Lexical Summary apopleó: To sail away, to depart by sea Original Word: ἀποπλέω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance sail away. From apo and pleo; to set sail -- sail away. see GREEK apo see GREEK pleo NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom apo and pleó Definition to sail away NASB Translation sail (1), sailed (2), sailing (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 636: ἀποπλέωἀποπλέω; 1 aorist ἀπέπλευσα; (from Homer down); to sail away, depart by ship, set sail: Acts 13:4; Acts 14:26; Acts 20:15; Acts 27:1. Topical Lexicon Overview of Usage in Acts The verb describes the intentional act of leaving shore by ship, a movement that repeatedly signals decisive turns in the book of Acts. Each occurrence frames a transition in the advance of the Gospel, highlighting how the sea lanes of the Roman Empire became providential avenues for missionary outreach. Acts 13:4 — Launching the First Missionary Journey “Then Barnabas and Saul, sent forth by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus.” (Acts 13:4) Here the departure is Spirit-initiated, marking the formal beginning of Paul’s apostolic ministry to the Gentiles. The sailing away from Antioch of Syria underscores the church’s willingness to obey divine direction, even when it meant crossing cultural and geographic boundaries. Acts 14:26 — Completing the Circuit of Service “From Attalia they sailed back to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work they had now completed.” (Acts 14:26) The same action that began the mission now concludes it, framing the entire journey within God’s enabling grace. The nautical movement functions literarily as brackets, emphasizing that the mission’s success is attributable to divine commissioning and protection. Acts 20:15 — Steady Progress Toward Jerusalem After meeting the Ephesian elders at Miletus, Paul “sailed from there” and moved systematically southward. The word conveys purposeful determination; Paul is heading toward suffering in Jerusalem, yet the narrative shows no hesitation. Maritime travel is treated as a normal, even routine, means under the sovereignty of God for accomplishing His purposes. Acts 27:1 — Under Armed Escort “When it was decided that we should sail for Italy, Paul and some other prisoners were handed over to a centurion named Julius, who belonged to the Imperial Regiment.” (Acts 27:1) The final use frames Paul’s appeal to Caesar. Though physically in custody, he is spiritually free, and the sea voyage becomes the stage for dramatic testimony before pagans, demonstrating that neither chains nor storms impede the Gospel. Historical Background: Roman Maritime Networks First-century Mediterranean shipping followed predictable seasonal patterns and trade routes. Ports such as Seleucia, Attalia, Miletus, and Caesarea linked provincial cities to major centers like Rome and Alexandria. By narrating apostolic journeys in seafaring terms, Luke situates the Christian mission within real economic and cultural arteries of the empire, confirming the reliability of his account and the historical rootedness of the church’s expansion. Theological Implications of Sea Departure Imagery 1. Divine Sovereignty: Every sailing is portrayed as ordered by God, whether through the Holy Spirit’s direct instruction (Acts 13:4) or through Roman administrative decisions (Acts 27:1). Practical Ministry Lessons • Strategic Planning and Flexibility: Paul’s teams chose major ports yet adapted to changing circumstances (weather, opposition, legal constraints). Echoes of Old Testament Sea Narratives The sea in Scripture often symbolizes both threat and divine mastery. From the parting of the Red Sea to Jonah’s flight, maritime settings reveal God’s power over chaotic forces. Acts continues this motif, portraying the risen Christ supervising His witnesses on the Mediterranean just as Yahweh ruled the waters of Exodus and the prophets. Application for Contemporary Believers Modern ministry still requires “sailing away” from comfort zones—geographically, culturally, or relationally. The repeated departures remind churches to maintain an outward orientation, trust the Spirit’s guidance, and report back testimonies of grace. Sea images encourage confidence that Christ remains Lord of every journey, steering His mission toward its appointed shore. Forms and Transliterations απεπλευσαν απέπλευσαν ἀπέπλευσαν αποπλειν αποπλείν ἀποπλεῖν αποπλευσαντες αποπλεύσαντες ἀποπλεύσαντες apepleusan apépleusan apoplein apopleîn apopleusantes apopleúsantesLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Acts 13:4 V-AIA-3PGRK: ἐκεῖθέν τε ἀπέπλευσαν εἰς Κύπρον NAS: and from there they sailed to Cyprus. KJV: and from thence they sailed to Cyprus. INT: from there moreover they sailed away to Cyprus Acts 14:26 V-AIA-3P Acts 20:15 V-APA-NMP Acts 27:1 V-PNA Strong's Greek 636 |
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