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

ACTS 27:8KJV
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Acts 27:8 (KJV)

What does Acts 27:8 mean?

Acts 27:8 describes how Paul and those with him, struggling to make progress along the coast, finally reached a place called Fair Havens, which was near the city of Lasea. The verse highlights the difficulty of their journey and pinpoints their location as they traveled by ship.

In this part of Acts, Luke is narrating the journey of Paul as a prisoner being taken to Rome. The group is sailing along the southern coast of Crete, facing challenging conditions. "Hardly passing it" shows the struggle they had navigating the coastline, and "Fair Havens" is mentioned as a specific harbor, giving readers a clear sense of where the travelers were at this point in the story.

The Greek behind Acts 27:8

  • The word "hardly" (μόλις, molis) often means "with difficulty" or "barely," emphasizing that the journey was not easy and progress was slow.
  • "Fair" (καλός, kalos) means "good" or "beautiful," and "havens" (λιμένες, limenes) means "harbors" or "ports," so "Fair Havens" literally means "Good Harbors." This name may suggest the harbor's reputation, though later verses hint it was not ideal for wintering.
  • "Nigh" (ἐγγύς, engys) means "near," clarifying that the city of Lasea was close to Fair Havens, helping readers understand the geography.

Why Acts 27:8 matters

  • This verse helps readers follow the real, historical journey of Paul, showing the specific route and the challenges faced at sea.
  • The mention of Fair Havens and Lasea sets up the decision-making in the next verses about whether to stay or continue sailing, which becomes a turning point in the story.
  • Understanding the difficulty of the voyage adds to the tension and realism of the narrative, showing that even apostles faced real-world hardships.

Where else these words appear

“passing” Greek G3881 · used in 2 verses

  • Acts 27:13 And when the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, loosing thence, they sailed close by Crete.

“havens” Greek G3040 · used in 2 verses

  • Acts 27:12 And because the haven was not commodious to winter in, the more part advised to depart thence also, if by any means they might attain to Phenice, and there to winter; which is an haven of Crete, and lieth toward the south west and north west.

“hardly” Greek G3433 · used in 6 verses

  • Acts 14:18 And with these sayings scarce restrained they the people, that they had not done sacrifice unto them.
  • Acts 27:7 And when we had sailed slowly many days, and scarce were come over against Cnidus, the wind not suffering us, we sailed under Crete, over against Salmone;
  • Romans 5:7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.

“nigh” Greek G1451 · used in 30 verses

  • Matthew 24:32 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:
  • John 3:23 And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.
  • Acts 1:12 Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day's journey.