Acts 28:11 - After three months, we set sail in a ship of Alexandria which had wintered in the island, whose sign was “The Twin Brothers.”
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What does "Acts 28:11" mean?
This verse, Acts 28:11, describes the departure of Paul and his companions from the island of Malta after they had spent the winter there. Let's break down the meaning:
"After three months...": This indicates that Paul and his companions spent the winter months (probably December to February) on the island of Malta. They had been shipwrecked there in the fall (Acts 27).
"...we set sail in a ship of Alexandria...": Alexandria was a major port city in Egypt known for its shipbuilding and trade. This indicates the ship was built in Alexandria and likely operated out of that port.
"...which had wintered in the island...": This clarifies that the ship had also spent the winter in Malta. This suggests that sailing was generally avoided during the winter months due to hazardous weather conditions in the Mediterranean. Ships would often find safe harbor and wait for the sailing season to resume in the spring.
"...whose sign was 'The Twin Brothers.'": This refers to the ship's figurehead or emblem. "The Twin Brothers" (Greek: Dioscuri) were Castor and Pollux in Greek and Roman mythology. They were twin brothers revered as protectors of sailors. Ships often had such symbols for good luck and protection on their voyages. A ship's emblem was a significant part of its identity and would have been recognizable to people in port cities.
In summary:
The verse tells us that after a three-month stay on Malta, Paul and his group were able to leave the island on a ship from Alexandria that had also been waiting out the winter. The ship was identifiable by its figurehead, which depicted the Dioscuri (Castor and Pollux), mythological figures associated with protection at sea. This detail gives us a glimpse into the maritime culture of the time and provides a specific detail about the ship that carried Paul on the next leg of his journey to Rome.
Acts 28:11 - After three months, we set sail in a ship of Alexandria which had wintered in the island, whose sign was “The Twin Brothers.”
What does "Acts 28:11" mean?
This verse, Acts 28:11, describes the departure of Paul and his companions from the island of Malta after they had spent the winter there. Let's break down the meaning:
"After three months...": This indicates that Paul and his companions spent the winter months (probably December to February) on the island of Malta. They had been shipwrecked there in the fall (Acts 27).
"...we set sail in a ship of Alexandria...": Alexandria was a major port city in Egypt known for its shipbuilding and trade. This indicates the ship was built in Alexandria and likely operated out of that port.
"...which had wintered in the island...": This clarifies that the ship had also spent the winter in Malta. This suggests that sailing was generally avoided during the winter months due to hazardous weather conditions in the Mediterranean. Ships would often find safe harbor and wait for the sailing season to resume in the spring.
"...whose sign was 'The Twin Brothers.'": This refers to the ship's figurehead or emblem. "The Twin Brothers" (Greek: Dioscuri) were Castor and Pollux in Greek and Roman mythology. They were twin brothers revered as protectors of sailors. Ships often had such symbols for good luck and protection on their voyages. A ship's emblem was a significant part of its identity and would have been recognizable to people in port cities.
In summary:
The verse tells us that after a three-month stay on Malta, Paul and his group were able to leave the island on a ship from Alexandria that had also been waiting out the winter. The ship was identifiable by its figurehead, which depicted the Dioscuri (Castor and Pollux), mythological figures associated with protection at sea. This detail gives us a glimpse into the maritime culture of the time and provides a specific detail about the ship that carried Paul on the next leg of his journey to Rome.