Acts 28:11

KJV

¶ And after three months we departed in a ship of Alexandria, which had wintered in the isle, whose sign was Castor and Pollux.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} after {G3326} three {G5140} months {G3376} we departed {G321} in {G1722} a ship {G4143} of Alexandria {G222}, which had wintered {G3914} in {G1722} the isle {G3520}, whose sign {G3902} was Castor and Pollux {G1359}.

Complete Jewish Bible

After three months, we sailed away on a ship from Alexandria called “Twin Gods,” which had passed the winter at the island.

Berean Standard Bible

After three months we set sail in an Alexandrian ship that had wintered in the island. It had the Twin Brothers as a figurehead.

American Standard Version

And after three months we set sail in a ship of Alexandria which had wintered in the island, whose sign was The Twin Brothers.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 28:11 marks a pivotal moment in Paul's journey to Rome, detailing the departure from Malta after a three-month wintering period. This verse provides specific historical and cultural details about the ship secured for the next leg of the voyage, identifying it as an Alexandrian vessel bearing the pagan sign of Castor and Pollux, thereby underscoring the providential continuation of Paul's mission despite significant delays and the secular context in which God's purposes unfold.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Acts 28:11 serves as a crucial transition point, picking up the narrative thread immediately after Paul and his companions' unexpected three-month stay on the island of Malta, following their dramatic shipwreck in [Acts 27](/acts/27 "Acts 27 - Paul's Perilous Voyage and Shipwreck"). The preceding verses in [Acts 28:1-10](/acts/28-1-10 "Acts 28:1-10 - Paul on Malta") recount the miraculous events on the island, including Paul's survival of a viper bite and his healing ministry, which brought honor and provisions to the shipwrecked group. Verse 11 signals the end of this unplanned interlude and the resumption of the divinely ordained journey toward Rome, a destination that had been prophesied by the Lord himself in [Acts 23:11](/acts/23-11 "Acts 23:11 - The Lord's Assurance to Paul"). It demonstrates Luke's meticulous attention to detail in tracing the progress of the gospel from Jerusalem to the heart of the Roman Empire.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The mention of an "Alexandrian ship" is significant. Alexandria, in Egypt, was one of the ancient world's most important port cities, renowned for its vast grain fleets that supplied Rome. These ships were typically large, robust vessels capable of long voyages, making them suitable for transporting goods and passengers across the Mediterranean. The detail "whose sign was Castor and Pollux" refers to the ship's figurehead or painted emblem on the prow. Castor and Pollux, known as the Dioscuri, were twin brothers in Greek and Roman mythology, revered as patrons of sailors and associated with safe passage and favorable winds. Mariners would invoke them for protection against storms. This practice highlights the pervasive pagan religious beliefs and superstitions of the Greco-Roman world, even as God's plan for Paul's journey unfolded through these very channels.

* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes to several overarching themes in Acts. First, it powerfully illustrates **God's Providence in Delays and Adversity**. The shipwreck and the wintering period were not setbacks but rather divinely orchestrated detours that allowed for significant ministry on Malta, demonstrating God's sovereignty over natural disasters and human plans. Second, it underscores the **Unstoppable Advance of the Gospel Mission**. Despite imprisonment, storms, and delays, Paul's ultimate goal of reaching Rome to bear witness to Christ ([Acts 23:11](/acts/23-11 "Paul's Divine Mandate for Rome")) remains firmly on track. Finally, the inclusion of specific details like the ship's origin and sign reinforces the **Historical Veracity and Reliability of Luke's Account**. These precise, verifiable elements lend credibility to the narrative, assuring the reader that this is a factual historical record of the early church's expansion.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **months (Greek, _mḗn'_):** Refers to a standard lunar month, indicating a precise duration of three months. This period was likely dictated by the severe winter weather conditions, which made sea travel perilous and was a common practice for ancient mariners to "winter over" in safe harbors. The specific duration emphasizes the significant, yet temporary, pause in Paul's journey.
* **wintered (Greek, _paracheimázō'_):** From *para* (near) and *cheimazo* (to winter), meaning "to stay with over the rainy season" or "to winter near." This word highlights the necessity of the stay on Malta due to the dangerous winter storms that made sailing impossible or extremely hazardous. It underscores the practical realities of ancient maritime travel and the wisdom of waiting for safer conditions.
* **Castor and Pollux (Greek, _Dióskouroi'_):** Literally "sons of Jupiter" (Zeus), referring to the twin deities revered as protectors of sailors. The mention of this specific "sign" (Greek, *parasēmos*, meaning "side-marked" or "labeled with a badge") indicates the ship's identifying figurehead or emblem. This detail vividly portrays the pagan religious context of the Roman world, where even commercial vessels invoked mythical gods for protection, contrasting sharply with the divine providence that truly guided Paul's voyage.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And after three months":** This phrase precisely marks the duration of Paul and his companions' involuntary stay on Malta, emphasizing the end of the winter season and the resumption of favorable sailing conditions. It highlights the passage of time and the patience required during this divinely orchestrated delay.
* **"we departed in a ship of Alexandria":** "We departed" signifies the continuation of the journey, with Luke still including himself in Paul's company. The "ship of Alexandria" specifies its origin, indicating a large, well-built vessel from a major grain-shipping port, suggesting a reliable means of transport for the next leg of their voyage to Rome.
* **"which had wintered in the isle":** This clause clarifies that the ship they boarded had also been stranded on Malta for the winter, likely for the same reasons of safety. It indicates a practical solution for their continued travel, as they found a vessel ready to resume its journey once the weather improved.
* **"whose sign was Castor and Pollux":** This detail identifies the ship by its figurehead or emblem, a common practice in the ancient world. The "Dioscuri" were pagan deities invoked for safe passage, providing a striking contrast between the pagan superstitions of the mariners and the true divine protection that had been demonstrably at work throughout Paul's perilous journey.

#### Literary Devices
Luke's account in Acts 28:11 is rich with **Historical Detail**, a hallmark of his writing. The precise mention of "three months," "a ship of Alexandria," and "Castor and Pollux" grounds the narrative firmly in verifiable historical and cultural realities of the Roman world. This meticulousness lends significant credibility to the entire book of Acts, presenting it not as myth but as a factual record. The phrase "whose sign was Castor and Pollux" also employs **Symbolism** and **Irony**. The pagan symbol of protection on the ship's prow stands in stark contrast to the true divine protection and guidance that has been consistently demonstrated throughout Paul's journey, particularly during the recent shipwreck where God, not pagan deities, ensured their safety. This subtle **Juxtaposition** highlights the supremacy of God's providence over human superstition and the ordinary means through which His extraordinary purposes are accomplished. The verse also serves as a point of **Narrative Progression**, signaling the end of one significant episode (the Malta interlude) and the commencement of the final leg of Paul's journey to Rome, maintaining the forward momentum of the gospel's spread.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 28:11 powerfully illustrates God's sovereign control over all circumstances, even those seemingly mundane or rooted in pagan culture. The fact that Paul, a prisoner of Christ, departs on a ship bearing the sign of pagan gods, underscores that God works through the ordinary, and even the religiously antithetical, structures of the world to advance His kingdom. His providence is not limited by human beliefs or the prevailing cultural norms. The delay on Malta, though unexpected and caused by disaster, was not a hindrance but an opportunity for God's power to be displayed through Paul's ministry, setting the stage for the next phase of the mission. This passage reminds us that God's plans are unthwartable, and He can use any vessel, literally and figuratively, to achieve His divine will.

* [Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "Romans 8:28 - God Works All Things for Good")
* [Psalm 107:23-30](/psalms/107-23-30 "Psalm 107:23-30 - God's Deliverance from Storms")
* [Philippians 1:12-14](/philippians/1-12-14 "Philippians 1:12-14 - Paul's Imprisonment Advances the Gospel")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 28:11 offers profound encouragement for believers navigating the complexities of life. Just as Paul's journey was marked by unexpected delays and detours, our own lives often present unforeseen pauses, setbacks, or periods of waiting. This verse reminds us that such interruptions are not necessarily deviations from God's plan but can be integral parts of His sovereign design. The three months on Malta, though forced by circumstances, became a season of miraculous ministry and provision. This teaches us to embrace periods of waiting with faith, recognizing that God can use them to deepen our character, expand our influence, or prepare us for the next phase of our calling. Furthermore, the detail about the ship's pagan sign is a powerful reminder that we are called to live out our faith in a world that often operates by different principles and beliefs. God's purposes are accomplished not by our avoidance of the world, but by our engagement within it, trusting that His power transcends all human systems and superstitions. We are to be faithful in our journey, knowing that the Lord is our ultimate guide and protector, regardless of the "signs" or circumstances around us.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do you typically react to unexpected delays or detours in your life's plans?**
* **In what ways might God be using a current "waiting period" or "detour" in your life for a greater purpose?**
* **How does the detail of the ship's pagan sign challenge or encourage you regarding living out your faith in a secular or pluralistic society?**
* **What does this verse teach you about God's providence and His ability to work through ordinary or even seemingly contradictory means?**

### FAQ
**Why is the ship's sign, Castor and Pollux, specifically mentioned by Luke?**

Answer: Luke's mention of "Castor and Pollux" as the ship's sign serves multiple purposes. First, it provides a specific, verifiable historical detail, characteristic of Luke's meticulous reporting, which lends authenticity and credibility to his account of Paul's journey. Second, it highlights the cultural and religious context of the ancient maritime world. Castor and Pollux (the Dioscuri) were revered by sailors as protectors and bringers of good fortune, reflecting the pervasive pagan beliefs of the time. This detail creates a subtle but profound theological contrast: while the ship's crew and passengers relied on pagan deities for safety, the true protection and guidance for Paul and his companions came from the sovereign God, who had already demonstrated His power through the miraculous survival of the shipwreck in [Acts 27](/acts/27 "Acts 27 - Paul's Shipwreck") and the events on Malta in [Acts 28:1-10](/acts/28-1-10 "Acts 28:1-10 - Paul's Ministry on Malta"). It underscores that God works His purposes even through means associated with non-Christian beliefs, demonstrating His ultimate authority over all things.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 28:11, while a historical detail of Paul's journey, points to the broader narrative of God's unwavering plan of salvation, ultimately centered in Christ. The "ship of Alexandria" with its pagan sign, though an ordinary vessel, becomes an instrument in the divine purpose of bringing the gospel to Rome, just as all of creation and human history serve the ultimate reign of Christ. The true "sign" of safe passage and ultimate deliverance is not Castor and Pollux, but Jesus Christ Himself, who is the [Way, the Truth, and the Life](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, Truth, and Life"). His death and resurrection are the ultimate act of divine providence, securing eternal safety for all who believe. Paul's journey, marked by divine protection despite earthly perils, mirrors the journey of the church, which is guided by the [Spirit of Christ](/romans/8-9 "Romans 8:9 - The Spirit of Christ") through a world often hostile or indifferent to God. Christ is the one who [holds all things together](/colossians/1-17 "Colossians 1:17 - Christ's Sustaining Power"), ensuring that His mission, initiated by His incarnation and completed through His atoning work, will reach its final destination—the establishment of His kingdom throughout the earth. Just as Paul was divinely appointed to bear witness to Christ in Rome ([Acts 23:11](/acts/23-11 "Acts 23:11 - Paul's Commission to Rome")), so too is the church commissioned to carry the message of the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God") to the ends of the earth, confident that He who began a good work will bring it to completion ([Philippians 1:6](/philippians/1-6 "Philippians 1:6 - God's Faithfulness")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Acts 27:6

And there the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing into Italy; and he put us therein.

Isaiah 45:20

¶ Assemble yourselves and come; draw near together, ye [that are] escaped of the nations: they have no knowledge that set up the wood of their graven image, and pray unto a god [that] cannot save.

1 Corinthians 8:4

¶ As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol [is] nothing in the world, and that [there is] none other God but one.

Acts 6:9

Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called [the synagogue] of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen.

Jonah 1:5

Then the mariners were afraid, and cried every man unto his god, and cast forth the wares that [were] in the ship into the sea, to lighten [it] of them. But Jonah was gone down into the sides of the ship; and he lay, and was fast asleep.

Jonah 1:16

Then the men feared the LORD exceedingly, and offered a sacrifice unto the LORD, and made vows.