under the lee of; ὑπεπλεύσαμεν, only here and ver. 7. A nautical term, very rarely met with. The winds were contrary. The wind apparently was westerly, the prevalent wind at that season of the year. Smith ('Voyage and Shipwreck of St. Paul') quotes Admiral De…
The text highlights that they sailed "under the lee of Cyprus" because the winds were against them. This wasn't just a detour; it was a deliberate maneuver to use the island's shelter from the unfavorable wind, showing how even in difficult journeys, there are strategic ways to navigate adversity.
Paul and the others, now prisoners on a ship bound for Italy, had just left Sidon where Paul received a kindness from the centurion Julius. Because the prevailing winds were unfavorable for their westward journey, they sailed close to the eastern shore of Cyprus, using the island to shield them from the harsh wind. This strategic detour meant they would have to navigate along the coast of Asia Minor rather than taking the more direct route.
Paul and the others, now prisoners on a ship bound for Italy, had just left Sidon where Paul received a kindness from the centurion Julius. Because the prevailing winds were unfavorable for their westward journey, they sailed close to the eastern shore of Cyprus, using the island to shield them from the harsh wind. This strategic detour meant they would have to navigate along the coast of Asia Minor rather than taking the more direct route.
"And putting out to sea from there we sailed under the lee of Cyprus, because the winds were against us." — The text highlights that they sailed "under the lee of Cyprus" because the winds were against them. This wasn't just a detour; it was a deliberate maneuver to use the island's shelter from the unfa…
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Last reviewed October 2026