Acts 28:11 (KJV)

What does Acts 28:11 mean?

Acts 28:11 describes how, after spending three months on the island, Paul and his companions left on an Alexandrian ship that had spent the winter there, and the ship’s figurehead was Castor and Pollux. This verse marks the next step in Paul’s journey toward Rome after being shipwrecked.

Paul is the main person involved, and he is traveling with others under Roman guard. The group had been stranded on the island of Malta after a shipwreck and waited there through the winter. The mention of the ship’s sign, Castor and Pollux—twin gods from Greek and Roman mythology—shows the kind of vessels used for travel at the time and gives a historical detail about the journey.

The Greek behind Acts 28:11

• Ἀλεξανδρῖνος (Alexandria, transliterated "Alexandria"): This word points to the ship’s origin, likely from the Egyptian city of Alexandria, which was a major grain supplier for Rome. Ships from Alexandria were large and important for trade.
• παραχειμάζω (paracheimazō, “wintered”): This verb means to spend the winter somewhere, highlighting that travel was paused due to seasonal dangers at sea, and only resumed when conditions improved.
• παράσημον (parasēmon, “sign”): This refers to the figurehead or emblem on the ship, in this case, Castor and Pollux. It shows how ships were identified and sometimes dedicated to certain deities for protection.

Why Acts 28:11 matters

• Acts 28:11 gives a concrete historical detail, showing the real-life conditions and practices of ancient sea travel, such as waiting out the winter and the use of ship figureheads.
• The mention of Castor and Pollux, pagan gods, on the ship Paul traveled on, highlights the cultural diversity and religious environment of the Roman world, even as Paul, a Christian apostle, continued his mission.
• This verse connects the narrative flow from the shipwreck on Malta to Paul’s eventual arrival in Rome, showing God’s provision and the unfolding of Paul’s journey despite obstacles.